In 1870, Elizabeth Barrow deeded a house and 198 acres of land to Thompson and Emily (Hulbert) Brown in exchange for their care of her in her old age. Both Thompson and Emily were born into slavery, and Emily served as midwife for many area families. The Browns gave land to the Old River Methodist Episcopal Church in 1881, and from that donation came this cemetery. Thompson (d. 1897) was first to be interred here; other burials include Emily, their son Hazard, and his descendants. The church changed its name to St. Emily in Emily’s honor, and it continues to maintain the site. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2005