[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING MARTHA ``PATSEY'' BROCKETT WAKEFIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2024

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National 
Society Daughters of the American Revolution and their effort to 
commemorate the men and women who achieved American independence, 
realizing that those Patriots believed in the noble cause of liberty 
and served valiantly to found a new nation.
  More directly, I would like to acknowledge cooperative spirit of the 
Flower Mound, Benjamin Lyon, Cross Timbers, Captain Molly Corbin, 
Peters Colony, and Shawnee Trail Chapters of the National Society 
Daughters of the American Revolution who have united to promote 
America's upcoming 250th birthday and endeavor to convey its relevance 
to our society. This cooperative spirit honors the tradition begun by 
the pioneers who settled the southern community of Denton County, now 
known as Copper Canyon.
  On Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Flower Mound Chapter met to hold an 
official grave marking and dedication honoring Martha ``Patsey'' 
Brockett Wakefield (1797-1873), one of Denton County's early 
matriarchs, with an official grave marking and dedication at Chinn's 
Chapel Cemetery in Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas.
  As the youngest daughter of Revolutionary War Patriot William 
Ebenezer Brockett, born in 1797, Martha Brockett married Henry 
Wakefield, Jr. in January of 1817. Henry Wakefield, Jr. was the son of 
Revolutionary War Patriot Henry Wakefield, himself the offspring of 
Revolutionary War Patriot Charles Wakefield.
  In 1853 Henry Wakefield, Jr. and his wife, Martha ``Patsey'' Brockett 
Wakefield, moved with their large family to 320 acres of land Henry 
purchased for $320 in Denton County, Texas. In 1859, Silas Wakefield 
and his brother Simpson Burke Wakefield, two of Henry and Martha 
``Patsey's'' 11 children, and among 9 who survived into adulthood, each 
purchased adjoining land grants of 160 acres nearby. Located on land 
purchased by Simpson, the Denton County Town of Waketon was named after 
the family.
  Simpson's wife, Jane, with two other women, and Mary Stowe Chinn, 
founded Chinn's Chapel Methodist Church, believed to be the oldest 
church and school in Denton County.
  Originally named Antioch, the chapel was built from donated logs 
provided by settlers visiting the nearby Lockhart Spring. In 1858 the 
community came together and assembled the logs into the cabin structure 
that served as a church, school and as a temporary shelter for new 
settlers as they built their own homes. As settlers died from various 
causes, the settlers were frequently buried near the log cabin chapel. 
When Simpson and Jane Wakefield died a month a part in 1861, they were 
among the early burials in the Chinn's Chapel Cemetery.
  The Christians worshipping in the log cabin were offered the service 
of a Methodist circuit rider preacher who would arrive regularly about 
once every three months. They sought membership in the Texas Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were admitted in 1872. They 
renamed the log cabin ``Chinn's Chapel Methodist Church'' in honor of 
the Chinn Family. Early day camp meetings were held each August in the 
valley below, an area that served as a campground for meetings at the 
Chinn Chapel Campground. The road beside it was part of the main road 
from Southern Denton County to the County seat and was called Chinn's 
Chapel Road. The area became well known in Denton County as the Chinn's 
Chapel Community, still recognized today with The Chinn's Chapel Log 
Cabin still standing in the Chinn's Chapel Cemetery on what is now 
known as Chinn Chapel Road.
  The legacy of Martha ``Patsey'' is still evident today in the 
familiar Southern Denton landmarks that bear the names of her son and 
the efforts of her daughter-in-law and the Chinn family with whom they 
shared the values of the pioneer farming families: a love of family, 
God, and country; a spirit of community cooperation; practical problem 
solving with a know-how that comes from living on the land; and a 
respect for the richness and beauty of the rural Texas landscape.
  On behalf of the 26th Congressional District of Texas, I honor Martha 
``Patsey'' Brockett Wakefield and her spirit, exemplifying the 
fortitude and gratitude that are the foundations of Southern Denton 
County. Her descendants have left their imprint on this community for 
the over one million residents of this County they established, and I 
recognize their important role in establishing their rich history and 
the North Texas quality of life we are grateful to share.

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