Rev. Thomas Cahahill "Crockett" Capell was born August 11,1834 5 miles Southwest of Brownsville, Tennessee in Haywood County. His nickname was Crockett. He was the youngest of 5 children born to Louis Capell and Mary (Tyus) Capell. Both of his parents died around 1844 from Tuberculosis. Crockett was raised by his Uncle Tom Tyus on a plantation near his home. As a young adult, he attended school for a two-year apprenticeship in carpentry, and was very good at his trade.

Crockett moved to Arkansas around 1855 where he met Mary Jane Barbee (1838-1906). They were married in January 1857 in Searcy, Arkansas. They then moved to Texas in June 1857 to Restless Creek near Wilson in Comanche County. They had 11 children (6 boys and 5 girls) of which 10 reached adulthood. Crockett was a private with Captain John Salmon "Rip" Ford's Texas Rangers from January 10,1858 to July 10, 1858. Comanche and Kiowa Indian raids were getting so bad that Texas Governor Hardin R. Runnels personally contacted Rip Ford and asked him to put together a force of 102 Rangers and get them trained at Fort Belknap. The Rangers were trained in Comanche Indian Warfare tactics to include shooting rifles and pistols from horseback. After about 4 months of training the Rangers traveled into the panhandle of Texas and crossed into Indian Territory as part of the Antelope Hills Expedition. On May 12th, 1858. Crockett bravely fought in the Battle of Little Robe Creek in Antelope Hills. He was discharged after being wounded in the hip or leg in a battle with Comanche Indians at Dove Creek in July 1858.

Crockett signed up for a 3-year period with the Confederate army July 14, 1862, in Dublin, Texas. He was assigned to Company G of the 30th Texas Calvary (Gurley's). He participated in several battles across Texas, Arkansas, and Indian Territory which is currently Oklahoma. He was a bugler and achieved the rank of Sergeant. He was severely wounded September 19, 1864, during the Second Battle of Cabin Creek, Indian Territory when a Yankee mini ball struck him in the leg. He returned home, and in 1872 moved the family to Edna Hill, Erath County. He is recognized on a Confederate monument dedicated in Stephenville, Texas in 2001.

Crockett was licensed to preach in Winters, Texas about 1885, and built the first Methodist church at Edna Hill. Unfortunately, this church burned and a second one was built near the site which still stands today and is used as a Community Center. He was a circuit/riding Methodist preacher and traveled many miles. He was ordained by a local Deacon in Belton, Texas around November 1889. He built a press (similar to chest) using the old square nails of the time. This press was donated to the Dublin Historical Society by the daughters of Alma (Stephen) Gee and W.L. Gee and can be seen today.

Crockett's wife Mary (Barbee) Capell passed away April 13, 1906, and is buried in the Barbee Cemetery. Shortly after her death, Crockett had a stroke and was unable to walk or talk, but he continued to attend church regularly even though he could no longer preach. He was at church up until 2 weeks before his death. Crockett passed away on July 3, 1914, and is buried next to his wife in Barbee Cemetery. Crockett had a poetic way with words and wrote very touching obituaries for his wife, and daughter Dora. After his death, an epitaph that he wrote for himself was found in an old clock, and those word were placed on his tombstone. He also wrote an epitaph for his wife that appears on her tombstone.

Memorial Service to be held October 14, 2023, at 2:00pm at Barbee Cemetery in Dublin, Texas.

Epitaph for Rev. Thomas "Crockett" Capell (1834-1914)

"Remember Strangers as you pass by, where you are now, so once was I, where I am now you soon must be. Prepare for death and follow me."

Epitaph for Mary (Barbee) Capell (1838-1906)

"The Golden Gates were opened wide, a gentle voice said come. And angels from the other side welcomed our loved one home."

Some descendant's names of the Capell Family:

Capell, Barbee, Bradley, Chambers, Colbaugh, Corbitt, Davis, Dorris, Elder, Fischer, Gilbert, Helton, Henderson, Hulsey, Jones, Knox, Newby, Roberson, Salyer, Southerland, Stephen, Stracener, Tackett, Thweatt, West, Williamson.