(Editor�s Note: Descendants of the "John line" of Fulbrights know well that their grandmother Elizabeth (Coulter) Fulbright is thought to be buried in the Hooper Cemetery in Laclede County. Her sons John and Daniel, their families, and many other Fulbrights and Fulbright relatives are also buried in this community cemetery. When I was in Lebanon researching Fulbrights in March, I decided I would also check for a deed for this cemetery. Such multi-family cemeteries were often deeded to the public or county by the original landowner, to insure they would remain as cemeteries in perpetuity. I found several deeds transferring land to Laclede County in the deed index, all possible candidates for the presumed deed for Hooper Cemetery. The third one I checked turned out to be it! Despite the name, Hooper Cemetery, it turned out another pioneer in the area actually owned and deeded the land -- Thomas Turner. Turners intermarried with Fulbrights, so this man is likely an ancestor of a number of Fulbright descendants. He is also buried in the cemetery.

I might also add that public ownership does not imply perpetual care and maintenance of the cemetery. Hooper Cemetery has been overgrown for years, and was cleaned out in the late 1990s. The overgrowth continues, though, and Tom and Patricia Herd did some cleaning in the cemetery last fall. Descendants need to consider a more permanent arrangement to keep the cemetery cleared. My transcription of the text of the deed follows.]

This indenture made and entered into on the Twenty fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight between Thomas Turner and Selia Turner his wife of the County of Laclede and State of Missouri of the one part and the County of Laclede and State of Missouri of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Thomas Turner and Selia Turner his wife for and in the consideration of one dollar to them in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do bargain and sell and by these presents do grant bargain and sell convey and confirm unto the said County of Laclede and State of Missouri the following described or parcel of land being situate and lying in the County and state aforesaid and being a part of the south west fourth of the south west quarter of Section Twenty, Township Thirty six of Range fifteen and bounded as follows to wit: beginning six hundred links east of the North West corner on the North boundary line of said tract of land at a limestone Twenty eight inches long eighteen inches broad and five inches thick from which a Blackjack three inches in diameter bears North eleven degrees West sixteen links distant and a Postoak Twenty five inches diameter bears south Eighty six and a half degrees East sixty eight links distant from which place Turns south Three hundred and eighty seven and a half links to a lime stone Twenty one inches long fourteen inches broad and three and a half inches thick from which a Postoak four inches diameter bears North Thirty one degrees west two and a half links distant and a Postoak four inches diameter bears North seventy seven and a half degrees east sixteen links distant. Thence east three hundred and eighty seven and a half links to a Flint stone seventeen inches long from which a pin oak six inches diameter bears North forty six and a half degrees West Thirty three links and a Pin oak five inches diameter bears North Thirty seven degrees east Twelve and a half links distant. Thence North Three hundred and eighty seven and a half links to a Flint stone eleven inches long six and a half inches broad and two and a half inches thick from which a stooping pin oak twenty inches diameter bears south ten and a half degrees west twelve links distant. Thence west three hundred and eighty seven and a half links to the beginning containing one acre and a half to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in [any way?] pertaining thereunto to the use and benefit of the said County of Laclede and State of Missouri [illegible] and the said Thomas Turner and Celia Turner his wife do bind themselves their heirs etc. unto the said County of Laclede and State of Missouri do warrant and defend the title of the aforesaid premises unto the said County of Laclede and State of Missouri forever against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons claiming or to claims the same or any parts thereof. In testimony whereof we the said Thomas Turner and Celia Turner his wife have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our seals the day and year above mentioned.

Thomas Turner {seal}
Celia Turner {seal}

State of Missouri }
County of Laclede }
Be it remembered that on the 30th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight before the undersigned a justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid personally appeared Thomas Turner and Celia Turner his wife who are personally known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing deed and severally acknowledged the same to be their act and deed for the purposes therein named. And she the said Celia Turner being by me made acquainted with the nature and contents of said instrument of writing and by me questioned separate and apart from her said husband whether she executed the same fully voluntarily and without compulsion or under influence of her said husband, and upon such examination I hereby certify that she acknowledged and declared that she executed the same and relinquished her dower in the lands and tenements therein mentioned fully voluntarily and without the compulsion or under influence of her said husband. -- Taken and certified the day and year above written before me.

P. E. Hawkins, J. P.
Filed February 14th 1859 }

Recorded February 23rd 1859 }
     John S. Herndon, Recorder
     by Joseph M. Herndon, D.C.