Established in 1863 by Peyton Thomas, a prominent farmer, justice of the peace, postmaster, church clerk, blacksmith, and merchant, this cemetery became the burial place of the Thomas, Sumner, Randolph, Skaggs, Carr, Marquess, Taylor, Futrell, and other pioneer families who had settled in the Donaldson Creek valley as early as 1799. Peyton Thomas was the son of Cullen Thomas and grandson of James Thomas, Sr. Perpetual care for the cemetery was made possible by a legacy from Garland Derwood Sumner, a great-grandson of Peyton Thomas, who died on Nov. 21, 1990, at age 90. He was the son of Alvin Sumner, 1875-1929, and Gracie Day (Thomas) Sumner, 1880-1964, and the last survivor of a family that included Sammie O., 1901-1924; Lora Maud, 1905-1923; and James Guylie, 1909-1972, all of whom died single.