History:
In 1843 Sam Houston opened up what is presently known as Ellis County. At that time, the area was known as Peters Colony and there were a small number of settlers living there. The few who did live in the area trapped animals for fur and sold it for a living. Indians were also common in the area, although very few settlers feared them. Sam Houston made a peace treaty with the Indians even though not all of the Indians agreed with it.

In 1848, Larkin Newton, his wife Mary, and his eight children moved from Missouri to Peters Colony. At this time Newton was 54 years old. In order to claim 640 acres of land they had to build a house on the property of his choice by July 1, 1848. His cabin was built by the deadline and the land became his. In this new community the Larkins raised three more children and helped the colony to become a county. This small area, which has grown tremendously in recent years, was then only inhabited by enough residents to be considered a county. Around this time, the Peters Colony grew into Ellis County. Over the years Larkin Newton's occupation took on many forms. He owned a gristmill, served as a postmaster, and surveyed land. Larkin Newton died at the age of 64 on May 21, 1858. He is buried in the Newton Family Cemetery.

Another family, lead by patriarch William Hawkins, applied for a land grant from Peters Colony. Just like Newton, they had to build their home on the land before July 1, 1848 so that they could own the land. The family built their cable on schedule and moved to the mouth of Waxahachie Creek or present day Hawkins Spring. Mr. Hawkins then became the first chief justice for the community. The Larkins and the Newtons became the first families of the area. They became close friends and family as their children married one another.

In 1850, a log cabin was built as a community center near what is now the cemetery in Midlothian. This locally used refuge was a church as well as schoolhouse. Fathers around the area took turns teaching the children and students were considered educated if they finished the fifth reader. The cabin might have also served as a Methodist church. This center was later either burned or torn down in 1861. Soon following that event, the Lebanon church was built in its place. Just like the last cabin, this church was also used as a schoolhouse. At this time, Midlothian was known by many names including; South Most, Headwaters of Waxahachie Creek, Barkersville, Lebanon, Newton's Branch, and Hawkins Spring.