Col. Edmund Thomas Corley, son of Nathan Corley 1789-1845, and Nancy Ann Thompson 1780-1816, was born February 27, 1811 in Louisa Co., Virginia. Grandson of William "Will" Corley, Revolutionary Patriot, and his wife, Mourning Byars. He married Clarkey Haynie Beasley on December 18, 1832, in Wilson County, Tennessee.

Edmund Thomas Corley was a Colonel in the Tennessee Militia and first came to Texas during the Mexican-American War in 1846 thru 1848. It was there that he served with Brigidier General Alfred Marion Truitt from whom he would later acquire property in Shelby Co.,Texas. In 1846 he was instrumental in establishing a Masonic Lodge in Rusk Co., Texas and later belonged to Truitt Lodge No.149, as well as the Royal Arch Mt. Vernon No. 25 Chapter in Shelbyville, Texas.

In the 1860 Federal Census E. T., 49, and Clarkey Haynie 46, Corley are listed at Truitt's Store, with 8 children: Winslowe W., 26; Adelbert, 23; Alfred Beasley, 21; Gabriel Rudolphus Washington,19; Nancy, 15; Permelia,13; Cisero, 10; and Susan, 11.

Following the War of Northern Aggression, the Colonel and his family were devastated as two of his sons (Winslowe and Adelbert) had been killed, two had returned home wounded and worn out, and two of his daughters had married veterans of the Confederate Army. Col Corley left the farm on horseback on a nearly year long search for the resting place of his two sons, which ended in futility. He had wittnessed the utter destruction in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, as well as the despair of those in Louisiana on this journey. Dead, maimed, sick, and last of food and any necessities along the way prompted him to finish his medical training when he returned to his beloved property in East Texas. Please read the letter of application to Nashville, Tennessee Medical College in 1867, with a beautiful recommendation by his dear friend and Masonic brother, Dr. James Clardy.

The Corley Cemetery was established in 1873 on the death of Col. Corley who was buried under his favorite Cedar tree. Upon the death and burial of his great grandson James Rebyl Harrison in 1979, the cemetery was re-designated as the Corley-Harrison Cemetery by his son and owner of the property, George Braxton Harrison. In 1986 the cemetery and original property of the Corley's and Harrison's were designated a State of Texas Historic Landmark property.

By his gr., gr., grandson, George Braxton Harrison

Sources:

-Censuses for Shelby County, Texas
"Harrison and Corley in Shelby Co., Texas", 1986 (George Braxton Harrison)
Copy of Medical School Application