Old Independence Cemetery

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Old Independence Cemetery
Details
Location
Independence, Texas
CountryUnited States
Coordinates30°19′43″N 96°21′40″W / 30.32861°N 96.36111°W / 30.32861; -96.36111Coordinates: 30°19′43″N 96°21′40″W / 30.32861°N 96.36111°W / 30.32861; -96.36111

Old Independence Cemetery was founded in 1823. It is located in Independence, Texas, on land donated by Medora Coles McCrocklin, a daughter of Judge J. P. Coles, one of the Old Three Hundred from the Austin Colony. The cemetery was an early community graveyard used by Anglo-American pioneers of Texas. It is commemorated by a state historical marker.[1]

Numerous prominent figures of the Republic of Texas are buried here, along with founders of Baylor University, which had its first campus in Independence.

Gravestones were cut from native limestone and some are decorated with seashells. There are a number of false crypts in the cemetery.[2][3]

The nearby was used by African-American members of this historic community.

Notable burials in Old Independence Cemetery[]

  • Moses Austin Bryan (1843–1895)
  • Sam Houston, Jr. (1843-1894) - First son of Sam Houston[4]
  • Tacitus Thomas Clay (1824–1868) - Built Clay Castle[5]
  • Ira Randolph Lewis (1800–1867) - Early settler[6]

Henry Lee Graves (1818-1881) First President of Baylor University

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places in Washington County, Texas

References[]

  1. ^ Texas Historical Commission. "Old Independence Cemetery Historical Marker".
  2. ^ Harvey, Bill (1996). Texas Cemeteries. California: University of Texas Press. pp. 160–161. ISBN 9781860990199.
  3. ^ Texas State Historical Association. "Handbook of Texas Online".
  4. ^ "Texas State Historical Association". Houston, Sam, Jr. (1843–1894).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Hailey, James. "Clay Castle". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  6. ^ Blake, Robert Bruce. "Ira Randolph Lewis". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
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