FIRST Burial in Holly Springs Cemetery - Martins Mill, TX
N 32° 26.114 W 095° 46.346
15S E 239330 N 3592063
A Texas Historical Marker near the entrance to Holly Springs Cemetery indicates that Susan M. Hanks was the first person buried here, in 1863. Two other headstones predate hers, but those belong to burials moved here in 1968.
Waymark Code: WMQ04C
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/20/2015
Views: 1
The historical marker provides the background:
In 1860, Robert K. Gibbs donated three acres of land near this site for the establishment of Holly Springs Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Three years later, during the height of the Civil War, W.E. and Comelia J. Roberts deeded approximately three additional acres to create this community burial ground. The site has been enlarged over the years through later land acquisitions.
The first person interred here was Susan M. Hanks (d.1863), wife of Hansford Hanks. Two tombstones, those of James W. Gray (d.1850) and Sarah C. Gray (d.1856), bear earlier death dates, but the grave sites were among those reinterred from the Ephriam Gray Graveyard in 1968. The Pioneer Gray Cemetery was originally located 2.5 miles northwest of Martin's Mill.
The Holly Springs Cemetery has served residents of Martin's Mill (1.7 miles southwest) and surrounding rural communities for over a century. Individuals interred here include pioneer area settlers, church and community leaders, and military veterans. Still used, the historic cemetery serves as a reminder of the area's rich heritage.
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Mrs. Hanks is buried in front of the West family plot, and is easily located. The holder for her original headstone is all that remains, while her replacement headstone is a modern one, of red granite, with this inscription:
In Memory of Our Mother
Susan M., Wife of H. Hanks
Apr. 2, 1812
Jan. 12, 1863
FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group
Date of FIRST: 01/15/1863
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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