Dennis Cemetery -- Sabine Co. TX
N 31° 25.918 W 093° 56.229
15R E 410938 N 3477856
All that remains of Dennis Cemetery is a smashed historic marker -- we saw no marked graves
Waymark Code: WMXG1N
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/08/2018
Views: 2
Blasterz always hate to see this kind of destruction in peaceful country cemeteries. The day we visited in the cemetery (28 Dec 2017), all we found was a damaged gate that was bent back roughly into position and closed with a loop of wire, a historic marker that looks like it had been split with a sledgehammer, and no tombstones.
According to Find-a-Grave, this is a Republic of Texas-era pioneer family cemetery with 9 graves in it. Find-A-Grave has a photo of the intact historic marker. (
visit link)
The marker reads as follows:
"DENNIS CEMETERY
This cemetery was established prior to 1836 when Texas was part of Mexico. Located on property later donated by pioneer settler Isaiah Hamilton, it was used as a burial site for slaves of the area around the pioneer Sulphur Spring community. The significance of the historic Dennis Cemetery is reflected in the lives of individuals buried here. Gravesites include those of Easter Scurlock, later Mrs. Randall Sneedy, and Henry Smith, who came to Texas in 1834 with their owner Captain William Scurlock, a celebrated veteran of the Texas Revolution two years later. Following Emancipation in 1865, both former slaves figured prominently in the development of the area's black community. Two of Easter's sons, Dave and Dick, who acquired the family name of Jim Dennis when they were sold to him, also became active leaders here. Descendants of slaves buried at this site still live in the area. No longer in use, the Dennis Cemetery contains more than 100 graves. The burial ground now serves as a reminder of Texas' early history and of the area's rich heritage. It is a symbol of pride for the local black community, which was founded on the efforts of pioneer slaves and Freedmen interred here."