Talk of Wilson County TX Historic Towns

by Barbara J. Wood
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MARCELINA

The  history of Marcelina Cemetery ...

Isaac and Malinda Sims and their seven children moved by covered wagon from Jasper County, Mississippi, to Marcelina in January 1876. They came to join Isaac's father, Dr. Jesse Green Sims, and his stepmother, Theresa Foster Sims, who had settled there a few years earlier along with their children.
 
Isaac and Malinda bought a farm in the Marcelina community and as the community grew, the need for a cemetery became apparent. Isaac, a public-spirited man, deeded a portion of his farm in 1883 for the sum of $1. The land provided an adequate-sized cemetery for the community as well as land to build a house of worship for the Marcelina Baptist Church.
 
Later in 1901, Isaac and Malinda sold more of their land to the Marcelina Baptist Church. The second deed designated four acres for church purposes and 2 1/6 acres for a graveyard.
 
Adjoining this cemetery was land deeded to Samuel H. Foster in 1885. Foster sold this land in 1886, reserving 1 1/2 acres nearest to the Marcelina Baptist Church for burial purposes. This included the grave of his mother and all others buried on this tract of land prior to this date. Through the years, these two cemeteries merged as one and saw extensive use as more and more pioneers settled in Marcelina.
 
The oldest marked grave at Marcelina Cemetery is that of Martin Donaho, who was born in 1848 and died in 1882. There are many old marked graves located throughout the cemetery and just as many unmarked. Numerous graves belong to the veterans of U.S. wars, while several graves are marked with Masonic or Woodmen of the World and Eastern Star symbols.
 
In the earlier day, all interested parties met at the cemetery on George Washington's birthday, Feb. 22, and gave the cemetery a good cleaning. The remainder of the year, each family was responsible for the gravesites of their loved ones. This system worked well until the older generation began to thin out and families of the earlier settlers moved away. As time went on, graves became more and more neglected except on the annual cleanup day.
 
In 1954, Sally Sims, granddaughter of Isaac and Malinda Sims, and others established the Marcelina Cemetery Association. The association meets annually to continue the maintenance of the gravesites where their loved ones are buried. The members of the association come from all over the state of Texas and even from other states, and is growing as more family members become involved. The goal is to maintain everlasting care of the cemetery in the future and to continue to provide a peaceful resting place.
 
Prepared by Barbara (Conn) Mills, secretary/treasurer of the Marcelina Cemetery Association, in August 2002.
 
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COURTESY/ Wilson County News

Marker is symbol of History in Marcelina

Source: Wilson County News
By Elaine Mazurek Stephens
April  2005
 
On April 2 in the heart of Wilson County, an officially inscribed Historic Texas Cemetery medallion was unveiled amidst tombstones and bluebonnets. The new spring weather was showing off and the wildflowers decorated every grave. Family and friends in the tiny historic community off S.H. 97 gathered at the Marcelina Baptist Church to dedicate the memorial to their loved ones.

Marvin Mills, president of the Marcelina Cemetery Association, welcomed families, friends, and guests. The Rev. Olen Wilson, minister of the small church, gave the invocation.

Gene Maeckel, chairman of the Wilson County Historical Society, spoke of the hard work it takes to obtain one of the markers.

"The Texas Historical Marker program is one of the best in the country," Maeckel said. "It takes careful work and dedication to obtain a historical marker."

Wilson County Judge Marvin Quinney, who was the guest speaker, praised cemetery association members for their hard work and dedication to preserving and protecting the heritage of their community.
 
During the ceremony, a history of the Marcelina Cemetery was given by association secretary-treasurer, Barbara Conn Mills. Lauren and Marvin Mills acknowledged the many people who made it possible for the marker to become a reality. The visitors gave thanks for their loved ones, then walked to the cemetery, only a few steps from the simple, white church. The solemn unveiling was done by J.G. Sims, a descendant of the founders. Following an outdoor benediction by the Rev. Wilson, homemade refreshments were offered in the fellowship hall of the church.

"Historic Texas cemetery markers are important, not only because they show how much a community values a landmark site, but also because they interpret the history for future generations," said Dan K. Utley, chief historian with the Texas Historical Commission. "Cemeteries are unfortunately among our most vulnerable cultural resources; they often contain information about the past that cannot be found anywhere else. In that sense, they are like libraries on a landscape."
 
The Marcelina Cemetery marker from the Texas Historical Commission reads, "In 1876, Isaac and Malinda Sims moved from Mississippi to Wilson County's Marcelina Community. Seven years later, they deeded part of their land for a burial ground and the Marcelina Baptist Church. Samuel Foster, Isaac's stepbrother, also deeded land, including the site of his mother's grave, for burial purposes. Over time, the two cemeteries merged into one. The oldest marked grave, that of Martin Donaho, dates to 1882. The cemetery continues to be used by the community. A cemetery association, organized in 1954 by Sally Sims and others, still maintains the burial ground, which remains a link to the area's rich history."

Near the lone picnic table under the old oak trees in the churchyard, the great-great-grandchildren played, unaware of the significance of the day, which is an important part of their family's history. Someday they will become curious about their community and thankful for the lives and history recorded on the durable, aluminum marker, which stands at the final resting places of their ancestors. Until then, every spring, the bluebonnets will celebrate in their memory and honor.
 
Marcelina is located four miles east of Floresville off S.H. 97.

CIRCA 1910

MARCELINA WILSON COUNTY TEXAS SCHOOL ....    circa 1910.  Miss Sadie Dennis was the teacher.  Patty Flora Sitchler's grandmother, Jettie Lou Cale Tipton is in the picture donning pigtails & wearing a gingham dress. Anyone else recognize a relative? (Thank you Patty for sharing!)