Restoring Williamson County's lost cemeteries
October 31 is the first of three days dedicated by various cultures to remembering the dead.
In some Christian churches, Halloween is followed by All Saints’ Day and then by All Souls’ Day. In Mexico, this time is called Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. These days often include cemetery visits.
Williamson County Historical Commission preserves, protects and promotes the county’s historic resources. Williamson County has more than 250 cemeteries that are under the WCHC umbrella, and a team of dedicated volunteers locate, document, restore and preserve these cemeteries. Williamson County has about 50 cemeteries with historic designations.
Joe Plunkett started volunteering seven years ago and is a senior member and chair of the WCHC cemetery committee.
“I lead and coordinate over 40 folks who are volunteers of the cemetery restoration,” Mr. Plunkett said.
In 2022, the Texas Historical Commission recognized the Williamson County group for its dedication and work. That same year, Mr. Plunkett was acknowledged as outstanding volunteer of the year by the Texas Star Commission.
Mr. Plunkett and other volunteers work on sites that have been forgotten and neglected.
“The Historical Commission has restored 40 cemeteries in the last 14 years,” he said. “The cemeteries we’re working in are anywhere from 100 to 170 years old.”
Accessing a cemetery on private property can be challenging.
“You have to get permission from a land owner, whether you’re a descendant or someone like us, who wants to restore,” Mr. Punkett said. “We have some cred’ now. We call first and get permission for each visit. That’s been a key to our success.”
Mr. Plunkett took me to two very different cemeteries that date to the mid to late 1800s.
The first was at risk of being infringed on by developers. Adjacent property is being developed into a convenience store. The tiny Old Collins Cemetery was cleaned up and a fence was put around its two headstones and footstones. Little is known about the five individuals who are believed to be buried on site. The oldest grave, dated 1892, is that of Jemima “Thopson.” Her marker is misspelled and her last name was reportedly Thompson. The additional burials include two of Jemima’s grand or great-grandchildren, David and Helen.
It’s heartwarming to know a bit of perpetual peace lies flush to local urban encroachment.
Next we headed north of Circleville to the oldest house in Williamson County. The inscription reads “Built 1850 by David H. and Jerusha Dyches McFadin, born in Tennessee, came to Texas 1828; fought in Battle of San Jacinto.” The McFadin and Dyches families were among the earliest settlers in the county. McFadin became one of the area’s wealthiest farmers. The historic stone house sits by a perpetual spring. Confederates camped here on the way to the Civil War.
Current owners Lee and Jetina Bingham have beautifully restored the house as a wedding venue. On the scenic property there is a cemetery with about 70 headstones.
“It was a jungle when we first came,” Mr. Plunkett recalled. “Gravestones were broken by vandalism, trampled by cattle and buried or damaged by time.”
Mr. Plunkett said the restoration process was extensive. The group found and repaired broken headstones and footstones. Vines and overgrown trees were trimmed or removed. Documentation of public records provided history of those buried on site. This cemetery, located in a quiet rural setting, is now restored to its original state. It’s easy to imagine early settlers, heads bowed in prayer, burying their beloved. Their memories are perpetuated.
Cemeteries are valuable historic resources and gravemarkers serve as a directory of early residents. Grounds range from single unmarked graves to expansive cemeteries spanning hundreds of acres and thousands of burials.
Sadly, historic cemeteries do not always remain permanent reminders of our heritage. They are threatened by expanding urban areas, natural forces, vandalism and neglect. Thankfully cemetery preservation programs record and protect historic cemeteries across Williamson County thanks to the efforts of committed volunteers like Joe Plunkett.