Bowman Ridge Cemetery
Stephenville vicinity, Erath County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The namesake of Keith's Branch Community, A. B. Keith, deeded one acre of land to the Primitive Baptist Church around this site for use as a burial ground in February 1885. The earliest known grave in the cemetery is that of Wilson H. Benson, who was born in January 1886 and died that November. Confederate veteran J. N. Hamrick was interred here in 1895. In time, the area became known as Bowman Ridge for pioneer Benjamin Bowman who gave land for a schoolhouse. The graves of children buried before the 20th century are a testament to the often harsh conditions of pioneer life. In the year 2000, there were about 60 graves in the old cemetery and an additional 11 with illegible tombstones. The cemetery continues as a chronicle of Erath County. (2000)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This Erath County burial ground began in 1885 when A. B. Keith deeded an acre to the Primitive Baptist Church, and its earliest known grave belongs to an infant who lived only months in 1886. The area later took the name Bowman Ridge for pioneer Benjamin Bowman, who gave land for a schoolhouse, and a Confederate veteran was among those laid to rest here. The many graves of children speak to the hardships of pioneer life.
Why it matters
Small country cemeteries record the fragile lives of frontier families and stand as chronicles of the communities that settled rural Texas.
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Related people
- · A. B. Keith
- · Benjamin Bowman
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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