Fincastle Cemetery and Church
Poynor, Henderson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Little physical evidence remains of the early Henderson County community of Fincastle. The pioneer cemetery and church building at this site stand as reminders of this once-flourishing trade center. In 1851 Dr. Pleasant P. Adams deeded 1091 acres of land to John Tindel, and all marked graves date from that time. Tindel's daughter, Lydia Parmer, is credited with legally setting aside the land for public use. Dr. Adams' wife is said to have been among the first to be buried in the graveyard. Many pioneers of the community are interred here,including John and Mary Tindel and Daniel McRae, Fincastle's first postmaster, who is credited with naming the town. A number of different church buildings have occupied this site. Although early records of the churches have not been maintained, it is known that circuit preachers and local religious leaders held worship services here. Baptist and Methodist congregations worshiped on alternate Sundays. The church building also served as a schoolhouse and as a place to hold elections, political rallies and special events. Although no church congregation is associated with it today, the building continues to serve as a polling place and as the site of an annual homecoming celebration.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Little now remains of Fincastle, an early Henderson County trade center, save the pioneer cemetery and church building that mark its site. The graveyard traces to an 1851 land transfer, with the town's namer, first postmaster, and founding families among those buried here. A succession of church buildings served the community, where Baptist and Methodist congregations worshiped on alternate Sundays and the structure doubled as schoolhouse, polling place, and gathering hall.
Why it matters
A cemetery and a shared meeting-house are often all that outlast a vanished frontier town, preserving the names and rhythms of pioneer life after the community itself has dispersed.
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Related people
- · Pleasant P. Adams
- · John Tindel
- · Lydia Parmer
- · Daniel McRae
Themes & tags
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