Marcelina Cemetery
Floresville, Wilson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
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 gound 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. Th 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. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2003
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1876 Isaac and Malinda Sims left Mississippi for Wilson County's Marcelina community, and seven years later deeded part of their land for a burial ground and the Marcelina Baptist Church. Isaac's stepbrother Samuel Foster gave adjoining land that included his mother's grave, and over time the two plots merged into one cemetery whose oldest marked grave, Martin Donaho's, dates to 1882. Still used by the community and maintained by an association organized in 1954, it remains a link to the area's founding families.
Why it matters
The cemetery records the westward migration of families from the older South into Texas, and how a church and burial ground together formed the nucleus of a new rural community.
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Related people
- · Isaac Sims
- · Malinda Sims
- · Samuel Foster
Themes & tags
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