Merrell Cemetery
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Elder Eli Merrell (1787 - 1849), minister of the Disciples of Christ Church, came with his wife, Mary, in 1844, to settle 640 acres near Bachman's Branch in what was then Nacogdoches County. This cemetery is on a part of his acreage, and his was the first marked grave at this site. The Merrell Cemetery originally served pioneers from the surrounding area. Numerous prominent citizens and members of the historic Peters Colony are among those buried here. William Strait (1806-86) and his wife, Mourning (1806-77), came to Dallas County in 1853. Many of their family members remained in the area, serving the community in various positions. Strait's sons, William, Enoch, and Bennett, served with Merrell's sons, George and John, in the 19th Cavalry during the Civil War. Enoch Strait (1834 - 1917) served as Dallas County Commissioner and William Strait's grandson, Elmo (1876 - 1922), became the Chief of Police for the city of Dallas. Members of the cemetery association, which was organized in 1965, include many descendants of pioneer settlers. (1985)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Elder Eli Merrell, a Disciples of Christ minister born in 1787, settled 640 acres near Bachman's Branch in 1844, and his was the first marked grave in this cemetery on his own land. It became the resting place of pioneers from the surrounding area, including members of the historic Peters Colony. The Strait family, who arrived in 1853, are also buried here; their sons rode with Merrell's in the 19th Cavalry during the Civil War, and their descendants served Dallas as commissioners and police chief.
Why it matters
The cemetery preserves the founding families of the Peters Colony, the empresario grant that first drew Anglo settlers to the Dallas area.
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Related people
- · Eli Merrell
- · William Strait
- · Enoch Strait
Related events
- · Peters Colony
Themes & tags
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