Union Chapel Cemetery and Church
Garden Valley, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The earliest marked grave in this cemetery, that of Olive Cosby Mayne, is dated August 1873, one month before early area settler Amplias Smith deeded 3 acres of land here for a Methodist Church and cemetery. The congregation soon built a sanctuary that served until a new structure was erected in 1949. Smith and others gave additional land over the years, thus greatly enlarging the size of the cemetery. Many members of pioneer families in this rural area are buried here, including land donor Amplias Smith (1813-1888) and his wife, Martha (1825-1883). Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The earliest grave here, dated August 1873, was dug a month before pioneer settler Amplias Smith deeded three acres for a Methodist church and cemetery in Garden Valley. The congregation soon built a sanctuary, replaced in 1949, while Smith and others enlarged the burial ground over the years. Many of the area's founding families rest here, including Smith and his wife Martha.
Why it matters
Cemeteries like Union Chapel are the durable record of who settled rural East Texas, preserving the names of pioneer families long after their farms are gone.
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Related people
- · Amplias Smith
- · Olive Cosby Mayne
Themes & tags
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