West Point in Fayette County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old Plum Grove Cemetery
Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022
1. Old Plum Grove Cemetery Marker
Old Plum Grove Cemetery began as a family burial ground. Texas pioneer John Y. Criswell buried his wife, Eleanor, on this site. The Criswell family was part of Stephen F. Austin's third colony, which arrived in Texas by 1830. In 1839, the Plum Grove Baptist Church, which would become linked to the cemetery, formed. This was one of the earliest Baptist churches in the State of Texas. In 1851, John Click deeded the land for the church and cemetery to the congregation. Church participation declined in the 1860s, and by the end of the decade, the congregation moved its place of worship. Soon, though, the nearby community of West Point started to grow and began using the burial ground.The earliest grave here dates to 1835. Other graves include those of military veterans involved in conflicts dating to the Texas Revolution. The cemetery had two sections - one where whites were interred and the other for African American burials. Today, as one cemetery, the site serves as a monument to the history of the surrounding communities.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 29° 57.014′ N, 97° 1.374′ W. Marker is in West Point, Texas, in Fayette County. Marker is on Plum Grove Cemetery Road, 0.4 miles north of West Point Loop, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located in front of the cemetery down the dirt road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Point TX 78963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Peter Lutheran Church and Prairie Valley Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Woods Prairie Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); Joseph C. Robinson (approx. 1.9 miles away); Site of Woods' Fort (approx. 2.4 miles away); Saints Peter and Paul Old Catholic Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 4.1 miles away); Shiloh Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Winchester Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Point.
Also see . . . Plum, TX.
Plum is on State Highway 71 and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, eight miles west of La Grange in Fayette County. The area was initially(Submitted on April 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)settled by families from Tennessee on lands granted to Andrew Castleman in 1828 and John Cooke in 1831 and acquired the name Plum Grove. Plum Grove is the second oldest established community in Fayette County. Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, April 15, 20222. The Old Plum Grove Cemetery and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022
3. The view of the Old Plum Grove Cemetery and Marker from the dirt road
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
