Near Purdon in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Younger Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, January 17, 2023

1. Younger Cemetery Marker

Inscription. North Carolina native Alexander Younger (1786-1866) and his wife Jane Merchant (Hancock) (1798-1881) came to Texas in 1847. They first settled in present Ellis County, where they were granted land in the Peters Colony. By 1850 they had moved to Navarro County and had begun farming here.

This area of the family farm was set aside as a cemetery in 1854 for the burial of the Youngers' son George Worthington Younger (b. 1820). Maintained originally as a family burial ground, it was later made available for use by local residents. About 1860 adjacent property, now known as Woodward Cemetery, was first used for the burial of slaves.

Additions to the cemetery have been made through land purchases and through donations from the J.S. Callicutt family and Younger family descendants. The community burial ground now covers about ten acres and contains over 1600 graves. Those buried here include many pioneer settlers and early leaders of the Purdon area.

Still in use, the Younger Cemetery has served area residents since before the Civil War. Today it is the site of an annual memorial service and homecoming held each May.

Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11652.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 31° 57.769′ N, 96° 38.719′ W. Marker is near Purdon, Texas, in Navarro County. It is on County Highway 3140 half a mile State Highway 31, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located at the front entrance to the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 SW County Road 3140, Purdon TX 76679, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spring Hill (approx. 3.7 miles away); Dresden Cemetery (approx. 4.9 miles away); Dresden United Methodist Church (approx. 5 miles away); Campbell-Elrod Cemetery (approx. 5.2 miles away); David Wilson Campbell (approx. 5.2 miles away); Braniff International Flight 352 (approx. 5.2 miles away); Britton Dawson Home (approx. 5½ miles away); Brushie Prairie Methodist Church (approx. 5.9 miles away).

The entrance to the Younger Cemetery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 17, 2023

2. The entrance to the Younger Cemetery and Marker

The marker is located on the left side of the driveway to the cemetery along the fence.

The view of the Younger Cemetery behind the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 17, 2023

3. The view of the Younger Cemetery behind the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 871 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.