Near Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old Palestine Cemetery

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 7, 2024

1. Old Palestine Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Henry and Helena (Dill) Berryman deeded four acres of land at this site to trustees of the Old Palestine Baptist Church in 1853. Seven years later Helena, by then a widow, gave an additional two acres on which a schoolhouse and community graveyard already were in existence. Many early graves are undocumented, but records indicate stones once marked interments that occurred as early as 1861. Among the pioneer settlers interred here are James and Martha Boyd, their son Benjamin, daughter Martha Donegan, and infant granddaughter Lara Donegan, all of whom died in 1862. Enlarged in later years with additional land donations, the cemetery stands as a reminder of the area's pioneer heritage.

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12384.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 31° 39.607′ N, 95° 0.699′ W. Marker is near Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is on State Highway 21 1.3 miles east of County Road 2610, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office

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area: Douglass TX 75943, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ellis P. Bean (a few steps from this marker); Old Palestine Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Helena Kimble Dill Nelson (approx. 0.8 miles away); Candace Midkiff Bean (approx. 1.1 miles away); Selman-Roark Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 1.6 miles away); In the Present County of Cherokee (approx. 2.7 miles away); Site of Linwood (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 7, 2024

2. Old Palestine Cemetery Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 1, 2025

3. Old Palestine Cemetery Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on December 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.