Oakwood Glen in Plano in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bethany Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, December 26, 2024

1. Bethany Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Nestled between Russell and Spring Creeks, the community of Bethany emerged when a group of families from Kentucky settled on the rich grazing land in 1852. They had heard about the prosperity of the area from relatives who had already made the arduous journey to Texas. Among these families were R.W. (1832-1898) and his wife Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Mathews) (1832-1882) Carpenter. After the Civil War, another Kentuckian, William Nelson Bush (1833-1907), settled a couple of miles to the east. The settlers practiced their faith in various locations until a church building could be built. In July 1877, Bush bought four acres of land for the sanctuary and cemetery and sold it in September to R.W. Carpenter and E.F. Elkin, who were elders of the community's Christian Church. The community selected the name "Bethany" for the church, which was the genesis of the community's name.

In addition to raising seven sons, Lizzie and R.W. Carpenter also welcomed three orphans into their home: Matthew, Alvin and Richard Clark. Matthew's infant son, Walter Clark, died in January 1877 and is the first to be interred at Bethany Cemetery. The

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next was the Carpenters only daughter, Mary Katie (1877-1878). The headstones of several of the children, including Mary Katie's, feature a sleeping lamb. In total, there are 22 Carpenter, nine Clark and 11 Mathews family members buried at Bethany Cemetery. This extended family group accounts for 42 of the more than 125 marked burials. The other graves represent the rest of the community's families. The cemetery features a section of African American burials with only four marked graves. Bethany Cemetery is the last reminder of this early community. Though their lives were difficult, these settlers left a rich history. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2002

Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23668.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1877.

Location. 33° 4.571′ N, 96° 44.216′ W. Marker is in Plano, Texas, in Collin County. It is in Oakwood Glen. It is on Custer Road south of Cannes Drive. The marker is located at the entrance to the cemetery behind the right side of the gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near

Photographed by James Hulse, December 26, 2024

2. Bethany Cemetery Marker

this postal address: 1313 Custer Road, Plano TX 75025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Bethany Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Bethany Church and School (a few steps from this marker); On a Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Young Cemetery (approx. 2.9 miles away); Rowlett Creek Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away); a different marker also named Rowlett Creek Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); The Muncey Massacre (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Muncey Massacre (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plano.

The view of the entrance to Bethany Cemetery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 26, 2024

3. The view of the entrance to Bethany Cemetery and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 392 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.