Near Melissa in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Orenduff Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, January 7, 2025

1. Orenduff Cemetery Marker

Inscription. In 1855, William Orenduff (1807-1892) and his wife, Mary E. Orenduff (1808-1859), traveled by wagon train from Breckinridge County, Kentucky, and settled in an area of Collin County later called the Trinity community, due to its proximity to the East Fork of the Trinity River. In 1856, William purchased four tracts of land, one of which was part of the Polly A. Boone survey. William initially built log cabins to live in until lumber could be hauled from Jefferson to build a better house. During the Civil War, it was a stop on Matt Slaughter's stage line between Dallas and Bonham. Orenduff land was used for the community's Trinity schoolhouse, which was built in 1884. Mary Orenduff never lived to see the completion of the new house, having died in 1859 her grave was the first marked burial in a community graveyard on the property. Later known as Orenduff Cemetery, the graveyard was officially deeded to the community in 1897 by one of William and Mary's sons, John H. Orenduff (1837-1913). The trustees were Jesse W. Orenduff, James F. Graves and Jack A. Lewis.

Another prominent early family buried in Orenduff Cemetery is the family of Michael Mallow (1793-1862) and his wife, Charlotte (Gortner) Mallow (1797-1863), who settled in the area in 1853. There are fourteen Mallow graves marked in the cemetery. The last known burial in the cemetery was George Moncier (1872-1964). His son, Butch Moncier (1915-1962), is the only known World War II veteran buried in the cemetery. Other buried veterans include Charles P. Carter (1836-1924) from the Civil War and Michael Mallow from the War of 1812. The most unique feature of the cemetery is the grieving chair, which was carved from a tree stump. The chair was said to have been carved for a mother who came daily to mourn the loss of her baby. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2018

Erected 2018

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by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23388.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 33° 15.248′ N, 96° 35.238′ W. Marker is near Melissa, Texas, in Collin County. It is on County Road 338 south of Fannin Road, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located at the front of the cemetery at the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3610 Co Rd 338, Melissa TX 75454, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ambush at McKinney (approx. one mile away); The Mallow Place (approx. 1.9 miles

The Orenduff Cemetery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 7, 2025

2. The Orenduff Cemetery and Marker

away); Melissa Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away); First Baptist Church of Melissa (approx. 2.3 miles away); Site of Wilmeth-McKinney Homestead (approx. 2.3 miles away); Melissa School (approx. 2.3 miles away); Melissa Christian Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); McKinney (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melissa.

Another marker is no longer nearby. St. Paul Baptist Church (was approx. 2.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

The view of the Orenduff Cemetery Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 7, 2025

3. The view of the Orenduff Cemetery Marker along the street

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 8, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.