Near Burkeville in Newton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Woods Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, December 19, 2025

1. Woods Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Brothers Sebern (1809-1865), Allen (1814-1887) and John Woods and their families were living in Yalobusha County, Mississippi, in 1840. They traveled to the Republic of Texas with their parents, John (1785-1863) and Mary (b. 1790) Woods, in the fall, settling in what was then Jasper County. Sebern and Allen received land grants from the Republic of Texas in about 1842. They worked to build a community and in 1844 organized a Baptist church in the home of Sebern and Inancy (Marshall) (1819-1893) Woods. The area became part of the newly formed Newton County in 1846. John Woods moved to Louisiana: Allen and his wife Mathilda Ann soon followed. She died in 1856, and Allen returned to Texas with his second wife, Eliza, in 1857. According to family history, Sebern set aside a tract of land for a cemetery. His grandson, T.R. Woods (1879-1945), later gave another tract, bringing the cemetery to 1½ acres. According to oral history, the earliest grave is that of John Woods, Sr. (1785-1863). The earliest legible historic gravestones are those of three of Allen and Eliza Woods' children. More than 20 marked graves date from 1900 or

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earlier. The almost 50 marked graves of children dating from before 1930 are a testament to the difficult conditions of pioneer life.

Woods Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 368 people. Many of these men and women were pioneer residents of Newton County, including ministers, public officials, farmers, educators, medical doctors, musicians, lawyers and laborers. The 42 veterans buried here before the dawn of the 21st century included one who fought in the U.S. wars with American Indians, eight veterans of the Civil War, and several who saw conflict in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12346.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 30° 58.545′ N, 93° 38.794′ W. Marker is near Burkeville, Texas, in Newton County. It is on Farm to Market Road 1414 0.4 miles south of County Road 2069, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12426 FM1414, Burkeville TX 75932, United States of

Photographed by James Hulse, December 19, 2025

2. Woods Cemetery Marker

The view of the front entrance to the cemetery.

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: Site of the First Court House of Newton County (approx. 1.8 miles away); Original Site, Burkeville Methodist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Burkeville Church of God (approx. 2 miles away); Round Table Inn (approx. 2 miles away); Tanner Cemetery (approx. 2 miles away); Cade Building (approx. 2.1 miles away); Blum Male and Female College (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bonner Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkeville.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 19, 2025

3. Woods Cemetery Marker

The view of the marker along the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.