Boonville Cemetery

Boonville Cemetery. . , When Boonville was selected as the first seat of Brazos County in 1841, the town was designed and built around a public square with a cemetery established soon afterwards on lot 1, covering ten acres. The earliest documented burial in the Boonville Cemetery is that of Brazos County sheriff William Vess (1804-1846), although it is possible that earlier burials exist., Many early residents are buried here, including James I. Bowman (1798-1861), William Boyles (1822-1863) and the "Father of Brazos County," Harvey Mitchell (1821 1901), who was instrumental in bringing the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (later Texas A&M University) to Brazos County. Many of Mitchell's and Bowman's family members and descendants are also interred here. Robert Johnson (1818-1885), devoted Brazos County public servant, is also buried in Boonville Cemetery, along with many other dedicated citizens., Although originally designated as an anglo cemetery, burials for freedmen and african american citizens are documented as the town of Boonville became a farming community of freedmen after the Civil War. Former slaves Moses Sterling (Sturlin) (1839-1903) and his wife, Melinda Sterling (b.1841), whose descendants became leaders in the Boonville Community, are buried here along with many of their family members., Grave markers commemorate military service from the U.S.-Mexico War to the Vietnam War era. Decorations and inscriptions include religious iconography and Masonic, Odd Fellows, and Woodmen of the World symbols, showing a range of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. The Boonville Cemetery and the surrounding historical park are the only preserved remnants of the historic town of Boonville.