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Near Oletha in Limestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

Ferguson Cemetery

 
 
Ferguson Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, February 10, 2026
1. Ferguson Cemetery Marker
Inscription. Joseph and Hannah (Penrod) Ferguson moved to this area in the 1830s, years before the formation of Limestone County following Texas statehood. Their property, known as Ferguson Prairie, stretched from south of the early Box Church community to beyond, and including, present-day Oletha. Records indicate the Fergusons were founding members of the Oletha community, established in the 1870s. Other early residents included J. S. and W. S. McKenzie, John Sadler, Charles Roberts and W. W. Barnett.

Local tradition holds the first burial at what became the community cemetery was for a young girl whose family was in the area for a protracted camp revival when she died. The first marked grave is that of Hannah (Penrod) Ferguson (d. 1866). Joseph, who died in 1875, is buried beside her. Notable burials include the one of John Sadler (d. 1885), who fought in the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution.

The original Ferguson Cemetery site was formally deeded to the community in 1932. In 1997, descendants of those interred here formed an association to maintain the burial ground, an important link to the community's early
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Historic Texas Cemetery

 
Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13198.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
 
Location. 31° 20.828′ N, 96° 23.489′ W. Marker is near Oletha, Texas, in Limestone County. It is on County Road 740 0.1 miles west of County Road 741. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 393 Lcr 740, Thornton TX 76687, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Sadler (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Oletha Common School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Sansom/Wedgman Cemetery
Ferguson Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, February 10, 2026
2. Ferguson Cemetery Marker
The view of the marker at the entrance to the cemetery.
(approx. 1.8 miles away); Sansom Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named Sansom Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); McKenzie Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); Site of Old Potter's Shop (approx. 3.1 miles away); Old Union Community (approx. 4.2 miles away).
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 77 times since then. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
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Jul. 15, 2026