Near Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Smith Cemetery

Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 12, 2015

1. Smith Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1846, Mary M. "Polly" Long received 640 acres in this area from the State of Texas. She deeded half to her son, Richard B. Long, in 1852. He sold this tract in 1881, reserving one acre to preserve the existing cemetery, which was used as early as 1857 by local settlers, many of whom were Long's relatives or neighbors. The earliest marked grave dates to 1862. The cemetery takes its name from the numerous members of the Smith family buried here. Other graves include those of "Polly" Long, early County Commissioner William Green, and Civil War veterans F.Y. Smith and James Dark.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2004

Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16639.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 32° 15.383′ N, 95° 20.05′ W. Marker is near Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. Marker can be reached from Blue Mountain Boulevard north of

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West Cumberland Road, on the right when traveling north. The historic cemetery is located at the rear of the new Rose Lawn Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2003 Blue Mountain Blvd, Tyler TX 75703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (approx. 3.8 miles away); Colonel Richard B. Hubbard / Governor R. B. Hubbard (approx. 4.1 miles away); Thomas Glover Pollard, Sr. (approx. 4.6 miles away); Ordnance Plant (approx. 5.6 miles away); Rudolph Bergfeld (approx. 5.6 miles away); The Major John Dean House (approx. 5.6 miles away); Site of Confederate Arms Factory (approx. 5.8 miles away); Butler College (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

Regarding Smith Cemetery. There is an intriguing story concerning one of the persons buried in this cemetery. Frank Y. Smith (1824-1912) was enlisted in the 14th Texas Infantry (CSA) but was detailed to work as a gunsmith at the new Tyler Texas Ordnance Works in October 1863. The arrival of over 700 Union Prisoner of War at nearby Camp Ford in early November 1863 caused a panic as there was no stockade and only 38 militia guards. Ordnance Department workers, including Smith were sent to the Prison Camp as extra guards while a stockade was hastily built. On November 11, 1863,

Frank Y. Smith Tombstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 12, 2015

2. Frank Y. Smith Tombstone

Smith fatally shot Private Thomas Moorehead, Company “I”, 26th Indiana Infantry for crossing the camp “deadline”. Moorehead died the next day, and in 1867 the deceased prisoners from Camp Ford were reinterred to the Pineville, Louisiana National Cemetery. Moorehead is buried in Section A, Grave 808.

Frank Y. Smith Modern Military Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 12, 2015

3. Frank Y. Smith Modern Military Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 516 times since then and 130 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.