See the Credits and
Acknowledgements of Grace Gilbert Smith.
The original work was transcribed and typed
by Grace Gilbert Smith
and web page transcription was by Donna Brand
|
Vaughan Cemetery
"Vaughan Cemetery is located two and one
half miles north of Graford on a creek bank. There are nine
graves. Copied by Mrs. Henry Sike in the Spring of 1976.
What a beautiful place Vaughan Cemetery must have been when it was
selected as the resting place for some of the pioneers of Palo Pinto
County. There are huge fallen elms, one felled by a windstorm in
1975, and other trees that made beautiful shade for the fertile soil and
lush native grasses. The small branch or creek forms the north
border for the cemetery. One rock enclosed grave, the most perfectly
preserved rock enclosed one I have ever seen, is really on the stream's
bank. Likely erosion has edged closer to the grave, which is so
overgrown by brush undergrowth that I could not find an inscription.
Reuben Vaughan, one of the very first permanent settlers of Palo Pinto
County, who came about 1854, is buried in this cemetery in 1900. The
earliest date identified is that of H. M. Robinson who died in 1889.
Mr. Robinson's grave has a nice marble shaft. There has been a nice
sized fence around a family plot, but the fence is rusted and posts nearly
gone. In the summer of 1975 a man came to Graford and made inquiry
about the grave. The plot seemingly at one time was enclosed by a
wire fence. Old posts indicate the general shape and size of
it. In all, the nine grave sights were located, or in some
instances, it is simply known that a grave is there. Only four
markers or stones are there, two sandrock - one with crude lettering and
two others, a marble one and a small red granite. The big sandrock
at Mr. Vaughan's grave is thick and unusual. No doubt, his wife is
buried beside him, as well as several other members of his family.
No trace can be found - and who remembers?
The land which once belonged to the Vaughans is now owned by Wylie
Green. His great grandmother, Mrs. Leslie, is buried there midway on
the west side. Beside her is Blunt, born a slave. Blunt's
family ran for freedom in the early days of emancipation and left the
little girl alone on a pallet. Mrs. Leslie's daughter married a
Jordan and the family came to Texas, bringing the grandmother and Blunt
with them. After the death of Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Jordan kept Blunt
until she too, passed away. Then Mrs. Tom Green (Hattie Jordan) kept
Blunt until Blunt died at the age of near 100 years.
The Vaughan home was just north of the small stream that passes the
cemetery. Part of the building stands, but the rock house has been
torn down. The Vaughan school house was near the first in this area,
and later moved to Graford. Then the Vaughan community became a
memory.
Markers and graves are J. T. Snoddy - small child - born and died Sept.
11, 1911? H. M. Robinson born Oct 11, 1851 died June 6, 1889; Reuben
Vaughan born Dec 20, 181? (broken) died Apr 24, 1900 - Sallie Vaughan born
1868 died 1900 wife of John Vaughan. Infant dau of John Vaughan -
Mrs. Leslie and Blunt -other graves not marked."
|
Individual |
Birth Date |
Death Date |
Additional
information |
BLUNT |
|
|
aged near 100 years |
LESLIE, Mrs. |
|
|
|
ROBINSON, H. M. |
11 Oct 1851 |
06 Jun 1889 |
|
SNODDY, J. T. |
11 Sep 1911 |
11 Sep 1911 |
|
VAUGHAN, Reuben |
20 Dec 181? |
24 Apr 1900 |
|
VAUGHAN, Sallie |
1868 |
1900 |
wife of John Vaughan |
VAUGHAN, Infant |
|
|
dau of John Vaughan |
|
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