ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION |
SHILOH CEMETERY MARKER DEDICATION
Burials in this cemetery began with Peters
Colony pioneers Ovilia's Shiloh Cemetery honored with historical marker By ROB WILLIAMS One of Ellis County's Oldest cemeteries has been honored by the state of Texas Despite a cold and light rain, several members of the community gathered in front of the Shiloh Cemetery in Ovilla to dedicate a Texas Historical marker recognizing the cemetery's significance Saturday morning. Among those present were members of the Ovilla Historical Commission, Ellis County Precinct 4 Commissioner Ron Brown and Ellis County Historical Commission Chair Sylvia Smith. The ceremony began with a welcome by Ovilla Historical Commission President Carolyn Miracle, with Ovilla Mayor Pro-tem Billy Wade leading those gathered in a word of prayer. "It is so great to have many of you here today to honor this special occasion of dedicating the Official State Historical Marker for Shiloh Cemetery," Miracle said. "It is great to have so many of you who value the historical preservation of this community and for those that have personal ties to this cemetery." After Miracle welcomed everyone and the invocation ended, Miracle recognized several members of the Ovilla Historical Society, including Vice President Jerry West, Secretary Betty Watson and Treasurer Clydene West Harris. "The members of Ovilla Historical Society really did do a great job with the marker application and all helped to make this possible. We are very proud of all of you," Miracle said. She also recognized the trustees of the Ovilla Cemetery Association and the volunteers that helped to maintained the cemetery. "We are very proud of these people for their hard work,." Miracle said: "We would not have a cemetery like this one if it wasn't for these people helping to Miracle also introduced Ovilla Mayor Bill Turner and council members Mike Davis, Morgan Crow and Billy Wade. After introductions, Miracle gave a brief history of the cemetery, which is one of the oldest in Ellis County. Miracle told the group that the land for the cemetery was given by the church's first minister, Finis E. King, and Martha Berry in 1855. The first burials in the cemetery were part of the Peters Colony settlers in 1844, which formed to open the territory to the settlers. "With the incentive of 640 acres to a married couple or 320 acres for a single person, the pioneers left their homes and came by covered wagon to settle on the banks of Red Oak Creek," Miracle said. "The names on the tombstones were the names of Ovilla, and the families buried here have provided an abundant legacy to future generations." Miracle then told the group that the earliest marked grave in the cemetery is that of Mary C. Pat ton, who was married to James C. Pat ton, a surveyor for the Robertson District, which was later named Ellis County. Seven of the pastors of the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, including Finis E. King., the Rev. James Tate Williams, the Rev. Robert Macklin White Jr., the Rev. R.B. Wear, the Rev. John McKee, G.L. Waddle and the Rev. Fred Wylie Bryson, are buried there. Veterans from several wars are buried in the cemetery, including 21 Civil War veterans as well as several from World Wars I and II and the Korean War. "It is such an honor to stand here in this historic cemetery to recognize these accomplishments and the legacy of those who are buried here," Miracle said. West told the group several personal memories about the cemetery. "I am so honored to be here , this morning and it's a privilege to speak to all of you about my memories during this occasion," West said. "I think that this is a special place for me, as well as my friends and family, that I have known." During his speech, West remembered several people, including former pastor Buddy Bryson, former store owner Ike Curry and G. L. Waddle. After West's presentation, Ellis County Historical Commission chair Sylvia Smith dedicated the marker and read its text. "Carolyn and are proud of her and her group," Smith said. "They should be proud because their cemetery is beautiful and is well maintained." Smith commended the organization for helping in the preservation of the community's history. "I just commend you all for all of your faithfulness and dedication to keeping the history alive and for instilling the community's roots for younger generations to learn," Smith said. After Smith dedicated the marker, Turner closed the ceremony with the benediction. "The state of Texas does not , give these markers away without any thought beforehand," Turner said. "We thank everyone for their hard work and dedication for getting this marker for the cemetery. "We want to make sure that we continue the history and heritage of Ovilla so Our citizens can pass it down to our younger generations," he said. - - |