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  ELLIS COUNTY  HISTORICAL COMMISSION

                                        SHILOH CEMETERY MARKER DEDICATION

                                                          SHILOH CEMETERY

                                       Burials in this cemetery began with Peters Colony pioneers
                                       who founded Ovilla in 1844. The earliest marked grave is that of 
                                       Mary Patton who died on August 15 1851. The Pattons were among
                                       the original settlers of Ovilla. Janes S. and Martha Berry and the 
                                        Rev. Finis E. King formally deeded land for the Shiloh Cumberland
                                        Church and Cemetery. Tombstones record the graves of a number 
                                        of pastors who served the Shiloh church and many veterans of the
                                        Civil War, World Wars  I and II and Korea.  Buried here also are
                                        members of fraternal lodges and two 19th century Ovilla 
                                         Postmasters     

                                A Place in History (Waxahachie Daily Light 12-16-2001)
                                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.

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