Marker Inscription
In 1852 N.P. Sims (1806-1902) gave 10 acres of land at High Springs (4 mi. W) for a church and burial ground to trustees of Bethel Methodist Church. Several graves remain there. G.H. Cunningham (1828-1916) and P.C. Sims (1819-1903) gave church trustees 10 acres here at Bethel in 1868. Earliest marked grave is that of the Rev. J.W. Reynolds (1816-1873). In 1918 trustees of Bethel Cemetery Association bought 3.9 acres of the 10-acre plot from the Church. Heirs of Cunningham and P.C. Sims gave 14 adjoining acres in 1961. The site has over 400 graves, including those of the 3 original land donors. (1978)
About this site
Bethel Cemetery is a historical marker in Rural, Ellis County, dedicated in 1978. It is one of 116 historical markers documented in Ellis County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 300 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 32.2944, -96.9138 near Rural. The nearest cataloged historic site is Bethel Methodist Church (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Jefferson Dunaway Home, Greathouse Community, Church, and Cemetery, and High Springs Cemetery.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5139007084. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
