Bonner Cemetery (1970)

Established in 1867 as a final resting place for William Bonner, Dr. John Bonner, and their descendants. The two brothers, natives of South Carolina, came to Texas in the early 1850s, settling in Freestone County. Here they massed thousands of acres of land which they developed into great cotton plantations. Patriarch of the Texas Bonners was William Bonner (1783-1877), who started his career as a waggoner. With a modest education and no financial help, he piloted his Texas land investments into a fortune. A veteran of the War of 1812, he married Ann Lee Joel in 1816. Of their eleven children, seven chose to live in this area. William Bonner was a staunch Presbyterian who was known for his shrewd judgment, unusual energy, humor, and common sense. John Bonner (1794-1879) was one of three physicians among the five Bonner brothers. A person of great intelligence, he scorned sham and ignorance. He and his wife Eliza (Williams) had nine children, seven of whom moved to Freestone County with them. Among the five generations of Bonners interred here are teachers, doctors, lawyers, merchants, and farmers. For over a century the family has figured prominently in the development of Freestone County.

Bonner Cemetery is a historical marker in Fairfield, Freestone County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 57 historical markers documented in Freestone County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 145 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.8692, -96.2285 near Fairfield. The nearest cataloged historic site is Bonner Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Oak Grove Cemetery, Greenbriar Cemetery, and Harmony Church.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5161009857. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.