Hemphill Cemetery

The burials in this cemetery reflect the early history of Hemphill as a developing commercial center and seat of government. The oldest marked grave dates from 1867, nine years after the town was founded. The earliest gravestone marks the burial site of pioneer settler Marier C. Morris (1845-1867), the daughter of Jubal H. Ragan, an early area physician. Early records of the cemetery were lost in an 1875 Courthouse fire, but it is believed the original tract of land for the burial ground was donated by Simon Newsome Beckcom and William T. Morris. The site was later enlarged by additional donations of property. The first school in the area, the Sabine Valley Institute, was located in a Masonic Lodge building on adjacent land which was also used for early religious services. Burials here include those of pioneer area settlers, prominent local merchants and businessmen, veterans of several wars, early leaders of the community, and elected officials of the city, county, and district levels of government. Also interred here is Simeon R. Williams, who served this area as a state legislator. Still in use, the historic Hemphill Cemetery serves as a reminder of the area's rich heritage.

Hemphill Cemetery is a historical marker in Hemphill, Sabine County, dedicated in 1981. It is one of 43 historical markers documented in Sabine County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 152 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.3403, -93.8504 near Hemphill. The nearest cataloged historic site is Sabine County Jail Museum and Vergie Speights Memorial Library (museum), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hemphill, Sabine County Courthouse, and Hemphill.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5403011037. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.