Gasby NZ Cemetery, New Zion Church

SB-C015 Gasby N. Z. Cemetery-New Zion Cemetery AKA William Gasby Cemetery AKA New Zion Cemetery, Negro cemetery, former slave, prominent leader. USGS point3193-233 Gasby Cemetery; New Zion Cem. Sabine Co Hist Soc, Rootsweb: Historic marker. Sabine Co. Hist. Marker: “Originally part of a Spanish land grant issued in 1794 to Ignacio Pirfirmo, the surrounding land was acquired in 1870 by former slave William Gasby. This cemetery was established when Gasby donated four acres of the land for a burial ground to be used by the neighboring black community. While the earliest marked grave, that of Mouzeria Thompkins, dates from 1889, there are many sites marked only with rocks, indicating the cemetery probably was in use prior to that time. William Gasby was a prominent leader in the black community and in the development of the nearby town of Geneva. He owned and operated a blacksmith shop and cotton gin on his property. Upon the death of his first wife, Mary, Gasby married Bettie Elizabeth Clay. All three are buried in this cemetery, as are many of their descendants. Another prominent black leader buried here is Alfred Canton, a minister who helped organize the County Line Missionary Baptist Church in 1868. Also known as the New Zion Cemetery for its association with New Zion Methodist Church, this graveyard is an important part of Sabine County history. LOCATION: Town of Geneva -- Erected 1985.” THC site visit MB 6/28/04: Gasby N. Z. Cemetery, New Zion Church. SH 21 E 0.5 mile from FM 3448, then Gasby Cemetery Rd, S for 1.1 mile. THC subject and HTC marker at gate. Entrance 30 ft. off intersection of Gasby Cem. Rd and Lee Arnold Rd. Large fenced site with formal arched entryway, brick columns. Rolling landscape, diversity of formal markers over time, some informal and local castings. Carnes, curbing, gravel, slabs, mounding, obelisks and benches. Some family plot fencing, decorative. Scattered marker Oak trees. Marker shrubs of Laurel and Lantana. Also Lllies and Irises. Some folk markers. Abundant floral and decorative grave materials, creative markers, embellishment of stone, and photo enamels. Across road, about 150 ft. to church, adjacent to woodlands, rural residence and roadways. Approx 3.2 acres. GPS 31.27.53.64356N –93.55.53.34313W. Quad 3193-233.Low risk of endangerment, THC marker, associated church, still in use, fenced, maintained. AA 3193-233 Tx Co Hwy map on-line as New ZionTHC Marker, site and Af. Am. History, 1985

Gasby NZ Cemetery, New Zion Church is a cemetery in Sabine County, Texas. It is one of 105 cemeteries documented in Sabine County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 152 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.4650, -93.9316. The nearest cataloged historic site is Gasby, William (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include El Lobanillo, Jones-Sweet House, and County Line Baptist Church and Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #7403001505. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.