GRAND BLUFF CEMETERY

Panola Co- Cemeteries of TX

Compiled and Photos by Gloria B. Mayfield. 1998 & 2001

Grand Bluff Cemetery : Take 59, approximately 9 miles north of Carthage to FM 1794 then turn right (east) go approximately ½ mile to intersection of CR 2792. Turn left on FM 1794, continue .2 mile to Grand Bluff Cemetery sign and also has State Marker: "Grand Bluff Cemetery originally served the pioneers who settled in the nearby community of Grand Bluff(.5 miles West), an early ferry crossing on the Sabine River. The earliest known burials dated 1838 are for Mary Francis Hoyle, Mrs Robert Wyatt. Land for the cemetery was donated by David Vawter, an early ferry operator. The settlement of Grand Bluff began to decline in the 1880's when railroads made the ferry crossings obsolete. The cemetery was last used in 1906 for the burial of Dr. David M. Vawter, son of the site’s donor." 1836-1936.

There is a large mound of dirt, approximaly 9 yards long and 4 yards wide, covered with pieces of brick, This is rumored to the the Graves of the Vawter Family. But another story that I have heard was, there was a typhoid epidemic and many died at one time and they were buried together in this large grave. To the East, there are two vaults , one is brick, at the end of the main family mound.

In the center of the cemetery where is a small child’s grave, mounded and covered with brick, some graves are covered with pieces of vases and shells. There are many unmarked graves. The cemetery is mowed and has the appearance of being restored.

I have use several Bible records, family histories other cemetery transcriptions as guides because here in June 1998, there is not much readable information at this cemetery.

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