Bethany Cemetery History, Travis Co. Cemeteries of TX

Bethany Cemetery

Travis County, Texas
Submitted by: Phil and Sarah Edwards, Northamptonshire, England
Cemeteries of Texas Coordinator: Dolores I. Bishop

History...............Map..........Cemetery

On his 47th birthday, December 18, 1850, John Hemphill, Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, purchased a City of Austin Government Tract - Lot 18 1/2 - Division B, (31.5 acres) from the State of Texas (1)
One year passed before Hemphill paid the last installment on the property. On Jun 2,1852, the State of Texas, represented by Governor P. Hansborough Bell, patented 1Outlot 18 1/2 to John Hemphill.(2) In the next 41 years between 1852 and 1893, title to the property known as Bethany Cemetery would pass through the hands of 36 people, either as owners or agents for absentee owners. (See attached title search.)
Bethany Cemetery is located in east Austin on the 1300 block of Springdale Road across from Sims Elementary School. Large white oaks, winged elms, and eastern Cedars, an evergreen that symbolizes everlasting life, are clustered along the Tannehill Branch of Boggy Creek. Other than the headstones that bear witness to the people who lived in the Austin community, the land has remained unchanged since the time in 1892; C.W. Jones paid $432.60 for the property that would become Bethany Cemetery.(3)
Whether Mr. Jones had the intent to begin a cemetery for African Americans is unclear. However, during the time of his purchase, two graves of young children were already present on the property. Hellen Moore, an infant, was buried in 1879. Alice Maud Miller, 9 months old, was buried in 1886. Little is known about these two children.(4) Other sources indicate that more burials may be present. A brief history of the property was presented during an Historical Landmark Commission meeting on September 19, 1977. In the Landmark's minutes, it states that the property was known as Hungry Hill and that the earliest burial date was 1875.(5)
In 1893, Mr. Jones and his wife, Emma, sold a 4/5ths undivided interest to John M. Holland, William M. Tears, Henderson Rollins and Allen Bradley.(6) These five men formed the Bethany Cemetery Company. Jones was Superintendent; Holland was President; Tears was Secretary; Rollins was Treasurer; and Bradley was Assistant Secretary.(7) These five men responded to a community need. Ada Simond in her publication, Looking Back, A Focus on Austin's Black Heritage, wrote, "When the Austin cemetery named Oakwood was laid out in 1856, q small section in the northeast corner was designated "for colored." When the space was filled, as was the section for whites, the cemetery was expanded across Comal Street to the east, but did not include a section for blacks."
Like many of the people who would find eternal rest in Bethany Cemetery, Henderson Rollins, C.W. Jones, Allen Bradley, and John Holland were ordinary folks who did extraordinary things. Mr. Rollins was listed in the City Directory as a laborer.(8) C.W. Jones was a plumber.(9) Allen Bradley was proprietor of a meat market on 1108 East 11th Street.(10) John M. Holland was a real estate agent.(11) Only two men, William H. Holland and William M. Tears reached prominence in Texas history.
In 1849, William H. Holland was born in bondage. As a slave, he received a college education in Oberlin College. After freedom, William Holland returned to Texas. He worked in Austin's post office, taught school and was elected as a Wharton County representative in the Texas House.(12) There, he wrote and presented the bill for the establishment of Prairie View University. Through his efforts, the bill was eventually passed and today, William M. Holland is recognized as "the Father of Prairie View."(13)
Throughout his life, he supported education. During the time he served as president of the Bethany Cemetery Company, William H. Holland helped found the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute for Colored Youth in Austin. For thirteen years, he served as its president. Later, he began the Friends in Need, an organization that supported African Americans.(14)
Two years after founding the Bethany Cemetery Company, William M. Tears became one of Austin's first African American policemen. He served for six years. Then in 1901, he founded the Tears Mortuary, known as the oldest established business in Central Texas.(15) In 1893, Bethany Cemetery was subdivided into burial plots. The Bethany Cemetery officers granted William Tears power of attorney to conduct all sales of burial plots.(16)
The cemetery records depict the graves in a long, narrow arrangement. Individual burial plots border the cemetery on the north and south sides. Ten family-sized plots are separated by wide grassy pathways, referred to as alleys in the Bethany Cemetery Plat.(17) All the graves are oriented on an east-west axis, a Southern Christian tradition. This common practice was founded on the belief that during the Second Coming, all souls will rise out of their graves and face Christ on Judgment Day.(18)
Community members believe that the charred wood and a cement slab are the remains of the Bethany Cemetery office, which housed its records. This cement structure is located just south of the main pathway on the west side of the cemetery. However, during an oral history interview with Willene Ross Wilson, daughter of Mrs. W.M. Ross, who was the last surviving member of the Bethany Cemetery Association, indicated otherwise. Willene said that the Bethany Cemetery records were housed in a separate building at Oakwood Cemetery. It was at that location that the Bethany records were destroyed.

(19) Today, the only Bethany Cemetery records that survive are in the Travis County Court House, The Austin History Center, and the homes, hearts and minds of the East Austin community.
In 1914, Bethany Cemetery Company hired a caretaker who worked there until 1930.(20)
In 1928, the City of Austin opened Evergreen Cemetery. With knowledge of family members receiving perpetual care, African Americans choose to buy burial plots at Evergreen. Others had their departed loved ones removed from Bethany and interred in the newly opened cemetery.(21) Throughout Bethany, there are many deep holes that stand as evidence of this silent migration.
Of the original six men who started the Bethany Cemetery Company, only two death notices are present in Travis County. William H. Holland died in 1907.(22) William M. Tears, Sr. died in Austin in 1930.(23) Travis County probate does not record the remaining gentlemen: Charles W. Jones, Henderson Rollins, Allen Bradley, and John M. Holland.
African American historian, Ada Simond continued the story. In her publication, Looking Back, she wrote, "In 1931 when Ruthie Taylor, mother of Eva Taylor Ross died, Ross' father decided to bury his wife in Evergreen Cemetery. ...Eva Taylor Ross, touched with the agony of having her mother buried in a different location than some of her children, her family, her parents and close friends promised her father she would dedicate her life to maintaining Bethany as a respected burial ground and honored spot if he would bury her mother there."
In 1976, Eva Ross, Carl Wilson and Willie R. Conley, representatives of Bethany Cemetery Association filed for possession of Bethany Cemetery.(24) In their Alternative Pleading, they informed Travis County Court, "That up trough 1933, an association by the name Bethany Cemetery Company provided services and care for the property and graves for the black citizens of Austin. That trough death the officers of Bethany Cemetery Company (a private association) ceased to function."
Furthermore, Mrs. Ross, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Conley stipulated that in February 23, 1965 they began the task of maintaining Bethany Cemetery and in 1971, they, and other interested parties, formed the Bethany Cemetery Association.(25)
On April 27, 1976, Travis County Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, Eva Ross, Carl Wilson and Willie R. Conley, and the 6.18 acres known as Bethany Cemetery ere legally transferred to the Bethany Cemetery Association.(26)
Willene Ross Wilson recalls the Bethany Association as a strong, active organization. She remembers that her mother, along with approximately 25 senior citizens all ladies excepting for one couple, began the non-profit association. Dues were $10.00 a month and they would meet in each other's homes to plan fundraising activities for the cemetery.(27)
Bethany Association members raised money through homecoming gatherings, and solicitation of donations. Although people continued to maintain their own family plots, they sought assistance with care from county and city officials. Through their efforts and support of local African American organizations, they fenced the property, built a limestone entranceway and placed on its top an arch with the words, Bethany Cemetery. This arch was accidentally damaged by a City of Austin work crew.(28)

Starting in 1969, the Association began annual memorial services.(29) In 1970, Reverend G.M. Releford, Pastor of Rosewood Avenue Baptist Church gave the Scriptures, the memorial service was presented by Reverend Bacon of Greater Mt. Zion Baptist and the Ebenezer Gospel Choir led the congregation in "Precious Moments".(30) Throughout the years, this spirit of community involvement and cooperation continued.

Willene Ross Wilson fondly remembers the gatherings, "Oh yes, Memorial Day and different programs. They'd put a tent there and they'd have a meeting there. Then, they used to have barbecues there. They'd used the barbecue to raise money.(31)

During the interview, Willene Ross Wilson proudly displayed her mother's posters listing the people buried in Bethany Cemetery. Entitled, "Loved Ones in Bethany," these large white posters borderd in black were used for special church services honoring the dead.(32) Willene presented them to the Travis County Commission. In accordance with Willene Ross Wilson's wishes, Commission member Diana Dorman presented them to the City of Austin's Carver Museum.

As time passed, Bethany Cemetery Association members died. Overwhelmed by the encroaching high grasses, vines and shrubs, Association members sought assistance from the City of Austin, the Historic Landmark Commission and community members.(33)

In 1982, Donald Nesby, Constable in Travis County's Precinct 1 submitted a letter to the Austin American Statesman requesting community assistance for Bethany. In the letter, he stated, "Many battles have been engaged in the fight against the weeds by many concerned citizens since the early sixties until 1975. The last to succumb in this battle was Mrs. Eva Ross, President of the Bethany Cemetery Association. Because of sickness in her family, and the fact that she is getting along in age, has caused her to give up the physical fight."(34)

Eva Ross died, but she was not laid to rest in the cemetery that she had fought to preserve. With her mother's approval, the family buried her in Pflugerville. Willene Ross Wilson said, " I didn't put my mother out there. We carried her up to Pflugerville. Earlier my brother died and so we just our tombstones (unclear) and I asked my mother if we could move daddy. She told me "No, please don't take my daddy up to Pflugerville." And I told her I wouldn't. And I'm going to try to do the best I can til I'm gone. Then, I don't know."(35)

1 Certificate No. 129, The Comptroller to John Hemphill, File No. 482, Archives and Records Division, Texas General Land Office (1850)2 Patent No. 212. To John Hemphill, Vol. 2 Patents, Deeds, Records, Travis County. Texas (1852).

2 Patent No. 212. To John Hemphill, Vol. 2 Patents, Deeds, Records, Travis County. Texas (1852).

3 Wheless, et. al., to Jones (deed), vol. 113 p. 235, Deed Records, Travis County, Texas, (1892).

4 ____________, Texas State Historical Commission List, 1995 Cemetery Clean up. Unpublished document.
5 ____________, Historic Landmark Commission Records, September 19, 1977. C14th-77-035.

6 Jones to Holland, et al. (deed), vol. 117, p. 139, Deed Records, Travis County, Texas (1893).

7 Ibid. p. 139. Jones, et. ux., to Holland, et. al. (correction deed), vol. 118, p. 515, Deed Records, Travis County, Texas, 1893.

8 General Directory of the City of Austin, 1891 - 1892, Morrison & Fourney Publishers, Galveston, Texas, 1892, p. 221.

9 Ibid. p. 161

10 Ibid. p. 84

11 Ibid. p. 149

12 Webb, W.P. & Carroll, H.B. Bailey, The Handbook of Texas, Texas State Historical Commission, Austin, Texas, 1952. p. 826.

13 Pitre, Merline, Through Many Toils and Dangers, Black Leadership in Texas, 1868- 1900, Eakin Press, Austin, p. 67.

14 Webb, W.P. & Carroll, H.B. Bailey, The Handbook of Texas, Texas State Historical Commission, Austin, 1952. p. 826.

15 White, Lewis, Captain, A Pictorial History of Black Policemen Who Served in the Austin Police Department, 1871-1982, Full-Service Printing, Austin, Texas, 1983, (no pages listed).

16 Holland, et al., to Tears (power of attorney), vol. 108, p. 279, Deed Records, Travis County, Texas.

17 Bethany Cemetery, vol. 1, p. 96, Plat Records, Travis County, Texas

18 Jordan, Terry, G. Texas Graveyards, A Cultural Legacy, University of Texas Press, Austin, 1982, p. 30.

19 __________, Oral History Interview with Willene Ross Wilson, Monday, June 10, 1996 by members of Travis County Historical Commission.

20 Eckols, Robert, Bethany Cemetery, unpublished manuscript, Austin, Texas, 1971, p. 1.

21 Simond, Ada DeBlanc, "Family burial site holds special meaning for blacks," Looking Back, A Black Focus on Austin's Heritage, Austin American Statesman - Austin Independent School System, 1984, p.42.

22 Webb, W.P. & Carroll, H.B. Bailey, The Handbook of Texas, Texas State Historical Commission, Austin, 1952. p. 286.

23 White, Lewis, Captain, A Pictorial History of Black Policemen Who Have Served in the Austin Police Department, 1871-1982, Full- Service Printing, Austin, Texas, 1983, (no pages listed).

24 Alternative Pleading at *1, Bethany Cemetery Association of Travis County, Inc., v. Bethany Cemetery Co., et al., No. 244, 500 Dist. Ct. Records, Travis County, Texas (1976).

25 Ibid.

26 Bethany Cemetery Co., et al., to Bethany Cemetery Association of Travis County, Inc. (reformed document), vol. 6558, p. 628, Deed Records, Travis County, Texas, (1976)

27 ___________, Oral History Interview with Willene Ross Wilson, Monday, June 10, 1996 by Travis County Historical Commission.

28 Ibid. Petrison, Chris, " Old Black Cemetery Falling Into Disrepair," Austin American Statesman, (no date). P. 1.

29________, Announcement, Bethany Cemetery Association, Annual Memorial Service, Bethany Cemetery, November 11, 1973. "Note: We are thankful and proud to celebrate our Fifth annual memorial services." Simond, Ada DeBlanc, "Family burial site holds special meaning for blacks," Looking Back, A Black Focus on Austin's Heritage, Austin American Statesman - Austin Independent School System, 1984, p. 42.

30 ___________, Announcement, Bethany Cemetery Association, Memorial Day Service, Bethany Cemetery, 1969.

31 ___________, Oral History Interview with Willene Ross Wilson, Monday, June 10, 1996 by Travis County Historical Commission.

32 Ibid.

33 German, John L. , Director of Public Works, August 22, 1977, City of Austin Memorandum to Dan Davidson, City manager, Subject, Bethany Cemetery. ________, Historic Landmark Commission Minutes, September 19, 1977, C14-77-035. Petrison, Chris, "Old Black Cemetery Falling Into Despair," Austin American Statesman, (no date). P. 1.

34 Nesby, Donald, Constable, "Letters to the Editor", Austin American Statesman, January 14, 1982.

35 ___________, Oral History Interview with Willene Ross Wilson, Monday, June 10, 1996 by Travis County Historical Commission.
1 Certificate No. 129, The Comptroller to John Hemphill, File No. 482, Archives and Records Division, Texas General Land Office (1850)
2 Patent No. 212. To John Hemphill, Vol. 2 Patents, Deeds, Records, Travis County. Texas (1852).