Historic Cemetery

Easley Cemetery

Easley Chapel, Texas 75844
Location: Driving Directions:From northernmost intersection of SH 21 and FM 227, go approx. 4.9 miles north on SH 21 to the sign "Pepper tree planted 1840." From the Pepper Tree walk approx. 780 ft. due east. Cemetery is located on heavily wooded ridge between two drainages.This cemetery is highly endangered. It is a map feature, but it is located in a remote area on private property. The cemetery is not accessible to the public and there are no cemetery signs posted. In order to access the cemetery, one must walk approx. 780 ft. through a heavily wooded area and cross a deep drainage. The cemetery is not fenced or maintained and is very overgrown. Approx. 6-7 graves were observed. Of these, only five were marked. Three had formal marble markers, and two had metal funeral markers that are no longer legible. Several fieldstones may also mark graves.

To address the problem of cemetery destruction and to record as many cemeteries as possible, the Texas Historical Commission offers the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.

The Historic Texas Cemetery designation was developed in 1998 to help protect historic cemeteries by recording cemetery boundaries in county deed records to alert present and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery of its existence. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery through this program. The HTC designation is the first step toward preservation of a historic cemetery.

A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations. The very nature of a cemetery being a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. Any individual, organization, or agency may submit a request for designation.

gravesites