Historic Cemetery

Gellatly Family Cemetery

S Texas St, Hemphill, Texas 75948
Location: SB-C023 Gellatly Family Cemetery AKA Gellaty Cem. (error Tx Funeral Serv.)USGS point3193-234 Gellatly Family CemeteryRecorded: SABI01—Parsons, Kim. 1988. References to Texas Cemeteries; Sabine Co Hist Soc, Rootsweb: “From the courthouse in Hemphill take Hwy 83 East 1 block to Hwy 87. Go North or Left 7 miles to Milam. Continue North on Hwy 87 for 4.2 miles. Turn West or Left on Lickskillet Road. At 1.2 miles and take the right fork in the road. Cemetery will be 0.1 mile on the right. 8 graves, Historical Marker. Cem. Index.” Sabine Co. Hist. Marker: “Robert and Nancy Agnes Gellatly and their son, David, immigrated to Texas from Dundee, Scotland, between 1834 and 1836. Nancy's father, William Sturrock, and other family members also came with them. For his service in the Republic of Texas army, Robert received land in 1841. He later served Sabine County as justice of the peace, sheriff, tax collector, and chief justice. Robert and Nancy eventually were the parents of six children. This graveyard was established in 1863 upon the death of their daughter, Anna Mathews. Four generations of the family are buried here. LOCATION: Town of Milam -- Erected 1992.” THC marker notes: “From Milam take SH87 N about 4 miles then W on Lickskillet Lane to first Right. Cemetery on East side of road.” Marker location: “5.2 miles N of Milam on SH 87, then 1 mile W on red dirt road [Lickskillet Rd.], then 0.25 mile N on dirt road to cemetery on right. In Sabine Nat’l Forest.”THC site visit MB 6/29/04 Milam, Tx area. “(SCHS) North on Hwy 87 for 4.2 miles. Turn West or Left on Lickskillet Road. At 1.2 miles take the right fork in the road. Cemetery will be 0.1 mile on the right,” Pete’s Pass.Small formal site adjacent to roadway, THC marker in front. Decorative iron fencing, formal markers, some diversity, obelisks. Some floral grave materials. Still in use. Approx 0.3 acre. GPS 31.29.13.30128N –93.51.24.37843W. Quad 3193-234.Medium risk of endangemernt, location in heavily wooded area of commercial logging, nat’l forest. But on the map with THC historic marker, decorative iron fencing, maintained, somewhat recent burial. 3193-234 Local History notesTx Co Hwy Map, no name. Marker. Gellatly Cemetery Historical Marker, 1992.

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.

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Texas random facts
Sabine County, located in the eastern region of Texas, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Atakapa tribes, who relied on the fertile land and abundant water sources for sustenance. European exploration of the region began in the 16th century when Spanish expeditions led by Alonso Álvarez de Pineda explored the Gulf Coast, including the Sabine River.

In the early 19th century, Sabine County became a part of the newly established Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. The area attracted American settlers who were lured by the fertile soil for farming and the potential for trade along the Sabine River. One influential settler, James Gaines, established the city of Milam in 1835, which would later become the county seat of Sabine County.

The history of Sabine County is closely intertwined with the struggle for independence and the establishment of the Republic of Texas. During the Texas Revolution, the area witnessed several significant events, such as the Battle of Nacogdoches in 1832 and the Battle of Gaines' Ferry in 1836. After Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836, Sabine County became a part of the newly formed Republic of Texas.

As the years went by, Sabine County experienced various economic booms and downturns, primarily driven by industries such as timber and oil. The timber industry played a vital role in the county's early development, with sawmills and logging camps becoming prominent features of the local economy. In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil led to a short-lived but significant oil boom in the area, attracting numerous companies and workers.

Today, Sabine County remains a vibrant and diverse community, with a mix of rural and urban areas. Its rich history is celebrated through various cultural events and landmarks, showcasing its role as an integral part of Texas's heritage.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Sabine County, Texas.

  • 1836: Sabine County is established and organized as a county of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1843: The town of Hemphill is established as the county seat of Sabine County.
  • 1854: The Sabine Pass Lighthouse is constructed on the Sabine Pass.
  • 1861: Sabine County residents vote overwhelmingly in favor of secession from the Union.
  • 1881: The Texas State Penitentiary is established in Sabine County.
  • 1936: Toledo Bend Reservoir, one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, is completed along the Sabine River.
  • 1957: The Sabine River Authority of Texas is created to manage the water resources of the Sabine River Basin.
  • 1976: The Sabine County Historical Commission is established to preserve and promote the county's history.
  • 1990: The Sabine County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.