Location: Pilgrim Rest Primitive Baptist Church Cem. Giddings, Tx (outskirts)—SEE Lee Co, Tx Cems, vol 1-2 (1991): Pilgrim Rest Primitive Baptist Church was founded in 1891 by Rev. James McNeil, Sr. Sign on tree (1980s). Information added by Mrs. Collins, who lives on property and whose McNeil family gave 25 acres for church and cem. McNeil family also owned about 100 acres across US 290 [to N]THC site visit MB 9/29/03: “Cem associated with church. Area of cemetery larger than that shown on USGS map, makes an L-shaped area to E and S of church bldg. Diverse markers over time, abundant floral material. Some unique creative markers. Mowed open landscape with heavily treed areas along E and S borders. Adjacent to US 290, heavy traffic. Buffer zone of about 30’ ROW. Fenced on 3 irregular sides, open gate to church yard." Approx 3.15 acres. GPS 30.10.35.85229N -96.54.09.46141W. Quad 3096-223.NOTE: USGS map of cemetery area inaccurate, irregular shape extends to S, part of approx. 20 acre tract for church and cemetery.
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.