Location: Hempstead Cem—(white), Recorded WALL03—Parsons. THC Atlas, markers: “Pioneers in this Texas area. Had early cotton gin and ferry. Founder of family was Jared E. Groce (1782-1836), who came to Texas in 1822. His large wagon train brought elaborate plantation equipment. Groce built "Bernardo" and "Groce's Retreat." Heirs built "Pleasant Hill," "Eagle Island" and "Liendo" (the only surviving Groce mansion, 2 mi. NW of here). A contribution of the family to the cause of Texas freedom was providing rations and ferry service to army of Gen. Houston on eve of San Jacinto victory. Descendants have contributed leadership to the state. Approx. 3.5 miles E of Hempstead on US 290, near Liendo Plantation, Hempstead vicinity.” Websites for Waller Co Hist & TexHist Cem: “South end of Grace St (1st St), Hempstead; for Captain Alfred H. Wyly at cemetery, info HbTx.” [SEE HbTx info in this file] Waller Co Communities, website: “Hempstead settled about 1820s, stagecoach line 1830s, aka Six-Shooter-Junction [??], town incorp 1871. Direct of Cems in Waller Co, 1977/1992: “Town of Hempstead est by Dr. R. R. Peebles & James McDade 1856, part of Austin Colony … sought railroad … Mrs. Peebles, widow of J. E. Groce III, inherited townsite and designated a park, square, and specific blocks as a cemetery [listed]. In 1883 D. C. Giddings Estate added add’l blocks; 1915 Charles Menke added a block; in 1929 M. M. Graves deeded 6.24 acres, E of earlier blocks. … 1885 ladies Hemstead Cem Assoc. to maintain and repair cem. … Cem charter #6129 filed with state 1893, site ‘for white persons only’ and officers. Corporation dissolved 1966 w/ town as continuing trustee. Sextons. Sections , #1 –5a & 5b, directional road names [listed]. Approx 1200 burials, some unknown or unmarked, with earliest about 1830s (Groce family). Index.”THC site visit MB 5/15/04. Hempstead, on Grace Rd, S of SH 159. Corner area, partially fenced. Large formal cemetery, great diversity of markers over time, large and small, including shell graves, pinnacles, vaults, coarnes, grave trellis, statues, metal grave coverings. THC subject and biographical markers. Approx 11 acres. GPS 30.05.00.28409N –96.04.01.03072W. Quad 3096-111.Low risk of endangerment. Municipal cemetery, still in use, recently expanded. Maintained, frequent visitation. Adjacent residential, wooded and pasture areas.
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.