Pilgrim Cemetery - Elkhart, Texas

Daniel Parker and a group of settlers from Crawford County, Illinois came to Texas in 1833, establishing the newly organized Pilgrim Regular Predestinarian Baptist Church with its adjacent cemetery. The log church pictured above is a replica of the original built in 1848 a short distance from the present day community of Elkhart in Anderson County, Texas. Pilgrim Church is reportedly the first Baptist church in Texas.

REV. DANIEL PARKER

Pioneer Baptist Minister
Born in Virginia
April 6, 1761
Died December 3, 1844

His Wife
PATSY DIXON PARKER
Born January 17, 1783
Died December 1, 1846

Daniel Parker's brother James was granted a league of land north of present Groesbeck, Texas on April 1, 1835. There he and other members of the Parker family established a fort on the headwaters of the Navasota River in current Limestone County. On May 19, 1836, the Parker family became famous when the inhabitants of the fort were massacred by Comanche indians. Daniel's brothers Silas and Benjamin Parker along with their father John were killed and five family members were taken as hostages. One of those hostages, Cynthia Ann Parker, lived with the Comanches for approximately 25 years and married chief Peta Nocoma. Cynthia Ann Parker and Peta Nocoma were parents of the famous Comanche chief Quanah Parker.

ELIZA KENNEDY Sep. 3, 1819 Dec. 24, 1881 At Rest

Our Mother REBECCA BIRD Wife of J. W. WILSON 1857 - 1923

RACHEL Daughter of DANIAL PARKER Wife of MILES BENNETT Sept. 27, 1821 Dec. 23, 1843 First Person Buried in this Cemetery

Read more about the Parkers at the Handbook of Texas Online.

Vanderpoole Cemetery

The small Texas community of Vanderpoole is situated in the valley created by the Sabinal River in Bandera County. It was originally settled in the 1850's and has survived even after being abandoned for a time during the 1860's because of Comanche raids. Vanderpoole is only a few miles from the Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Texas hill country.

MARY JANE DANNER SEPT. 16, 1857 JULY 20, 1919 We knew no sorrow knew no grief Till they bright face was missed.

ALEXANDER DANNER NOV. 11, 1853 NOV. 27, 1916 Our darling one hath gone before, To greet us on The blissful shore.

IN MEMORY OF E. C. HALL B Nov 3 1819 D Feb 8 1893 Erected to her sweet memory by those who loved her, her children.

R.F. RATLIFF BORN JAN. 22, 1865 DIED JULY 18, 1917 My trust is in God.

MRS. M. D. CHANEY BORN May 13, 1833 DIED JULY 11, 1905

Read more about Vanderpoole, Texas at the Handbook of Texas Online.

San Antonio's Confederate Cemetery

Just inside the Crockett Street entrance to the Confederate Cemetery is the street sign for Robert E. Lee Walk. This cemetery is part of San Antonio's Historic City Cemeteries complex just east of the downtown area.

JOHN GREEN HALL Lieut Co. I 19 Texas Inf Confederate States Army Aug 27 1843            Jan 11 1907

HUGH FRANKLIN YOUNG Brig Gen Texas State Troops Confederate States Army Nov 3 1808            Sep 8 1889

ADELBERT R. DAUCHE Corp Co C 36 Texas Cav Confederate States Army July 28 1813            Jan 10 1868

November 2 - Day of the Dead

This is the final installment and last of the posts dedicated to the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos in San Antonio's Mission Park South Cemetery.

November 1 - The Day of the Innocents

Celebrations of El Día de los Muertos generally consider November 1st as Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) or Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels).

Toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos or the little angels), or other ofrendas (offerings) such as the deceased's favorite candies on the grave.