“Who rests here?” That’s the question I always ask myself when I visit the Merrell Cemetery Plaque. This plaque marks a spot with stories etched in stone and whispered by the wind.
Welcome to the Merrell Cemetery Plaque. It stands as a testament to Dallas’s pioneer past. This isn’t just any burial ground. It’s a chronicle of lives intertwined with the very soil beneath our feet.
The Merrell Cemetery dates back to the 1840s. It began on land granted to the Texas Emigration and Land Co., also known as the Peters Colony. Eli Merrell, a minister, and his wife Mary settled here in 1844. Their family shaped this land.
Eli’s grave was the first marked one in 1849. He rests in the cemetery that carries his name. His nephew, Benjamin Merrell, Dallas County’s first tax collector, also lies here. His headstone proudly states his title. A smaller, older stone marker simply reads “Ben Merrell.”
Many pioneer families rest in Merrell Cemetery. Names like Strait, Welch, Coppedge, and Marsh echo through Dallas history. William Strait and his wife Mourning arrived in Dallas County in 1853. Their descendants served the community in many ways. William’s sons fought alongside Merrell’s sons in the Civil War. Elmo Strait, William’s grandson, even became Dallas Police Chief in 1921.
Randy Griffin is the caretaker of Merrell Cemetery. He tends to the grounds and protects its history. He ensures the golf ball stays by John Crump Spicer’s grave. The Dr Pepper bottle remains near Mark Allen Durham’s resting place. Griffin buried his mother here in 2011. He is the president of the Merrell Cemetery Maintenance Association.
The Merrell Cemetery Maintenance Association formed in 1965. They work to preserve this historic site. The cemetery remains locked to prevent vandalism. Griffin is the gatekeeper ensuring its safety.
Donations help maintain the Merrell Cemetery. They preserve this vital piece of Dallas history. The non-profit association relies on volunteers. Many are descendants of those buried here.
The Merrell Cemetery offers a glimpse into Dallas’s past. It connects us to the pioneers who built this city. As you stand before the Merrell Cemetery Plaque remember the stories etched in stone. They whisper of lives lived and legacies left behind.