Brown Cemetery

Hidden amidst the urban sprawl, Brown Cemetery whispers tales of early Texas settlers. The Brown family’s history is intertwined with this seemingly unassuming plot of land, located near the intersection of Highway 360 and Bee Caves Road. The cemetery’s origins date back to Ervin and Matilda Brown, North Carolina natives who arrived in Texas in 1846. They first settled in Washington County before moving their family to a vast 1600-acre farm near Eutaw in Limestone County in 1857. Ervin, a charter member of the Eutaw Masonic Lodge, and Matilda rest here, their stories etched in the weathered stones. This isn’t just any cemetery. It’s a tangible link to Texas’s past, where the echoes of the Civil War and the shaping of the state’s legal landscape still resonate. Mary Ann Brown, wife of Ervin’s son, Confederate Captain James Petty (J.P.) Brown, rests here. Her death in 1865 marks the earliest documented burial. J.P., later elected to the Texas House of Representatives, is also buried here. Their son, Gibson A. Brown, played a significant role in resolving a boundary dispute between Texas and Oklahoma in 1896, showcasing the family’s continued influence. While the cemetery may appear overgrown and unkept, it is privately owned and maintained by Brown descendants, a testament to the enduring connection between family and history. It’s a place where the past isn’t just remembered but actively preserved. Though not buried here, the legacy of Thomas Jefferson Brown, another son of Ervin and Matilda, adds another layer to the cemetery’s story. He served as a Confederate captain and later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. Brown Cemetery serves as a poignant reminder that even within a bustling city, pockets of history lie hidden, waiting to share their stories.