Journey back to the 1850s. The Routh Cemetery Plaque stands here as a silent sentinel. It marks more than just a burial ground. It represents a community’s roots.
The Routh Cemetery Plaque commemorates the final resting place. It honors pioneers who shaped North Texas. This land tells a story of faith, family, and perseverance.
Jacob Routh a Baptist minister bought this land in 1851. Before that fateful purchase, Nancy De Lozier Beverly and William Klepper were already buried here. A child of camping immigrants also rested here. Routh designated this plot as a family burial ground.
Elizabeth Mashman Routh Jacob’s mother was the first Routh family member buried here in 1852. She died shortly after arriving from Tennessee. The Routh family played a vital role. They established a school, church, and store in the surrounding community.
The Routh Cemetery Plaque is a testament. It reflects the lives of ordinary people. They faced extraordinary challenges. The Routh brothers George Washington, Joseph, and Thomas Jefferson. Their sister Elizabeth Routh Thomas were cousins of the Vance family. The Vance family held the original land grant.
Jacob Routh his wife Lodemia Ann Campbell and their two unmarried daughters are buried north of here. They rest in a private plot. This larger cemetery holds around two hundred graves. Fewer than one hundred are marked.
Serepta Ellen Campbell Miller born in 1836 was the last burial here in 1922. The Routh Cemetery Plaque serves as a record. It preserves the memory of these North Texas pioneers.
Consider the unknown soldier buried here. He was rude to the ladies of McKinney. His commanding officer apologized. He was killed between Richardson and Dallas. He rests in a corner. No one is buried near him. This poignant tale reminds us of the complexities of life.
The cemetery nearly an acre tells countless stories. A cemetery association formed in the 1990s. They cleaned the cemetery and fixed the stones. Their efforts help preserve this sacred space.
Imagine the wagon trains. They traveled nearly 1,000 miles to Texas. The Routh family brought slaves. Ann cared for Jacob’s crippled mother. The Rouths involvement extended to the spiritual well being of all. Jacob preached to the colored people. He recommended the Plano Baptist Church help Negro preachers set up schools.
The Routh Cemetery Plaque is more than a marker. It stands as a reminder of our shared history. It honors those who came before us. Their stories echo through the trees. They whisper on the wind. Take a moment to reflect on their lives. Consider their sacrifices. Remember their contributions.