Anderson Co., TX - Cemeteries - Swanson (Bridges) Cemetery *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Laura Gregory Calvin Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** Swanson Cemetery also Known as Bridges Swanson cemetery is located in Palestine, Anderson County Texas. Swanson / Bridges is a Historical cemetery. The historical marker reads as follows: Micam Main of Illinois was granted a league of land by the Mexican government in 1835. One of the area's first brickmakers, Samuel M. Warden, died while working on the Main's estate on Christmas Eve in 1847. He was interred on this site. According to oral history, Warden's grave was marked only with bricks of his own manufacture. His is believed to have been the first burial in this cemetery. Virginia native Henry Clay Swanson (1822-1906), a former member of the Alabama State legislature, moved to Texas with his brother, James Madison Swanson, their families and slaves in 1851. "Colonel" Henry C. Swanson owned a farm east of Palestine and later operated a mercantile store in town. He purchased the land around the cemetery from Elisha Main, Micam Main's son and heir, in 1854. The slaves and former slaves of Henry Clay Watson and James M. Swanson, as well as african americans from Anderson county and neighboring areas, were interred on this site. Descendants of slaves attended funerals here from 1872 to the late 1940's and early 1950's. A young girl was among the last interred in the well-populated burial site in the late 1940's. Others buried here include Tom Swanson, a former slave from Virginia to whom Henry Swanson willed $100, and two of his brothers. As well as their descendents. Thirty-six marked and approximately 23 unmarked graves are believed to grace the cemetery. This is the final resting place of many of those whose labor built Anderson county, Houston county and the state of Texas. Bonner, Fannie b. Apr 22,1863 d. Aug 01,1911 Daughter of Mary Calhoun Clewis, Silva b. d. Nov 30,1909 Died at 52 years of age. Wife of Ike Gibson, Anderson b. d. Oct 27,1879 Died at 45 years of age. Gone to Rest Gosia, Henry b. d. Oct 27,1872 Died at 54 years of age Your dear father is gone but not forgotten Gosia, Matilla b. d. Mar 15,1888 Died at 75 years of age Griffin, Sam b. d. Dec 16,1874 Died at 72 years of age Lacy, Cage b. d. 1885 Died at 65 years of age Gone but not forgotten Lacy, Miles b. d. Nov 05,1902 Died at 60 years of age Lacy, Ollie b. d. 1902 Died at 64 years of age Gone but not forgotten Mablow, Frank B. J. b. Aug 21,1909 d. Aug 01,1916 Rosser, Charity No Dates Rosser, William No Dates Warden, Samuel b. d. Dec 24,1847 According to the historical marker Mr. Warden is believed to have been first burial. Swanson, John Webb b. Feb 11,1890 d. Feb 06,1921 Gone but not forgotten Swanson, Martha b. 1846 d. 1924 Mother Gone but not forgotten Swanson,Alex No Dates Shares marker with Martha Swanson, Tom No Dates I transcribed the Swanson/Bridges cemetery in January 2003. There are several markers that are unreadable and several graves unmarked. I have talked to Mrs. Vivian Hinton who has family buried here and she told me to go to the Palestine, Texas library and there is a list there of the known burials. Some of the burial information here came from that list. As Mrs. Hinton is made aware of burials in this cemetery she is having them recorded at the library in the cemetery transcription. If you have a family member buried here please contact me with the information so the information will be recorded. If you would like more information feel free to contact me and I will see if I can help you.And if not I will check with Mrs. Hinton. Laura Gregory Calvin Feb 2003 email Laura9102@yahoo.com or Lauragregorycalvin@sbcglobal.net