Freestone County, Texas
Cemeteries



Bethel / Evans Family Cemetery
(a.k.a. Bethel Sand Hill Cemetery)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Status:  Active, but very infrequent

Background:  

The matriach of the Evans family, Sarah Claiborne Evans, moved to Texas in the
late 1840's from Georgia after the death of her husband and settled in what
would become Freestone County.  Her plantation was located about five miles
north of Butler.  Two of her children were already here and eventually seven of
her nine children were land owners and living near her. 

The first Evans family to die was Henry D. Evans on Feb 6, 1853.  He was buried
in what then was the Evans burial ground on a hill near her plantation.  Now it
is called the Bethel Cemetery.  Sarah died at her home on Jan 21, 1869 at the
age of 87.  Approximately thirty of the Evans family are buried, plus some of
their slaves.  The 1860 agricultural census lists the Evans family with 8,000
acres, 67 slaves, 52 oxen, 108 milk cows, 487 other cattle, 44 horses and
mules, and 485 hogs.  They produced 111 cotton bales, 2880 corn bushels, and
other products.  The 1860 federal census lists combined net worth over
$108,000.

[Research of Josie and John Wood Evans - H of FC, Vol II, #252 & #254]

Directions: From the Long Lake junction take Hwy 84 West 9 miles to Co Road 489
East and From Fairfield take Hwy 84 East about 11 miles to Co. Road 489 East
and go 4.6 miles. Take a left on Co. Rd. 240 for 1.3 miles. The Cemetery is on
the left inside chain link fence. 

Oldest Unmarked Grave: Feb 6, 1853  Henry D. Evans

Oldest Marked Grave: 1869  Sarah Evans

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the outside of the cemetery in the middle there is a small chain link fence
with one grave in it: Evans, Sarah Claiborne  [08/15/]1782 - [01/21/]1869. 

Thirty unmarked Evans family graves.

Unknown number of unmarked graves of Evans' slaves.

Falton, Glenn       05/09/1900-10/13/1979

Kelley, Clyde       05/17/1908-01/??/2005  *O* 

Shed, Clarence Ray  09/24/1967-12/06/2009 *O*
Shed, Rodie Lee     06/15/1925-03/28/1981
Shed, Tommie Lee    11/26/1939-03/27/1977


*D* = Death Record on this website
*O* = Obituary on this website