Nacogdoches Co., TX - Cemeteries - Zion Hill Baptist Cemetery *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Eric B Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Park Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. The sign along the road reads: Reveremd Lawson Reed came to Nacogdoches in 1878. there was no organized baptist church for the black community though the presence of a church and a number of unmarked graves suggest earlier internments on the site, the earliest is marked Julia Harris, February 8, 1897. It is the only marked grave from the 19th century. The Zion Hill Baptist Church grew steadily from its inception and by the 1890's, there was a new larger structure. Early members were continuously buried here until Charles Blakely in 1945. Among those here: Rev. Lawson Reed (d 1924) [grave marked by 2 stones], John B. Liggins (d 1919), Amiel Rivers (d 1932), and Jim Smith (d 1938), who served in WWI. Several markers denote members of fraternal organizations. Over time, the cemetery fell into disrepair. In the early 1970's, a movement began to have the city assume custodianship of the cemetery. This burial ground remains a chronicle of African-American pioneers in Nacogdoches. Below are the names I found upon the stones within the cemetery. I did not find the one belonging to Rev Reed or John Liggins though. Amiel Rivers Charley Jim Smith Texas Born Dec ?? 1811 (71) Texas Pvt 537 Engrs Died Oct 27, 1909 Pvt June 6, 1932 At Rest US Army (broken stone) July 13, 1886 January 20, 1938 My loves goes with you and and my soul awaits you to join W. M. Lewis Julia Harris Betty Jean Holmes Oct 11 1868 Born Mar 4, 1846 1935- 1936 Feb 13, 1916 Died Feb 8, 1897 At Rest Gone but not forgotten Blessed are they that Sleep in Jesus *double sided stone* Nancy Heggwood Lizzie McGray Died Mar 10, 1905 Died Oct 16, 1902 *tiny stone* L. M. Joe Ella Ceasor Blakely Born July 31, 1866 Charley Christine Died Feb 27, 1935 1865-1945 1883-1929 Light of Eastern Chamber Resting in Peace -878 Nacogdoches, Tex. *These next 5 stones lie in a row, spaced slightly apart* *These are the order from left to right: Gaston, Agatha, Floyd, Adaline, Jesse Gaston Donegan Agatha Feb 26, 1885 wife of Apr 9, 1929 Gaston Donegan Gone But Not Forgotten May 12, 1886 June 13, 1922 Floyd Mother son of Adaline Casaway Gaston & Agatha Born 1876 Donegan Died 1910 June 26, 1903 Aug 1, 1904 Jesse Donegan Jan 7, 1905 Sept 23, 1937 He died as he lived, a christian There are many stones broken and missing, or simply unmarked.