Uncovering the Mystery: 8 Fascinating Facts About Old Shiloh Cemetery in Rusk County, Texas
- Kelly Nix
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
Old Shiloh Cemetery, nestled in Rusk County, Texas, is a treasure trove of history and mystery. Established around 1850, this cemetery is not just a final resting place but a significant cultural landmark that tells the stories of local heritage. In this post, we explore eight captivating facts that highlight the importance and charm of Old Shiloh Cemetery.
There are 17 known Confederate States of America veterans buried in the Shiloh Cemetery.
John Anderson
W.J. Bates
Nehemiah Briley
James Iverson
John Jenkins
Leonard W. Keeling
John Leslie
David Maxwell
E.S. Parker
F.M.H. Parker
R.T. Parker
Wylie M. Pierce
Harvey Pinkerson
D.M. Poovey
Joseph Still
W.B. Turner
James Wallace
The earliest birth noted was that of Margret Ewart Barnett, wife of J.A. Wallace; born on September 24, 1798.
Matilda Mayhew Wood, born May 8, 1799, was the wife of a Revolutionary War solider.
C.P. Gilbreath, born August 30, 1799, was the husband of Maranda Gilbreath, who had the earliest death on September 16, 1853.
The oldest married couple was Edd Duffy (March 10, 1883 - February 12, 1985) and Mary Lena Clinton Mansinger (February 13, 1885 - July 30, 1988).
Joseph Charles Miszner (1822 - 1918) was a professor of music and had been a pupil of Franz Liszt in Europe before moving to Texas.
The New London School Explosion was March 18, 1937. Taken to Shiloh Cemetery were Nellie Barnes, Aubra Rainwater, Evelyn Rainwater, Helen Rainwater, and Louise Rowell.
In 2005, the Texas Historic Commission granted an historic marker for the Old Shiloh Cemetery.
The marker reads: "This cemetery dates from the 1853 burial of Maranda Gilbreath. Four years later, the land was officially set aside by early settler Josiah Johnson for use as a public burial ground. Many of the unidentified graves are thought to be those of slaves. The cemetery contains the burial sites of pioneers, community leaders, and war veterans. A traditional fourth of July Cemetery cleaning began in 1876. One of the older burial grounds in Rusk County, Shiloh Cemetery is located beside Trammel's Trace, an early east Texas roadway."
