Can’t Find That Tombstone?

 

You’ve done a tremendous amount of research, you’ve interviewed countless people, you’re sure you know exactly where your ancestor is buried – so why can’t you locate the tombstone?

 

In East Texas and Panola County in particular, this is an ordinary dilemma with an easy explanation. You cannot find a tombstone because one does not exist, never did exist. It does not, however, indicate any lack of respect for the deceased. It is a combination of several factors, some unique to the immediate area.

 

First of all, there is no rock native to this immediate area that is hard enough and smooth enough to be engraved and withstand the elements. Before the arrival of the railroads in the late 1880’s, only the more affluent families could afford tombstones. According to the late Dr. V. M. Holland, Carthage physician and prominent local historian, tombstones prior to the railroads had to be ordered from New Orleans, brought up the Red River on boats or barges, and then hauled by dray wagons from Logansport or Shreveport, La.

 

After the railroads made such things more affordable, some "upper class" and "middle class" families bought tombstones for family members who had died earlier. However, life was hard for a large majority of early Panola County families. Their focus was more on the immediate care of their families than it was on buying tombstones, even at bargain prices. Therefore, "pens" or "sheds" or a combination of both more commonly marked the earlier burials in Panola County. Both were crafted from native wood and were exactly what their implied.

 

 A grave marked by a pen would have posts set at the four corners of the grave mound. Then a picket-type fence would be built and attached to the corner posts. The fence would commonly be about waist high and built around the grave mound, without a gateway. However, fancier versions featured carved pickets, detailed gates and higher sides.

 

 When a shed marked a grave, four posts were also set at the corners of the grave mound. A double-sloped roof would be added atop the posts with the ridge of the roof running lengthwise of the grave mound. Sometimes the roof was solid lumber decking, but it was common to see cedar shingles nailed to the decking.

 

For a period of time these structures were adequate grave markers; however, it was not long until time took its toll in several ways. First of all, most of these structures like most of the houses of that time were neither painted nor whitewashed to help them withstand the elements. Therefore, it was not long until they began to fall into disrepair. As families died out or moved away, there was no one left to do the routine maintenance on the pens and sheds. Secondly, the cemeteries that fell into neglect were soon almost obliterated by the quick growth of dense underbrush fueled by the high humidity and mild climate of the region. Thirdly, the pens and shed almost never had the name of the deceased affixed to them in any way because "everybody knew" who was buried there, but once again, as families died out or moved away, the identities of countless graves passed into oblivion.

 

According to Dr. Holland, during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, it was common for groups of families to gather at local cemeteries and, in misguided attempts to "clean up the cemetery", pile and burn all the remnants of the fallen down pens and sheds. Pieces of brick or larger rocks were frequently placed at the head of each grave to preserve it's location, but these were of little value as they did not record a name and, in time, became scattered then discarded.

 

So, if you have made every effort to find a particular gravesite and have failed, consider all of the above factors when determining whether or not you should continue on your quest.

 

Hats Off! to Marylee Knight for this information.