This cemetery is located behind the First Baptist Church on Highway 205 in Rockwall, Texas. This inventory dates back to 1977, when it was canvassed by Sandra Tedford and Walterine Sharp. Biographical information has been added by descendants of the individuals buried here.
The patriarch of the family, Benjamin F. Boydstun, was born in Kentucky, the son of John B. Boydstun and Nancy Ann Gardner. He married Mary Elizabeth Isabel Crenshaw 26 Jul 1837 in Kentucky. They and several other family members moved to Illinois in the late 1830s, where lived in Adams, Hancock, and Knox Counties. Their first three children were born in Illinois.
The Boydstun Family includes several Revolutionary Patriots.
About 1850, many of the Illinois families again moved, this time to Texas. Benjamin F. and his family settled in Kaufman County, Texas, where six more children were born. The area in which they lived later became Rockwall County. Benjamin F. Boydstun was the first school teacher and taught there many years.
Benjamin F. Boydstun was also a surveyor and his name appears on many deeds in the county. This led to speculation by early family researchers that he owned the entire county.
Children of Benjamin F. and Mary E. I. (Crenshaw) Boydstun:
1. Sarah Frances b. 14 Jul 1839 Adams County, IL, d. 29 Oct 1871; Rockwall, TX,
2. Harriet Merinda Ann b. 10 Jan 1842, d. 9 Sep 1919, Rockwall, TX,
3. John David b. 17 Jul 1844, Warren Co, IL, married Elizabeth Ann Tucker,
4. Mary Jane b. 1 Oct 1846, Abingdon, IL, married William H. Vaught
5. Martha Isabelle b. 5 Jan 1850, Kaufman Co, TX d. 20 Aug 1934, Rockwall, TX,
6. Elizabeth Louisa b. 10 Feb 1851 Kaufman Co, TX, d. 30 Dec 1933, Hardin Co, TX,
7. Nancy Ellen, b. 5 Feb 1853, Kaufman Co, TX, d. 20 Aug 1934, Rockwall, TX
8. Amanda Ann b. 1 May 1857, Kaufman Co, TX, d. 16 Dec 1861, Rockwall TX
9. Benjamin William b. 24 Feb 1860, Kaufman Co, TX md. Harriet Elizabeth Fincher
The Cemetery
HALFORD, Laura L. (Clark), 1868, 1940
HALFORD, Robert E. Lee, 1865, 1930, ssw Laura
HALFORD, R. E. L. Jr., 1901, 1969, ssw Velvin H.
HALFORD, Velvin Harris, 1905, No Date
HASKINS, Artye C., 1879, 1966
HASKINS, Harry, 1872, 1943, ssw Artie
HASKINS, Buren R., 1900, 1957, Urn on Harry & Artie Haskins marker
CLARK, Marinda, 10 Jan 1842, 9 Sep 1919
CLARK, Frank, 6 Apr 1830, 21 Apr 1909, ssw Marinda
CLARK, C. P., 3 Feb 1872, 24 Nov 1920
HANEY, Juliette N., 31 Jul 1919, 7 Sep 1975
HANEY, John R., 24 Aug 1914, No date, ssw Juliette
BOYDSTUN, Jo, 15 Nov 1885, 25 Feb 1933
BOYDSTUN, Harriet Elizabeth, 26 Jan 1866, 25 Nov 1892
BOYDSTUN, Mary Maggie Dee, 28 Sep 1890, 24 Feb 1891, dau of B. W. & H. E. Boydstun
GARDENHIRE, Agnes, 25 Jul 1885, 13 Nov 1908
GARDENHIRE, Abner L., 21 Dec 1849, 9 Dec 1936
GARDENHIRE, Nancy E., 5 Feb 1853, 20 Aug 1934, ssw Abner
GARDENHIRE, Eula L., 1883, 1955
GARDENHIRE, Benjamin Franklin, 1891, 1927
GARDENHIRE, George Homer, 1887, 1930
TINKLE, J. Ward, 29 Nov 1874, 14 Sep 1941
TINKLE, Mary Adella, 20 Aug 1877, 17 Apr 1964
TINKLE, Colin Joseph, 27 Mar 1975, Only date
SMITH, Sarah E., 14 Jul 1839, 29 Oct 1871, wife of P. E. Smith
BOYDSTUN, Amanda A., 1 May 1857, 16 Dec 1861,
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