Grayson County TXGenWeb

Sherman Daily Democrat
August 1, 1934
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Old Van Alstyne Cemetery Is Well Kept Place of Historical Interest
Special to the Democrat

Van Alstyne - Gray's "Elegy in a Country Churchyard" might well have been written after a visit to Van Alstyne's cemetery. On a hill at the eastern edge of town, the location offers a panorama of rolling hills which suggest the peacefulness of a country churchyard.

Before there was a Van Alstyne, people buried their dead there, and it is one of the oldest landmarks in this section of the country. After the coming of the railroad and the establishment of a town, a little Methodist church was built in its friendly environs. The city grew away from it to the west, and in 1890 the church was moved, but the city of the dead continued to grow.

In 1871, it had become officially "a graveyard" when James Ashley McKinney, member of one of the oldest pioneer families of the state, deeded four acres of land which belonged to him for the purpose.

Quaint and original is the document now yellowed with age, which marks that transaction. Written on double foolscap paper in a fine Spencerian hand, it bears the notice on the outer fold, "J. A. McKinney, deed to H. C., G. Y., D. L., and C. M. McKinney, trustees for four acres of land for a Graveyard, May 24, 1871, Book 5, page 570, Grayson county records."

The deed itself states that the writer "out of consideration and respect for the mortal remains of the dead and of those who now live, but by providence must soon die, gave, granted and conveyed the land," and his thoughtfulness is further remarked in that a certain portion is designated for the negroes. Among those named for trusteeship, which honor was to passed to their oldest sons and to their grandsons indefinitely, none of the original number remain. The deed is in the possession of James A. McKinney, oldest son of James Ashley McKinney, and is carefully cherished.

The cemetery is interesting for itself alone in that it is the place of interment for many of those illustrious ones connected with the early life of Texas. Near its center, marked by a high marble shaft, if the resting place of Collin McKinney, a signer of Texas' declaration of independence. This is the high spot of the cemetery. Many visit the spot for the privilege of reading the now all but obliterated inscription which reads, "He was one of the nature's noblemen; an ardent patriot and a true Christian." The date of birth is given, April 17, 1776, his death, Sept. 9, 1861. By his side rests his wife, Betsy E., born March 2, 1786, died August 2, 1862.

Simple, unaffected, sincere as his life must have been, is the stone which makes no record of his achievements. Near him are buried kinsmen, Polly and J. McKinney, and other old family names noticed in the same section are Milam, Steele, Kelly, Greer, Tyree, Sunderland, Hayhurst and many others.

No marked graves are dated earlier than 1860 and none were found with earlier birthdate than Collin McKinney, born in 1776. Many graves are there which mark the quaint, oftentimes trite inscriptions such as "Gone, but not forgotten," "Parted on earth to meet in Heaven," "Earth has one pure spirit less; Heaven one immortal more."

There are many gravestones which vary in size and styling. The earliest seem to be mostly simple slabs, now covered in moss. The effect of the Victorian nineties is noticed in more ornate sculpture, such as lambs, cherubs, clasped hands and doves, which dotted here and there are tall shafts and the insignia of benevolent associations and lodges.

Among the more pretentious monuments to the soldier dead is one to James LaFayette Greer, who, his inscription states, was one of the army of Northern Virginia, C. S. A. Doles-Cook Brigade; 4th Ga. Reg. Co. D., and the record adds "One of the immortal 600." And there is a modern stone of Texas granite marking the resting place of Lieut. Hobart E. Burk, Headquarters company 105, Inf. 27 Div. A. E. F., whose inscription reads, "Killed leading his men in the battle of the Knoll, Boney, France," and the records add in his case, "The engagement which first smashed the Hindenburg line."

Only two among the many. There are others among the soldier dead - there are those who fought with the blue and those who fought with the gray, others who fought in the Spanish-American conflict.

It has been facetiously remarked that anyone who has ever lived in Van Alstyne comes back here to be buried. The fact remains that Van Alstyne has one of the best kept cemeteries and one of the most interesting n a historical way to be found in North Texas, it is declared.