As with most sites of great or profound historical significance, Edwards cemetery is not without it’s  share of conflict and confusion.  There seems to be little or no doubt that it was the earliest “town cemetery” used by the inhabitants of Mt. Pleasant.  But there is no documentary evidence of when the cemetery was first used.  Early deed records seem to indicate the existence of a “family cemetery” that may have been incorporated into the currently known Edwards Cemetery.  We do know that the cemetery was used in the 1850s from recorded deaths and most likely in the 1840s.  Once known as the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, a current correspondent with this writer contends that it was called “Colonial Hill Cemetery” and now sometimes called Edwards, a public cemetery located on West First Street in Mt. Pleasant on lands that were donated by the Edwards family in a deed dated August 11, 1903.  Many of the Edwards family are interred in the cemetery.

As the populace grew, Edwards cemetery was used as the public burial grounds for both Caucasian and African-American residents.  Then on December 14, 1888 in a mass meeting of the citizens it was decided it was impossible, “to put the cemetery in condition as becoming Christian people” and the Masonic Cemetery was formed for the exclusive burial of whites.  The African-American citizens began using the “Old Mt. Pleasant Colored Cemetery” in the Southwest part of town.  Until June 22, 1977, burials in the Edwards Cemetery were without cost and then the city of Mt. Pleasant plated the cemetery and commenced selling the lots.

Of further historical significance is the inclusion within the cemetery of the remains found in three other older cemeteries in the area.  Construction of Lake Bob Sandlin in the 1970s necessitated the disinterment and removal of all those buried in the Friendship Cemetery located in the basin that would be covered by water when Cypress Creek was dammed.  The remains of 20 graves were relocated to an area in the Edwards Cemetery.  Nineteen granite blocks inscribed with “UNKNOWN, moved from Camp County Friendship Cemetery” now mark those grave sites.  The remaining grave has a monument for William R. Freeman born August 29, 1860.  Then, on June 7, 1979 the heirs of the Richmond and Fitzgerald families bought 8 lots in Edwards Cemetery for the purpose of relocating the remains of those buried in the Richmond/Fitzgerald Cemetery.   The remains and existing monuments were transferred in that year.  Similarly, in 1980 the heirs of the Benton family bought 10 lots for the purpose of relocating the Benton family cemetery.  The remains of 8 unknown burials were interred under a single marker inscribed “UNKNOWN”.  The other two lots were used for John and Deary Yan Benton.

Time, the elements, vandals, and well meaning individuals have removed some of the stones, wooden crosses, etc. that were used to mark grave sites.  There are, however, certain markers remaining that mark grave sites that are without identifying monuments.  There are currently nine (9) funeral home markers (FHM) that cannot be read.  There is an unidentified concrete shrine with Spanish inscriptions erected at a grave site; a concrete slab covered in ceramic tile; an unmarked infant grave; and a recent burial has taken place with no identification as to the interred.  A wooden sign that has deteriorated so badly the lettering is unreadable except for a date 2/28/92.  A top of a monument with no information has been reset in concrete.  There is an unreadable monument that is broken and lying on a concrete base.  Only one native stone was found in the cemetery and that seems strange because the use of iron ore rock was commonly used to mark graves.  There was a pile of concrete, shells and monument bases that marked another grave site.  Five monument bases with missing monuments were found (begs the question of what happened to the monuments?  Were they stolen, destroyed or relocated). 

Three monuments proved to be impossible to read, however, one can make out “Marcus son of A ----” on one and the accompanying foot stone has the initials M. W..  On another is “Nancy A. wife of ---- December 1870".  Six brick cairns and one rock cairn mark other grave sites.  A painted white, wrought iron fence surrounds a large tree.  There is no evidence of any marker inside it.

There were several granite markers that had minimal information found throughout the cemetery.  These included: T. P. E., B. P., V. P., G. R. E.; then Norman (1990-2000), Baby (1984-1999), Mandy (1995-1987), Chocolate (1973-1987, Cha Cha (1975-1986) and at the foot of the Cloyds - Honeyboy II (1982-2000).  Finally, a concrete monument located on the west side of the cemetery, next to Miller Avenue simply says Uncle Alex 1909.  A certain air of mystery arises with consequential questions: Why the anonymity?  Was the body surreptitiously buried some dark night conveniently beside the road or more likely someone’s beloved uncle needed to have a decent burial and recognition.  There are so many stories that could be told from the history of the cemetery but so much is lost forever.  How many desperados are buried here (Mt. Pleasant had a few)?  The only significant tale arises from one of the inhabitants buried here.

Mr. (Colonel, an honorary title as he only achieved the rank of Private during the civil war) Henry Clay Thruston lies here with his wife and son.  Mr. Thruston received notoriety during the civil war and later while touring with the P. T. Barnum Circus.  Standing 7 feet, 7 ½ inches tall, he was known as the tallest man in the civil war.  Many stories abound about his exploits in the war (can you imagine the target he presented).  During one campaign the two sides stopped hostilities while he and the tallest man in the Union army were photographed together to resolve the argument as to who could claim the title “Tallest man in the civil war”.  He won.  Surviving the war of course was a remarkable feat and after discharge, Thruston joined the circus with the billing “The Texas Giant” and “The Tallest Man in the World”.  During parades, he would array himself in the American flag and sometimes the “Stars and Bars”.  A stovepipe hat was worn to emphasize his height.  He now sleeps peacefully in Edwards Cemetery.

To reach the Edwards Cemetery from the Titus County court house take West 1st street west for 0.3 mile to the intersection with Edwards Avenue.  Turn right (North) on Edwards Avenue and proceed 0.1 mile.  The cemetery’s main entrance lies on the left.  Coordinates: 33^o09'28"N  094^o58'30"W

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