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A
view of the cemetery
TE photo |
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The
Haller Marker
TE photo |
There
are three cemeteries in Chappell Hill, but we are featuring the Masonic
cemetery since it contains most of the historic interments and it
is the most picturesque. Signage on the main street will direct you
to the cemetery which is just NW of town.
There is a marker for Jacob Haller, the cemetery's first interment,
but the exact location of his grave is not known. Because of the unusual
spelling of Chappell - many of the markers that were engraved out
of the region have the standard Chapel spelling.
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The
family of Alamo defender Wm. B. Travis is buried in the Chappell Hill
cemetery.
TE photo |
Another
marker at
the Masonic Cemetery
TE photo |
The
tombstone of Susan Grissett
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In addition
to members of the Crockett and Travis clans being buried there,
there are a few other things worthy of note:
The misspelling
of Chappell Hill is even written in stone. Although members of the
Chappell family have their name right, many tombstones are inscribed
with Chapel Hill.
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Left
- A grave covered with seashells, TE photo
Right - Vandalized Tombstone of
William Travis' daughter Susan Grissett.
It has since been mended
Photo circa 1960 courtesy Texas State Library & Archives Commission |
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There are at
least two graves decorated with seashells - a practice that dates
to Roman times. In Texas graves decorated in this manner are found
in Native American, African-American, Caucasian and Mexican cemeteries.
An excellent book with more information on seashell graves and other
burial practices is TEXAS GRAVEYARDS by Terry G. Jordan, University
of Texas Press.
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Left
- A practical solution to a common problem
Right - Vandalized headstones have had the pieces kept together
by cementing them in place.
TE photos |
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