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In Honor of Eliza LbNA #48081

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:May 25, 2009
Location:
City:Jacksonville
County:Cherokee
State:Texas
Boxes:1
Planted by:n&+2
Found by: Blue Butterfly
Last found:Jul 31, 2010
Status:FFFFFFFFF
Last edited:May 25, 2009
Tecula is a tiny community in Cherokee County, Texas. It is located northeast of Jacksonville, Texas. The town, like many Cherokee County towns, appeared before the Civil War but development didn't really get started until the railroad arrived in the early 1870s. In this case the railroad was the International and Great Northern who built a depot here in 1875. The population was a mere 25 during the great Depression, and it has since declined to where only a few houses and a church remain to mark the town.

A Mr. Stockton and a Mr. Wallace each gave two acres of land to form a burial place. Tecula Cemetery was started by the side of a little log schoolhouse before the Civil War. In 2006 the site was named a Texas Historic Cemetery.

Buried in this cemetery are James Benjamin and Eliza McNew. Though I never knew them, they were my great-great-grandparents. I do remember my great-grandfather talking about them. I love history - especially family history - and had decided many years ago to name a son after my great-grandfather, Benjamin James. I never had a son, but I named my first daughter Eliza - after Eliza McNew - and because I love the Biblical meaning, "consecrated to God".

This box is planted in honor of my daughter who asked me some time ago why there are lots of stamps at cemeteries by churches but we never see stamps about church. I chose the art and carved the stamp with her in mind.

To the box:
From Jacksonville, turn NE on Highway 135. You will pass an elementary school and a middle school and you will see a mileage sign for Tecula. Turn right at 2064. There will be a sign for Tecula Cemetery where you will turn left on CR 4902. Follow the road to the cemetery.

Go to the main gate, park, and let yourself in. There are two large oaks on the left. Directly to the left of the second one is a headstone that reads McNew right on the other side of what looks like the remnants of an old rock fence line. Continue straight down the center of the cemetery and begin to veer to the left. You will see a huge cedar tree with a very old pin oak to the left of it. Between these two trees is a large, multi-trunked bush. The box is in the branches near the base on the back side. Please rehide well and make sure you cannot see the box from any angle. The cemetery is maintained regularly.

I love to hear from finders with your comments and experiences. Thank you.