Watson Cemetery
GPS Coordinates: 322051N, 0942705WSurveyed by Don Austin ca 1981
Transcribed by Marylee W. Knight
Directions: From Beckville go northbound on FM 959 to the Harris Chapel Community. When you cross over a bridge that spans a Texas Utilities Mining Company haul road, you will start down a hill. The gate to the cemetery will be approximately 150 yards past the north end of the bridge. It will be a metal pipe gate on the right. The cemetery is in a stand of trees at the top of a knoll. All of the area around the cemetery has been mined by TUMCO for lignite coal, but the cemetery was left untouched.
When Don Austin surveyed this cemetery for his book "42 Lost Cemeteries" there were eight identifiable graves and
several others marked with pieces of brick or native iron ore. Austin noted that "some of the markers were broken and
barely legible". At that time there were also two large concrete and rock vault-like structures, about three feet by six
feet in size and approximately one foot high. Neither of these had identification on them at that time. Since Austin
made his survey, the cemetery has been severely damaged by vandals and no restoration has been done to correct that
damage. In his notes Austin commented, "The last burial is believed to have occurred sometime during the 1920's. Nearby
Watson Branch derives its name from this group of Watsons." At the time of his survey, Austin noted evidence of 30-40 graves.
Hatcher, Almira
Jul 17, 1840
Jun 18, 1885
Hatcher, Jesse
Sep 12, 1837
Nov 24, 1879
Hatcher, Jessie K.
Mar 21, 1880
May 3, 1890
son of J. & A.J.
Hatcher, L.D.
May 24, 1865
Sep 11, 1884
son of J. & A.J.
Hatcher, Nancy Lucinda
Nov 9, 1866
Aug 21, 1867
dau of Jesse & A.J.
Watson, J.A.
Feb 24, 1826
Oct 9, 1889
Williams, Elijah
1822
1896
Williams, W.F.
Dec 18, 1866
Aug 26, 1888