Rest Haven Cemetery
 |
History of Willis Rest Haven Cemetery
The origins of the tract of land off of FM 1097, on which Willis Rest Haven Cemetery sits, formally began is not certain but dates back to before 1875 and is designated for burials. There
are documents showing on Feb 8, 1902, the owners NEW YORK & TEXAS LAND COMPANY sold 4.44 acres to George W. Jackson, Ned E. Barnes, and John Bell Hood Westmoreland
for $40.00. This is the open area on East Rogers Road south beyond Camp Creek towards 1097 designated to be used as the Willis Colored Cemetery. Later, on May 16, 1930, the Willis Colored Cemetery Assoc.(George W Jackson, Ned E Barnes and John Bell Hood Westmoreland) purchased an additional 2.9 acres from owner D. M. Fields for $87.00.
The original portion of Willis Rest Haven Cemetery runs from 1097 across Camp Creek merges with the open area leading to the north entrance of the cemetery off of East Rogers Road. There
may be as many as 100 graves on the original portion of the cemetery, which is now an overgrown thicket, and hopefully will be restored in the near future. At least 500 graves are in the
cleared of the cemetery near East Rogers Road entrance.
Related Pages
Greenwood Plantation Project- Montgomery County, Texas
African American Resources for Texas
African American Digital Bookshelf