Mineola, Wood County
The new Hope Cemetery was long associated with the New Hope Baptist Church, which organized in 1864. It is believed the cemetery began around the same time as the church’s organization, although the earliest grave marker, that of Sarah J. Fouse, dates to 1875. The cemetery had been in use for many years when, in 1917, a group of area leaders sold the land to the church for one dollar. Although primarily associated with members of the New Hope Baptist Church and community, others, including members of an area Methodist church, have traditionally used the burial ground. The history of local residents and their customs is apparent in the cemetery, with features including rock cairns and a tabernacle. At one time during the history of the cemetery, families kept the graves as barrows, mounded dirt without grass. Overseen by an association that formed in the 1970s, families of those buried here still maintain early traditions, meeting annually to care for the grounds. Buried here are Confederate veterans, a Union veteran, and men and women who served during war and peacetime, as wells as local educators, leaders and many others associated with the community. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2002