Merriltown Cemetery

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:

This burial ground has served the surrounding area since the early 1850s. Most of those interred here lived in the Merrilltown community, which Captain Nelson Merrell (d. 1879) established when he settled here in 1837. He operated the post office and a store in the community. Captain Merrell deeded this property to trustees of School District #9 in 1856 for use as a burial ground; he also deeded land for a church and school. Merrell served as Travis County Commissioner (1852-1859) and assisted with the construction of Congress Avenue; he is also recognized as a Texas Ranger for his work in leading a group of Rangers in protecting Austin from attacks by Native Americans.

The oldest marked grave in Merrilltown Cemetery is of Julia Merrell (d. 1852), the young daughter of Nelson and Rachel Merrell (d. 1862). Another noted burial here is of Lemuel Summerwell Woodward (1813-1891), another Travis County Commissioner (1860-1864). Others interred include community leaders and veterans of military conflicts dating to the Civil War. Cemetery features include curbing, vertical stones, obelisks, a Woodmen of the World grave marker and Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) grave markers. Merrilltown residents maintained the grounds until 1982, when the Round Rock School District was named the cemetery’s trustee. In 1996, the Calvary Worship Center assumed this charitable trust from the school district, and today continues to care for the burial ground. Although this area was annexed into Austin, Merrilltown Cemetery persists as a reminder of the Merrilltown community, and serves as a record of this area’s pioneers.

Location:
14901 Burnet Rd Austin, TX 78728

Erected:
2000

photo by Kevin Surbaugh