Sherman, Texas -- An almost forgotten cemetery sits northeast of Sherman on Hayes Street near Hilltop Dr.  Over  a year ago the Martha Jefferson Randolph Chapter discovered the one-acre historic cemetery with ties to a Revolutionary War Patriot was in desperate need of attention.  On October 10 at 10:30 a.m. we will recognize all those in the community that helped clean and restore this cemetery. 

Historic records say a native of North Carolina, John Hendrix, came to Texas in 1846 with his wife, Ruth, and their children, and seven other families. Mr. Hendrix ran a successful farming and nursery operation and became a prominent and influential citizen of Grayson County.

John Hendrix established the cemetery on land he acquired, and the ground was eventually deeded to Grayson County.  The first known burial, that of the infant son of M and D Perdue, took place in 1848. John and Ruth Hendrix are buried here, as is their son, Josiah, and daughter Nancy Hendrix Jennings.

There are approximately forty-five  marked graves in the Hendrix Cemetery.  Many date from the last half of the nineteenth century and some display illegible inscriptions.  It is said that an unmarked section in the in the northwest corner of the cemetery was reserved for slave burials.  

Used for more than one hundred years by the Hendrix family, relatives and descendants, close friends, and associates, the cemetery is a significant reminder of the early Grayson County history. 

We owe a huge thank you for help, hard work and support completing this project to the following: Jeff Whitmire, Grayson County Commissioner, Precinct 1; Terry Holden, Sons of the American Revolution; Jim Branscum, Colonial Monuments; Miranda Johnson, Chapin Title; Donna Hunt, Historic Writer; Wayne Vaughan, Cheryl and Shannon Waters, and last but certainly not least, our fabulous project leader Sarah Beaver, Honorary Regent of Martha Jefferson Randolph. 

If you are a descendant of the Hendrix or Jennings families, we would love to have you join us on October 10.   For additional about this event contact Cheryl Waters at clw.h2os@gmail.com

The Martha Jefferson Randolph Chapter DAR was founded in Sherman in December 1927 and has worked on many historic and patriotic projects over the years and currently boast a vibrate group of 129 members.  For more information about membership in the group contact jgwagon@gmail.com 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations.

DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years. 

To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.