What to know
The Montgomery County Historical Commission will dedicate the county historical marker for the historic Sweet Rest Cemetery at 10 a.m. June 15 at the Lone Star Missionary Baptist Church sanctuary, located at 19033 Main St. in Tamina.
“I am thrilled that this historic African American cemetery is finally being recognized,” said Larry L. Foerster, chair of the Montgomery County Historical Commission. “One of our County Historical Commission members, Elijah Easley, was passionate about this recognition. Regrettably, Elijah passed away last year. But our members Deborah Williams and Annette Kerr have pursued his vision.”
The historic Sweet Rest Cemetery, located off Bimms Drive, is also known by the Texas Historical Commission as Tamina Cemetery. The community of Tamina was founded in 1871 consisting of about 1,000 residences, and it served as a post-Civil War community of freedmen, or previously enslaved African Americans from nearby plantations, according to the Texas State Historical Association.
“The cemetery serves as a reminder of the early settlers in the Tamina community. Going back to 1871, it was a post-Civil War freedmen community, largely composed of formerly enslaved citizens who gathered to start a new life during Reconstruction,” Foerster said. “This county historical marker memorializes their struggles and their dreams for a better life. It provides renewed pride for those who follow.”
Background
According to the application for the historical marker, the oldest known burial is that of Baby Maggie Atkins, who was born on April 15, 1905, and died on June 11, 1905. Improper drainage of the area caused the community residents to stop any burials, as reported previously by Community Impact.
Previously, the commission dedicated a historical marker to the Tamina Community Park, as reported by Community Impact.
