MANTUA CEMETERY - VAN ALSTYNE
CR373 N33.3888 W96.5748
CR373 N33.3888 W96.5748
Mantua was one of the earliest towns in Collin County. It had a school and a couple of churches and a male and female seminary. When the railroad by-passed the town and went from Anna to Van Alstyne, the residents moved to either town.
There is a cemetery at this intersection, south of a branch of Hurricane Creek. No one remembers how many graves are in it or the names of the people buried here. The cemetery is listed on the county survey maps as covering 2 acres. Someone is trying to get a historical marker for the town.
One map calls this the Newt Taylor Family Cemetery. It shows the location of the cemetery as being west of the Mantua School and north of the Mantua Christian Church. According to A HISTORY OF ANNA, TEXAS, Newt Taylor was an early member of the Liberty Church, Christian Church, in Mantua. Said to be buried here are Mary Taylor, 4 months old; Pauline Taylor, 8 years old, and Nancy S. McKinney. She is said to be buried in her wedding dress. She died right before her wedding. Younger Scott McKinney had a daughter Nancy S. McKinney, but she was married and lived to be middle aged. I have not been able to find another Nancy S. McKinney. The land for the town of Mantua was given by Younger Scott McKinney. Known to be buried in the Mantua Cemetery is David Shanks, who died in August of 1883.
It was reported that some surveyors discovered 3 stones for the cemetery a few years ago and had it added to maps. A search of the area indicated on the maps did not produce any stones. The funeral director in Van Alstyne also says there are stones.
This cemetery received Historic Texas Cemetery designation in 2011.
Cemeteries of Collin County, Texas, by Joy Gough
There is a cemetery at this intersection, south of a branch of Hurricane Creek. No one remembers how many graves are in it or the names of the people buried here. The cemetery is listed on the county survey maps as covering 2 acres. Someone is trying to get a historical marker for the town.
One map calls this the Newt Taylor Family Cemetery. It shows the location of the cemetery as being west of the Mantua School and north of the Mantua Christian Church. According to A HISTORY OF ANNA, TEXAS, Newt Taylor was an early member of the Liberty Church, Christian Church, in Mantua. Said to be buried here are Mary Taylor, 4 months old; Pauline Taylor, 8 years old, and Nancy S. McKinney. She is said to be buried in her wedding dress. She died right before her wedding. Younger Scott McKinney had a daughter Nancy S. McKinney, but she was married and lived to be middle aged. I have not been able to find another Nancy S. McKinney. The land for the town of Mantua was given by Younger Scott McKinney. Known to be buried in the Mantua Cemetery is David Shanks, who died in August of 1883.
It was reported that some surveyors discovered 3 stones for the cemetery a few years ago and had it added to maps. A search of the area indicated on the maps did not produce any stones. The funeral director in Van Alstyne also says there are stones.
This cemetery received Historic Texas Cemetery designation in 2011.
Cemeteries of Collin County, Texas, by Joy Gough
