The first Saturday in May each year, friends and family of lost loved ones come out for a full day of cleanup at Morgan Cemetery on Morgan Cemetery Road in East Montgomery County. It is called a Homecoming and Reunion. During the year, a landscape contractor mows and weeds eats but then once a year, everyone gets together to do a more white glove cleanup. They also remove old flowers and replace them with new flowers. The cleanup started many years before and happened 4 times a year. At that time, with no lawnmowers, hoes and rakes were used. After the clean-up is done, it is time for lunch. Many bring covered plates in addition to the BBQ that is served.
Morgan Cemetery has a long history in the community, which dates back to the late 1800s. The first grave was that of a child. At the time, in 1887, it was flooding in the area. A migrant family was passing through and could not continue due to flooding. Baby Page became ill and died. The family, unable to get to a cemetery. The family asked Jack Ward, John Louis Collins, and Mr. McShan if the child could be buried close by. The three men selected the spot on a high sandy hill and buried the child. It was then surrounded by a small fence to keep the cattle from walking on it. There is no history as to what happened to the parents after that. The land has not changed since back in the 1800s. It is still a sandy knoll, and it is proven after yesterday’s heavy rains. It remains high and dry.
In 1902, the courts awarded 40 acres to H.H. Morgan and Mary L. Morgan. Out of that, the Morgans donated 1.5 acres for the cemetery. Over the years, the Morgans donated additional land. It has become a community cemetery now with close to 1200 persons buried there. To be buried there, there must be a family member already there. A list of names is posted in the covered pavilion of over 3000 names who have plots in the cemetery. Walking through he cemetery, you will see headstones from people who passed back in the late 1800s.. Several are Confederate soldiers. Constable Hayden assisted today by sending several deputies out to assist with traffic due to the number of vehicles there.
