SEAL MCDOUGAL  CEMETERY
aka Westfield Cemetery
 

~30° 02.75    ~-95° 20.76

One block north of Treaschwig, east of Cypresswood Drive

Seal McDougle, an ex-slave (headstone visible) bought 720 acres in 1880.  In 1883 he sold 4 acres to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Spring Circuit for a church and cemetery.  It was used at least into the 1920's for burials of the local black community.  A 2nd headstone (G.A. Harris - Georgiana) was found during cleaning.  Also 3 grave shafts were located during scraping of the area.  A total of 20 to 40 graves are at this cemetery - the majority are under Cypresswood Dr. (Information from oral histories of residents who lived in the area in the 60's and 70's when a developer put in Cypresswood Dr.  Originally this area was Westfield - not Spring.  Death certificates state burial at Westfield - no other name for the cemetery has been discovered.  Calling it the McDougle cemetery I believe is very appropriate since he once owned all the land out here - he virtually gave the land to the church for a cemetery - and he was the leading black person until his death. 
 

For ommissions, corrections or additions, contact the webmaster