Pulaski Cemetery

Surveyed by Don Austin ca 1981

Transcribed & Submitted by Marylee W. Knight

Directions:  From Carthage go northbound on U.S. Highway 79 N for 7.8 miles.  Just past the Sabine River, turn right on to FM 123.  Go three miles on FM 123 to the point where it intersects FM 31.  At that intersection, turn right on to FM 31 and go southbound for 2.6 miles to the point where Panola County Road 319 intersects on the right.  Turn right on to CR 319 and continue to the end of the oiled surface, which will be nine tenths of a mile.  This is the site of the town of Pulaski.

The estimated number of graves in this cemetery is 10-15, although only two are identifiable.  There are three graves that are marked, but that are not identifiable.

The following description of this cemetery was given by Don Austin in his privately circulated book "42 Lost Cemeteries".

"Located on a small knoll in moderate woodlands and near a creek, led to by a logging road.  Only two graves were identifiable, and two or three more were marked either with native rock or broken remains of tombstones.  The cemetery apparently was not very large, for all of the graves were found within a very small area.

Pulaski was one of Panola County's earliest settlements, and from 1846 to 1848, it was the county seat.  It was on the east bank of the Sabine at a ferry crossing.  At one time, Pulaski was also the county seat of Harrison County.  After the Panola County seat was moved to Carthage in 1848, Pulaski began to decline.

In the forest, about 300 feet from the river bank, is a Texas Centennial marker that designates the location of the old townsite.  This marker and an old road bed that runs perpendicular to the river just west of the marker are the only features that give indication of the former settlement.

Evidently, the cemetery was used even later than the Civil War.  Although the earliest marker dates to 1866, there are undoubtedly older graves here.  There is believed to have been another cemetery closer to the town site, but it is said that the markers were stolen from it."

Information regarding the history of this cemetery was furnished by Leila B. LaGrone.