Jackson Ranch Church Cemetery

Date: Feb 2019 [unknown]
Location: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States

“The Jackson Ranch was an important part of Rio Grande Valley history since Nathaniel Jackson’s arrival in 1857, and even after the Civil War was over, there was still people coming through, either visiting the Jackson Ranch on their way into Mexico, or deciding to just go ahead and stay, and settle along the Rio Grande,” Bacha-Garza said.

Other pioneers — Rutledge, Singleterry, Champion, Brewster, Miller and other families — arrived with Jackson, putting down roots.

Also buried at the Martin Jackson cemetery is Abraham Rutledge — who was Nathaniel Jackson’s son in-law, and the great-great grandfather of Valley native and former Hidalgo County Republican Party Chairman Hollis Rutledge. Abraham Rutledge shortly enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862.

Cemetery is also known as Jackson Methodist Church

HISTORY: Deed Record Book D, pages 249-251

The State of Texas County of Hidalgo

Know all men by these presents, that I, Martin Jackson, in consideration of the sum of one ($1) dolars to me in hand paid by the Board of Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South of the County of Davison, State of Tennessee, have granted, bargained, sold and released and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto said Board of Missions and their successors in office all that certain lot or parcel of ground herein after described. Said lot is about two leagues nearly east of the town of Hidalgo in said County and State aforesaid, in Porcion #71 originally granted by the King of Spain to one Narciso Cavazos in the year 1767 to him and his heir confirmed by an act of the Legislature of the State of Texas, entitled an act to relinquish all the rights of the State in and to certain lands therein mentioned approved Feb. 10, 1852. The said lot shall commence to run and begin for a starting point on the line between the land now owned by myself on the west, and the land now owned by Eli Jackson on the east, and from a point fifteen (15) varas north of a certain line post which is on the north side of and very near to the public road running from the town of Hidalgo to Brownsville, and lieing about one hundred and fifty varas west from the residence of said Eli Jackson. From said point running about north on said line between the land now owned by Eli Jackson and that owned by myself as before mentioned, fifty varas thence at a right angle about west twenty five varas thence at a right angle about south, fifty varas thence at a right angle about twenty five varas reaching the place of beginning.

(final paragraph mentioned only the Methodist Episcopal Church, then) Witness my hand at Hidalgo this 9th day of February A.D. 1884. By Martin Jackson "X" Mark.

[NOTE: Eli and Martin Jackson were brothers.]