San Augustine County, Texas

The Cradle of Texas Independence

Good Hope "Bugtussle" Cemetery
Printed with permission of the San Augustine Public Library Board of Directors.  Originally contributed by the late Mrs. Sally Whitton and Mrs. McXie Whitton Martin.  The historical data was obtained in part from recorded audio interviews with the late Abbie K. Whitton.

Travel north on FM 3230 (begins at the city limits on north Harrison) 4.4 miles to the intersection of FM 3230 and FM 1279; turn left (west) on FM 1279.  Go 3/10 mile to a dirt land on the right known as Eppes Lane.  Travel this lane about 200 yards where the "Good Hope Church of Christ", later called "Bugtussle".  It should be noted the present day FM 1279 does not lay as the old road once did.  The old road on the south side ran much closer in front of the building (within 30 feet).  The present day dirt land on the east side has not changed much.

A Brief History:  On this site, about 1887, the men living near by constructed a small church building on an acre of land which belonged to Thomas Wesley Moore and Harriett Bland Baggett.  The community families were, Askew, Bailey, Baggett, Bland, Eppes, Passmore, Ponder and Whitton.  They were not only good neighbors, but most were related by marriage.  The local Post Office and general store known as "Stop" was owned by James Jefferson and Mattie Baggett Bland.  At that time it was located at the intersection of FM 3230 and FM 1279 and relocated in 1902 to the west side of Bland Lake.

On the 3rd of June, 1892, the Good Hope Church of Christ building was designated as County School #92, with W. W. Bland, Richard Eppes and T. W. M. Baggett named as trustees.  About 1895 or shortly thereafter, "Good Hope" began to be called "Bugtussle".  The name began as a nickname but soon caughton.  The school remained until the Bland Lake school was established in 1910.

The only person to be buried here is that of a small child, located on the north side (back of) the church building.  The old building has been torn down, but the tombstom remains.
NAME BIRTH DEATH FATHER MOTHER
ASKEW, Child age 3 1892 Askew, William W. McIlhaney, Molly

 

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