Crayton-Spruill Cemetery, Caldwell Co. Cemeteries of TX Gloria B. Mayfield

John Crayton, his son James Lasater Crayton and their slaves emigrated to the Republic of Texas from Marion Co. Alabama in 1839.[1] They settled in what is now Martindale, Caldwell County. They were among the founders and builders of Caldwell County. The slaves (hands) of John Crayton helped build the first roads in Caldwell County.[2] The Spruill Family and their slaves emigrated to Martindale from Marion County, Alabama after 1850 and prior to January, 1856. The Crayton-Spruill Cemetery is a burying ground for Caucasians and African Americans. The first known burial in this cemetery is William W. Spruill who died Feb. 28, 1868. On January 12, 1871, John Crayton deeded the land to the San Marcos Missionary Baptist Church to be used for a church and a burying ground for colored and white people.[3] The colored persons were to be buried south of William Spruill's grave, the whites to the north of the same grave. The church was never built on this property but the congregation baptized for many years at the low water crossing and used the cemetery for burials.

John Crayton fought in the War of 1812 as a volunteer in the E. Tenn. Militia.[4] He fought in the Mexican War from June 2, 1846 until Sept. 22, 1846.[5] He served in Co. K under Capt. Grumbles. There are four Masons buried in this cemetery.

The cemetery has suffered from past vandalism , many tombstones are missing and the remaining ones were broken. Adrian White, a fifth generation descendant of John Crayton, repaired the broken ones and recovered from the ravine a number of tombstone bases from which the upper portions, bearing the names and inscriptions of the deceased, had been removed. On Mother's Day of 2002, Phillip Shurtleff, a seventh generation descendant of John Crayton, placed these bases at the top of several sunken areas that appeared to be graves. The bases are ornate which indicates the top portions were also ornate.

The Crayton-Spruill Cemetery is not cared for by any association or committee. The Cemetery receives sporadic care from various descendants of John Crayton. The adjourning property owner Mrs. Joan Daily Spragins has been a friend, protector and advocate for the Cemetery since she and her husband C. E. built their home there in 1940. In early 2002, bad health caused Joan Spragins to move to a retirement home in Round Rock. The cemetery will miss her.