Swift Cemetery

The trading village of Salem was founded in 1835 by Seth Swift. A Quaker and whaling merchant, Swift had moved to this area from Massachusetts with his wife, Lydia, and six children. When Lydia died about 1852, Swift set aside an acre of land for a cemetery. Upon his death in 1869, Swift was buried beside his wife in a pink marble casket he had brought from Massachusetts. Several other members of the community are believed to be interred in the cemetery, as well. Lost to forest overgrowth for many years, the graveyard has been restored.

Swift Cemetery is a historical marker in Bleakwood, Newton County, dedicated in 1988. It is one of 43 historical markers documented in Newton County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 126 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.5909, -93.7791 near Bleakwood. The nearest cataloged historic site is Trout Creek Missionary Baptist Church (historical marker), about 2.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Trout Creek, Trout Creek Cemetery, and Boyd.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5351011136. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.