Tillman Cemetery: Township Location and Historical Foundations
Based on extensive genealogical records and cemetery documentation, the Tillman Cemetery in Luther, Oklahoma represents a significant historical burial ground with complex founding narratives that require clarification regarding its establishment and the individuals who contributed to its development.
Geographic Location and Township Information
The Tillman Cemetery is situated in Township 14 North, Range 1 East, Section 23 Southwest (T14N-R1E-Sec23SW) according to official land survey records. The cemetery’s precise coordinates are listed as 354003N 0971007W, placing it strategically along State Highway 66, approximately 0.5 miles east of N. Dobbs Road and 1.5 miles east of Luther, Oklahoma. This location places the cemetery within Oklahoma County, making it accessible via Interstate 35 north to State Highway 66 (exit 141), then proceeding east for approximately 15 miles.
The township designation follows the Public Land Survey System used throughout much of the United States, where Township 14 North indicates the cemetery’s position 14 township units north of a baseline, while Range 1 East places it one range unit east of a principal meridian. Section 23 Southwest further subdivides this location within the specific township grid.
Cemetery Founding and Historical Development
David Tillman: The Actual Founder
Contrary to any references to “Moore Watson” as the founder, historical records clearly establish that Mr. David Tillman was the individual who founded the cemetery. The Tillman Cemetery was established before Oklahoma statehood, approximately between 1890-93, when David Tillman generously donated ten acres of land for use as a public cemetery. This act of community service occurred during the territorial period of Oklahoma, reflecting the pioneering spirit of early settlers who recognized the need for proper burial grounds in developing communities.
David Tillman himself is buried in the cemetery he founded, with records indicating his dates as May 25, 1894 to September 5, 1919, where he served in Company K 809 Pioneer Infantry1. The Tillman family has multiple members interred in the cemetery, including James L. Tillman (August 25, 1898 to February 26, 1966), Joe Nathan Tillman (May 22, 1918 to May 17, 1936), Lisbon C. Tillman (March 17, 1867 to November 20, 1939), Phyllis R. Tillman (April 14, 1872 to July 14, 1936), and Roosevelt Tillman (September 27, 1904 to August 9, 1974).
The Watson Family Contribution
The confusion regarding “Moore Watson” as a founder likely stems from the significant contributions made by the Mary Watson family to the cemetery’s expansion. While David Tillman established the original cemetery, the Mary Watson family donated two additional acres in the early 1900s specifically as “a gift to people who could not afford a final resting place”. This charitable contribution expanded the cemetery’s capacity and reinforced its mission as a community burial ground accessible to all economic levels.
Multiple Watson family members are buried in the cemetery, providing evidence of their deep connection to the community and the burial ground. The burial records include Alabama Watson (April 25, 1838 to September 15, 1947), Jefferson Bennie Watson (September 24, 1941 to April 13, 1963), Lottie B. Watson (February 6, 1915 to February 20, 1971), T.J. Watson (1873 to 1949), and Theodore Roosevelt Joseph Watson (June 3, 1907 to July 20, 1997). However, genealogical records do not specifically reference a “Moore Watson” in connection with the cemetery’s founding or the Watson family donations.
Cemetery Growth and Management
Subsequent Land Donations
The cemetery continued to grow through additional generous donations from community members. The Theodore M. and Eliza J. Filson family contributed another five acres in 1941, bringing the total cemetery size to its current 32 acres. This pattern of community investment demonstrates the collective commitment to maintaining adequate burial space for the growing population of the Luther area.
Current Administration
Today, the cemetery operates under the oversight of the Tillman-Watson Cemetery Association, reflecting both founding families in its official name. This administrative structure acknowledges the contributions of both David Tillman as the original founder and the Watson family as significant contributors to the cemetery’s expansion and mission. The association employs some paid groundskeepers, but the majority of maintenance work is performed by volunteers who contribute their labor “as a gift of love to the loved ones and family who reside in the cemetery”.
The cemetery also maintains the nearby St. Luke Cemetery, with personnel from the Tillman-Watson Cemetery Association providing grounds maintenance services. This expanded responsibility demonstrates the organization’s commitment to preserving multiple historical burial sites in the region.
Conclusion
The Tillman Cemetery is located in Township 14 North, Range 1 East, Section 23 Southwest in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. While there is no historical evidence supporting “Moore Watson” as the cemetery’s founder, the burial ground was actually established by David Tillman between 1890-93 through his donation of ten acres. The Watson family, specifically the Mary Watson family, made significant contributions by donating additional acreage in the early 1900s to ensure burial access for economically disadvantaged community members. This collaborative community effort resulted in the current Tillman-Watson Cemetery Association, which honors both founding families while continuing to serve the Luther area’s burial needs across more than 130 years of operation.