The Ellis family came from Mississippi to Texas in 1839. Charles McHenry Ellis and Elizabeth Lovelady Ellis had 15 children. After her death in 1865, he married Aramenta Hartfield, with whom he had 7 children. His oldest son, Byanthy Woodville Ellis, deeded land including the family cemetery in 1876 for use as a church and burial ground. One of the first marked burials is that of Elizabeth Lovelady Ellis. There are also unmarked graves believed to be those of slaves. Today, the cemetery, which includes military veteran burials, is a link to the area's rich history and early settlers.