Investigation of the Hockley Cemetery, 41BX911, an African American Family of the Wetmore Community in Northeast San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

On December 17, 2018, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted archaeological investigations at the Hockley Cemetery, 41BX911, in northeast San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Archival research on the subject property was conducted intermittently between November of 2018 and March of 2019. The work was at the request of Mr. Everett Fly acting as a representative of the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) and with the assent of Mrs. Joyce Carrington Harvey, Hockley Family Representative, on behalf of the Hockley Family Cemetery. The cemetery consists of 1.262 acres located within the Northern Hills neighborhood. A Texas Antiquities Permit was not required, and as no subsurface impacts or other development is planned, the City of San Antonio Unified Development Code requirements governing archaeological impacts did not apply. Clinton McKenzie performed the archival research and served as the Project Archaeologist, and Dr. Paul Shawn Marceaux, CAR Director, served as Principal Investigator. The cemetery, dedicated in 1908, was used until 1971. The purpose of the archival investigation was fourfold: 1) to determine who is buried in the Hockley Cemetery and when; 2) to ascertain additional burials that have a likelihood of being interred in the cemetery based on archival records and family oral histories; 3) to obtain the full chain of title for the property; and 4) to determine if the cemetery had been reduced in size from its initial dedication. The purpose of the archaeological field investigations was to document grave markers, monuments, or physical indications of a cemetery on the surface of the subject property and to document other historic or potentially historic features and artifacts. Following the efforts of SAAACAM to clear the site of dense brush and debris, CAR staff walked the property and used a Total Data Station to locate current boundaries, historic fence lines, and all potential cemetery artifacts and historic features and artifacts. No subsurface testing was conducted. One definitive and three potential grave markers were identified. The historic fence line and cemetery entrance on the north end was documented along with the remains of a historic limestone cistern or well. The complete survey of the property was not possible at the time of the fieldwork as a portion of the southern end of the cemetery has been encroached upon by residential properties. No specific graves nor in place monuments or markers were found. The site has been designated by the Texas Historical Commission as Texas Cemetery BX-C308. In addition, a single prehistoric artifact was found. The CAR recommends that the cemetery is eligible for nomination and inclusion on the Texas Historic Cemeteries Register. CAR also recommends that the original boundaries of the cemetery be re-established and that the presence or absence of graves be determined prior to any ground-disturbing activities within the property. Notes, photographs, and records generated by the project are curated and on file at the CAR. No artifacts were collected.