The earliest documentation of Jefferson indicates that burials were made in a public graveyard between Camp, Houston and Cypress streets along the Big Cypress Bayou in the 19th century.

The Cemetery Records of Marion County by DeWare and Payne, states, "In 1846, Allen Urquhart, the donor of a public burial tract for Jefferson, substituted a 'larger and more beautiful site' to which prior burials were then moved."

It is unknown how many graves at the old site were moved to present-day Oakwood.

[1] Burials apparently commenced at the new location; the oldest headstone in the cemetery standing today is that of Rev.

[2] In the spring of 1858, the minutes for the City of Jefferson indicate that attention was given to further planning at the cemetery.