"North side of county road 486 approximately four miles south of intersection at SR 44 in the geographical center of Citrus County." Unfortunately, this is a nonsensical set of directions, as is the case with many of these locations. Four miles EAST might be what is meant...

This is a private family cemetery.



The pioneer Bessent Family settled on the central ridge area during the Territorial Period of Florida. In 1995 only one gravestone remained (Ann A. Bessent 1810 - 1883).

John E. King, a descendent of the Bessent Family and owner of the property in the 1880's is the historic name associated with this property. (Tompkinsville was platted March 10, 1887 on 160 acres of land. The plat was written up by John E. King of Lecanto, the Hernando County tax collector at the time.) ... the husband of Ann, Cornelius C. Bessent, and others are also buried there but exact names of individuals is not known.)



In 1995, the historic gravesite(s) is surrounded by century old magnolias of which only three remain in a cleared pasture used for cattle and horses. The gravesite has no fence; therefore, not physical protection is given. The one existing headstone was broken into two (2) parts and its facial surface deteriorated.