HISTORIC OAKLAND CEMETERY

ONE OF THE PRETTIEST I HAVE EVER SEEN, I KNOW I SAY THAT ALOT!!!

Took a trip back in August to see my best friend, and wrangled him to go to a place I had always wanted to visit. I did not have any relatives there, though I had hoped the Joseph McCall was my 3rd great -grandfather, but, it was not. Oh well, was worth the time spent anyway!

It was a beautiful day!!If you ever have an opportunity to go, please do. You will be impressed with the grand architecture. Oakland Cemetery is the oldest established cemetery in the United States. 

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• A Garden in the City, Oakland Cemetery (funandfabulousness.wordpress.com)

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU WILL FIND

IN A CEMETERY……….

One of my recent trips to central Alabama, gave me some insight as to some ancestors burials.I had been in Lowndes county already, and on the way back from the beach, decided on a different route.This trip was full of discoveries and unexpected surprises.

I had known of the Sullivan line in Perry county, from the late 1700′s. This line comes from my father, his father, his mother, and so on. Alice Davidson married a Pickens, my g grandfather. Her family was both from Tennessee and Alabama. Her grandfather was Hewlett Sullivan. This family lived in Alabama and later in Texas. Hewlett’s father was William Dunklin Sullivan. Throughout the family, you see Dunklin, Duncan, Dunkin, Hewlett and Hewett in the boys names.

When I went to the cemetery in Perry county, Marion cemetery, I expected to only find Dunklin Augusta Sullivan, which would have been an uncle. Because, on FindaGrave, he was the only Sullivan listed. So, I expected little, and got lots!! I had been driving through the cemetery, and I spotted a headstone with the name Parrish. I knew that one of the sisters had married Elam Parrish. This was my sign!!! So, I thought, I may be here awhile.

I walked around and started seeing a few Sullivans, taking notes and lots of photos. First, I saw Martha, then Dunklin then the big one!! William Dunklin Sullivan, and wife Mary.

William Dunklin Sullivan, Marion cemetery, Perry county, Alabama

A bit of history on WIlliam Dunklin Sullivan…..born 1791 in Greenville district South Carolina. He later moved to Tennessee where he received a good education in law. Later to Marion county Alabama, where he became Perry county’s first state senator. He married Mary Polly Mayberry, daughter of George Washington Mayberry. William Dunklin Sullivan died in office in 1837 while attending a session of the Alabama legislature. He also served a Probate judge and representative.

William Dunklin Sullivan was my 4th great-grandfather. So, on this trip, I had the pleasure of finding TWO 4th great-grandfathers. Stay tuned, there is more to come……

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CORN FIELDS AND MISSING CHURCHES

I WAS OUT ON A SEARCH YESTERDAY.TO PHOTOGRAPH SOME HEADSTONES FOR FINDAGRAVE…..THIS IS WHAT I FOUND.

I had plotted my path in a large square. It went from Athens Browns Ferry Road up to north of downtown Athens. I had a plan. I HAD a plan. You know what they say about the best laid plans….I got slightly off track. I pulled up GPS on my iPhone, and started out to the first one.  Now, I only had three on my list, I went to seven, and attempted two more that were inaccessible. When I say inaccessible, I mean, I can’t see it directly from the road, or there is no ” good” access. Before I even got to the first one, I went to three others. When I use my phone, I also go to maps and search cemeteries. Little red dots appear and I’m off!!! Hot on the trail! The first one I spotted that sounded interesting was Polly Malone cemetery. Off a fairly well-travelled road, although, between corn fields and soy beans.

Farmhouse in front of Polly Malone

It was only about a half mile off the main road, on dirt and large gravel. I went. It was pretty old and broken. The earliest burial was 1815, no Polly though, but, it appeared most of the Malone family was there. A blend of old and new. Polly and husband Henry were listed in the 1870 census for that area as being farm laborers, probably for Dr. J W Proctor, who also had a farm. Several others in the census were listed as domestic servants.

Polly Malone cemetery

I then went on the Anderson cemetery, I figured, it’s just down the road, why not? This was easy to get to, behind a farm, on a road that leads to county property. It said “private drive”. I went. The Findagrave site only listed six burials. The cemetery was full, and I took 79 photos. This will take some time. There were a lot of ” homemade headstones.

Anderson cemetery

Anderson cemetery, homemade headstones

I stopped for gas on the way to the next one. It was another Anderson cemetery with just two burials listed. It was in a small clump of trees among fields of corn. Corn that didn’t have much life in it either. We had a drought and it showed. This Anderson was listed as Madison county, but, it was still in Limestone. It was not quite as far as the county line road.

Anderson # 2

Anderson # 2

I finally got to the cemetery on my list, but, not before I found Collier, but, could not get to it! So, I went on to Cambridge Church cemetery. It was no longer a church. The marker for it was down the road about 1/4 mile. There was a request here, so I was able to fulfill it.

Cambridge church

Success!! I was on the road again! Now to ONeal, not on my list , but, on my way!! Sometimes, I also see if there are any graves listed on Findagrave that have no pictures attached. I figure, eventually someone may be looking for them. So, I did find seven here. I was disappointed I could not find the request, but, took 9 photos that were not listed. At this point, I am asking myself if I will ever get the the cemetery next on my list??? It was just up the road. I did, and was glad I did. Round Island…now, it did appear to be round in form, but, behind a church. There were 3 requests, I was able to get one, really old one!!

Round Hill cemetery

Again, there were several not photographed, so, I did my best! I am done, that was the last one on my list!! But, am I? On my map I saw another as I was looking for a way out of Limestone county. Sunny Hill, it just sounds nice, right? There were about a dozen not photographed, I was able to get all but one. I felt like this was a successful venture. And worth going to that last one.

Have you ever looked in the distance and saw a clump of trees in the middle of a field of corn, soybeans or whatever grows in your area? Check your map, it just may be an old cemetery. I have found, at least locally, there is not mush out there on the history of our cemeteries. You almost must have someone famous buried there. So many of these I have found were on farms, perhaps the owners, or maybe workers, or earlier, slaves. It would be interesting to know who they were.

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CEMETERY RESTORATION

A LOCAL BUSINESS HELPS RESTORE A STORM RAVAGED HISTORIC CEMETERY

The tornado outbreak, April 27, 2011, damaged many areas in Alabama. You can still see trees cut off midway, homes without a roof and many buildings in ruin. Amongst all that, lay a historic cemetery in the town of Trinity, here in north Alabama.

Minor cemetery, is a 177 year old family cemetery that was purchased by WIlliam Tompkins Minor in 1839. A descendant of Minor ( Wrenn )  states that she would visit the cemetery every year, and was distraught to see the damage following the tornadoes.The cemetery, which has 18 tombstones, dates to 1835 and stayed in Wrenn’s family until 1918. Nucor purchased the property from the bankrupt Trico Steel Co. in 2002.

Coutesy of Decatur Daily

Nucor spent $20,000 of its general funds money to restore the cemetery, build fencing and install landscaping around the cemetery. Minor family cemetery is listed on the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register. 

Related links

Nucor restores ruined graveyard – The Decatur Daily – Decatur, Alabama.

I WAS STUMPED

THE FIRST TIME I SAW THE TREE STUMP…..

I had no idea what it meant. I was wandering around Athens City cemetery, and I saw this unusual monument. It looked like a tree stump. I had never seen the likes of this. I took a photo. Now, they command my attention as much as obelisks do. The concrete stump emerges from the graveyard, beckoning me to come take a look. Once I see one in the cemetery, I gaze for others. Surveying the landscape today, I saw a few really large monuments, I knew these  were Woodmen pillars of stone.

The history of the Woodmen of the World, established in 1883 by Joseph Cullen Root. He envisioned an organization dedicated to helping his fellow man. He wanted to provide security to families, in the event the ” breadwinner” passed on. Hence, the beginning of the Woodmen of the World insurance organization.

Joseph Cullen Root

From about 1890 until the 1920s, the insurance organization commissioned markers for its members. These markers were provided free of charge, and varied greatly in size and shape. Most commonly, they resembled a tree stump or a stack of cut wood. Some are elaborate hand-carved trees, with fine detailing. Others were simple stone markers, with the Woodman emblem.

Joseph Cullen Root

Historic Somerville Cemetery

Somerville, the original Morgan county courthouse

I went to Somerville today. There is a historic cemetery there, just off HWY 67 and 36. The above monuments were photographed today at Somerville court house and Somerville cemetery.

Historic Somerville Cemetery

Somerville also has another bit of history. The court house in the center of town. The historic Morgan County Courthouse in Somerville, Alabama. Built in 1837, it is the oldest original courthouse in Alabama still standing. The Federal-style building served as a courthouse until the county seat for Morgan County moved from Somerville to Decatur in 1891. The building later served as Somerville Town Hall. Presently it is used for meetings, birthday parties, anniversaries and weddings.

Somerville, the original Morgan county courthouse

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IMPRESSIONS

Burial Impressions

My husband and I went to Redstone arsenal Sunday. It is the Army installation on which he works. He had told me there were a lot of cemeteries there, so, we got our map and started to search. Sometimes, he and a guy he works with, will drive around base, and they had spotted some.

We were able to see seven of them. The others were inaccessible to due to restrictions. I guess this is where they blow up stuff. On the south side, there are numerous bunkers, still in use. The base is covered in wild life. I had my camera at the ready. The best shot I got of any critter was this butterfly, feeding on appropriately, Butterfly Weed.

I saw a wild turkey, but, he escaped into the woods before we got in camera range. I think I scared my husband several times, when I would say ” look! ” . Mostly it was because I saw a bird I had never seen, only in books. It seemed very peaceful everywhere on base. It was quiet, no planes, helicopters or explosions. Given, it was a Sunday.

One thing that was quite disconcerting, was when we got to Fennil cemetery. I noticed it was quite large, but, only had three headstones, and they were very spread out across the area. Upon walking through Fennil, it was apparent, there were many more people buried here. There were depressions, covered in oak leaves. Long ago, someone was buried in those graves. They were lost and forgotten somewhere along the way. I did some research of the three people whose headstones are at Fennil cemetery. This appeared to be a black cemetery.

Corporal Joseph Beasley, was in the 12th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry.

Corp. Joseph Beasley

Silla Moore- could not find any info, although, there is another cemetery, Moore, could be related.

Silla Moore

Mary Lightford- no info found

Mary Lightford

According to records, there are forty-six historic cemeteries located on Redstone Arsenal.After the United States Congress passed the National Cemetery Act in 1973, discussion of establishing a National Cemetery at Redstone Arsenal was revived since the Mobile National Cemetery, the only other National Cemetery in Alabama at the time, was out of space, partially due to the dramatic casualty load from the Vietnam War. After consulting with the Army Memorial Affairs Agency, however, it was decided that there was no need to expand the current national cemetery program. There was no discussion at this time of relocating any of the cemeteries on the installation.

I LIVE NEXT TO A CEMETERY

MORE AND MORE I AM RUNNING INTO CEMETERIES IN THE MIDDLE OF NEIGHBORHOODS

…..or, maybe I never noticed them before.

Now that I am photographing more cemeteries, and finding them on Google Maps, I tend to see them where I least expect. I will look at the satellite view and see it in a clump of trees. Or, like Whitworth cemetery in Madison, Al.,  in an extremely nice neighborhood next to someone’s house.

It is very difficult to get a cemetery moved. This may be why you will see a cemetery still on a farm, surrounded by trees, or a cemetery enclosed in an iron or chain link fence.

Whitworth cemetery

I attempted to locate some others that were in the same neighborhood, behind some homes though. Hmmmmm… I think not. You never know what people may think about someone coming behind their house. I would rather have better access.

Bibb cemetery in Madison

Bibb cemetery is one of those in a very populated area as well. James Henry Bibb was one of the founders of Madison Station, which later became the town of Madison.This marker was erected in his honor in 1985.

Bibb marker

HISTORIC MOORESVILLE

ON MY WAY TO A CEMETERY…..

Overgrown, and full of poison ivy, or was it poison oak? It had five leaves…either way, I don’t think I am allergic.I say this, because, this is the second cemetery I have trampled through in three days, and no signs of an allergic reaction. I was headed to Mooresville cemetery to do a couple of photo requests for FindaGrave. I have been to Mooresville cemetery before, but, it was prior to all the underbrush growing and the emergence of the poison oak or ivy. The last time I was there, I took a few photos to post.I thinkit is a shame that this cemetery is so poorly kept. It should be a project for a Boy Scout group or something. Many of the crypts are broken and illegible.

Mooresville Cemetery

I took a trip through the town of Mooresville. I never knew about this charming neighborhood. I had driven through a time or two. This time, I took photos.

MOORESVILLE MARKER

Mooresville is located between Decatur and Madison, just south of I 565 and hwy 20. It is a beautiful town, with several historic churches, a few quaint restaurants and some grand homes.

Below are some historic paragraphs from ” Mooresville 2006 and Mooresville 2009 “

Mooresville’s history began in 1805 when the first settlers arrived in the area and set up homesteads on lands occupied by the Chickasaw Indians. The Indians later ceded the land to the Federal Government and public land sales began in 1816. Limestone County was established as part of the Alabama Territory at that time, and had a population of about 4,500. On October 15, 1818, the sixty-two residents of Mooresville petitioned the Alabama Territorial Legislature for an Act of Incorporation, which the Legislature approved on November 16 of the same year; “Be it enacted by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives at the Alabama Territory, in general assembly convened, that the town of Mooresville in the county of Limestone in the Alabama Territory, be, and the same is hereby, established by the name of ‘Mooresville.’” Alabama did not become a state until a year later, in November 1819, making Mooresville “the town older than the state.”

Cotton was king in the Tennessee Valley and the lovely houses and shady streets of the town were home to many cotton planters, field workers and merchants. Some of the present inhabitants are descendants of those original settlers. The town appears untouched by time, but many details have changed over the years. The business community that supported the agricultural base before the turn of the century has disappeared, and the town is now more given to shade trees, decorative shrubbery, lawns, gardens and flowers.

Although a few of Mooresville’s current residents farm nearby fields, many work in the neighboring metropolitan areas of Decatur and Huntsville. Mooresville is now a quiet historic village, nestled between these larger cities. Early 19th century homes, including one that housed a tailor’s apprentice named Andrew Johnson, share the streets with newer homes. Andrew Johnson later went on to become President of the United States.

The town maintains two churches, including the old white clapboard Church of Christ where President James A. Garfield once preached. The Post Office and the Stagecoach Inn and Tavern are also maintained by the town’s residents in an effort to preserve some pieces of history. Often referred to as “Alabama’s Williamsburg,” the entire town of Mooresville is now included in the current listings of the National Register of Historic Places.

 Excerpt taken from ” Town of Mooresville 2006″

Mooresville Cemetery

My foot for scale, large oak tree in woods

MOORESVILLE MARKER

Brick Church

Church of Christ

Lazy Days

Large Oak Tree

Church of Christ

The Brick Church

One of the more distinctive buildings in Mooresville is the Old Brick Church built in 1839 on Lauderdale Street. The property on which the church stands was donated by Governor Thomas Bibb and his wife, Pamela, to be used for a community church. The Cumberland Presbyterian denomination owned the building until the Methodists bought it in 1898. It has also served as a Baptist mission. Regular worship services have not been held in the church since the 1960′s. In October 1994, the United Methodist Church conducted a deconsecration service and passed ownership to the town.

The bricks of the church are unusually symmetrical for handmade bricks. The bricks on the gallery level on the front were replaced after the support log deteriorated and the original brick fell out. The steeple’s original large wooden hand pointing to heaven fell in the early 1990′s. A replacement was carved by the late Frank T. “Bubba” Richardson of Mooresville and Dr. Dyrc Sibrans of Decatur and was placed on the steeple at a ceremony in May 2005.

Built during the Greek Revival period, elaborate pilasters stand on the east side of the church facing the street. They were omitted on the less public west side of the building, due no doubt to frugality. The columns are covered with stucco, a common practice to this area. The gallery once used by slaves, was removed after emancipation. The floor joists of the balcony have been raised and are now used for the ceiling. The church originally had five chandeliers, one of which ws donated by Mary “Mollie” Walton. When the Cumberland Presbyterians split among themselves in 1880, everything was removed from the church except the Walton chandelier. The Methodists refurnished the church with altar rails, the pews, the podium and the organ that are still present today. The 1905 reed, or pipe, organ was restored to full working order by Mr. Coleman Kimbrell of Florence, Alabama.

In the 1870′s, Constantine Blackman Sanders, called the “X+Y=Z Preacher, ” was minister at the church. He was credited with the ability to make predictions, help the ill, assist in locating lost objects and relate happenings in other locations while in a sleep or trance. “X+Y=Z” was the signature he signed to his writings during “sleep” sessions.

 Taken from ” Town of Mooresville 2009 “

Church of Christ

The Church of Christ

The venerable white clapboard Church of Christ on Market Street was originally built in 1854 as the Disciples of Christ meeting house. The church site was purchased from James Clements of Madison County in 1851. The entry vestibule and the rear wing were added in or around 1937. The uneven lap of the clapboards seems unusual to the modern eye, but is common to buildings of this period. The architecture of the church is in the Greek Revival style although the detailing is reminiscent of the earlier Federal period. The reason for this discrepancy may have been that the more elaborate Greek Revival detailing was a bit too expensive for the modest congregation. Another theory is that those who were in charge of the building did not want it to appear “too modern.”

General James A. Garfield, who would later become the twentieth President of the United States, preached here in 1863 while encamped at Bibb’s Spring with the 42nd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteers. The Bible he is said to have used was kept at the church until recently. This historic book was eventually removed for preservation and restoration.

 From the ” Town of Mooresville 2009 “

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MEMORIALIZED IN STONE

COMMON MONUMENTS FOR UNCOMMON VALOR

Whenever I visit a cemetery, I look for those of veterans. Whether it be the American Revolution or a more recent engagement, those who served our country, deserve our gratitude. Here are some headstones of those who served from local cemeteries. Remember them today, especially on Memorial Day and every day.

SYMPATHY SATURDAY

MARKERS OF INTEREST AND SADNESS

I love looking through cemeteries, I think I have stated this more than once, perhaps countless times. My husband now says, “where you grave diggin today” ? I enjoy the historical aspect. Looking at the different headstones can tell you so much about the person. The detail of markers from the mid 19th century are so detailed, you have to wonder why that craftsmanship is no longer requested.

The older cemeteries have much more interest to me. I hardly ever stop if I don’t see vertical markers. They have changed so much over time, from wooden markers to flat ones. These new cemeteries seem unadorned, although they are always covered with flowers. I look for the obelisks, there I know, I will find something intriguing.

But, sometimes, you come across a marker that makes you sad, that of a child. That is what I will show today. We have all heard the saying, ” no parent should ever have to bury their child “. Below are some photos I have taken of children’s headstone, from stillborn to seventeen years of age. Some parents lost two children. The lamb usually marks the grave of a child. The lamb always stands for innocence.

Lois Christine Swann, 1 year

Roger Speegle 1 year and Donald Speegle 2 years

Blaxton Boy

Charles E Lamb 1 year

Maggie Russel 17 years

Great-granddaughter of Setimus D. Cabaniss, no name or age

William James Sykes, 4 months

Curtis Ray Pepper, 2 months

Ruth Elizabeth Black, 9 years of age

Sally Haywood Hansell, three years

Edward Mason, 8 days old

James Edmond Gamble, 2 years

Mary Helen Gamble, 6 years

Burton Clements, 2 years

Infant son, Witty

William Witty, 4 months

Infant daughter, J.S. Crutcher

Too many children lost at a very early age. These are all from cemeteries in Madison, Limestone and Lawrence counties. You can search online for your relatives, and read bios on FindaGrave.