FAMILY PHOTOS TO SHARE

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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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GRAVEDIGGIN’

I decided to go out today and fulfill a few photo requests. I headed west, somewhat southwest. My plan was to go toward Trinity and Moulton. I had not yet surveyed any cemeteries in this part of Lawrence county.

I visited Grange Hall cemetery, also know as Morris cemetery in west Morgan county.

Grange Hall

As soon as a saw it, I though of a recent post by LS Moore, about people putting fencing around burial plots. This one had more than I had ever seen. And highly decorated. I researched online about it, and saw that each June, families come to decorate and cleanup the cemetery. This was a tradition I had never seen until I moved to Alabama. Most in Florida were flat, plain and unadorned. No interest, unless they were old! Every step I took today, uncovered a new group of headstones. In a cluster of bushes or trees, overgrown in the furthest areas, most could not see. You have to look beyond the new areas for the old. I would scan the distance and there I would see an obelisk. So many wrought iron fenced areas grouping the family together. And smaller stone fences surrounding single burials. I was able to find the photo request way back in a fenced area. It had been awhile since this gate had been opened. It is John Speer.

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Eddie Thickston was just 13 years of age. He died while rock climbing in 1900.

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FINDING FORGOTTEN HEROES

On a recent trip to Nashville, to cross something off my Bucket List…….

One thing I wanted to do before I could no longer remember the songs, was to see, Crosby, Stills and Nash. It was great by the way. And no better venue than the Ryman Auditorium. My husband also wanted to check out the National cemetery north of Nashville, and try to locate his great grand-uncle. Success!!

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We were actually in search of this particular one. My husband had an uncle that fought in the Civil War, Benjamin Franklin Black. He is forever in the Nashville National Cemetery. There are 150 nationally important National cemeteries in the United States. Mostly with burials of veterans and military personnel, but, not always exclusively. Sometimes buried with spouses.

Upon entering the cemetery, as with any National cemetery, you are speechless. It is overwhelming. Perfectly aligned white monuments, curving, straight and across hills. It is an experience to be certain. It will bring tears to your eyes thinking of all those who have died in service who lay beneath the well-manicured grass, others who bravely served and were able to have lives, families and careers.

Here is my husband, Patrick beside the headstone of Pvt. Benjamin Franklin Black, his great grand-uncle. Here is Benjamin’s bio. and service record. Benjamin never married, he died at the age of twenty-three, serving the north in the Civil War.

Patrick and Benjamin

Enlisted on 7/21/1861 at Camp Joe Holt as a Private.
On 9/9/1861 he mustered into “A” Co. KY 6th Infantry
He died of wounds on 10/30/1863
He was listed as: Wounded 9/19/1863 Chickamauga, GA (Severe wound in right leg, amputated)

Additional Information:
Benjamin Franklin Black was born near Visalia, Kenton County, Kentucky in 1840. He was the son of Elmore Black and Rosannah Abercrombie. He was the grandson of William Abercrombie, killed in the War of 1812 at the Siege of Ft. Meigs, Ohio in 1813. Ben had two brothers that also served in the Union Army during the Civil War. They were: Pvt. Samuel G. Black, Co.B, 53rd Ky.Mounted Inf. and Cpl. William H. Black, 82nd Indiana Vol. Inf.
Benjamin enlisted in the 6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry at Camp Joe Holt, Indiana on July 21, 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee on April 7, 1862. Captured near Laverne, Tennssee in December 1862. Paroled in March 1863 and returned to his regiment. Wounded in right knee on September 19, 1863 at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia. Sent to Army hospital #12, Nashville, Tennessee. Died from shock after amputation of right leg on October 13, 1863.

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TOMBSTONE TUESDAY…..MCCALL/DISMUKE FAMILY IN GEORGIA

NANCY J MCCALL DISMUKE

Nancy was the daughter of Joseph McCall and Mary Drenan. Her brother John R. McCall was my 2nd great-grandfather.

After my Georgia trip, I felt compelled to post some of my favorite headstones. There is something haunting, yet serene about old cemeteries, and I really enjoyed being able to trample through some on the backroads of Georgia. I came across four different cemeteries while on my travels. I knew I would more than likely, not find any relatives. However, I did find some familiar names. Just like Drenan, the Dismuke and Dismukes names are sometimes interchanged.

E W Dismukes

From what I understand, my ggg grandmother Mary Drenan ( sometimes Drennan or Drennon ) , was of the Dismukes family. She married Joseph McCall Nov 7, 1850 in Muscogee County. Their two daughters, Emma E and Nancy J. also married into the Dismukes family. Nancy married Joseph T Dismukes. They are located in the 1880 census in Webster County and the 1900 census in Irwinville, Irwin County Georgia. It is said that Joseph McCall died from wounds sustained at Chickamauga.

Attached is a page from Memoirs of Georgia Vol II

Clem E. Cheatham of Dawson he entered the medical college of Georgia, Augusta, from which he graduated, Dr. H. V. M. Miller, now of Atlanta, being then a member of the faculty. After graduating he located in that part of Lee now included in Terrell county, near the present site of Dawson. He practiced there two years and then moved to his present location then known as “Hardmoney,” now Weston. Early in the war between the states he enlisted as a private in Company K, Seventeenth Georgia regiment, but soon afterward was commissioned as assistant surgeon, in which capacity he served until the surrender. He was present at the seven days’ fight around Richmond, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and the siege of Petersburg. On his return home after the war he resumed the practice of his profession, in which he has been successful, his patronage extending for miles around, even into adjoining counties. Dr. Dismukes was married in 1868 to Miss Nancy J., born and reared in Talbot county, Ga., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Drennin) McCall. Her father was killed in the battle at Kennesaw Mountain, and her mother is a member of Dr. Dismuke’s family. To Dr. and Mrs. Dismukes nine children have been born: Alice, wife of John Sims; William J., merchant, Weston; Forrest S., Coffee county; twin sister of Forrest, died in infancy; Robert Toombs; H. M.; Charles D.; Z. C.; and M. G., these last five at home. Dr. Dismukes is a democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee.
(Memoirs of Georgia, Vol. II, 1895)
Submitted by Cathy Danielson

CEMETERIES THAT I HAVE SEEN

I am updating my cemeteries page to list all the cemeteries I have been to , for photography or lookups. I have some blank states there. This means, I will have to go at some point.

Please check it out, most are linked to FindaGrave for that cemetery which is listed.

 

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.

OLD HOMESTEAD

OLD HOMESTEAD

Let’s just make up a story to go with this old home site.

It appears larger than most cabins would have been, and it is definitely not a barn. There is a chimney. It is located off Pryor Rd and Swancott Rd in Madison county Alabama. This would be between Mooresville and the airport in the Greenbriar community.

While I was searching for a cemetery, Pryor-Thatch, I only located, a bird watching station, a memorial marker and this old building. I could not find a single headstone anywhere. This was one of three I tried to locate that day, none of which were found.

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.

Military Monday…..our family heroes

I don’t come from what you would call a ” military family “

but, we have lots of family members who have served their country.

Hershel Pickens Enlistment

In doing my family research, I was most fascinated to learn of ancestors who fought in the American Revolution. Alexander Ewing for instance, on my mothers side.He was in Pennsylvania during the Revolution. I have since found other ancestors on each side that helped establish our country. I am quite proud of that fact.

In the civil war, my third great-grandfather, Joseph McCall was an Irish Immigrant. He came to America somewhere between 1829-1849. He married in Georgia, and fought in the 46th Georgia Regiment.

My father was enlisted in the Air Force. He was a photographer while enlisted, and took photos of plane events, such as recording plane crashes. He also played on the basketball team.

My mom’s brother, Albert Dean was in the US Marines. His son,  Bill Dean, was in the US Navy.

My grandmother’s brother, Thomas E. Ewing was in the US Army, during WW II. He enlisted June 9, 1942.

Aircraft photo by Hershel Pickens

Thomas Ewing, United States Army

Hershel Pickens Air Force Collage

Albert Dean USMC