Southern Graves

[Originally posted at the Rose Hill Cemetery blog . This cemetery in Macon, Georgia is where little Anna Gertrude Powers and her parents rest.] There is great detail in the stone placed for Anna Gertrude Powers, the ten year old daughter of Virgil and Ann Powers. Anna is represented (a likeness?) and being carried to Heaven by two angels. Notice the finger pointing upward of one of the angels, as well as their tendrils of hair. And notice the cross necklace Anna is wearing. It's a beautiful sculpture. Below the image is a detailed obituary for little Anna, who died of Scarlet Fever. Anna Gertrude eldest daughter of Virgil & Ann E. Powers was born in Washington Co, April 12th, 1848 died in Fort Valley March 11th, 1859 DIED. Of Scarlet Fever, in Fort Valley, Ga., on the 11th of March, Anna G., eldest daughter of Virgil and Ann E. Powers, aged ten years and eleven months. Thus hath God in his infinite wisdom taken from earth one of its fairest and loveliest f...

[I decided to celebrate Freethinkers Day by bringing up a post I wrote a couple of years ago for the 100th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy. It's about a freethinker in my own family, Gideon Lincecum.] Every family has at least one -- the radical, the revolutionary, the trailblazer, the pioneer, the free-thinker. In my family, the most documented individual these words describe is Gideon Lincecum. Gideon (1793-1874) was my first cousin, seven times removed, and he's the closest thing I have to a directly connected celebrity. [That is, if you don't count Tim Lincecum, famed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. While I'm sure we are at least cousins, I can't yet prove it.] Much has been written about the life of Gideon Lincecum. Google him and see for yourself. A Wikipedia article begins this way: "Gideon Lincecum was an American pioneer, historian, physician, philosopher, and naturalist. Lincecum is known for his exploration and settlement of...

Sacred to the memory of MARGARET WALKER Consort of Charles Walker She was modest, refined, virtuous & good, the joy of her numerous relatives, the hope of an affectionate husband, a mother, tender, kind and true, a friend whose sympathies were ever alive to those of her associates, and whose charity was always extended to suffering want. Born on the 23rd November 1808 Died on the 27th October 1845 She had been for three years previous to her death, a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and beloved by all. She in her 37th year, the prime of life, Sank into the grave to rise in Christ. Walker Cemetery Bleckley County, Georgia Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

RICHARD CHILDERS WALKER! Born March 27th, 1832 Died Nov 8th, 1859 Several years before his death he was baptized into the Jeffersonville Baptist Church, and lived a consistent Christian life.  His death was most triumphant as he exclaimed in ecstasy I see Heaven open and Jesus standing ready to receive me. With Jesus we leave him. "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep. From which none ever wakes to weep. A calm and undisturbed repose, Unbroken by the last of foes." Walker Cemetery Bleckley County, Georgia Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. I read an old obituary and think, "I've been to that cemetery before. Do I have a photo for this burial?" And I DO! In this case, the photos were taken almost five years ago. Photo © 2008-2013 S. Lincecum This particular find was especially neat when I discovered from the obituary that Mr. Taylor's likeness was made from Italian marble and placed in the churchyard before his death. Read on for more information: "James Taylor, one of the oldest and wealthiest citizens of this section, died here [Fort Valley, Georgia] last night from paralysis. He was nearly 77 years of age and leaves besides his wife three young children, two sons, Charles A. and Lomie T., of this place; a daughter, Mrs. Matt G. Thames, of Bibb county, by a former marriage. Until a few years ago Mr. Taylor resided on his farm in Crawford county, where he attained a fortune. He belonged to no church, but was inclined to the Primitive B...

James Exum Taylor May 9, 1837 June 23, 1913 In the dim unknown standeth God, within the shadow, keeping watch above His own. Walker Cemetery Bleckley County, Georgia Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

In Memory of MRS. POLLY BRYAN Daughter of GEORGE and BETSEY WALKER who was born on the 20th of April 179[1?] and died on the 20th of October 18[22?] To her right side sleep her infant children Joseph Duhart and James Blake and on her left Betsey and Frances Margaret Early, bright, transient, chaste as morning dew, They sparkled, were exhaled and went to Heaven. Walker Cemetery Bleckley County, Georgia Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

I really like these gravestones placed for George Walker, Jr. at Walker Cemetery in Bleckley County, Georgia. There's the early American military service, the mention of slavery (but not the horrors of it), and an informative epitaph. AS a tribute of affection and a testimony of grief this stone is erected to the memory of GEORGE WALKER by his children. He was born in Burke County, Georgia 14th Nov 1763 Died in Houston County, Geo 4th Sept 1830 a member of the Baptist Church. An affectionate husband, a kind father An indulgent master, a sincere friend A useful member of the community He was universally respected. Here may the treasured dust repose Till God shall bid the dead arise And then with kindred Spirits round Obtain a mansion in the skies. George Walker, Jr. GA Troops Rev War September 4, 1830 Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

George Walker b. Aug 13th, 1793 d. Aug 30th, 1865 "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of GOD" Georgia Pvt Tooke's GA Cav War of 1812 Walker Cemetery Bleckley County, Georgia Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

I can't believe there has never been a post about the Weeping Willow tree as a gravestone symbol on the Southern Graves blog, especially since it was one of the first images that slowly replaced death's heads and soul effigies. 1 It's definitely a common symbol.  I found a beautiful example at Walker Cemetery in Bleckley County, Georgia: Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum Most assume the weeping willow is a symbol of grief based upon the name and down turned branches, and they are not wrong. But something I think fewer people may know is that the weeping willow is also a symbol of immortality. In Christianity specifically, the gospel teaches the tree "will flourish and remain whole, no matter how many branches are cut off." 2 If we want to delve deeper into the above image, take a look at the ivy vines going up the base of the tree. It is another symbol of immortality, as well as loyalty.  Furthermore, the leaves symbolize the Trinity. 3 The weeping willow pic...

Consecrated to the memory of those dear departed pledges of our Love Elmyrah Amelia and Sarah Elizabeth Walker. Children of George and Martha S. Walker. Elmyrah Amelia, Born March 16th, 1823 Sarah Elizabeth Born June 3d, 1827 They both died of the same disease and at the very same instant Oct r 26th, 1831 Elmyrah and Sarah rest at Walker Cemetery in Bleckley County, Georgia. For a far better photo than the one I took above, visit Sarah's FindAGrave memorial .

Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum Martha, daughter of George and Martha S. Walker, was born 4 November 1828. She died less than twenty-one years later on 25 May 1849. "She was amiable, pious, and beloved in her life, and deeply lamented in her death." Another portion of Martha's epitaph on her tombstone at Walker Cemetery in Bleckley County, Georgia reads, "Death, rigid Lord, hath claimed the lifeless clay; While joyously the youthful soul hath gone to take its heritage." I found this same couplet in a book entitled New Cyclopaedia of Poetical Illustrations (pub 1872). The book was divided into categories, and the above lines were part of a writing by M. F. Tupper under "DEATH, Physical." I found it interesting, if a bit graphic: Martha Walker tombstone, © 2013 S. Lincecum Death is here in spirit, watcher of a marble corpse, That eye is fixed, that heart is still, -- how dreadful in its stillness! Death, new tenant of the house, pervadeth all ...

Elizabeth "Betsey" Bryan was the daughter of Blake Bryan and Elizabeth Blackshear. She married Joel Walker about 1814 in Georgia. All are listed in Notable Southern Families, Vol. II . Betsey and Joel rest at Walker Cemetery in Bleckley County. Sacred To The Memory Of Betsey Walker Consort of Joel Walker Born December 9th, 1797 Died August 21st, 1848 In her death, the community lost a valuable member, her associates, a friend who was ever ready to sympathise in their joys and sorrows, her children, a tender and affectionate mother, and her husband a devoted wife.  She had been a member of the Methodist Church 24 years, and having lived with constant reference to a f[uture?] and eternal state of existence, she met her last great Enemy with fearless composure and yielded up her soul in the full assurance of a part in the first resurrection. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Photos © 2013 S. Lincecum

When conducting a cursory look into the life of Etheldred Griffin (how could I resist when presented a name like that), I found several online family trees and an entry on FindAGrave. Every link I clicked, however, said his wife's (consensus states her name as Malinda Burton) burial location was unknown or lost. Did I stumble upon it? Frankly, I don't know for sure. The stone I found in Walker Cemetery (Bleckley County, Georgia) is not so easy to read. It appears the last letter of the first name is missing due to, well, who knows for sure. Possibly erosion, but it's very likely the stone visible today is only a partial of the stone originally placed. If the last letter was an A, the first name would look to be Malainda . The next line states this Malaind[?] was a consort of Etheldred Griffin. This could mean wife, but could also simply mean companion. I am able to locate Etheldred in the 1830 and 1840 U.S. census for Twiggs County, Georgia. Twiggs is next d...

Well, they're not who I thought they were, at least. At first. Dollie V. Nash Nov 5, 1861 - Apr 3, 1924 She Was A Blessing In Our Homes. (Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum) Edwin and Dollie Nash are both buried at Sardis Cemetery in Bibb County, Georgia. At first blush, it appears their relationship would have been that of husband and wife. In fact, that is how I initially began researching them. After a bit of digging, however, that relationship didn't make sense. Turns out they are cousins. Both were grandchildren of Reuben A. Nash (according to online family trees). Edwin was the son of E. A. and Emma Nash (per obituary below and census records). Dollie, who never married and died of breast cancer, was the daughter of Rev. A. E. Nash and Roxie Chappell (per her death certificate). E. D. Nash Sept 23, 1861 - Dec 31, 1909 (Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum) " Deaths and Funerals NASH. The funeral services of Mr. Edwin D. Nash were held yesterday from the residence...

Claude Verner Giles (1949 - 1970) Photo © 2011 S. Lincecum Claude Verner Giles was killed in Vietnam. A little over a month before his 21st birthday, this Clayton, Rabun County, Georgia boy was struck down likely by small arms fire. According to the Vietnam War Military Casualties database, Claude was a member of the Church of God, and he left behind a young widow. Claude's military grave marker at Taylor's Chapel Cemetery on Black Rock Mountain contains quite a few acronyms. With the help of a list created by the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance, I was able to decipher them. Claude received (posthumously, I presume) a Bronze Star Medal & Oak Leaf Cluster, an Air Medal & 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, an Army Commendation Medal, and a Purple Heart. Thank-you, Sgt Giles, for your service.

Nestled in the mountains of north Georgia is where Gisele Giles chose as her final resting place. She came to the United States from France about the age of 20 years. She married J. Edward Giles, a sergeant in the US Army Air Forces, and they rest together forever at Taylors Chapel Cemetery on Black Rock Mountain in Rabun County. J. Edward (1920-2009) and Gisele G. (1927-1993) Photo © 2011 S. Lincecum Photo © 2011 S. Lincecum A nice addition to the gravestone for Gisele was a pretty blue-green marker with the words, A notre Soeur: Dans notre coeur a jamais tu demeures . This translates to, To our Sister: Ever in our hearts you live .