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Bigby Parrott Passed to Silence and Pathetic Dust (Tombstone Tuesday)

A family burial lot that can't be missed (even if you tried) while wandering through Oak Hill Cemetery at Newnan, Georgia is that of the Parrott – Bigby family.  The sacred ground is adorned with grand columns, several-feet-tall tombstones, and life-size angels.

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Bigby Parrott was a son of Charles C. and Callie D. Bigby Parrott.  He died January 1917 due to pneumonia.  Following is from the 19 January 1917 edition of the Newnan Herald (Georgia):

A Tribute.
Bigby Parrott – a friend, a beloved husband, a cherished brother, a generous character and a good business man – passed to silence and pathetic dust as the golden sun kissed the morning dew at 6:15 o'clock Tuesday morning, Jan. 16, at his home in Atlanta.  He had just passed the milestone that marks the middle station on Life's highway, being 37 years of age.  He had not been well for several weeks, and on Friday before he fell into that "dreamless sleep that knows no waking," his physician called over the 'phone and asked as to how he was.  Bigby replied, "I am better to-day; don't think you need to come." Until the last, in his home, what he added to the sum of human joy was characteristic.

A loved and loving husband, father and brother, was Bigby Parrott.  He leaves a wife, a little 2-year-old daughter, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Parrott Orr.  He was the son of Chas. C. and Callie D. Parrott.  He entered Peekskill College, New York, when he was 18 years of age.  Finishing there, he entered business at Greeley, Col., going later to Oklahoma, where he remained a year or so before returning to his native State.

Our heart goes out in deepest sympathy to his loved ones, and feel sure he would have us say:  "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt."  A Friend.

100_5621Preceding the death of Bigby by less than four years, was that of his father Charles.  His remains rest behind Bigby's at Oak Hill.  Following from the 10 April 1913 edition of the Carrollton Free Press (Georgia):

C. C. Parrott Killed By Train at Newnan

Mr. Charles C. Parrott, president of the First National Bank of Newnan, was run over by an Atlanta & West Point train near the city limits of Newnan at 6:45 o'clock Monday morning and instantly killed.

Mr. Parrott, who was on his way out to his farm, was evidently looking for another train, and so did not see the one which killed him until it was upon him.

He was one of the most prominent men in that section and is widely mourned.  A wife and two children survive him.

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The image below shows that Charles's wife Callie D. (Bigby) has a tombstone nearly identical to that of her husband.  At the time of my visit to Oak Hill, her angel had fallen over.  It is my understanding that since then a massive repair and cleanup process was undertaken, and Callie's angel is back in its rightful place.

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Callie D. Bigby
Wife of Charles C. Parrott
Born Aug 31, 1858
Died July 12, 1909

Our chain on earth is broken.
Its brightest link's in heaven.

Another flower, its love cup filled,
Folds all its sweetness in.
Another soul is home in Heaven,
Without a spot of sin.
Once more the crystal gates of light,
Have shut an angel in.


Comments

dsy1944 said…
I have many ancestors buried in that cemetery. My mother was a Summers and was born and raised in Newnan. Hambrick, Sorrells and Reynolds are other names of ancestors in my mother's family.
---Doug Yancey
S. Lincecum said…
It's a beautiful cemetery to wander around. No ancestors there for me, though. :-)
dsy1944 said…
Do you ever visit cemeteries in and around Atlanta? I have restored several cemeteries in DeKalb County, Forest Park and Atlanta. I am planning to work on two very old cemeteries in Virginia. I have photos of each of these but don't know how to post them.
S. Lincecum said…
I've been to Oakland a few times, and still haven't seen it all. Always with others, so I couldn't wander for hours like I would have done alone.

There are several groups on facebook where you can join and post photos. Thanks for your work. Always a treat for me to see stones and cemeteries restored. Never want to see the history lost.

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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)