Southern Graves

Behind the Greene County courthouse in Greensboro, Georgia, stands an old rock jail. It was built in 1807 and remained in use until about 1895. From the historical marker beside it: "Built of granite about two feet thick, it is two stories in height and has a trap door in the floor of the upper story where condemned prisoners were hanged. An iron bar supported the trap door. When the signal was given, the hangman pulled the lever that controlled the bar and the culprit was launched into eternity." I recently read a 2019 story by Tyler Wilkins in the Lake Oconee News  (Georgia) about the old gaol , and was surprised to learn only one documented execution took place there. Here's how the Atlanta Weekly Constitution  covered it on 4 November 1873: Quick PSA : Since most newspapers of the time were white-owned and reflected racist views, they were biased. So please question and treat with great caution the papers' descriptions of the alleged crimes, victims, and perp...

Mollie E. was born 7 June 1854 in Henry County, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. Shirley Green. She married Dave Thomas Copeland about 1873.  Mollie died the evening of 1 December 1929 in Locust Grove, Henry County.  Despite her age, death was unexpected.  Per her death certificate, Mollie Died [of Paralysis] very sudden without medical attention in presence of witness. She was laid to rest at Locust Grove City Cemetery.  At the time, this cemetery belonged to the Baptist Church. Husband Dave was laid beside Mollie almost seven years later.  This cemetery also holds Mollie's daughter Gertrude (Copeland) Parr, who died 1939 at the age of 64.