Southern Graves

It's been more than four years since I visited Trinity Church Cemetery in Gwinnett County, Georgia.  But I remember the day well.  There was a crispness in the air that is usually present in early November and, even though the sky was clear, I discovered the cemetery surrounded by trees tall enough to block out the sun in several places.  While not the best lighting for picture taking, it was awesome weather for taking my time.  I was in no hurry.  When that happens, I usually have enough photos to "connect the dots" when I finally sit down to dig a little deeper into the silent city. The photo above is of the tombstone placed for Julia F. and Cicero P. Brannon.  My "dot connecting" deals with Julia's side of the family, but let's start with Cicero. Cicero P. Brannon was born 26 July 1847 in Forsyth County, Georgia to William R. and Mahala / Mahalya (Pool) Brannon.  C. P. served in the 2nd Georgia Cavalry of the Confederate States Army for about the la...

James W. Langley, son of William and Malinda, was born 31 August 1846 in Georgia.  J. W. served as a private with Co. E, 8 GA Infantry during the Civil War.  He married his second wife, Maggie R. Craft, about 1881, and they had at least five children.  Maggie died in the year 1928.  In 1930, the widowed James was staying with his daughter Lemma and son-in-law on Bacon School Road in the Vickery Creek area (near Cumming) of Forsyth County, Georgia.  James died, while residing in the same area, 3 July 1933 at the age of 86 years.  He was laid to rest at Trinity Church Cemetery in Gwinnett County near Maggie. J. W. LANGLEY CO E 8 GA INF C S A AUG 31, 1846 JULY 3, 1933 I located James W. Langley's death certificate at FamilySearch.org , and was heartbroken with what I found.  Though he might have lived a full life in number of years, reading the cause of death saddened me so. Malignant Cancer of the Eyes and fase [sic] put out both Eyes. James appears...