Southern Graves

Memorialized on the same stone as yesterday's subjects of Bryant, Claudia, and Marion Strickland, is Bryant E. Strickland, Jr. Born 12 March 1858, young Bryant's life met a tragic and untimely end 18 July 1886, as recorded in The Weekly Consitution (Atlanta, Georgia): Tuesday, July 20, 1886 edition - A SUNDAY TRAGEDY BRYANT STRICKLAND SHOT DEAD AT CARTERSVILLE Assistant Town Marshall William Puckett His Slayer -- Strickland Threatens and Shoots, and Puckett Defends Himself CARTERSVILLE, Ga., July 18 -- This morning at 10 o'clock, while attempting to shoot William Puckett, Bryant Strickland was himself shot and almost instantly killed. Strickland was a young man about thirty years old. He formerly lived at Rome, where, about four years ago, he struck Major Sam Morgan, a prominent cotton merchant, on the head with a piece of scantling, causing him to become insane. Subsequently, Strickland spent most of his time here with his father and brothers. He was unmarried...

Claudia (1852-1861) and Marion (1854-1858) were children of Bryant E. and Mary Catherine Russell Strickland. The draped urn topped tombstone they share with their father and two brothers bears an epitaph for each from a hymn entitled Remember Thy Creator (author unknown to me). For Claudia: Remember thy Creator while youth's fair spring is bright Before thy cares are greater Ere causes death's dark night. For Marion: Remember thy Creator Ere life resigns its trust Ere sinks dissolving matter And dust returns to dust. Their father Bryant (1818-1900) has a nice epitaph as well: Earth has the ashes; friends the memory; God the spirit . Lawrenceville Historic Cemetery at Gwinnett County, Georgia Photos © 2010/1 S. Lincecum

Harriet Eva Orr Graham Strickland was born on Christmas day of 1845 in Lawrenceville, Georgia to James M. Orr and Mary Ann Cobb. After two marriages (being widowed both times) and four children, Eva entered into eternal rest 10 July 1897 in Atlanta, GA. A lot of life in less than fifty-two years. Eva was laid to rest next to her sister Emma Orr Bates in Lawrenceville Historic Cemetery at Gwinnett County, GA. Eva's obituary from the 13 July 1897 Atlanta Constitution (Georgia): In Memoriam. The remains of Mrs. H. Eva Strickland who died at the home of her daughter in West End last Sunday morning, were carried to Lawrenceville last Sunday afternoon, where the interment took place, Rev. Dr. Craig, of Atlanta, officiating. Mrs. Strickland had many friends and relatives in Atlanta and over the state who will be pained to learn of her death. Before her first marriage to Major Robert Howell Graham, of Warsaw, Ga., just after the close of the late war, she was Miss Eva Orr, an...