Southern Graves

Walker Cemetery Bleckley (formerly Pulaski) County, Georgia Martha was a daughter of George Walker (1793-1865) and Martha Spann Childers (1801-1866). Her maternal grandparents were Richard Childers and Martha Spann. This youngest Martha was born on 4 November 1828 and died on 25 May 1849, less than six months before her 21st birthday. The family lived in Pulaski County, Georgia, and Walker Cemetery is on land that became part of Bleckley County (being carved from Pulaski) in 1912. Martha's memorial in Walker Cemetery is a pedestal monument, consisting of a substantial rectangular "die" (the main block carrying the inscription) on a tiered base, topped with a heavy capstone—a classic Victorian architectural feature. Offering protection and dignity for the deceased, the capstone's overhanging design gives a sense of permanence and prestige. Just below the capstone is a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory over death. A premium feature above the inscription is a high relie...

Yes, that's a real line from a real obituary—a piece of 19th-century prose that didn't just report a death, but painted a vivid portrait of the deceased. The subject of the two obituaries transcribed below is George Walker III (1793-1865), son of the Revolutionary War soldier George Walker II (1763-1830) and his wife Betsey (1767-1835). George II settled in Pulaski County about the time of its formation in 1808. His home is said to have been built in a hilly section near the Twiggs County line. Sons of George built their homes on a three-and-a-half-mile stretch of the surrounding flatlands that became known as "Longstreet." George Walker III was a private in Tooke's Georgia Cavalry during the War of 1812. He and his wife, Martha Spann (1801-1866), were buried in the Walker family cemetery in Bleckley County, Georgia, which was carved out of Pulaski in 1912. Obituary I An interesting thing about this first obituary is that it actually lists the faults of Mr. George...

The Southern Christian Advocate  is a weekly religious newspaper that began publication out of Charleston, South Carolina in the early summer of 1837. Obituaries published in the paper are characterized as having a strong religious emphasis, often including the manner of death or descriptions of the "death-struggle," and flowery, triumphant, and emotional language. The obituaries are excellent examples of the 19th-century "Good Death" ideal, where a person's behavior and spiritual state on their deathbed were seen as the ultimate evidence of their character and salvation. In the obituary transcribed below, you'll notice a candid admission of a "spiritual lapse." That is a rare find in these usually polished tributes. The following is a transcription of the obituary published in the Southern Christian Advocate  on the death of Thomas D. Walker of Pulaski County, Georgia. Thomas, born 9 May 1808, was a son of George Walker II. Burial was in the Walke...

Robert L. Walker was born in 1853, a son of Ann Lucus (1811-1881) and David Walker (1798-1861). Robert died in November 1875 "at his home on Longstreet" in Pulaski County, Georgia. Longstreet was a community settled by the Walker family in the early 1800s. George Walker II, a Revolutionary War soldier and grandfather of Robert, settled in Pulaski County about the time of its formation in 1808. His home is said to have been built in a hilly section near the Twiggs County line. Sons of George, including David, built their homes on a three and a half mile stretch of the surrounding flatlands that became known as "Longstreet." The Walker family cemetery, where Robert was laid to rest upon his death, is located in what is now Bleckley County (created from Pulaski in 1912). He is memorialized on a stone largely dedicated to his parents. While searching for an obituary for Robert, I came across a "Tribute of Respect" published in the 4 December 1875 edition of th...

Samuel Walker was born in Putnam County, Georgia on 4 September 1835. Nine days after his 61st birthday, Samuel had a "stroke of apoplexy," and doctors labeled him "critically ill." Two days later, Samuel was dead. He died in Milledgeville, GA on 15 September 1896 and was buried in Memory Hill Cemetery. Another gravestone in the same lot stands as a reminder to what I am sure was a particularly bad year for Samuel. The year was 1873 and in the span of one week, Samuel lost a son, a wife, and a niece to sickness. The tragedy was noted in local newspapers. Macon Weekly Telegraph (Georgia) Tuesday, 11 February 1873 - pg. 4 [via GenealogyBank ] Note: this paper cited Milledgeville's Federal Union . DISTRESSING FATALITY. -- We mentioned in our last issue that Joel Walker, son of Samuel Walker, died on Monday night of last week, of meningetis [sic] contracted at Mercer College. On Wednesday, Alice Dillard, a niece of Mrs. Walker, a lovely girl of about twelv...

William Walker (son of Joel Walker, Rev. Sol. , and his wife Judith ---), b. Buckingham Co., Va., 1762; d. Jefferson Co., Ga., 1818. Private in Ga. Militia, under Major Gen. John Twiggs. Served as scout. Mar., Jefferson Co., Ga., Elizabeth Bostic (1770-1835) (dau. of Nathan Bostic (or Bostwick), b. Suffolk Co., Va., 1746; d. Jefferson Co., Ga., 1818; received bounty grant of land for service as private in Ga. Militia. Mar. Martha Gwinn, b. 1750). [Source: Ancestry.com. Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia Vol. 1 [database online]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.] The dates don't quite jive, but there is a Nathan Bostwick resting "two graves over" from William Walker, Sr.

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

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

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 .

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

Needham Smith's Will. [continued] Ardella Smith (1803-1872) ... Fourth I desire that the residue of my Estate be kept together and that my Wife Ardilla, my daughters Drupina Smith, Elizabeth Smith and Martha Smith and my Grand Children William Tho s Speight, Franklin Bryant Walker George Henry Walker and Betsy Joel Walker, be supported out of the income or product of the Estate until my youngest daughter Martha shall arrive at the age of twenty One or marries provided they all remain single until that time, the support to cease of each one at their marriage and the education of those not completed to be completed and the expences of the same be paid out of the products of my estate, the remainder of the income to be laid out by my executor as they may Judge most conducive to the interest of said Estate. I m Fifth I desire and will that each of my daughters Drupina, Elizabeth and Martha whenever they shall arrive at the age of twenty One years or marries, shall shall rece...

I have posted more than 30 photos from Irwinville Cemetery to my Picasa web albums. This is a small town cemetery located in Irwin County, Georgia. Irwinville Cemetery Surnames include Bishop, Clements, Holden, Underwood, Vinson, Walker, and Watson. Photos may be viewed individually or as a slideshow. Some personal commentary is included, and the ability for you to add comments is enabled.

Here are the most viewed posts over the last 30 days: - Southern Cross of Honor - Here Lies All the Family (Tombstone Tuesday) - Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen - William Walker's Wordless Wednesday - Interesting & Lovely Little Girl (Tombstone Tuesday) - Memento Mori - He Sits & Waits (Wordless Wednesday) - Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks - Beech Springs Methodist Church Cemetery - Louis Behrens, Famous Fireman - White Oak Flats Cemetery; Gatlinburg, Tennessee

I absolutely love to find tombstones like these. Of course, I've never come across one that pertains to my family. Nonetheless, seeing an individual's lineage inscribed in granite is a genealogist's dream. Too bad there are no attached sources! :-) I felt compelled to type it all here, hoping someone interested may stumble upon it. Caroline Walker Nottingham (July 21, 1882 ~ Sept 8, 1963), a daughter of the Confederacy, was laid to rest next to her husband Eliot Theodore Nottingham (Sept 12, 1871 ~ Jan 4, 1961) in Roberta City Cemetery; Crawford County, Georgia. On the back of the granite family stone, the names and dates of 5 generations of Walkers and Nottinghams were inscribed: Eliot T. Nottingham - Married Caroline Walker Nov 16, 1904 - Of This Union Was Born William Marshall Nottingham ---------------------------- Caroline W. Nottingham Daughter of William J. Walker (1851-1911) & Annie R. Walker (1860-1932) Granddaughter of Charles H. Walker (1812-18...

Anne Branford Lowndes Walker died on this date 56 years ago. She was born 7 May 1878 and later married Henry Frost Walker. Anne was buried in St. Philip's Church Cemetery ; Charleston, South Carolina. Henry Lee Perdue died on this date 33 years ago. He was born 5 April 1927. Henry was buried in Bonaire Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia. Lillie Tyner Nowell died on this date 17 years ago. She was born 25 December 1886. Lillie was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia.

Frances Hartley, wife of John Barton, died on this date 101 years ago. She was born 9 April 1839. Frances was buried in Sardis Cemetery ; Bibb County, Georgia. Elise Moody Calhoun died on this date 40 years ago. She was born 6 October 1910. Elise was buried in Sardis Cemetery, as well. Crawford V. Watson died on this date 95 years ago. He was born 20 November 1885. Crawford was buried in Magnolia Park Cemetery , Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia. For more information about Mr. Watson, please read an earlier post - Crawford V. Watson: One of the Best Known . Emanuel L. Walker died on this date 12 years ago. He was born 28 December 1919 and married Thelma 18 February 1947. Mr. Walker was buried in Bonaire Cemetery ; Houston County, Georgia.

If you ever see this emblem on a gravestone, you will know the individual it memorializes was connected to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, commonly referred to as Shriners. This organization was established in 1870 and is an extension of Freemasonry. All Shriners must be Masons. To learn more, visit the A.A.O.N.M.S. page at Wikipedia or the official web site of the Shriners of North America . Note: The photo is from the gravestone of Thomas Harris Walker (born 16 October 1926, died 30 April 1953) at Magnolia Park Cemetery in Warner Robins, Houston County, Georgia.