Southern Graves

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...

He cannot die who truly lives, For virtue hath immortal breath. Bartow Tribune - Cartersville News  (Georgia) 1 January 1920 JUDGE AUGUSTUS W. FITE DIED SUDDENLY IN HIS OFFICE Prominent Citizen of Bartow County for Many Years -- Had Led Vigorous Life and Was Active Until the Moment of His Death Judge A. W. Fite, one of the most prominent citizens of Bartow county, and for twenty years judge of the superior courts of the Cherokee circuit, died suddenly in his office at the court house in Cartersville on the afternoon of Christmas day, aged 67 years. He was born June 15, 1852. Judge Fite had taken dinner at his home and shortly after rising from the table was called to town by a client for a consultation. A little while after seating himself at his desk, and while talking to his client, Mr. Tom McHugh, of Pine Log, he raised his hand to his face and remarked that he was sick. Mr. McHugh asked him if he should send for a doctor, and receiving no reply, acted upon his own impulse and f...

Susan M. Dawsey, Spinster , married Henry Love 11 November 1847 -- about five weeks before her eighteenth birthday -- in Chatham County, Georgia. Upon Susan's death in 1875, she was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery at Fort Valley, Houston (now Peach) County, GA. This final resting place may seem odd since the couple seemed to spend the majority of life together farther south. For the 1850 and 1860 censuses, Henry and Susan were counted in Effingham County, GA. In 1870, they were in Glynn County. The Fort Valley connection coincides with the American Civil War. In August 1863, Georgia Governor Joe Brown appointed Henry Love captain of the Fort Valley Cavalry. This unit was organized for local defense, and Henry's stint was scheduled to last six months. Houston County, GA is also where Mr. and Mrs. Love's daughter Laura (1851-1890) married Robert Braswell (1847-1920) in 1866. He was a son of Sarah Ann Mims and William Braswell. [Another child of Henry and Susan was Olin P. Love .] ...

George A. Rogers (1861-1896) was buried in Myrtle Hill Cemetery at Rome, Floyd County, Georgia. He was a member of the G rand U nited O rder of O dd F ellows, not to be confused with the I ndependent O rder of O dd F ellows. More on the organization after the obituary - Savannah Tribune (Georgia) Saturday, 8 February 1896 - pg. 3 [via GenealogyBank ] Funeral of Capt. Geo A. Rogers. Capt. George A. Rogers, Grand Master of District Grand Lodge No. 18 of Georgia, G U O of O F, died on Friday of last week and his funeral was held at Rome, Ga., on Sunday last. It was one of the largest ever witnessed in that city. Mr. Rogers leaves a wife, a mother and sister to mourn his loss and who have the sympathy of his great host of friends all over the state. Capt. Rogers was a very popular man among his race; he was loved by all. He was captain of the Hill City Guards; Past Master of Kenesaw Lodge, A. F. and A. M., a member of the House Hold of Ruth, the Good Samaritans and the Sons and D...

This is technically the last post I'll be writing for the challenge because Z is already in the queue.  I could not find a single Y idea to satisfy me, so today is a hodgepodge. The first two Ys are from epitaphs.  Both come from tombstones placed in Harmony – Smyrna Cemetery at Dooly County, Georgia.  As far as I can tell, however, there is no relation between the two individuals.  First up is a dear mother whose name is Lucy Taylor. Our Dear Mother Lucy Taylor Born June 24, 1867 Died Feb 21, 1909 Dearest mother thou has left us And our loss we deeply feel But tis God that has bereft us He can all our sorrows heal Yet again we hope to meet thee When the day of life is fled Where in heaven with joy to greet thee Where no farewell tears is shed Next is little "Boby" ~             In Memory Of Our Little Son Robert W. Floyd Son of J. M. & Sarah E. Floyd Born Feb 20, 1866 Died Oct 7, 1870 Yes Our Boby Is An Angel But...

[Sometimes I publish a post at the Rose Hill Cemetery blog I think Southern Graves readers will enjoy. This is one of those.] Original photo by James Allen. Slightly enhanced image above by Stephanie Lincecum. Metta Cubbedge was born 26 April 1861 in Georgia to Richard W. and Anna M. Cubbedge. The beginning of 1877 saw Metta as a bright scholar of the junior class at Macon, Georgia's Wesleyan College. She was described, in reference to her role as a student, as "faithful to every duty, never by word or action, disobeying her preceptors." Metta also had an active extracurricular life. She was President of a secret literary society (it was only allowed to maintain a member number of 30) at Wesleyan known as the Philomathean * Society. She also seemed to enjoy singing. Newspaper articles included her name when describing performances by Macon's Baptist Church choir, as well as Wesleyan's Philomathean Society. Miss Metta Cubbedge was often singled out as a ...

(From March 2010) - I came across this emblem during a recent visit to Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Georgia. It is one of the most detailed symbol of the Knights Templar I have seen. At the top is a knight's helmet. A cross in crown is on top of a Maltese cross with crossed swords behind it. Included is the motto In Hoc Signo Vinces , a Latin rendition of a Greek phrase meaning "in this you will conquer." According to Wikipedia.org , the Knights Templar were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders. The organization existed for approximately two centuries in the Middle Ages. It was officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church around 1129, became a favoured charity, and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. Today, the Knights Templar is "an international philanthropic chivalric order affiliated with ...

A monument stands in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Georgia to the memory of Andrew Martin Wolihin (1831-1897) and his son William A. Wolihin (1862-1916). They both were Masons, and each held the position of Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. As you might guess, the monument is rife with Masonic symbols, including a pair I knew nothing about. Please feel free to comment with any corrections. I make no boasts of expertise regarding Freemasonry. Altar complete with knee rest, bearing the book of law (or Bible?) with the common square and compass on top. Probably best if I just link you to H T W S S T K S -- Huh? All seeing eye of God, or Eye of Providence , Masonic symbol dating back to 1797. A reminder that one's thoughts and deeds are always observed by the "Great Architect of the Universe." This one is a bit controversial. Some say it is a double headed eagle. Some say it is a double headed phoenix. Some say it's proof the Mas...

[Originally posted at the Rose Hill Cemetery blog .] William G. White Born Aug 12, 1841 Died Jan 22, 1885 One Word Tells The Story Of His Life "Faithful." Husband. Father. Husband of Annie Amos White (1842-1929), who is at rest beside him in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.

Sorry for the delay in posting the latest popular posts. The weather is starting to cool, and I am out and about more than usual in recent months. As a reminder, the most popular posts over the life of this blog (according to Blogger stats) are in the right sidebar. I believe readers have found this feature useful, since some of the most viewed posts over the last thirty days can also be found in that list. I sincerely appreciate all of you looking around for more content. I have almost 500 posts you can wade through. :-) Back to the current "most popular" list: - Undertakers, Coffins, & Furniture - Southern Cross of Honor - FamilySearch Indexing Find for Saturday Soldier: Charles Stevenson - William Weekley Drowned in the San Diego Bay (& My First Experience as a FamilySearch Indexer) - In Hoc Signo Vinces: the Knights Templar - Funeral Mound of the Mississippians - Love, Life, and Truth - More than 100 Photos from Evergreen Cemetery Now Onli...

The treestone in place for Camilla Nunnery (1875-1926) at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Georgia shows she was a member of the Supreme Forest of the Woodmen Circle . This was a women's auxiliary to the Woodmen of the World fraternal organization and insurance benefit society. The emblem for the SFWC is a shield with stars and stripes and crossed axes. According to a 1913 publication of The Fraternal Monitor (Volume 23, Issue 8) - "...The emblem used is the Shield. The colors adopted are lavender and green, instead of the National colors in the Shield. The emblem signifies that which protects or defends, and, therefore, symbolizes the grand and noble principles embodied in fraternalism -- Love and Protection." From Woodmen.org : "The Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle occupied an important place in Woodmen of the World history from the time of its incorporation in 1895 until it merged with the organization on January 1, 1965. For 70 years, the Circle and Woo...

This is an example of a symbol for the A ncient A rabic O rder of the N obles of the M ystic S hrine, commonly known as the Shriners. It includes a scimitar (sword with a curved blade), crescent, star of Bethlehem, and head of a sphinx. Seeing the "head of a sphinx" included in the Shriner emblem carved on a tombstone is a rarity for me. Most of the time, in my area it seems, that element is omitted. James A. Marples, VII°, describes the emblem of the Mystic Shrine: "The official emblem of the Mystic Shrine is the Crescent. It is composed of two Royal Bengal Tiger Claws united in a gold setting by a Keystone. Inside the Keystone - on the keystone's face - is the head of a Sphinx. Originally behind the Crescent were a pyramid, urn, and star. Today, below the Crescent hangs the Star of Bethlehem. Depicted above the Crescent is a Scimitar from which the Crescent and Star are suspended." (1) An article on Wikipedia , relying heavily on A Short History: Shriner...

Rev. E. T. McGehee, M.D. (1808-1870) From the 7 June 1870 Macon Weekly Telegraph , Georgia: " IN MEMORIAM Reverend, Edward T. McGehee, M.D., a Master Mason, and a member of Houston Lodge, No. 35, F. A. M., died April 16th, A. D., 1870, A. L., 5870 -- Aged 62 years. Our Lodge has never been called upon to mourn the death of a brother more beloved than he, whose name heads this notice. At heart brother McGehee loved the mystic charms of Free Masonry. His intercourse with his brethren in all the relations of life, and his communion with them around our sacred altars, illustrated his high appreciation of a devotion to our time honored and indissoluble Fraternal Union; his outer life exhibited his high estimate of our Moral Temple and added lustre to its wisdom, strength and beauty. Over and around all of which he threw the higher charms and purer light of a holy life consecrated and devoted to the cause of Him in whom we put our trust. Honored and revered by us while liv...

Mrs. Nettie C. Hall's (1841-1908) ledger marker is located in Evergreen Cemetery at Fitzgerald, Georgia. At first glance, there might not seem to be a whole lot of information inscribed here. However, there is actually much included in these few lines. Let us start at the top. W. R. C. stands for W omen's R elief C orps. From the W. R. C. website : "The National Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, Inc., is a patriotic organization whose express purpose is to perpetuate the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic, as we are their auxiliary organized at their request on July 25 and 26, 1883 in Denver, Colorado..." The first statement of their mission reads, "To perpetuate the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and its heroic dead; to assist in every practicable way in preserving, and making available for research, documents and records pertaining to the Grand Army of the Republic and its members..." The Grand Army...

I came across this emblem during a recent visit to Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Georgia. It is one of the most detailed symbol of the Knights Templar I have seen. At the top is a knight's helmet. A cross in crown is on top of a Maltese cross with crossed swords behind it. Included is the motto In Hoc Signo Vinces , a Latin rendition of a Greek phrase meaning "in this you will conquer." According to Wikipedia.org , the Knights Templar were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders. The organization existed for approximately two centuries in the Middle Ages. It was officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church around 1129, became a favoured charity, and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. Today, the Knights Templar is "an international philanthropic chivalric order affiliated with Freemasonry." ...

This monument is erected by order of the most worshipfull Grand Lodge of Georgia, to the Memory of their former Grand Chaplain, Reverend Thomas Darley, who departed this life, 18th April A.L. 5832, A.D. 1832, in the 63rd year of his age: and who was a shining light to his Masonic Brethren, to imitate in his walk, as a man, Mason, and Christian. Rev. Darley was laid to rest at Waverly Hall Cemetery in Harris County, Georgia. According to a death notice found in a local paper, he left behind a wife and 16 children. On the back side of Rev. Darley's monument is the following epitaph: "Calm, the good man meets his fate, Guards celestial around him wait! See! he bursts these mortal chains, And o'er death the victory gains." While the symbol and inscription on the gravestone clearly states Rev. Darley was a Mason, there are a couple of other clues you might not be aware of that further bolster this fact. Though I have yet to find a simple explanation as to how,...

I've photographed many Woodmen of the World memorials, and I think this is the best image I've captured of their slogan, Dum Tacet Clamat . It translates to "though silent, he speaks." Woodmen of the World is the largest fraternal benefit society with open membership in the United States. It is an insurance organization founded by Joseph Cullen Root in Omaha, Nebraska on the 6th of June, 1890. The first certificate of membership was issued to William A. McCully of Independence, Kansas on the 29th of December, 1890. Six months later, Woodmen paid its first death claim on the life of teenager Willie O. Warner who drowned on the 14th of June, 1891, in Niles, Michigan. Early Woodmen of the World policies provided for a death and a monument benefit. Gravestones were originally furnished to members for free and later were offered to those who purchased a $100 rider. To learn more, visit " Woodmen of the World Memorials " on the Southern Graves website. ...

Clarence Moseley Peel Nov 8, 1897 Oct 8, 1955 Roberta City Cemetery; Crawford County, Georgia Below the dates on Clarence's marble gravestone is the insignia for the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. This union was founded in 1883 in Oneonta, New York when eight brakemen met in a caboose in the yards of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad to form a benevolent organization. By the time of its merger with three other railroad labor unions to form the United Transportation Union in 1969, it had the greatest membership of any of the operating railroad brotherhoods. Once a protective organization and an insurance society, the Brotherhood services its members on the collective bargaining and grievance front as well as in legislative, political, and fraternal activities. The Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (BRT) was established to represent members' interests in obtaining a satisfactory contract with management. The rail service members of the BRT included conductors and thei...