Southern Graves

Emma's gravestone in Indian Springs Cemetery at Butts County, Georgia may not have been added until well after her death. Or the carver made a mistake. The death date on the stone and an obituary in a newspaper are a few weeks apart. Macon Telegraph (Georgia) Friday, 25 January 1907 - pg. 2 [via GenealogyBank ] Death of Miss Emma Bradley. INDIAN SPRING, Ga., Jan. 24. -- Miss Emma Bradley, formerly a resident of this place, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. William Faulkner, near Crump's Park, Macon, Ga. Miss Bardley [sic] was an estimable woman, and the news of her death is a profound sorrow to her relatives and friends. Her remains will be brought here for interment in the family lot at the public cemetery. Funeral services will be conducted at the home of her niece, Mrs. T. J. Sanders.

Trammell Starr was, by nearly all accounts, a well-respected citizen of North Georgia.  He was a lawyer and held political office, representing Whitfield County beginning in 1894. But there's also this proposed smear that created headlines across the country in the last month of 1894: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) 15 December 1894 - pg. 1 [via GenealogyBank ] A LURID TALE. A Witness States, Under Oath, That a Ku Klux Society Flourishes in Georgia at the Present Time. Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 14. – In the trial of the Whitfield county whitecappers in the United States court today, evidence of a highly sensational character was given by one of the witnesses.  The case on trial is that of the United States against C. C. Brown, Berry Turner and W. B. Callahan.  The witness who furnished the sensation was C. F. Ogles, a well known citizen of Tilton. Mr. Ogles…said that in the spring of 1892 he met with a crowd of men in an old barn at Tilton to form an organization for mutual pro...

This mausoleum, located at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina, houses members of the McDowall and Wragg families. Andrew McDowall was born 25th January 1790 in Scotland, and died 4th October 1866.  His wife Pamela was born 25th November 1797, and died 17th June 1875.  Their eldest daughter Caroline is there, as well.  She was born 22nd June 1816, and died 10th November 1858.  An obituary from page 2 of the 23rd November 1858 Charleston Courier (available online at GenealogyBank ): Obituary. DEPARTED THIS LIFE , at Savannah, on Wednesday, 10th November 1858, in the forty-second year of her age, Mrs. CAROLINE WRAGG, wife of Dr. JOHN A. WRAGG, formerly of this city. it is a beneficent constitution of nature, that the ordinary approach of death is manifested, by disease, old age, or some failure of human organization.  By this process, so to speak, not only the sufferer, but surviving friends are prepared for the catastrophy [sic]; yet if the shock b...

The three Habersham brothers – James, Joseph, and John – rest beside their father, the elder James Habersham, in Colonial Park Cemetery at Savannah, Georgia .  Though their father supported the Crown, the brothers were devoted patriots in the American Revolution.  And afterwards, prominent in public positions for the United States and the state of Georgia. Joseph Habersham The left panel on the vault front is devoted to second son, Joseph Habersham (1751-1815), and his wife, Isabella Rae. Accomplishments of Joseph listed here are the following: Lieutenant Colonel in the Continental Army, Postmaster General under George Washington, Member of the Continental Congress, Speaker of the General Assembly, and Member of the Society Cincinnati in Georgia. Joseph was also Mayor of Savannah, 1792-1793. Furthermore, three years after his death, a county in Georgia was named for Mr. Habersham. Here is an obituary from the Savannah Advertiser by way of the 5 December 1815 edition of Virgi...

TRAIN AND AUTO CRASH; ONE DEAD John Register, Unadilla Man, Is Killed; Another Dying. ROAD CROSSING ACCIDENT William Register is Reported in Dying Condition. UNADILLA, Ga. Dec 24. – One man was instantly killed, one is dying and another given a bad shaking up is the result of a fast passenger train crashing into an automobile at a crossing this afternoon in the heart of the business district of this city. The dead: John Register of Unadilla, and well known throughout this section. The dying: William Register of Unadilla, cousin of the dead man. Laidler Brennen, who resides in the country near Unadilla, receiving minor injuries, but somewhat shocked from the accident. Attempts to Cross Tracks The three were in the automobile of John Register's and an attempt was made to cross the main line tracks of Georgia, Southern and Florida railroad, it is said, in front of the rapidly approaching passenger train. The engine struck the automobile a solid blow and lifted it up on its pilot an...

Today's letter brings a story of a man whose southern grave is very likely the Chattahoochee River. From the New York Public Library Some time ago, I'd say about nine years, I decided to document (or at least make note of) every instance of lynching I come across while researching.  I never made a solid attempt to seek out lynchings, specifically, but would make note when one was found.  I even started a database of sorts.  I haven't really kept the page up as far as housekeeping goes – there might be some broken links and such – but I still add to it from time to time with more than 170 entries thus far.  I've also written on the subject a couple of times in this space before ( here and here ). Since this blog is taking part in the A to Z Challenge, there are some people visiting that might never have otherwise (I'm having a blast, btw).  So I feel a little like I should try to explain why I would give the horrible acts – those committed by the crimin...

James Bowie was my 2nd cousin (7x removed). You know, the guy who designed the Bowie knife and fell at the Alamo. Well...I think so, anyway. I cannot yet personally prove the relationship, and there is conjecture among family historians of the Lincecum - Bowie connection. To put it plainly, it seems some of the Bowies don't want to claim the Lincecums. I don't know why, really. I guess a famous naturalist is not as cool as a "knife maker". ( She said with tongue firmly in cheek. ) The real subject of this post, anyway, is James Madison Alden. He was first married to Charlotte Elizabeth Bowie. That (might!) make him the husband of my 3rd cousin, 6x removed. James led a neat life, at least in his early years. He joined the Navy and began work on the west coast of the United States in 1854, when just 20 years old, as an artist / cartographer for the U.S. Boundary Commission. He spent his days drawing the views before him. Here is one of my favorites, da...

**Caution: this post may not be for the faint of heart; possible controversial topic ahead.** Alfred Cranford (1871-1899) Photo by Sharon Kadlick via FindAGrave The funeral of Alfred Cranford was held today. His wife stood by his grave, but showed no sign of emotion. It is feared that her mind has become unbalanced as a result of the terrible ordeal she has just passed through,... ["Palmetto Citizens In Arms",  Augusta Chronicle (Georgia), 15 April 1899, pg. 1] Alfred was buried at the Cranford Family Cemetery in Newnan, Coweta County, Georgia. His cause of death was murder by axe, and the act was perpetrated in front of his wife and children. Witnesses placed blame on Sam Hose, and the infamous manhunt resulting in a horrific lynching commenced. ANOTHER HORROR AT PALMETTO Alfred Cranford, Murdered By Negro Brute and Wife Assaulted. FELLED HUSBAND WITH AXE. Both Crimes Committed in Presence of Four Small Children -- Brute Ran From House and Made His Esca...

Photo by S. Lincecum I've been a frequent visitor of Byron City Cemetery (Georgia) for several years now. And every visit includes stops by the graves of cousins, one being that of Moultrie Alfred Warren, Jr. He was a third cousin of mine by way of his mother, Sadie Almira Peavy Warren. Engraved on Moultrie's ledger marker, in addition to his birth and death dates, is "Professional Engineer." And those aforementioned dates reveal Moultrie died at the young age of 43 in 1956. I have often wondered what was the cause -- now I know . Via FamilySearch.org A World War II draft registration card from 1940 shows a 27 year old Moultrie Alfred Warren, Jr. living in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia and employed by the United States government and the science organization of Geological Survey ( USGS ). In 1947, Moultrie became engaged to Ruth Tomlinson, daughter of Homer R. Tomlinson. Moultrie and Ruth were a very studious couple. Ruth was a graduate of Winthrop ...

Thomas N. Theus A Confederate Soldier Died Nov 28, 1903 Eliza Wilhelmina The Devoted Wife Of Thomas N. Theus Died February 21, 1895 " DEATHS Thomas Nichol Theus. SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 28 -- Thomas Nichol Theus, a well known Savannahian who was prominently related in Georgia and South Carolina, died at an early hour this morning. He made a dying request that he be buried in Confederate gray, and he himself named six pall-bearers, all Confederate veterans." [ Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 29 November 1903, pg. 2 -- Viewed online at GenealogyBank .] Bonaventure Cemetery Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia Photos © 2007-2013 S. Lincecum

Capt. Robert H. Anderson 9th U.S. Infantry Died Manila, Philippine Islands November 7th, 1901 1861 - 1901 STEADFAST CAPT. ANDERSON DEAD. Died of Pneumonia at Mobile -- Was Appointed From Georgia. Washington, Nov. 7 -- A cablegram received at the war department today from General Chaffee, at Manila, announces the death from pneumonia of Captain Robert H. Anderson, of the 9th infantry. Captain Anderson was appointed to the army in 1884 from civil life, being credited to Georgia. Savannah, Ga., Nov. 7 -- Captain Robert H. Anderson, of the Ninth regular infantry, was born in this city in 1861. His father was General Robert H. Anderson, of the Confederate army, and for many years chief of police of Savannah. Young Anderson was appointed a second lieutenant in the army by President Arthur, in 1884. He served gallantly in Cuba, and afterwards in China and the Philippines. His family connection in this section are extensive and prominent. He leaves a widow and two children...

Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia Photo © 2007-2013 S. Lincecum DEATH OF COLONEL AARON WILBUR. -- Colonel Aaron Wilbur, for many years a prominent citizen of this city, died at his residence last evening, at 10 o'clock. He was a native of Vermont, but removed South soon after he became of age, and located in Richmond, Virginia, from which city he removed to Savannah in 1853, since which time he has been engaged in the insurance business. His energy and well known business capacity secured for him the position of manager of the Southern branch of the Knickerbocker Life Insurance Company of New York. He was also President of the Home Insurance Company of Savannah, and a Director in the Merchants' National Bank. During the war he was appointed by Gov. Brown on his staff, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which position he held for some time. At the close of the struggle he engaged extensively in business and succeeded in saving from the general wreck that follow...

Richard T. Matson, born 21 September 1855, was my 3rd cousin, 5x removed. He was a son of James V. Matson and Mary Lincecum. I found it interesting that James and his son each honored their father in the naming of sons. James named a son after his father, and Richard named a son after his father. Of course it's possible the names might actually date back further. I recently found death and burial notices for Richard at GenealogyBank . He died at the young age of 41, but I don't know the cause. Richard was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery at Hubbard, Hill County, Texas. The photo included is from his memorial on FindAGrave . Dallas Morning News (Texas) 10 June 1897 " MORTUARY MATSON -- Hillsboro, Hill Co., Tex., June 9. R. T. Matson, a prominent farmer and stockman of this county, died at his residence three miles west of here, to-day. He was 45 years old." Dallas Morning News (Texas) 13 June 1897 " MORTUARY MATSON -- Hubbard City, Tex., Ju...

The image above is from a 31 January 1920 Monroe County, Georgia census record. It shows the family of Lunnie L. Mosely, his wife Ruth, and widowed mother Mattie A. As much as we genealogists use, need, and treasure census records, it's amazing the information they DON'T reveal. For instance, can you tell from this document that Ruth is 6-7 months pregnant? I'd say not. So how do I know this? Clues were found in an obituary, of course! A few days ago I visited Midway Baptist Church Cemetery in Lizella, Bibb County, Georgia. It was my first visit to this fairly small church cemetery. Just from looking around at all the MOSELY headstones, it seems this burial ground could have once been on their family property. At the very least, they were prominent members of the church. After I returned home, I began looking a little deeper into some of the lives the tombstones stood for. When I came to Lunie Mosely's (1886-1920) stone, I was curious to know why he died so ...

The Old City Cemetery in Macon, Georgia was established in 1825 and used by many until 1840. That year marked the opening of Rose Hill Cemetery, a much larger and more beautiful landscape that attracted most Maconites for decades to come. Today, the city of Macon maintains the grounds. When I visited in May of last year, the grass was pretty and green and not too tall. That didn't hide the fact that the tombstones left in the cemetery were in poor shape and most of the brick walls surrounding family lots were crumbled. I did see several plaques stating restorations were done, many from the 1960's. All in all, the cemetery is a shell of what I imagine it once was. The Old City Cemetery was neglected for many, many years. In fact, old newspaper articles I have read on the subject say as much. A 1919 "Just 'Twixt Us" column by Bridges Smith of the Macon Telegraph states, "We now speak in sorrow of the neglected condition of the old cemetery at the f...