Harper Cemetery, Montgomery, Alabama

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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Pam Long
<rocketgirl@knology.net>
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April 1999

HARPER CEMETERY, MONTGOMERY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA	

	This cemetery is located in the center of the Mountainview Estates 
neighborhood in the eastern part of Montgomery, Alabama. The property, which is 
the highest point in Montgomery County, had originally been a land-grant to John 
Harper, who is buried in this cemetery. 
	The abstract of a deed of one of the properties in this subdivision shows 
that the land was given as a land patent to Harper April 24, 1820. The property 
was sold to Abram Martin in 1854 by Benjamin Harper and his wife Emily I., then 
it was bought and sold several times, eventually becoming the property of the 
Saint Joseph Society for Colored Missions in 1901. St. Joseph's, whose president 
was L.B. Pastorelli, later sold the property to the Bethel A.M.E. College, which 
mortgaged the property several times, and later deeded it to the International 
Order of Twelve Knights and Daughters of Tabor, possibly an African-American 
benevolent society. The Order lost the property in a foreclosure in 1925. Since 
that time, the property has been sold several times, and eventually subdivided.
	The cemetery has been maintained quite well--a city easement between two 
lots in the secluded neighborhood leads back to a fenced-in area of about 200 
square feet containing eight monuments in good condition. The headstones are in 
an even row facing east. There is little undergrowth since the cemetery is 
completely shaded by large trees. Although the tombstones are relatively well 
preserved for such an old cemetery, we had to make crayon-and-paper rubbings to 
read most of them.

Map coordinates for the neighborhood and the cemetery:
30° 37' 13" N 88° 11' 47" W

	My father Mark Hosey Jr., who lives in the neighborhood, surveyed the 
cemetery with me on Easter Day, April 4, 1999. These are the burials we found:

[a medium-height obelisk]
To the memory of
John Franklin Harper
who departed this life
December 6, 1842
aged 15 years
and 10 months
[on the south side of the monument]
Mother, ?? not for the loss of me
For I am happy; happy you may be.
I was snatched from you when in bloom of life
To dwell in Heaven with the just and wise.
[Another poem is found on the north side of the monument, but it is illegible.]


[a smaller obelisk]
Sacred to the memory of
Mary Frances Harper
consort of
Dr. Benjamin S. Harper
and daughter of
Mrs. Ann A. Harper
who departed this life
August the 16th, 1850
Aged 24 years 7 months
and 6 days
Husband weep not for me,
Shed not a single tear,
With saints in glory I am free
From death and every fear.
Weep not, my mother dear,
Though hell and earth alone,
When Christ the Savior shall appear,
We'll meet around the Throne.
[another illegible poem on the north side.]


[a flat stone with a crown top]
The Memory of
John Harper
who departed this life
January 1, 1831 aged
40 years. A native of Vir-
ginia. Emi. to Ala. in 1818
Leaving at his death
an affectionate Wife
& three small children to
Lament his loss.
Remember, man, as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I.
As I am now soon shall you be.
Prepair [sic] for death and follow me.


[a flat stone]
Sacred
to the memory of
Rebecca E. McLemore
wife of
William J. McLemore
and daughter of
James K. & Matilda
Pinkston
who was born
April 10th, 1828
and died
May 16th, 1852
Aged 24 years 1 month
and 6 days


[a flat stone]
In Memory
of
Richard Henry
who died ? March
1835
aged 1 year 9 months & 15
days


[a flat stone]
In Memory of
an infant daughter of Robert
& Margaret Ann
ROGERS
died Sep. 4
1841
aged 12 days


[a flat stone]
Sacred
to the memory of
Clarrah Marcent
daughter of
William L. & Rebeccah D.
McLemore
February 28, 1852
and died
April 17, 1852
aged 1 month
and 29 days


[a flat stone lying on the ground]
In Memory of
James Monroe Harper
who departed this life
November 17th, 1829
Aged 8 years 8 months
and 4 days


Notes:
John Harper witnessed the will of Dixon Hall 13 January 1820. 

(r)1999 Pamela Hosey Long