Saint Peter's African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery, Russell, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/russell/cemeteries/st-peters.txt ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Steve Townsend STowns@aol.com November 1, 2006 St. Peter's African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery St. Peter's African Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the oldest African- American churches in Russell County, Alabama, dating back to at least 1881. There are two churches actually – the original church and the new one, built in the 1970s. The old church and cemetery are located at Hyram and Dusty Roads in Seale, Alabama, Russell County. One legend states that Peter Chadwick, a Black man, purchased two plots of land in Russell County, Alabama – one in 1870 and the second in 1878. He supposedly donated part of the land so that a community church could be built. In his honor, the church was named St. Peter's. Early Russell County records state that a St. Peter's A.M.E. Church burned down in 1908. The congregation merged with another church until a new church building was erected (the new St. Peter's A.M.E. Church). The only part of the old church that still remains is part of the old cemetery and the old church steps. Efforts to obtain the Church's true history from Church officials have been unsuccessful. Development has taken over much of the area there, and the African-American descendants of those buried in the cemetery have had battles with the new residents to establish rights of ingress/egress to the cemetery. Efforts are currently underway to document information about those buried there so that the cemetery can be added to the list of historic properties. Based on years of research associated with my family and three visits to the cemetery over the years, I have compiled this information to help other researchers who are seeking to understand the lives of those buried in the cemetery. Additions and corrections are welcomed and appreciated. Send to: Steve Townsend, PO Box 1839, West Chester, PA 19380 or via email at . Always interested in sharing information with folks who have Russell County roots as well. Marked Graves at Old St. Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Church (names recorded as inscribed on the tombstone; where known, maiden surnames for women have been noted if not written on the tombstone) ALLEN, Amelia – died April 23, 1953 ALLEN, James – November 15, 1927 – September 24, 1960 ALLEN, Sarah – born 1861; died 1924 ALLEN, William – born February 19, 1919 ARMOUR, Dave – August 16, 1897 – July 28, 1968 BAKER, Lonnie – May 9, 1913 – January 29, 1967 BATTE, Rev. G. B. – October 15, 1901 – August 8, 1960 BATTE, Hattie Mae – January 9, 1936 – July 21, 1995 BATTE, Jessie L. – January 17, 1909 – September 24, 1997 BATTE, Robert C. – April 27, 1951 – April 9, 1994 BATTE, Willo D. – May 16, 1961 – December 15, 1975 BELLAMY, Abraham H. – September 15, 1891 – September 3, 1967 BELLAMY, Andrew Lee – September 9, 1943 – March 29, 2006 BELLAMY, Anna Dixon – December 14, 1921 – February 23, 2003 BELLAMY, Arlene – April 2 1909 – July 4 1972 (maiden surname Jackson) BELLAMY, Bett – (I did not record the mark on this one); died 27 June 1936 in Seale, Alabama; (maiden surname Williams) BELLAMY, Duff – December 1901 – November 1940 BELLAMY, Eddie (Edith) – died March 24, 1926 (maiden name Williams) BELLAMY, Emma – died April 9, 1927 (maiden surname Osby) BELLAMY, Essie – May 28, 1905 – June 29, 1970 (maiden surname Ingram) BELLAMY, Fannie – January 1, 1831 – February 16, 1958 (gravestone placed in 2006); (maiden surname Fort) BELLAMY, James Robert – February 16, 1961 – May 3, 1992 BELLAMY, Jerry “Shorty” – December 24, 1957 - December 26, 2001 BELLAMY, Jethro – buried 11 December 1949; died 7 December 1949 BELLAMY, Jones – died February 18, 1928 (died 11 February 1928 according to his death certificate) BELLAMY, Lucy – 1875-1965 BELLAMY, Mandy– died April 8, 1953 (died 8 March 1953 according to death certificate); (maiden surname Bellamy) BELLAMY, Margaret - March 21, 1898 – June 17, 1971 (maiden surname Holmes) BELLAMY, Mattie – died 1967 (died 29 December 1967 in Columbus, Georgia); (maiden surname Tate) BELLAMY, Mattie L. – April 30, 1935 – October 11, 1984 (maiden surname Brundidge) BELLAMY, Mose – August 23, 1907 – March 22, 1967 BELLAMY, Ola – died January 31, 1919 (died 31 January 1930 according to death certificate; appeared on 1920 U.S. Federal Census for Russell County, Alabama) BELLAMY, Phillip – deceased 1960 BELLAMY, Ralph – November 30, 1918 – May 19, 1993 BELLAMY, Robert – June 2, 1916 – July 25, 1976 BELLAMY, Tillman – February 20, 1895 – December 28, 1963 BELLAMY, Welton – April 15, 1934 – July 9, 1968 BELLAMY, William – January 20, 1907 – March 20, 1988 BRYANT, Daniel – January 24, 1937 – August 21, 1989 BRYANT, Josie Holmes – April 12, 1920 – March 9, 2005 (maiden surname Tate; father was actually Henry Chadwick) BUFORD, Britt – died March 20, 1926 BUFORD, Carrie – May 31, 1931 – December 5, 1970 BUTLER, Benjamin Jr. – January 1, 1926 – April 1, 1985 BYRD, Bertha – March 10, 1941 – July 22, 1990 CHATSMAN, Josephine W. – February 19, 1931 – January 8, 1991 CROWELL, Sarah E. – March 13, 1913 – October 4, 1987 DANIEL, Charlie Lee – January 12, 1925 – October 31, 1925 DINKINS, Fannie – died September 18, 1926 DRAKE, Willis – died May 26, 1925 (died in Chicago, Illinois) EVANS, Clifford J. – December 22, 1947 – July 2, 1979 GRADY, Mary B. – January 10, 1899 – June 23, 1996 (maiden surname Bellamy) GREENE, Carrie – August 25, 1920 – April 1, 2005 (maiden surname Tate; actually daughter of Henry Chadwick) HAMMONDS, Rozelle Sr. – May 2, 1904 – March 6, 1981 HOLMES, Alphonso – October 23, 1896 – February 28, 1969 HOLMES, Benjamin F. – April 12, 1894 – February 4, 1964 HOLMES, Henry Harris – April 12, 1894 – February 28, 1928 HOLMES, March – September 7, 1892 – February 12, 1955 HOLMES, Thomas Abraham – March 29, 1929 – November 26, 2003 (Korean War Veteran) INGRAM, Anna – October 1, 1883 – May 7, 1952 INGRAM, James C. – May 27, 1929 – March 17, 1989 INGRAM, Mary – July 2, 1925 – April 10, 1969 JACKSON, Homer – December 17, 1960 – January 26, 2004 JONES, Catherine Batte – September 29, 1953 – August 17, 200? (year not clearly denoted) KELLY, Samuel Jr. – September 15, 1945 – February 16, 1970 KIMBROUGH, Samuel Jr. – September 1, 1944 – February 26, 2006 KING, Gennie M. Newsome – January 18, 1916 – June 23, 2006 KING, George W. – July 3, 1911 – December 4, 1991 KING, Joe Sr. – June 14, 1909 – July 12, 1995 KING, Ovalo – October 26, 1956 – June 27, 1970 LEWIS, Bobby – June 28, 1964 - October 22, 1995 LEWIS, John Jr. – May 15, 1952 – July 14, 1981 LEWIS, John Sr. – August 7, 1930 – July 11, 1985 LEWIS, Joseph – September 30, 1953 – February 9, 1954 LEWIS, Mildred Barrett – July 21, 1957 – February 8, 1995 MABRY, Lula – died February 6, 1950 (maiden surname Word) MABRY, Pauline – died 1963 (died 26 June 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama) MABRY, Robert – 1870-1954 MABRY, Rosa – September 10, 1876 – March 1, 1968 (maiden surname Hawkins) MABRY, Sallie – 1845 – 10 May 1912 (maiden surname Bellamy) MABRY, Willie – 1872-1953 MANUAL, Bethora Newsome – June 10, 1906 – March 18, 1956 MATTHEWS, Oliver – July 26, 1945 – August 11, 2006 MATTHEWS, Rosa – born 1907; died 1968 MILES, Rev. Henry James – February 17, 1956 – May 17, 1996 MITCHELL, Isabel – born 1911; died 1955 MITCHELL, Thomas – September 9, 1900 – August 2, 1970 MULLIN, Carrie L. – January 7, 1929 – February 20, 1978 MULLIN, Willie – born 1928; died 1987 NALL, Willie Lee – March 28, 1939 – February 10, 1999 NEWSOME, Cephus – June 17, 1952, age 42 (died in Columbus, Georgia) NEWSOME, Eddie B. – 1907 - 1990 NEWSOME, Fannie – born 1889; died 1969 (maiden surname Davis) NEWSOME, Sallie L. – September 27, 1927 (maiden surname Williams) NEWSOME, Sarah – September 15, 1877 – October 26, 1967 NEWSOME, Tiller – April 24, 1956, age 90 (died in Columbus, Georgia); maiden surname Williams) NEWSOME, Velma B. – born 1912; died 1998 (maiden surname Bellamy) NEWSOME, William– December 7, 1935, age 83 (died in Columbus, Georgia) OSBY, Mannie – August 15, 1874 – December 3, 1947 (maiden surname Bellamy) PATRICK, Frank Arthur – November 23, 1955 – March 3, 2006 PITTS, Johnny – died October 11, 1923 (age 57) PITTS, Laura – died February 1946 (age 85) PITTS, Luscious – January 28, 1882 – June 8, 1958 PITTS, Mary S. – July 23, 1911 – May 5, 1997 PITTS, Minnie Lee – born 1872; died 1962 PITTS, Nathaniel Sr. – March 6, 1937 – November 24, 2003 PITTS, Sanky – November 15, 1905 – May 18, 1981 PITTS, Silla – died 1920 PITTS, Willie – August 1, 1925 – November 28, 1983 (Korean War Veteran) PUCKETT, James – March 31, 1919 – July 19, 1971 ROBINSON, Kittie H. – February 8, 1887 – July 28, 1968 SIMMONS, Felix Jr. – born 1897; died 1959 SMITH, David – November 30, 1959 – June 25, 1969 SMITH, Ethel M. – August 5, 1899 – October 21, 1964 (maiden surname Osby) SMITH, Rodney D. – January 23, 1910 – September 22, 1982 SNELL, Cullen – August 22, 1917 – December 8, 1977 SNELL, Ronella P. – September 23, 1921 – August 27, 1992 STREET, Mary – August 7, (date not readable) – December 1938 TARVER, Major – June 4, 1894 – December 7, 1925 THOMAS, Johnny – born 1898; died 1982 TODD, Ethel – no marketing on stone; died November 4, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois TODD, Hattie – 1865-1923 (maiden surname Bellamy) TODD, Henry – 1884-1956 TODD, Henry – no marking on stone; died September 27, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois TODD, Lane – 1893-1961 TODD, Lena – 1918 (buried 8 August 1918; died 15 August 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama); (maiden surname Chadwick) TODD, Leila – April 10, 1873 – November 21, 1969 (maiden surname Newsome) TONEY, Sarah J. – May 25, 1932 – May 17, 2004 WALKER, Irene T. – December 25, 1906 – May 3, 1977 WARE, Isiah – March 17, 1908 – July 1, 1964 WILKERSON, Clentell – February 14, 1906 – December 21, 1995 (maiden surname Bellamy) WILLIAMS, Joseph – April 20, 1886 – December 17, 1966 WILLIAMS, Mozelle – June 3, 1895 – November 11, 1985 (maiden surname Newsome) WILLIS, Carry (markings not recorded) WILSON, Robert Lee – February 10, 1939 – May 7, 1999 WORD, Arthur – January 1, 1914 – January 22, 1990 WORD, Betty Jean – April 13, 1951 – April 4, 1976 WORD, Emily Robinson – July 29, 1916 – April 2, 1954 WORD, Fannie – November 15, 1883 – November 8, 1962 WORD, Homer – February 9, 1907 – March 27, 1989 WORD, Isaac – February 14, 1921 – November 20, 1981 WORD, Johnny C. – March 12, 1943 – December 31, 1996 WORD, Lewis – January 9, 1910 – March 27, 1982 WORD, Oscar – May 6, 1878 – February 2, 1965 WORD, Robert – August 28, 1914 - December 22, 1979 WORD, Sammie – born 1919; died 1985 WORD, Scepher – January 9, 1911 – May 26, 1978 WORD, Ted – October 26, 1923 – November 4, 1989 HOHN, Rev. J – July 16, 1873 – October 15, 1912 (stone markings not clear; surname may not be correctly recorded here) HOHN, Sarah – died 1907 (stone markings not clear; first name and surname may not be correctly recorded here) Marked Graves at New St. Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Church ALEXANDER, Bertha – May 28, 1908 – February 25, 1987 (maiden surname Bellamy) BELLAMY, A.C. – May 1, 1918- October 23, 1977 BELLAMY, Arthur – October 25, 1924 – July 13, 1989 BELLAMY, Haywood Jr. – October 21, 1967 – July 18, 1986 BELLAMY, Herman – November 1, 1930 – June 2, 2002 BELLAMY, Tommie Lee Sr. – October 2, 1922 – October 17, 1982 BELLAMY, William – October 20, 1910 – July 24, 1976 BROOKS, Collin – July 4, 1938 – October 21, 1990 BRUNDIDGE, Barbara Ann – December 25, 1956 – November 5, 1973 BRUNDIDGE, Joe N. Sr. – March 5, 1921 – April 16, 1986 BRUNDIDGE, Essie Mae – September 2, 1923 – May 29, 2003 NALL, Eliza – February 23, 1917 – November 22, 1976 (maiden surname Bellamy) NALL, Gibson – September 4, 1910 – February 10, 1982 PATRICK, Tameka Sharon – died August 13, 1975 SIMPSON, Alfred – February 1, 1893 – August 22, 1973 SMITH, Golden – September 13, 1913 – July 9, 1981 WILLIAMS, Annie – November 1, 1907 – January 11, 1984 (maiden surname Bellamy) Burials Recorded at St. Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Church from the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper (where reported, burials at the Old and New cemeteries are noted) BATTLE, Robert C. – died April 1994 in Opelika, Alabama BELLAMY, Adell – died March 6, 2005 in Phenix City, Alabama BELLAMY, Malissie – died August 29, 2007 in Phenix City, Alabama BELLAMY, Mamie Newsome – died December 31, 2006 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Robert James – died July 22, 2007 in Phenix City, Alabama (not clear from his obituary whether he was buried at St. Peter but his funeral service was held there and other members of his family are interred there) BENNETT, Titus Jr. – died August 3, 1994 in Columbus, Georgia COOK, Rosie Lee Newsome – died April 7, 2004 in Fort Mitchell, Alabama; buried in Old Cemetery DRIVER, Ella Mae Word – died August 22, 2008 in Phenix City, Alabama; buried in Old Cemetery HOUSE, Jeanette Bellamy – died July 9, 2007 in Columbus, Georgia KING, Irene – died June 13, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois KING, Lillie B. Newsome – died October 15, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois LEWIS, Maryline Bellamy – died June 19, 2008 in Columbus, Georgia; buried in Old Cemetery MORGAN, Demetrious – died December 6, 2006 in Phenix City, Alabama NEWSOME, Johnnie Lee – died August 22, 2007 in Opelika, Alabama; buried in New Cemetery PITTS, Irene Williams – died December 21, 2007 in Columbus, Georgia ROBINSON-KELLY, Oscar – died February 24, 2007 in Columbus, Georgia SMITH, Dorothy Brundidge – died July 28, 2008 in Columbus, Georgia SMITH, Ruby Bellamy – died May 22, 2008 in Seale, Alabama; buried in Old Cemetery STAFFORD, Beatrice King – died December 1, 1995 in Columbus, Georgia UPSHAW, Eunice Holmes – died February 22, 2007 in Columbus, Georgia VAUGHN, Rosa Lee Newsome – buried April 15, 2004 WORD, Daniel – died April 20, 2009 in Columbus, Georgia WORD, James – died December 16, 2005 in Fort Mitchell, Alabama WORD, Janice Denise – died April 21, 2009 in Columbus, Georgia; buried in New Cemetery Burials at the Cemetery Recorded in Death Certificates (tombstones were either never purchased to mark the graves or were destroyed/missing) BELLAMY, Unnamed (child) – died February 1918 in Russell County, Alabama BELLAMY, Bett – buried 1936; died June 27, 1936 in Seale, Alabama (maiden surname Williams) BELLAMY, Camp (child) – buried November 1917; died November 6, 1917 in Russell County, Alabama BELLAMY, George W. – died May 20, 1928 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Jim – buried on April 13, 1952; died April 7, 1952 in Crawford, Alabama (death certificate records last name as Ballmy) BELLAMY, John Henry – buried April 20, 1935; died April 12, 1935 in Birmingham, Alabama BELLAMY, Joseph – buried October 11, 1953; died October 10, 1953 in Seale BELLAMY, Oatis – buried February 1914; died February 22, 1914 in Russell County, Alabama BELLAMY, Ozelle (child) – buried January 29, 1918; died January 29, 1928 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Pearly – buried July 10, 1937; died July 9, 1937 in Seale, Alabama (maiden surname Davis) BELLAMY, Phillip – buried December 25, 1960; died 15 December 1960 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Reg – buried December 20, 1957; died December 19, 1957 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Romulus (Bose) – buried on May 17, 1938; died May 16, 1938 (death certificate records first name as Romas) in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Rosie – buried December 2, 1942; died November 30, 1942 in Russell County, Alabama (maiden surname Osborn) BELLAMY, Susie – buried November 20, 1933; died November 19, 1933 in Seale, Alabama (maiden surname Tate) BELLAMY, William – buried August 3, 1947; died 24 July 1947 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, William – buried March 26, 1988; died March 20, 1988 in Seale, Alabama CHADWICK, Amanda – buried December 8, 1938; died December 7, 1938 in Seale, Alabama CHADWICK, Henry – buried March 8, 1953; died March 3, 1953 in Seale, Alabama DRAKE, Carter – buried October 12, 1923; died October 11, 1923 in Hatchechubbee, Alabama HENSLEY, India – buried August 26, 1927; died August 23, 1927 in Seale, Alabama MABRY, George (child) – buried 1908; died April 17, 1908 in Seale, Alabama MABRY, Jenkins – buried July 25, 1937; died July 24, 1937 in Seale, Alabama NALL, Willie Lee – buried February 11, 1960; died February 8, 1960 in Phenix City, Alabama; born November 15, 1959 NEWSOME, Charlotte – died August 26, 1914 in Seale, Alabama (maiden surname Mitchell) NEWSOME, Dan – buried May 15, 1959; died May 13, 1959 in Columbus, Georgia NEWSOME, Frank – buried June 29, 1936; died June 28, 1936 in Seale, Alabama NEWSOME, Judge – died June 18, 1912 in Seale, Alabama OSBORN, Nelson – buried October 1, 1933; died October 7, 1933 in Columbus, Georgia or Russell County, Alabama (duplicate death certificates were filed in both Muscogee County, Georgia for Nelson Osborn and Russell County, Alabama for Nelse Osby) OSBY, Marcus – buried December 6, 1953; died November 30, 1953 in Phenix City, Alabama SIMPSON, Fannie – buried September 29, 1943; died September 22, 1943 in Columbus, Georgia (maiden surname Mabry) TATE, Sally – buried April 17, 1972; died April 15, 1972 in Eufala, Alabama (maiden surname Bellamy) TATE, William – buried November 1911; died November 15, 1911 in Russell County, Alabama WILLIAMS, Benton – buried January 5, 1940; died January 4, 1940 in Seale, Alabama WILLIAMS, Emma – buried February 25, 1932; died February 27, 1932 in Seale, Alabama (maiden surname Bellamy) Burials That May Have Occurred at St. Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery (place of burial listed as “Hyram,” “Seale” or “Sanfort” on death certificates for these individuals, but no specific cemetery name was reported) BELLAMY, Unnamed (child) – buried 1911; died July 26, 1911 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Bishop C. – buried July 25, 1947; died July 18, 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama BELLAMY, Caesar – buried April 1921; died 5 April 1921 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, George (infant) – buried October 31, 1930; died October 30, 1930 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Laura – buried February 2, 1928; died January 31, 1928 in Birmingham, Alabama (maiden surname Nelson or Matthis; Matthis could also be surname following first marriage) BELLAMY, Lilly Belle – buried 1912; died July 21, 1912 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Margaret – died January 17, 1909 in Russell County, Alabama (maiden surname Roberson) BELLAMY, Phillip, Jr. – buried May 28, 1948; died May 25, 1948 in Columbus, Georgia BELLAMY, Ralph Jr. (child) – died January 5, 1948 in Seale, Alabama BELLAMY, Willis Harris Jr. – buried July 1910; died July 7, 1910 in Seale, Alabama DRAKE, Carter – buried October 12, 1933; died October 11, 1933 in Hatchchechubbee, Alabama MABRY, Howard – buried June 4, 1929; died June 2, 1929 in Columbus, Georgia MABRY, Paralee – buried 1926; died June 28, 1926 in Girard, Alabama NEWSOME, Anderson – buried May 1, 1939; died April 26, 1939 in Birmingham, Alabama NEWSOME, Creasy/Tracy – buried 1909; died March 28, 1909 in Russell County, Alabama (both Tracy and Creasy used as first name; maiden surname Chadwick) NEWSOME, Emma – buried October 18, 1921; died October 13, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois (maiden surname Drake) NEWSOME, Napoleon – buried 1918; died January 18, 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama NEWSOME, Tilda – buried March 10, 1920; died March 9, 1920 in Seale NEWSOME, Unnamed (child) – born March 6, 1920; died March 6, 1920 in Seale OSBURNE, Burnell – buried December 25, 1929; died December 19, 1929 in St. Louis, Missouri WORD, Patience – buried February 1, 1918; died January 29, 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama (maiden surname Newsome) Change History for This Document Created – 2 June 2006 Updated – 26 July 2007 (document formatted for posting online) Updated – 29 April 2009 (major additions to listings; added details for individuals; corrections to some previous listings) Special thanks to Linda Young for sharing her comprehensive survey of the tombstones at the old and new St. Peter’s Cemeteries.