Camak Cemetery, Walker, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/walker/cemeteries/camak.txt =============================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Kitty Steele Pat Montabana Bill Baker ==================================================================== 1998 LOCATION The cemetery is located on private property belonging to the Musgrove Country Club near the site of the old Camak Mill. The Musgrove Country Club is located north of Jasper, Alabama. Anyone interested in visiting this cemetery should first contact the Club for permission to be on private property and for directions. The Club was most gracious when the cemetery was being indexed and photographed. HISTORY According to an affidavit from Anna Camak, daughter of W. H. Camak, dated March 20, 1935, this cemetery was part of the lands owned by Moses Camak and "set aside for church use" sometime prior to 1850. It was part of the "Old Camp Ground" located on Blackwater Creek near the Camak Mills. There was, prior to its collapse in 1876, a "tabernacle" for camp meetings, and to the east, a church. The church was used by both Methodist and Baptist until about 1882. School was held in the church during the summer months every year until at least 1891. PRESENT CONDITION Time has not treated this small cemetery well. There are several caved-in graves, and a number of the markers have fallen or been knocked from their bases and broken. There is at least one tree growing out of a grave. We do NOT recommend lifting any stone to turn it over seeking an inscription; some cover collapsed graves. This is in a wooded area: there are snakes. All is not bleak here. In the early spring, the entrance is marked by bridal veil bushes covered in white blooms, daffodils outline some graves and violets are scattered about; birds sing and it is peaceful. There are twenty graves with surviving markers of various sorts. There are about thirty-five to forty (+ or -) graves marked only with plain stones or rocks. Most of the unmarked stones are local sandstone and are very fragile. Due to the spacing of the graves, it is difficult to tell if a grave has both a headstone and a footstone, or only a headstone. The number of unmarked graves is unknown. The earliest grave which can be documented by an existing marker is 1856; the last documented burial was 1978. Every effort was made to faithfully record these stones as they were found. Other, older, indexes of this cemetery were found in the Jasper City Public Library entitled "Cemetery Near Musgrove Country Club" (1), and "Camp Meeting Cemetery at the Musgrove Country Club" (2). Additional information on the cemetery, or persons buried there, would be appreciated. INDEX OF STONES CAMAK, Elizabeth E. b 1/18/1844; d 1/30/1882 [Wife of W. H.. Camak, maiden name Elliott.] CAMAK, Fredonia b 8/1/1853; d 3/26/1891 [Wife of W. H. Camak.] CRAIG, Alice Camak b 6/11/1859; d 3/9/1887 [Wife of James L. Craig.] EVANS, Sarah A. b 3/15/1828; d 5/3/1896 [Wife of Hiram B. Evans.] FAUGHT, Lewis R. b 1869; d 1897 JONES, William b 2/19/1802; d 1/17/1856 LAMON, Bertha b 1908; d 1978 LAMON, Buck b 11/25/1899; d 2/12/1925 LAMON, David Henry b 1869; d 1938 LAMON, Melissa Sides b 1874; d 1933 MONTGOMERY, Infant Son b 3/15/1880; d 3/25/1880 [James, son of James Montgomery and Julia Ann Camak.] OWEN, C. P. b ----; d 4/6/1879 [age 79] OWEN, C. Wallace b 5/12/1855; d 1/21/1927 OWEN, Fred b 11/20/1900; d 7/25/1927 OWEN, Martha Jane b 4/12/1847; d 4/17/1941 [Wife of C. Wallace Owen.] OWEN, Mary C. b 9/4/18--; d 12/25/---- [age 73] RYAN, John and Wife [John C. Ryan b 1/27/1839; d 11/11/1922] [John Camak Ryan] S. , Mrs. B. M. [Next to B. M. Sides.] SIDES, B. M. b 9/28/1841; d 9/3/1905 SIDES, J. M. [ James M. Sides b 10/26/1854; d 10/25/1922.] OTHERS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN BURIED HERE Anna Camak's statement continues: "I know to have been buried there the following: Mrs. Martha Elliott, Lon Elliott, Sarah Ryan, Elisabeth [sic] Elliott Camak, my mother, Dora Elliott [ Fredonia Elliott Camak], and Alice Camak." Anna Camak left Walker County about 1891; names she list would have been prior to that time. Markers were not found for all those she does mention. The two earlier indexes, found at the Jasper City Public Library, Jasper, Alabama, include these additional names: "Rebecca Hulsey wife of John Snoddy, b April 1, 1841; d December 24, 1885" and " Pearl L. , dau. of J. H. and M. L. Elliott, Mar. 13, 1881; d 1882." These stones no longer exist. FULL INSCRIPTIONS of the TOMBSTONES Elizabeth E., Wife of W. H. Camak, born Jan. 18, 1844, died Jan. 30, 1882. Below the inscription: " A loving wife, a mother dear, a faithful friend, lies buried here." [ This is a curious occurrence, there are two (2) separate stones for Elizabeth E. Camak on different sides of the access road in this cemetery. the stones are virtually identical: there is a slight difference in size, and the last line of the inscription curves on one stone and not the other. One stone is off the base and the maker "Rosebrough Sons, St. Louis" can be read. [ Elizabeth's maiden name was Elliott.] Fredonia E. Camak, Wife of W. H. Camak, born Aug 1 1853, died March 26, 1891. Below the inscription: "Blessed are the pure in heart." [Fredonia's maiden name was also Elliott.] Alice Camak, Wife of James L. Craig, born in Walker Co., Ala., June 11,1859, died March 9, 1887. Above the inscription are clasped hands ( a man's and a woman's). There is also a footstone "A.C.C.". This stone is off the base. The base has the following inscription: "Thy loving voice from which so often I consolation drew, No more I hear its tones so soft, My loved one, Fond and true. "Sarah A. Evans, born Mar. 15, 1828, died May 3, 1896. Under the name, there is a picture of the hand of a woman pointing upward. Below the inscription: "My soul triumphant in the Lord, I shall proclaim His name abroad." This stone has been broken into three pieces and is on the ground. Next to it is a newer granite stone: Sarah A. Jones Evans, Mar.15,1828, May 3, 1896, W/O Hiram B. Evans. Lewis B. Faught, 1869-1897 Plain granite stone. Wm. Jones, Feb 1 [?] 1802, died Jan 17, 1856 This is a hand-carved sandstone marker. Next to it is a newer granite marker: William Jones 1802-1856, H/O Celia Files, H/O Polly Tubb. Bertha Lamon, 1908-1978 Plain granite stone. Buck Lamon, Nov. 25,1899, Feb. 12, 1925 Below the inscription: "He did all things well." David Henry Lamon, 1869-1938. Shares a double marker with: Melissa Sides Lamon 1874-1933 Infant, Son of D. & J. A. Montgomery, born March 15, 1880, died March 25, 1880. Above the inscription there is a lamb. [ James Montgomery, son of David and Julia Ann Camak Montgomery.] C. P. Owen, "In loving memory of our father C. P. Owen, Who died Apr. 6, 1879, In the triumph of the Christian faith. In the 72nd year of his age." Below the inscription: "Sleep on dear father, we will sleep with you soon." "Rock of ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee." There is a Masonic emblem at the top of the stone. *** C. Wallace Owen, May 12, 1885; Jan 21, 1927. Has a Masonic emblem. Shares a double granite marker with Martha Jane Owen. Below the inscriptions: " In God's care". Fred Owen, Nov 20, 1900; July 25, 1927 Plain granite stone. Martha Jane Owen, Apr12, 1847; Apr 17, 1941. [See C. Wallace Owen above.] Mary C. Owen, born Sep. 4, 18--; died Dec. 25, ----, age 73. This stone is on the ground and broken into several pieces; the years of birth and death are broken off completely and are missing. [Two earlier indexes list her birth as 9/14/1817; death is listed both as 12/25/1870 and 12/25/1890.] *** John Ryan and Wife, Plain stone. There is also a CSA marker: John C. Ryan, 56th ALA CALVARY, Jan 27, 1839; Nov 11, 1922. Mrs. B. M. S. This is a hand-carved, small, flat sandstone; next to B. M. Sides. B. M Sides, Born Sep. 28th 1841, Died Sep. 3rd 1905. Above the inscription there is a centered circle with three links of chain under the letters "FLT', on either side of this circle are Maltese crosses. Below the inscription: "Remember friends as you pass by, that all mankind are born to die, Then let your cares on Christ be cast, That you may dwell with Him at last." This is a tall stone on a base; the top section of the stone is broken in half and the top part was on the ground behind the base. J. M. Sides, Small flat , hand-carver, sandstone. Newer granite marker: James M. Sides, Oct. 26, 1854; Oct. 25, 1922. Above the inscription: "Papa". No name, "1859"; hand-carved into an unshaped sandstone, which is set upright. *** These stones are in the rock wall enclosed area which is over-grown with ivy. Please use extreme care in this area! There is a large (between five and six feet long) snake who makes his home here. There were no additional stones to be found under the ivy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This site was indexed by and photographed by Camak descendants March and May, 1998. The affidavit from Anna was supplied by another descendant April, 1998. Our line descends from David Camak and wife Mary, from Pralle City, County Down, Ireland in 1790, and children: Moses Camak, James Camak, Samuel Camak, Martha Camak, and Jennie Camak. We would like to hear from anyone searching this line. (1) Records of Walker County Collected by Florence Knight Guttery: Copyright 1959. (2) Compiled from the Records of Bruce Myers, Volume 1, Published by the Walker County Genealogical Society. No copyright; no date. [Date estimated to be ca 1980.]