Taliaferro Co. GA - Locust Grove Cemetery ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Brown Brooke ==================================================================== EPITAHAS from Cemetery of the CHURCH of the PURIFICATION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY at Locust Grove -0- (Founded 1790) -0- copied by A. Mell Lundeford, Jr. Historian Taliaferro County, Georgia -0- These tombstone inscriptions from the cemetery of the first Roman Catholic Church in the state of Georgia were copied exactly as they appeared in the old cemetery near the town of Sharon, in Taliaferro County. A group of English Roman Catholics from Maryland settled in what was then Wilkes County (later Warren and now Taliaferro) after the Revolution and established this church, the first Roman Catholic Church in the State. A log church was built and a large plot of ground consecrated for burial purposes; another frame church was built later but, in the mid-1800's, the people gravitated toward the small town of Sharon, some few miles distant. Another church, bearing the same name, was erected in Sharon, followed later by a convent and school. LOCUST GROVE ACADEMY, the first Roman Catholic school in Georgia, was organized at this old church about 1819 and was incorporated by the State in 1826, some 17 years before the next chartered Roman Catholic school, St. Vincent de Paul, in Savannah. In memory of Thomas Turley a native of Balinaslee Co of Galway Ireland. Who departed this life on the 20th. day of Nov. 1835, in the 28th year of his age. Requiescat in paceAmen Erected to the memory of Elizabeth Luckett who departed this life Nov. 10th 1838 Aged 66 years Requiescat in Pace Amen Sacred to the memory of Mr. Thomas H. Luckett. who departed this life Oct. 5th. 1827 aged 56 years 11 mo. and 10 days. Reuiescat in Pace Amen Departed this life Oct. the 6th. 1826 Thos. Mulleedy a native of the County Galway, Ireland aged 16 years. May He Rest in Peace. Amen Sacred to the memory of Partick Turley a native of the County of Galway, Ireland who departed this life on the 19th January 1832 in the 32 year of his age. Requiescat in Pace. Amen Sacred to the memory of Jospeh W. Luckett who departed this life March the 15th 1828 aged 32 years. Rebecca Luckett died Jan. 15th. 1854 aged 4 weeks May she rest in peace. Amen Sacred to the memory of William R. Luckett, Sr. who departed this life on the 18th Sept. 1831 in the 57th year of his age. May he rest in peace. Amen Sacred to the memory of Master Thomas Mulleedy who died Aug. the 23rd 1829 Aged two years and six months. Sacred to the memory of Robt. Emmett Griffin born Aug. 23 1839 and departed this life Sept. 26th.1861. Requiescat in Pace. Erected To the memory of Wm. O.S. Griffin who departed this life January the 9th 1859. Aged 29 years May he rest in peace Amen Sacred to the memory of Merimer Griffin born in County Garlow (Carlow?) Ireland and departed this life Sept. 9th 1861 aged 69 years. Requiescat in Pace. In Memory of Maria Infant daughter of M. & E. Griffin. Sacred to the memory of Mr. John Cratin. who died Sept. 8th 1826 in the 31 st year of his age. Reqiescat in pace. Amen. In memory of Silvester B. J. Craton who departed this life on the 22nd day of June 1835, in the 31st year of his age. Requiescat in pace. Amen Sacred to the memory of Mary Anastatia Willdnson who was born the 8th of Febrary 1828 and departed this life 28th of September 1842 Requiescat in Pace. Amen. Erected to the memory of Marcia A. Cratin Died Aug. 30th 1850, Aged 96 years. Requiescat in Pace. Amen To the memory of Mrs. Klisabeth M. Willdnson Born in 1790 Died Oct. 22nd, 1866. In memory of Joseph Brooke Born Oct. 14th. 1783 Died Aug. 26th, 1856 A Wit's a fether and a chief's a rod but here is laid the noblest work of God. Requiescat in Pace. This monument is erected by Ann McGuire in Memory fo her husband James McGuire who was born in Herford, Ireland and died in Crawfordville, Ga. the 7th. Feb. 1846, aged 42 years. May he rest in peace. Erected by Thomas J. Burke To the memory of his Father Myles Burke a native of Bellinaesloe County of Galway Ireland. Who departed this life Sept. 22nd 1837 Aged 54 years. Requiescat in Pace. In memory of John J. Ward Born May 12th, 1853, Died Aug. 16th 1863. Also,Ellen,Aged 6 weeks. Annie, Aged 3 weeks. Margaret, ? Aged 4 months. Michael, Aged 3 weeks. Sacred to the memory of Michael Ryan A native of the Co. Tipperary Ireland who died Sept. 27th 1846; Aged 52 years. May he rest in peace. (Made by T. Grier, Raleigh, N.C.) In memory of Catherine Naughton wife of Michael Ryan of Co. Tipperary Ireland who died Aug. 17th 1866 aged 72 years Erected by care of Rev. Partick Ryan, D.D. to a pious and devoted mother Her children shall rise up and call her blessed. Mary Anne Daughter to Michael & Catherine Ryan, Departed in peace Apr. 14. 1858; In her 26th year. In memory of Doct. Ignatius Semmes;? who departed this life on the 5th day of June 1834 in the 67 year of his age. Requiescat in Pace. Amen. Erected to the memory of Mary A. Smith who departed this life on the 18th August 1844 In the 26th year of her age. May she rest in peace. Amen. Sacred to the memory of Patrick Burke A native of the County Tipperary, Ireland. Who departed this life Oct. 12th 1872 in the 58th year of his age. He was a kind father and affectionate husband. Requiescat in Pace. Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Margaret Burke A native of Co. Tipperrary,? Ireland who departed this life March 29th 1856 in the 49th year of her age. May she rest in peace. Amen. Our Mother. Sacred to the Memory of Catherine Burke; Wife of John Burkes; A Native of Co. Tipperary, Ireland; Departed this life Nov. 13, 1859, aged 60 years. Requiescat in Pace. Amen. In Memory of Michael Hynes, Born in County Tipperary, Ireland,? Died in Talaferro Co., Ga., August 1849 Aged 37 years. Erected by his brother Thomas Hynes Requiescat in pace. Amen. Sacred To the Memory of Daniel Infant son of Philip and Margret Mahony who died Oct. 14th 1853. Aged 1 year, 9 months and 5 days. Sacred To the memory of Timothy John O'Neill A Native of the Co. Kerry, Ireland Who departed this life on the 27th day of December 1854 Aged 72 years & 4 months. Requiescat in pace. Amen. To the memory of John Burke a Native of the County Tipperary, Ireland who departed this life on the 25th of September, 1846. Aged 62 years. Requescat in pace. Amen. Amen. Erected to the Memory of Mary A. Smith who departed this life on the 13th of May 1853 in the 13th year of her age. May she rest in peace. Amen. Rev. Jer. F. O'Neill, Jr. Presbyter Savannansis Dioceseos. Native mense Januarii 1827. Obit die 6 Novembris 1868. Requiescat in pace. Amen. Sacred to the memory of Capt. Geo. W. Flynt who departed this life on the 18th of October 1869, in the 75th year of his age. Requiescat in Pace. Sacred to the memory of Henry Hare a native of the City of Dublin, Ireland, who departed this life in Warrenton, April 29 1832. Aged 33 years. Requiescat in Pace. Amen. In memorium Guilielmi T. Quinlan, M.D. qui circuei trigessimum quintum suse aetatis ammun mortem obiit decimo septimo die Octobris A.D. MDCCXXXII. Requiescat in Pace. In Memory of Catherine Clisabeth only daughter of M.J. & F.M. Sheehan Born July 31, 1861 Died June 26, 1862. In Memory of Fanny M. Sheehan Born Mar. 25, 1836 Died May 8, 1882. Peace be with her. Sacred to the Memory of Mary O'Neill Consort of Timothy John O'Neill A Native of the Co. Kerry, Ireland, Who departed this life On the 3rd Day of March 1859 Aged 66 Years Requiescat in Pace Amen. (Fragment) ------in the 43rd -- May her soul rest in peas--Amen. Erected by her affectionate husband Partick Burks. Sacred to the memory of Patrick Harty a native of the County of Tipperary Ireland who departed this life on the 21st. day of August 1836 Aged 52 years. This stone is erected to his memory by his daughter Ellen Condon. Requiescat in Pace. Sacred to the memory of Our Mother and Brother Mrs. Mary Harty Died July 3rd. 1874 Aged 96 Years and Edward Harty, Died August, 1841 Aged 25 Years. Requiescat in Pace. Sacred to the memory of Patrick Henry Lawlor Adopted son of Pierce Condon who departed this life the 27th day of July 1850 Aged 6 years 11 months. Erected to the memory of Ellen Treanor who died in Milledgeville on the 4th day of March 1853 Aged 4 months and 3 weeks. Sacred to the memory of Miss Sarah C. Horton Died April 17th, 1857 Aged 18 years. Requiescat in Pace. Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Honora Hines Born Oct. 13, 1835 Died Aug. 2nd., 1860. Requiescat in Pace. Amen. Sacred to the memory of Phillip J. Norton who died, ? Oct. 14th., 1864 in the 23rd year of his age May his soul rest in peace. Erected by Wm. J. Mann, in honor of his affectionate Spouse Isabella & their chldren Margaret, John Jas., and Wm. Mann. Isabella Mann was born in Aberdeen, Scotland Dec. 16, 1818, departed this life Oct. 29th, 1840, Aged 27 years and 10 months. May she rest in peace. Amen. Margaret Mann was born August 26, 1834, died the same day. John Jas. Mann was born Sept. 9, 1836, departed this life Sept. 17, 1840. Wm. Mann was born June 16th 1839, died the same day. The End I recieved this info from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Anthony R. Dees, Archivist. I have a microfilm of the minutes of this church from 1824 to 1855, have not had time to transcribe it. Brown Reference to the building of a church can be found in Wilkes County, Georgia, Will Book A, page 33, as follows: Will of Joseph Thompson. To son William Thompson for life the use of lands bought from Edward Shorts and Stephen Brown, and certain slaves, to go to grandson Joseph Thompson. On the decease of their father William, I give to grandson William Thompson, granddaughters Julia and Eliza Thompson, certain slaves. To wife Elizabeth, slaves, the plantation where we live lately bought from John Travis, near Ware Falls. To son James B. Thompson, certain slaves. To son Henry Bradford Thompson, slaves, cotton machine, etc. To daughter Fenson Hargraves, the management of my son-in-law George Hargraves and son H. Bradford Thompson. Should Henry Semmes or any Semmes grandchildren die before 16, property returned to estate. To grandson George Hargraves a slave. Gives land for a priest's home, according to the rights of the Roman Catholic Church if established within two years. Two acres to be laid off by my son Henry Bradford Thompson so as to include the burying ground, chapel, and spring, the northern line to be fixed about five years from Ignatius Semmes grave, gift to the Roman Catholic Church for a grave yard. Mentions a deed of gift from Ignatius Semmes to his daughters Annie and Henrietta Semmes of slaves. Wife Elizabeth and Henry Bradford Thompson, Excrs. Signed Dec. 9th, 1809. Probated May 7, 1810. John McLaughlin, John Brooks, A. Grier, Test. Brown