THOMAS County Georgia "The Old Cemetery" Thomasville *********************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************************************************************************** THE OLD CEMETERY' by JAMES B. BURCH from Thomasville Cultural Centers submitted by Jack Wynn April 19, 2002 Before the Rambler Rose Garden Club October 5, 1962 To give a comprehensive history of the Old Cemetery is not an easy job. It would require the inspection of the old minutes of the City of Thomasville; a study of the lives of the people buried in the cemetery; an extensive and careful research of the records of the John B. Gordon Chapter UDC; then too, as a matter of orientation, some attention would have to be given to the facts with reference to Laurel Hill Cemetery and to the almost forgotten cemetery near the First Methodist Church, some of which graves are under the pavement at the intersection of Broad and Clay Streets. On account of the shortness of time, I was compelled to limit my research to the on-the-ground observation of the Old Cemetery; to the inscriptions on its gravestones; to the historic marker on the outside of the cemetery on Madison Street; and to a limited search of the valuable Confederate records of the John B. Gordon Chapter, U.D.C. The John B. Gordon Chapter has preserved many reconds of Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery, in which undertaking its former &&&&&&& Mrs. James Watt, Mrs. J. B. Palmer, Mrs. E. C. Jones and other officers, and its former historian, Miss Elizabeth Hopkins, all took such an active part in their day. To my way of thinking, the Confederate records of the John B. Gordon Chapter contain some of the most interesting and valuable historical material now housed by the Annie Wright Memorial Library in Thomasville. Your Rambler Rose Garden Club has also played an important part in initiating under the leadership of Mrs. Edwin Hall Graham the cleaning up of the cemetery and the removal of weeds and brambles from it. I am glad to learn that your organization is still active in this important work, but &&&&&&& 2. it needs the help of other civic organizations and of the City of Thomasville. The sacrifice, the hardships, the privations of the Confederate soldiers who are buried in the hallowed ground of this old landmark is sufficient reason for its preservation. The Thomas County Historical Society did a good work in procuring from the Georgia Historical Commission the substantial marker located on Madison Street, and the City of Thomasville is to be commended for setting it up. Though some of the graves and the brick walls enclosing some of the family lots have crumbled, the Old Cemetery in comparison with other old graveyards, even in the orderly State of Pennsylvania is in pretty good shape. But there is yet much work to be done in repairing and restoring the graves, and the iron fence encircling this hallowed ground. It should be remembered by all of us that "A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of its ancestors will achieve nothing to be remembered by its descendants." Who are the people who lie buried in the Old Cemetery They were born over a hundred years ago, and many of them died over a hundred years ago. Buials in this cemetery began in 1842, grew more frequent during the trying war years of the 1860s. When Laurel Hill Cemetery was opened up in the early 1870s, burials in the Old Cemetery became less frequent in the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s; and almost stopped in the early 1900s, though there were a few burials at later dates. Rev. T. F. Calloway came to Thomasville as a minister in 1927 and does not recall but one funeral held in the Old Cemetery during the intervening years, and that was the funeral of Captain Robert Hamilton Harris in 1928. Captain Harrris, Rev. Calloway recalls, was buried in the uniform of a Confederate soldier. In Georgia Landmarks by Lucian Lamar Knight, Vol. 2, Page 994, it said: "Prior to 1850, the prominent families of Thomas County were the Neels, Blackshears, Youngs, Jones, Hayes, Rays, Hadleys, Dixons, Parramores, Adams, &&&&&& 3 McMaths, Bryans, Dekles, Chastains, Hancocks, Singletarys, Cone, McCanns, Wards, Hartwells, Mitchells, and MacIntyres." I do not believe this is a complete list of prominent families of Thomas County prior to 1840, but on account of lack of time I am not in a position to suggest a more complete list. The people buried in the Old Cemetery represented the beauty and chivalry of the old South, a gracious era of living and manners, a peculiar period of American history now gone with the wind. Their abundant lives, their mode of living, their unhurried ways, their culture, their loving kindness and consideration for others was influenced by the institution of slavery, which began when New England shipmasters brought the negroes to America from the Shores of Africa. It is not my purpose to enter into any defense of the institution of slavery. Much has been written about the evils of slavery, but little has been said or written of the many instances of kind relations between the Southern master and his negro slave. Even James Bland, a Virginia negro, wrote "Carry me Back to Old Virginia," "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers," and "In the Evening by the Moonlight," depicting the happy times of negroes in the old South. The songs of Stephen Foster are almost forgotten. And even when sung, the words have been changed. Lyrices like: "Down in the cornfield, hear their mournful cry, All ther darkies am a weeping, Massa in the cold, cold ground" are rarely heard over television or radio for fear of giving offense to the NAACP. Even "Old Black Joe" must not be sugn over the airways. Such nostalgic and beautiful old lyrics, they say, offend the dignity of man. But let me relate to you my peaceful and happy pilggrrimages to the Old Cemetery recently. There on the historic marker on Madison Street, I read the inscription: "The Old Cemetery. The earliest date found in this, Thomasville's first burial ground is 1842. Many early settlers of the City and following &&&&&&&& 4 Confederate soldiers lie buried here." Then followed the names of the men who fought and some of them died to preserve the rights of the sovereign states guaranteed bvy the Constitution of the United States. Slowly, I read the names and out of reverence to these heros, I read their names to you now - all of them: Bowers, Dr. Peter S. Bracewell, Thomas C. Clifford, John Woody Donalson, Robert W. Dyson, James Ebenger, Lewis Fondren, David E. (Sgt.) Fondren, John Guyton Fox, William Grant, Rev. Charles A. Hall, John Hall, Lawrence Hall, Oscar Hall, Samuel A. Harris, Robert H. (Capt.) Hayes, Augustus H Henderson, John D. (Capt.) Homan, Smith G. Kimbrough, George Lacey, George Lightfoot, John M. (Pvt.) Love, Amos J. (Capt.) Lowry, Frederick D. McGuire, Daniel J. McLendon, James A. Mitchell, William (2nd Lt.) Remington, Edward S. Royall, Crosskeys Seward, Hansell Harvey Shytle, Thomas (Corp., Co. A, 57 GA) Smith, Achilles Smith, Junius Smith, Simeon A. Jr. Spears, H. W. Spears, W. G. Vickers, PLeasant Nixon Winn, Francis Jones Wolcott, James L. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&& These are all familiar looking names; they have the familiar sounds of names signed.............great &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& American documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. I opened the gate surrounding the Old Cemetery and entered. I consulted my notes taken from Vol. 1 of the records of the John B. Gordon Chapter, UDC and read: "Confederate soldiers buried in the Smith- Remington-Siexas lot." In this large lot surrounded by a thick brick wall are buried: Junius Smith, Co. E, 20th GA Btn Calvary Achilles Smith, Co. E, 29th GA Inf. Simeon A. Smith, Jr. (son of Alexander Smith) Edward S. Remington (son of E. R. Remington) Dr. Peter S. Bower, VA. soldier- husband of Martha A. Remington Frank Jones Winn, Pvt. Co E, 29th GA Inf. (husband of Sarah R. Davies, daughter of Martha A. Remington Davies) &&&&&& 5 In this large lot is also buried a woman of tremendous energy with a great and kindly heart. Back in Thomasville's great winter resort days, Martha Adams Remington, known then to Thomasville and to the world as "Mrs. Bowers" operated the Piney Woods Hotel in all of the sparkling glory at a time when Akin, SC, St. Augustine, FL, and Thomasville, GA were the great winter resorts of the Atlantic Seaboard. Miami, FL then wasn't even a whisper as a winter resort. Martha Adams Remington married twice, first to Mr. Davies, and after his death to Dr. Peter S. Bower. Mrs. Bower operated the great hotel while her husband, Dr. Bower, ministered to the guests who had come down from the North on account of ailing health. And so it is fitting that Mrs. Bower, in her day one of the grand ladies of the South, should be buried in the Old Cemetery with gallant Confederate soldiers, and near the grave of her kindly husband, Dr. Peter S. Bower. While engaged in such reveries, a noisy jay bird arose from the shrubbery and a yellow house cat jumped over the brick wall enclosing the lot. I looked down at an old marble slab and read the inscriptions: "Capt. Simeon D. Smith, Bortn Pawtuckett, RI, June 11, 1779. Buried in Thomasville, February 10, 1846." "Mary Sheldon Smith (his wife) Born Pawtuckett, RI, Dec. 22, 1802. Buried Thomasville in 1882." Again consulting my notes, I went over to the Allen Spears lot, the graves covered over with large sea shells. In this lot are buried: H. W. Spears, Pvt. Co. F, 29th GA Volunteers Winifred G. Spears, Pvt. Co. F, 29th GA Volunteers (brothers both killed and buried in the same grave) Again consulting my notes from Vol. 1 of the John B. Gordon Chapter, UDC, I observed the following notation: "Sand lilies and spirea." After search, I at last found the grave of : Robert N. Donalson, Pvt. Co. E, 12th GA Militia. I want over to the Thompson-Fondren lot - a large lot containing a &&&&& 6 dozen graves and enclosed by thick brick wallk in which are buried: David E. Fondren, 2nd Lt., Co. 3, 29th GA Volunteers Guy Fondred, Pvt., Co. E, 29th GA Volunteers (both died during the warP &&&&&&&&& I went over to the "Mitchell Monument," two marble columns. In this lot are buried: William C. Mitchell, 2nd Lt., Co. E, 29th GA Volunteers (he was the son of Dr. Isaac Mitchell, and brother of Thomas C. Mitchell, Pvt. 12th GA Militia, who is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery) Thomas C. Mitchell was the first millionaire of Thomasville. He built the Mitchell Hotel and was a great benefactor to Thomasville. The records of Laurel Hill Cemetery show that T. C. Mitchell bought the first, or one of the first lots in that cemetery on December 30th, 1873. There are many missing dates in the Laurel Hill Cemetery records. Consulting my notes, I found near the fence separating the cemetery from the T. L. Specne American Legion, Post No 31, the grave of : Capt. J. D. Henderson, Co. F. 29th GA Volunteers (he was killed in action) Also the grave of: James A. McLendon, 2 Sgt. Co. E, 50th Inf. Vol. (he was doubtless a kinsman of Col. William McLendon, law partner of my grandfather, Robert Sims Burch) Also the grave of: Hansell Harvey Seward, Pvt. Co. E, 29th GA Inf. (doubtless a kinsman of James A. Seward, father of Mrs. H. W. Hopkins and at one time U.S. Congressman from this district. In this lot are buried: One of the most interesting family lots in the cemetery, once enclosed by a wire fence and now unenclosed, is that of Judge Peter Love, Judge of Superior Court and many years ago a Congressman from this District. In this lot are buried: his son, Amos J. Love, Capt. 10th GA Cavalry, his son-in-law, Capt. Robert Hamilton Harris, Capt. Co. A, 57th GA Vols (Dixie Boys); another son-in-law, Oscar C. Hall, a Florida soldier; Thomas C. Bracewell, wife's nephew. &&& 7 In the above Peter Love lot is also the grave of Mrs. Rebecca Ann Fleming, born 1819, died 1871. The gravestone has this notation: "erected by her son, Robert H. Harris." Capt. Robert H. Harris was at one time Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Thomasville. He designed the seal of the Cityh of Thomasville. Honorable Thomas W. Hardwick, US Congressman, then US Senator, and afterwards Governor of Georgia was born in Thomasville on December 8, 1872. His father, Robert W. Hardwick, born Sept. 16, 1849, died Sept. 8, 1883 and his mother, Mary G. Hardwick, are buried in the Broad Street side of the Old Cemetery, along with other family relations. Another of the old families of Thomas County are buried in the Evans lot In this lot are buried: Robert R. Evans, born April 28, 1817, died June 1, 1865. Carolyn Mayo Evans, born August 2, 1829, died June 9, 1812 &&&&& 1812??? In my pilmigrage to the Old Cemetery, I observed numerous graves of Confederate soldiers of the 28th Georgia Inf. volunteers. Early in the war, my Uncle, George Tilley Burch, a recent graduate of Mercer University, became 1st Lieutenant of Co. 1, 29th GA Volunteers, and upon the promotion of Captain William D. ("Bill Dick") Mitchell of that Company to Lieutenant Colonel, was made Captain, and his close friend, Blackshear ("Black") Jones was made 1st Lieutenant. Lt. Jones was killed at the battle of Chicamauga. Capt. George Tilley Burch on account of superior officers being either killed or wounded, was in charge of the 28th GA Regiment of Volunteers at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and in that battle received his mortal wounds. He was buried at Newnan, GA. I was unable to ascertain where Lt. Blackshear Jones is buried. The work going into the preparation of this little history of the Old Cemetery has been considerable, but I have enjoyed doing it. I hope the Rambler Rose Garden Club will continue in its work of preserving the Old Cemetery, and to make it a thing of beauty and a credit to the City of Thomasville. "A people which takes pride in the noble achievement of its ancestores will achieve something to be remembered by its descendants." Old Cemetery Deed Georgia 22 Feb 1858 Thomas County and between Justices of Inferior Court and the Mayor and Council of The Town of Thomasville. Justices convey to said Mayor et al the parcel of land in Town of Thomasville and distinguished as the ground set apart by the said Inferior Court as a public burying ground or cemetery. Said Inferior Court transferring and assigning all title to and control of said burying ground to said Mayor and Council of the Town of Thomasville fully and forever. R. R. Evans J.I.C. Josiah J. Evritte J.I.C. W. L. Holland J.I.C. A.T. MacIntyre Aug. H. Hansell Not Pub & TC Rec. Feb 24, 1858 Lebbeus Dekle Dep CSC