BENJAMIN CLEVELAND PLANTATION FAMILY CEMETERY, Oconee County, SC A.K.A. Wilkerson Plantation A.K.A. Westminster, SC Version 2.0, 16-Oct-2002, C034.TXT, C34 **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.usgwtombstones.org/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Mar-2002 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Mar-2002 HISTORY WRITE-UP : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Mar-2002 IMAGES ......... : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Mar-2002 LOCATION WRITE-UP: Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Mar-2002 TRANSCRIPTION .. : Ann Rogers of Walhalla SC in 1980's CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ Locate intersection of Highways 123 and 76 in Westminster. Drive west on Highway 123 for 9.0 miles. There is currently a Cleveland Plantation sign on the left side of road. Turn left and drive 0.1 miles on Rivoli Point Road. At bend in road, continue straight on Wilkerson Road. Drive past house on the right for a short distance. Cemetery is surrounded by a log fence on the right side of road. Note: As of Apr-2002, this plantation is currently owned by Michael Tousey, 152 Wilkerson Drive, Westminster, SC 29693, 864-647-5400. This property is posted Private, but cemetery visitors are welcome during normal business hours. Please check-in and sign the Guest Book located at the Plantation Office, which is located on the left side of road, just before the first house on the right. Latitude N34 36.539 x Longitude W83 10.254 CHURCH/CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ Col. Benjamin Cleveland died in 1806 at his home on the Chauga after suffering several years from heart dropsy. He was laid to rest on his farm where others of his family are buried. In later years his descendants and dignitaries gathered for the dedication of a handsome monument bought by the Cleveland's. It was not located at the grave site, but some distance away on the north side of highway 11 and just east of the Old Madison Baptist Church. o----------o Pack 656 #2. Probate Judge Office. Pickens, SC I Benjamin Cleveland be weak in body but of perfect mind and memory. I desire my body decently buried & to pay all my lawful debts. I give to my son Ablasom Cleveland the tract of land whereon I now live (except a part lying below a branch which runs into the river below Chauga) with all the land on either side of Tugalo River adj. each other. With negroes Jim, Lucy, Venus, Bess, Tom with half of all my live stock & half of my ready cash, after my debts are paid. I will to my grandson John Cleveland (son of Absalom) one negro boy named Prime. I will to Betsey Smith dtr of Absalom my cupboard with all furniture with it. I will to Benjamin Cleveland, son of John Cleveland decd. after my death two negroes Tom & Charles with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Charley R. Welborn one negro woman named Charlotte with her children, with one feather bed & furniture. I give to my grandson Absalom Fauche Cleveland son of John Cleveland decd. two negroes boys---- & Joe with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Betsey Cleveland dtr of John Cleveland decd. two negroes viz. Aquilla & Liza with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Patsey Cleveland dtr. of John Cleveland decd. Two negroes viz. Jane & Ned with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Beatey Franklin one negro fellow named Jack. I further give to my son Absalom my smith tools. The residue of my property to be sold and divided among the children of Absalom Cleveland. Except one iron gray stud horse called Talamachirs now in possession of Jesse Coffee, which horse I will to Jesse Coffee he being my friend & relation. My executors may sell old York & Dinah in whatever manner they think best that they may be taken care of. I appoint Absalom Cleveland, Jesse Coffee & Beatey Franklin my executors. Dated this 10 Sept. 1806. Signed Benjamin Cleveland Wit: Wm Hawkins, Daniel Cleveland, Nimrod Leather. Will proved 21 Oct. 1806. Husband of Mary Graves Cleveland dec'd TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife CLEVELAND, Absalom, f. benjamin cleveland, w. pattie harrison cleveland, no tombstone found CLEVELAND, Benjamin (Col), b. 26-may-1738, d. 15-oct-1806, revolutionary war soldier, small tombstone with 1738-1806 dates on it CLEVELAND, Mary Graves, h. benjamin cleveland, no tombstone found CLEVELAND, Pattie Harrison, h. absalom cleveland, no tombstone found Note: There is one above grave made out of slab stones. It appears that it has been opened at some point-in-time. o----------o Re: Cleveland Family Posted by: Shauna Hoffman (ID *****2141) sphoffman@charter.net Date: May 15, 2005 at 11:16:33 In Reply to: Re: Cleveland Family by Paul Kankula of 1597 I would like to know more about these graves. John I. Cleveland is the father of my ggggg grandfather, Capt Robert Cleveland b. 08 Jan 1744. These are the children I have for John b. 31 Jul 1714: Mary b. 1731 d.1829 or 1807 Wilkes Co., NC Benjamin (Col) b. 1738 d.1806 bp.Ft Madison,Oconee SC John (Rev) b. 1730 d.1829 in Lewis Fork, Va. Elizabeth b. 1742 d.1828 bp. Richmond, KY - Herndon Farm Robert b. 1744 d.1812 Jeremiah b. 1746 d.1806 bp. Tugaloo Bapt Church, Fair Play, SC Larkin b.1748 d.1814 bp.Ocanee, Giles, TN Some of the names mentioned on graves/markers are the same, but the dates don't match. Can you help connect them?