MATTHEWS CEMETERY
(Culp Cemetery)

 

Matthews Cemetery, March 1989

 

          Northernmost of the three small cemeteries on Powell Branch is the Matthews Cemetery, unnamed on the U.S.G.S. Bath Springs quadrangle, in the woods with no shown access. We were able to find this with the help of two area residents, Mr. O'Neil and his son. The cemetery is accessible by following the course of an old wagon road. The cemetery has perhaps three stacked stone cairns, some fieldstones, and some tombstones. The most unusual features, however, are two concrete vaults constructed in the shape of coffins. These are now unmarked. Mr. O'Neil recalls hearing that the vaults were for two brothers named Powell. Leo and David Donahue recorded this cemetery March 11, 1989. This cemetery was visited by J. Erving Riley and Ermadine Riley. Their record, which appears in Wayne County, Tennessee Cemetery and Death Records under "Culp Cemetery," was compared to this record:

 

Culp, Hartwell, Apr. 28, 1807-Dec. 11, 1882 [the Rileys say that he was the son of Henry Culp, Sr. and note that the marker was broken]

Matthews, Amelia, dates missing, "Daughter of G. H. and P. Matthews" (broken)

Matthews, Eliza, dates missing, "Wife of Jas. Matthews" (broken)

Matthews, Phebe, July 13, 1849-????, "Age __ Yrs 11 Mos 15 days" (broken); as reported by the Rileys: Matthews, Phebe, May 13, 1849, Age 28 Yrs 11 Mos 15 Days, Wife of G. H. Matthews

The Rileys also report that the following individuals are buried here:

Culp, Henry, Sr.,1776-1853

Culp, Mary, 1780-1845

 

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