An Inventory of Antebellum Tombstone Inscriptions
Carroll County, Tennessee
Compiled by Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 2002

(Page 11)

CAWTHON CEMETERY

As is the case with many older cemeteries this one is difficult of access. To reach it, turn onto Green Allen Sp. Road, from Buena Vista Road in Huntingdon and drive to a point about 4.5 miles east (and about a mile east of Humble Branch); turn south and drive on grassy lane to the cemetery.

ROBERT son of N. & S. CAWTHON Born Dec. 26, 1840    Died May 12, 1842

MARGARET dau. of N. & S. CAWTHON Born July 27, 1850    Died May 27, 1858

[These were the children of Nathan and Susan Cawthon.]

 

CHAPEL HILL CEMETERY

This burial ground is located on the west side of Chapel Hill Methodist Church (established in 1861) on Chapel Hill Road in north-central Carroll County.

EDWARD B. OWNBY
Born August 13, 1790    Died Oct. 30, 1865

NATHAB, consort of ELIZABETH VICK
Born Apr. 20, 1790    Died Dec. 11, 1858
[a repaired stone]

 

CIVIL WAR VETS' GRAVES

To reach this burial ground leave U.S. Highway 70 near Cedar Grove; enter Fry Road and drive about 1.9 miles west to its juncture with Sand Hill Road; turn onto and drive on this latter road about 1.8 miles to a point on the north side of the road, where turn into and up a steep driveway and drive a little less than .1 mile to the west side of the driveway, to a slope where these graves are sited. Ms Camilla Mauritz who owns this residential tract informed the present writer that older local citizens had told her that the 6 to 8 sandstones here mark the graves of soldiers who had been wounded and subsequently died after the nearby skirmish at Spring Creek, December 19, 1862.

In a report describing his west Tennessee campaign, dated December 24, 1862, General Nathan B. Forrest wrote that the Alabama troops lead by Colonel Alfred Russell, guarding his rear forces, had skirmished with Federals on December 19 and 20, having driven their enemy "across" Spring Creek, burning the bridge as they fled. (OFFICIAL RECORDS, WAR OF THE REBELLION, Series I., Volume 17, Part I, pages 594-596)

It is thought that the soldiers buried here were Confederates as the Federals allegedly later burned the house near the graveyard where the wounded men had been housed. It must be remembered that all this account is traditionary except what came from the official records.

 

CLARK CEMETERY

Located in a woods setting. To reach this burial ground drive south over Church Street and State Highway 220 from Atwood about 2.3 miles to Howse Church Road; turn east and drive about 1.7 miles on the latter road, to the driveway of the shop on the Billy-Joe Powers' homeplace; walk east about .2 mile into the nearby woods to this cemetery.

ANDREW J. son of THOMAS and B. NEWBILL Died July 15, 1858 aged 15 years, 9 mo	MARTHA wife of T. W. JORDAN, dau. of E. and S. P. CLARK Born Sept. 21, 1830    Died Jan. 29, 1852 In life beloved, in death lamented
LOUIS M. son of W. F. and N. H. CLARK Died Sep. 26, 1865 aged 4 years, 1 month, 26 days In life beloved, in death lamented

 

(Page 12)

COLEMAN CEMETERY

A fenced-in burial ground located at the end of Coleman Cemetery Lane, .2 mile from Mt. Zion Road, at a point .3 mile from the juncture of the latter road and Jarrell Road in the Big Buck Community.

One tombstone: DAVID COLEMAN Born Jan. 25, 1798    Murdered Jan. 23, 1870 SARAH COLEMAN Born Dec. 19, 1800    Died Sept. 20, 1851 Gone home	AMANDA L. COLEMAN Born Jan. 15, 1834    Died Aug. 30, 1848 [verse faded]
	ADALIZIA W. COLEMAN Born July 14, 1838    Died April 9, 1861 And now she dwells in fairer climes in mansions of the blest and who would call her back to earth from her sweet home of rest
JOHN S. COLEMAN Born Feb. 8, 1826    Died July 15, 1861 [verse faded]
ROBERT L. son of T. W. & L. A. COLEMAN Born Feb. 8, 1856    Died Dec. 18, 1857 Aged 1 year 10 ms 10 ds Sleep on sweet babe and take thy rest in Jesus arms forever blest	SARAH E. wife of S. C. COLEMAN Born Dec. 11, 1832 Died Oct. 9, 1861
	GREEN J. son of T. W. & L. A. COLEMAN Born Dec. 12, 1858    Died Aug. 31, 1862 aged 3 ys 8 ms 9 ds Take this little lamb said he and lay him on my breast, protection it shall find in me and be forever blessed

 

COLLINS CEMETERY

To reach this burial ground drive a fraction of a mile beyond the juncture of Big Buck Road and Springhill Church Road, on the latter road, to a point on the left (east) side of the road. It is just off the road here.

SALUDA A. WINGO
Born July 21, 1849    Died Dec. 31, 1852
Fair flower of love that bloomed but to die
footstone S. A. W.
[a broken, fallen stone]

 

COVINGTON CEMETERY

To reach this burial ground turn from Hill Road near the Carroll County Airport, onto Field School Road; drive about .2 mile south to Field School Lane; turn and drive over this lane to a point about .1 mile southeast; walk up an embankment, climb over a wire fence, and into a field directly north to this "ruined" cemetery in a small copse. The tombstones have fallen, some covered with earth.

Our Father JAMES COVINGTON Born in Richmond Co., N.C., Feb. 19, 1793 Died in Carroll Co., Tenn., Jan. 25, 1858 [a fallen, broken stone]

One stone: MARTHA J. wife of HUGH N. SWAYNE Died July 11, 1860 aged 22 yrs 2 mos BETTIE, our child, aged 11 mos 6 ds We loved you when the sunny light of bliss was on your brow

LITTLE TOM son of JOHN W. & NELLIE J. COVINGTON
aged 16 mos 24 ds [no dates]
His kisses drop not on my cheek from lips so sweet to me; dear Lord how would I give him up to any but to thee

 

(Page 13)

DELANY CEMETERY

To reach this burial ground turn off U.S. Highway 79, near McKenzie, onto Sydnor Road and drive east to a point about 1.1 mile, at which park and walk a short distance having passed through a gate on the south side of this road to the cemetery.

JACOB DELANY Born Dec. 19, 1790    Died Nov. 2, 1831 [covered with matted vegetation]

PRISCILLA wife of McCAIN DELANY Born Dec. 19, 1807    Died Jan. 19, 1859 In a circle at the top of her tombstone, clockwise from the bottom: A, B, P, K, C, F (top), N, D, O. Inside this circle, left, clockwise Y, M, H, D

 

WILLIAM DINWIDDIE CEMETERY

To reach this burial ground turn off U.S. Highway 70, in McKenzie, Tenn., onto Old Paris Highway and drive about 1.3 miles to a driveway on the east side of the road; drive about .1 mile into this driveway to a trailer residence. Park. Walk south over a long field about .2 mile to this cemetery, almost directly in line with the trailer residence. The tombstones had fallen, some carried off years ago; bushhogged, breaking the remaining stones into pieces.

About seventy years ago Jamie Louise Snead Merritt made a complete inventory of this cemetery, gave Cynthia Billingsley Kemp a copy who shared same with the present writer (and a copy also was given to the Browning Library). The complete Merritt list is given here.

In memory of
MARY DINWIDDIE
Died Sept. 27, 1845 aged 35 yrs 2 mo 8 days [hence born July 9, 1810]
footstone M. D.

JEDIDIAN DINWDDIE
Born Jan. 9, 1805    Died Mar. 5, 1864 aged 59 yrs 1 mo 26 days

THOMAS N. son of A. A. & JAMES T. DINWIDDIE
Born Aug. 18, 1847    Died Feb. 23, 1849

JOHN M. REID Born Oct. 27, 1807    Died Sept. 12, 1842

SIDNEY G. REID Born Sept. 27, 1844    Died Sept. 3, 1844

NOTE: According to the John Miller Reid family Bible record, published by the C. Alexander & Company, Philadelphia, 1834, owned now by Cynthia Billingsley Kemp, Hico Road, McKenzie: John M. Reid was born Oct. 27, 1801; he died Sept. 12, 1842; married Elizabeth Dinwiddie, Sept. 9, 1823. She was born Nov. 16, 1802 and died Oct. 9, 1864. Their son, Sidney C. Reid, was born Sept. 27, 1824died Sept. 3, 1844.

JAMES T. DINWIDDIE
Born Feb. 12, 1845    Died May 19, 1869 aged 44 yr. s 3 mos 7 days
Farewell my wife and children all, from you a father Christ doth call, mourn not for me, it is in vain to call me to your sight again [the present writer read this verse slightly differently than Jamie Merritt did ; his version given here]

ADLINE wife of JAMES T. DINWIDDIE Born Sept. 9, 1825 Died Jan. 30, 1908 Her end was peace

FANNIE daughter of S. A. & B. A. DINWIDDIE Born July 14, 1875    Died Sept. 9, 1875

Also here: JOHN S. son of P. & T. C. BAKER
Born Nov. 12, 1842    Died Aug. 12, 1865

 

(Page 14)

Courtesy of Cynthis Billingsly Kemp

Larger image available

Births John M. Reid was born October 27th 1801 Elizabeth M. Reid was born November 16th, 1802 Sidney C. Reid was born September 27th AD 1824 Ann Eliza Reid and garland Jefferson Reid was born November 24th 1829

Deaths John M. Reid departed this life on the 12th day of September 1842 Sidney C. Reid departed this life on the 3rd day of September AD 1844 James H. Reid departed this life on the 19th day of Oct AD 1862 [1861?] Garland J. Reid departed this life on the 24th day of September AD ___. He was kill at ____ [Athens?] Alabama in defence of his country he fought and died at his post like a brave soldier. Elizabeth M. Creasor was Elizabeth M. Dinwiddie Reid departed this life of the 7th day of Oct AD 1864

Marriages J. M. Reid and E. M. Dinwiddie was married September 9th 1823 Ann Eliza Reid and David M. Lankford was married on the 14th day of January AD 1847 Garland J. Reid and Mary Hanna was married March the 11th 1851

 

 

(Page 15)

ENOCHS CEMETERY

This burial ground may be reached by turning onto State Highway 424W at Clarksburg, Tenn. and driving about 3.6 miles to Enochs Cemetery Road; turn thereon, drive about a mile to the cemetery located on the west side of the road.

SARAH wife of G. V. ENOCHS
Born January 16, 1832    Died Feb. 19, 1865 aged 33 ys 7 ms 3 ds

 

EPHESUS CEMETERY

Located northwest of Vale in northeast Carroll County. To reach this burial ground turn off State Highway 114 onto Ephesus Church Road and drive about 3.5 miles west to this cemetery sited on the south side of the road.

ROWLAND GRISSOM Born Nov. 11, 1814    Died Apr. 27, 1861 aged 46 ys 5 m 16 d

MARY C. wife of J. A. GRISSOM Died Dec. 3, 1865 aged 21 yrs 7 mos 16 das

NOTE: Sometimes STEPHEN DANIEL CHANDLER, also buried here, is given as DIED in November 1847 aged 86 years. The man of this name was actually born in November 1847 and died in March 1934.

 

FURGERSON CEMETERY

Located on the south side of State Highway 104W, about 1.6 miles from its juncture with U.S. Highway 70, some three miles north of Cedar Grove.

WM. H. MONTGOMERY Born Oct. 2, 1840    Died Sept. 8, 1864 Dearest Brother thou has left us; how thy loss we deeply feel but tis God that doth bereft us. He can all our sorrows heal.	ANN wife of WM. MONTGOMERY Born July 28, 1803    Died Feb. 27, 1862 Farewell my husband and children all, from you a mother Christ doth call; mourn not for me, it is in vain to call me to your sight again.
ALICE J. daughter of R. J. & H. B. CLARIDGE Born and Died June 21, 1854	NAPOLEON B. son of Francis A. & J. H. McKINNEY Born Dec. 14, 1843    Died Feb. 27, 1863

CATHARINE JONES
Born May 20, 1794    Died Feb. 17, 1870 [listed as this tombstone is usually listed without its death date; close examination of lowest portion of tombstone renders this date]

AMANDA J. PORTER Born Aug. 13, 1823    Died Sept. 8, 1845 aged 22 y 3 m & 25 d	FLORA B. PORTER Died Feb. 8, 1844 aged 86 years Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord for they shall rest from their labors and their works do follow them. J. FLEMING, Henderson, Ky. [stonecutter; a willow tree design]
Mother, FLORAH BROWNFIELD PORTER Born 1757 Penn.    Died Feb. 8, 1844 He remains lieth buried herein Father, DAVID PORTER Born 1755 Ireland Died 1798. Buried Chester Co., S.C. at Fishing Cemetery
	INFANT SON of MARY & S. B. KILLOUGH Birth & Death Jan. 19, 1851 Beneath this stone in sweet repose is laid a mother's dearest pride; a flower that scarce had waked to life and light and beauty ere it died
JOHN WOODS Died Aug. 26, 1846 aged 72 ys 4 m 5 d
MARGARET wife of JOHN WOODS Died Sep. 25, 1825 aged 44 ys 10 ms 7 ds	JOHN husband of MARY HOLMS Born Jan. 30, 1777    Died Feb. 8, 1851
MARGARET H. daughter of John & MARY HOLMS Died Aug. 8, 1841 in the 31st year of her age

 

(Page 16)

FRANCIS M. McKINNEY Born July 24, 1840    Died Oct. 7, 1863 Union Forever Boys Dearest Brother thou hast left us; how thy loss we deeply feel but tis God that doth bereft us. He can all our sorrows heal.	ROBERT PROVINCE Born June 14, 1803    Died Sep. 27, 1834
	NANCY wife of JOHN HERRON Died Aug. 14, 1848 aged 28 ys 2 mo 5 d
DAVID LAFAYETT Born Dec. 27, 1847    Died June 20, 1849 ARGUS PHILADELPHUS Born Oct. 3, 1845    Died June 9, 1849 Sons of S. H. & G. A. HOLMES	Sacred to the memory of MARTHA ANGELINE dau. of S. H. & G. A. HOLMES Born Aug. 22, 1853    Died Oct. 3, 1857 There is rest in heaven
J. D. husband of ANN JONES Born Jan. 20, 1808    Died Sept. 1, 1840	WILLEY HOLMES Born May 29, 1863    Died Oct. 23, 1864 My sweet babe rests in heaven
JAMES son of J. D. & ANN JONES Born Jan. 27, 1842    Died Sept. 13, 1843	ELIZABETH JONES Died Augt. 13, 1855 aged 90 ys

A recent commemorative stone:
JAMES CRAIG, JR.
Va. Militia
1760-1828
Battle of Kings Mountain

 

FUQUA CEMETERY #1

To reach this burial ground drive east about 3.7 miles on Big Buck Road from U.S. Highway 79 in Trezevant to a point on the right side of the former road where a field road leads into a wooded area, driving about .2 mile southeast to a pine copse where the graves are located.

ELIZABETH B. FUQUA Born Nov. 11, 1828    Died Dec. 12, 1853 Remember friends as you pass by, as you are now so once was I; as I am now so you must be; prepare for death and follow me. footstone E. B. F. [a fallen, broken stone; beautifully incised]	MARY P. FUQUA Born Feb. 27, 1790    Died Aug. 19, 1868 She was a tender mother and an affectionate wife footstone M. P. F. [a fallen stone]
MARY wife of JOHN BRYANT Born July 19, 1799    Died Aug. 10, 1865 footstone M. B. [a fallen, broken stone]	ELIZABETH T. wife of JOHN T. FUQUA Born Oct. 19, 1819    Died May 13, 1867 And now she dwells in fairer climes in the mansions of the blest, and who would call her back from her sweet home of rest footstone E. T. F. [a fallen, broken stone]

 

FUQUA CEMETERY #2

To reach this burial ground drive about a mile north of Trezevant, Tenn., turn west on Oak Grove Road over which drive about 1.8 miles to a gate on the northeast side of the road. Park. Enter the gated field here and walk about .1 mile directly east to this one large tombstone on which all the names and dates are inscribed.

East Side: D. W. FUQUA, Father, 1813-1890 ELIZABETH FUQUA, Mother, 1825-1903

West Side: Children S. R. FUQUA, 1850-1861 LURA FUQUA, 1857-1868 MARY FUQUA, 1862-1869 ROBERT FUQUA, 1866-1867

 

(Page 17)

GAINES CEMETERY

This burial ground is located in a fenced field behind the McKenzie High School off State Highway 22.

Only footstones are intact; the tombstones have disappeared completely; not found with metal probing. Copied here about twenty-one years ago by Julian Devault:

H. P. GAINES Born Oct. 8, 1798    Died Dec. 7, 1860 damaged footstone	LUCY S. wife of H. P. GAINES Born Mar. 15, 1809    Died Nov. 7, 1860 footstone L. S. G.
ELIZABETH F. GAINES Born June 22, 1837    Died July 30, 1854 footstone E. F. G.

 

GILKEY CEMETERY

Located on Big Buck Road about .2 mile northeast of the juncture of this road and Renfroe Road; approach is on a short lane on the east side of the road; the tombstone is located in far back side of cemetery.

ELIZABETH wife of J. A. PARNAL
Born July 9, 1809    Died July 24, 1857
footstone E. A. P.

 

GORDON CEMETERY

Located near McKenzie, Tennessee. To reach this burial ground drive east on Hilliard Road to a point about .8 mile from its juncture with Field School Road where the former road takes a direct south course; from that curve walk about .2 mile northeast, over fields, past two ponds, into a deep old roadbed to the cemetery on its north side.

MUTIUS S. GORDON Born May 2, 1817    Died Dec. 8, 1863	ELIZABETH wife of B. G. GORDON Died May 12, 1848 aged 19 years [a broken, fallen stone]
In memory of LUCY E. P. GORDON Born March 31st 1822 Died March 20, 1842	JAMES A. GORDON Died Sept. 9, 1872 aged 86 years

[JOHN H. GORDON]
Died in Camp Randle, Madison, Wis. May 21, 1862
Sleep on dear brother until God shall call you from your faraway home
footstone J. H. G.
[Gordon, in Co. H, 55 Tenn. Inf., CSA, was captured at Island No. 10, April 8, 1862 and died in a northern prison]

 

GREEN CEMETERY

To reach this burial ground drive from U.S. Highway 79, southwest of McKenzie, Tenn., turn onto Enon Church Road, over which drive about 1.1 miles at which point park, climb an embankment, go over a wire fence a few feet south to this one grave, the tombstone for which is shattered. An old-time building, Oak Hill Baptist Church, once stood just southeast across the old roadbed from this grave.

SUSAN, dau. of REBECCA and J. O. GREEN
Died 1851

The portion of stone with birthdate is missing but in the 1850 U.S. Census of Carroll County, page 70, as of September 25 that year her age was given as four months (in the household of John O. and Rebecca Green).

 

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