Tombstone Inscriptions from Black Cemeteries
in Henderson County, Tennessee
Compiled by Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1995

(Page 30)

DOUGLASS CEMETERY

Located in north Henderson County about 5 miles [west] and [southwest] of Parker's Crossroads via Rock Springs and Union Cross Roads. Approach is off Union Cross Road west onto Lewis Lane to a field gate about .5 mile, through the field to the south about .2 mile. The burial area is atop a piney mound. This was the family graveyard of Briant Douglass, a white farmer. Two tombstones remain.

BRIANT DOUGLASS
Born Sept. 8, 1798
Died Feb. 18, 1867
Peace and good will to all nations of people
(a fallen, broken stone)

WM. J. DOUGLASS
Born Sept. 21, 1835
Died Feb. 13, 1863
(a fallen stone)

 

Perhaps other black persons are buried here but only one is certainly known and twenty years ago a marker for him was somewhat intact here:
_____DOUGLASS. Died Dec. 1922. Aged 66 yrs. (HENDERSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS, 1976, page 29) It is no longer present but Dr. LOU L. DOUGLASS' death certificate shows that he died December 2, 1922, aged 66 and was buried here. Father given as Cato Douglass. His burial place here is well known locally as he was a prominent black doctor, farmer and cotton gin owner. He and his wife had a large family and a numerous progeny.

 

(Page 45)

Burial Locations from Death Certificates

DOUGLASS CEMETERY:

SUSAN KIRBY, died Nov. 20, 1914, aged about 40 years

 

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