Tombstone Inscriptions from Black Cemeteries in Madison County, Tennessee, Volume Two
Compiled by Jonathan K. T. Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 2000INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Early in 1995 the present writer/compiler published TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS FROM BLACK CEMETERIES IN MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE in an effort to contribute towards the preservation of local black heritage In subsequent years long-forgotten or isolated cemeteries have come to view and a supplement was issued containing several of them. However after being satisfied that nearly all the "intact" cemeteries in the county have been identified, coupled with a need for an update, it was decided to publish volume two of these cemeteries.
Most people understand that during antebellum times when slavery prevailed black folk as a rule were buried on individual farms and most such burial places have long since gone into oblivion. Blacks living in Jackson during this earlier period were often buried in the city burial ground later known as Riverside Cemetery.
In this publication as in its predecessor any form of marker bearing names and/or dates at graves have been copied, be they the conventional type tombstones, funeral home markers and a wide variety of homemade markers. Regrettably even some fairly recent graves will not be mentioned in these pages as they have not been "marked" with tombstones or else the funeral home markers have been damaged or destroyed. One cannot report in a broad survey what is not recorded somewhere in a cemetery.
Summer 2000
Jackson, Madison County, Tennessee
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