MY RIVERSIDE CEMETERY TOMBSTONE
INSCRIPTIONS SCRAPBOOK PART IV
by Jonathan K. T. Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1993

ABOUT CERTAIN PERSONS MENTIONED IN THE SEXTON RECORDS

 

(Page 7)

JOHN J. McALEXANDER

The Jackson Sun, October 20, 1876 Died. In this City on Friday last /October 13/ John J. McAlexander, in the 57th year of his age. Deceased was born in Patrick County, Virginia, on January 21st, 1824. He came to Tennessee in 1842. He was mayor of the City of Jackson in 1869, and a policeman of the city for four years thereafter. He was a kind man and a true one to his friends. It may be truthfully said of him. That his enemies were few and his friends many. Peace to his ashes.

According to Jackson's City Council Minutes. April 15, 1858-Jan. 12, 1869, page 289, JOHN J. McALEXANDER was elected MAYOR OF JACKSON, January 4, 1868; sworn to office on January 7, 1868. According to ditto, January 12, 1869-January 16, 1874, page 2, his successor was elected on January 2, 1869 and was sworn on January 12, 1869. The aldermen who served with him that year:

FIRST WARD: Charles T. Hogsett, E. B. Law
SECOND WARD: Alonzo L. White, W. F. McCabe
THIRD WARD: D. H. King, F. W. Yancy
FOURTH WARD: Dr. Charles A. Still, Wm. S. Calloway

McAlexander received $400 for his services; the aldermen, $100 for their services.

 

PITSER MILLER, the Younger

In his Jan. 12, 1869 sexton's report, James Hadaway reported "Pitser Miller removed from Perryville, Ky., died from wounds." From his Compiled Military Service Record, CSA, that Pitser Miller served in the 6th Tenn. Infantry Regiment, having enlisted in the Confederate service, March 10, 1862 in Jackson. Co. L. 6th Tenn., formerly in Capt. R. F. Ford's company in the 55th Tenn. Inf. Reg. He served as a captain on the staff of General Braxton Bragg. "Died from wound recd. at the battle of Perryville." This from his company's muster roll January 17, 1863.

The remains of Pitser Miller are buried in Lot 261, Riverside, amid others of his family. He was a son of John S. Miller (1816-1894) and Sarah Phipps Miller (1822-1880). Pitser was listed with his parents' family in the 1860 census of Jackson. His tombstone dates: Mar. 30, 1840-Nov. 2, 1862. The Miller residence is still standing, overlooking a portion of downtown Jackson, from the north. In his LWT, John S. Miller refers to this place, leaving "the entire homestead where we live /that/ I bought of Gen'. S. J. Hays" to his wife. (Will Bk. B, page 4) A niece of Pitser's, Miss Alice (Allie) Drake (1875-1956), a daughter of Louisa Miller Drake (1845-1916), was for many years the librarian for the Jackson City Library and she rests in this lot.

 

(Page 8)

GAWEN/GUY/GUYON LEEPER
Feb. 6, 1842-Aug. 4, 1876

James Hadaway's sexton report, September 5, 1876, records the fact that "Guyon Leeper, 35. /died of/ congestion of stomach," was buried in Riverside, the city cemetery. His widow, Elizabeth Hurt Leeper, lived until 1920. At some point in time, Leeper's remains were exhumed and reburied in the family graveyard at Rose Hill, the Old DeBerry/Hurt plantation, several miles east of Jackson. His proper name was Gawen Leeper. His grave at Rose Hill is marked with a sturdy tombstone.

Gawen Leeper Marker at Rose Hill

The Jackson Sun, August 4, 1876 Died. In this city on Friday morning the 4th inst., after a brief illness, Mr. Guy Leeper, in the 36th year of his age. Deceased was born in Hawkins County, East Tennessee, on the 6th of February, 1841. His mother died when he was only six years old and he was raised by Mrs. John S. Miller of this city, his aunt. In 1859 he joined the presbyterian church and lived a consistent christian life from that hour to his death. On January 6th, 1869, he married Miss Elizabeth Hurt of this city, a daughter of Maj. R. B. Hurt. He leaves a young wife and three children, his oldest child being five years of age. When the War Between the States commenced, he entered the southern army as a member of the 'Jackson Grays' of the famous 6th Tennessee Regiment. His record as a soldier is above reproach. When the war ended he returned to Jackson, studied law and became a worthy member of that profession. At the time of his death he was engaged in several industrial enterprises as well as the practice of law…. He was a man of sound judgement, of untiring energy and of unimpeachable integrity….

 

MARY M. PRATT, VIOLA H. PRATT

In my Riverside scrapbook, part III, page 33, I mention the large tombstone of Mary Pratt, wife of Moses Pratt, who died September 23, 1869, aged 24 years. A smaller stone, beside her grave to the north, I couldn't "make out" the inscription for which, but cleaning it has shown in the name panel, dimly but certainly, VIO and on the end of this line TT. James Hadaway mentioned in his Oct. 13, 1869 report that Viola H. Pratt and Mary Pratt, had died and been buried in Riverside. This was doubtless mother and daughter. However it may copy, a picture of the tombstone of Viola H. Pratt is shown here, with an arrow pointing to the name mentioned above:

 

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