MY RIVERSIDE CEMETERY TOMBSTONE
INSCRIPTIONS SCRAPBOOK PART IV
by Jonathan K. T. Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1993
NOTES BY LOT
(Page 27)
JAMES HENRY LONG, LOT 189½
Buried south to north:
ADDIE BROOKS*
wife of J. H. LONG
D/December 3, 1875
Death lies on her like an untimely frost.
Upon the sweetest flower of all the fields.
ADDIE ( ? )**
Daughter of J. H. & Addie LONG
D/July 10, 1876
Aged 9 mos. & 7 D's.
JAMES H. LONG***
Mar. 11, 1845-Mar. 20, 1928
CSA 1861-1865
CLAY VIRGINIA****
wife of J. H. LONG
D/Aug. 9, 1898
At Rest
HARRIETTE M. LONG
Mar. 31, 1867-Sep. 18, 1948
MOTHER
HARRIET CLAY LONG GARLAND
Sept. 19, 1901-Dec. 9, 1982
(no tombstone; remains were cremated and placed here)
*WEST TENNESSEE WHIG, Jackson, Dec. 25, 1875: Addie V. Long, wife of James H. Long; daughter of Rev. John Brooks, d. Dec. 3, 1875. Born May 19, 1844. Lexington, Tn; md. January 1867.
**This child's middle given name is too worn to be read certainly.
***Mr. Harbert L. R. Alexander, Madison Co. Historian, told me that this man's nickname was "Whoa. Boy!"
****J. H. Long md. Mrs. C. V. Barnett, May 31, 1881.
*****Hattie Long Garland attended Union University, Jackson, 1919-1920; md. Lawrence Garland, an attorney; he died in 1978. They had no children. Lived in Florida; after his death, she moved back to Jackson, where she died. She was the last member of her immediate family. (THE JACKSON SUN, Dec. 9, 1982)
Written in long-hand on Harriet Long Garland's obituary, in the Jennings Perry file, Tennessee Room collection, Jackson- Madison Co. Library, is, "heroine of Windy Hill." Persistent local folklore has it that this particular Hattie Long (Garland) was an attractive girl, the heroine named Clita Moss in Perry's novel, THE WINDY HILL, written by him and published by Simon/Schuster, 1926. In a review of this book, David Bloom wrote of this novel, Specially "it is about Jackson people and Jackson customs, for Jennings Perry know most about these. . . . Jackson isn't pointed out in the novel, but Jackson is revealed. . . . Someone who has talked to Jennings Perry since his novel was published tells me that every character in the book is taken directly from life, that they existed some five years ago and are continuing in this vale now. . . . Some of the people in 'The Windy City' are quite familiar persons."
John Starr /Jennings Perry/, hero of the novel, along with a male friend, accompanied by Clita Moss, on a June night, were driving around, winding up east of Jackson on a high hill that some thought to have been an Indian mound. It was Starr's last night in Jackson before leaving for other places. He had what may be termed a tragic attraction to Clita and now, this last night, she danced for him on this high hill. "She danced so amazingly that night on the windy hill. . . . Her long and dark and sleek hair writhed out from her boy's head like sea mosses from agate globes. . . . Her white bare shoulders gleamed through the flying tresses. She was dancing nude. . . . She was lovely. . . . They (two men and Clita) were like three flakes of white on the. . . hill; Clita flitting in her glistening skin and the men in their shirt sleeves. . . . Clita's garments lay about where they had fallen, here a that and there a that, all very soft and silken and scented. " It was for John Starr that "she danced . . . nude, on a hill at half past midnight, she was not flesh and blood . . . not a wanton girl . . . not a pitiful pretender but the shining symbol . . . the spirit, of youth and loveliness and adventure time." (from pages 75-77 of THE WINDY HILL) David Bloom wrote that Clita's "unquenchable spark of life singed Starr."
A likeness of Hattie Long Garland, dim tho' it is, is here reproduced, taken from the 1920 Yearbook of Union University: the Freshman Class group picture. Positive ID of this likeness comes directly to me through Mr. Harbert L. R. Alexander, Madison County Historian, from his conversations with older local residents who recalled Hattie Long Garland personally.
ULRICH LOT, 238½
I attempted to read the very worn inscription on the tombstone of Annie Ulrich and ran it in my Scrapbook, Pt. 3: Annie Ulrich, Beloved wife of W. A. ULRICH, B/dates dissolved. Died Oct. 31 (1891?). Much later I was pleased to find in the burial records of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jackson, that Mrs. Ulrich did in fact die October 31, 1891.
TURLEY LOT, 407B
Along grave-length slab tombstone, inscribed, "WILLIAM PAYNE TURLEY, Born the 11th day of February 1826. Died the 12th day of July 1846. He was the only son of his parents."
The NASHVILLE WHIG, July 21, 1846 mention of his death states that his father was William B. Turley. Notice of his death in the MEMPHIS ENQUIRER, July 23, 1846 states that he was a recent graduate of West Tennessee College (in Jackson).
LOT 289
THE JACKSON SUN, Jan. 15, 1950
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Col. Chas. H. King Dies Saturday At 81 Years Of Age Colonel Charles H. King for more than a half century a political figure in Tennessee and for 24 years chief of special agents of the G M & O RR, died Saturday afternoon at 1:40 o'clock at his home, 506 North Royal, following a heart attack. He was 81 years of age. |
HENRY W. McCORRY, LOT 301
The distinguished Jacksonian, HENRY W. McCORRY, the younger, has a tombstone which reads: Henry W. McCorry. Co. C, 19 Tenn. Cav. CSA, 1845-1904. His full dates: March 25, 1845-March 23, 1904. From his obituary in THE JACKSON SUN, March 24. 1904:
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Judge Henry W. McCorry is dead. He passed away last night. Death came at Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he went nearly two weeks ago, hoping to benefit his declining health. Although it was known that Judge McCorry was very ill and in a serious condition, his many friends hoped to see him live for many years yet and the news of his comparatively sudden death which reached Jackson this morning was a sad surprise and shock. . . . The death of Judge McCorry removes one of the strongest, most active and most conspicuous characters in West Tennessee. Born at Jackson fifty-nine years ago, he went into the Confederate Army where he served with valor and distinction, receiving severe wounds. Mr. McCorry was under General /Nathan Bedford /Forest in General Deberal's division in Col. Biffnell's regiment. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862 when a boy of only 17 summers and fought like the brave lad he was until the end of the great Civil War. At the close of the war he returned to his home and decided upon the law as his profession. He took the course at Lebanon, Tenn. and soon forged to the front. He first formed a partnership with hon. Stoddert Caruthers in Jackson and later with Gen. A. W. Campbell, both firms being very successful legal combinations. It was with the latter firm that mayor Hu C. Anderson of this city began the study of law. He went on the bench by appointment of Gov. /James/ Porter, some time later, being made judge of the common law and chancery court and was later elected to this honorable place by a vote of the people. After serving in this office for several years most ably, Judge McCorry resigned the place. He formed a partnership in law with hon. C. G. Bond which was one of the strongest and most successful law firms ever in the city. This was in the early eighties. During /Grover/ Cleveland's first administration judge McCorry was appointed United States Attorney for the District of West Tennessee, where his great natural and legal ability served him to advantage and in which position he made an enviable record. For years he was not only recognized as one of the leading lawyers in his own county, but also in the state. He was for a long time also an active figure in Tennessee politics and was in the inner councils of the party upon all important matters. Ever since the war Judge McCorry has been prominent in shaping the policies of the democratic party in the great old State of Tennessee. He was an alderman from the first ward in the city of Jackson in early 90's. As city councilman he was very aggressive on the important subjects of graveling and sewarage. He served the city well and faithfully, just as he had served his state and country. Judge McCorry was born in 1845, on the 25th day of March and had he lived until next Friday would have been 59 years of age. His birth occurred on the Shannon Street lot at the foot of main street where he resided up till the time of his death, but in another house which was mostly torn down when the present was erected a good many years ago. Mayor Hu C. Anderson, who had been a life long friend of the deceased, said this morning in speaking of him, 'Henry McCorry had the biggest brain of any man of my acquaintance in the state and i am well acquainted. He was a man of more natural ability than i have ever met or again expect to meet. All who came in contact with him went away charmed with his great intellect and capacity to grasp any subject that might present itself in the course of conversation. His Irish wit was ever at his tongue's end and the brilliancy of his ideas upon all current events and his ingenious manner of explaining them could not help one from admiring him and feel impressed by the man's greatness. While not an orator, Judge Henry McCorry, I think could make as clear a presentment of a case and as strong an argument before a jury as an /any/ lawyer I ever heard speak. These law speeches were the only kind he ever made. He would never address a social meeting, a political meeting or any other kind of a public meeting if he could get around it, but he was always on hand to see that someone else did so. His side of the matter being put forward as he desired it. When judge henry McCorry died last night Tennessee lost one of the greatest men she ever produced.' |
(Page 29)
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and many were the happy events and functions which occurred at his hospitable home. At the time of Mr. McCorry's death he was a member of the law firm of McCorry, McCorry & Sneed. In 1892 he was chairman of the state democratic campaign committee for the state and it is believed that he organized the party better than it was ever organized under any other leadership. Judge McCorry belonged to the knights of honor and elks of this city. He was a member of the John Ingram Bivouac United Confederate Veterans and in all of these orders was a highly valued member. Judge McCorry leaves nine children: Mrs. E. R. Turley of Memphis, Mrs. Hinton of Athens, Ga., Mrs. Corinne Sneed, Thomas McCorry, John McCorry, Mrs. Reuben Davis and Miss Kathleen McCorry of Jackson, Henry W. McCorry, Jr., now in the Philippines and Mrs. J. C. Meyers of Buffalo but now visiting Memphis. Two sisters, Miss Corinna A. McCorry and Mrs. John h. Freeman also survive him as do several grandchildren and numerous other more distant relatives. He was accompanied to Hot Springs by his sister, Miss Corinna A. Mccorry. She left there today with the remains and will reach Memphis tonight. His son, Thomas McCorry and Hon. Stoddert Caruthers left this morning for Memphis to meet the remains in that city. . . . |
PARISH LOT, Central East ½, Lot 88
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Louise Parish Stevens of Denmark, Tenn. Granddaughter of Edgar Green Parish and his first wife, Lou Lee Moss Parish |
Buried in the Edgar G. Parish Lot, north to south:
Lou Lee /Moss/ Parish, 1871-1899
Inft. Son of E. G. & L. L. Parish, Jan. 23, 1897
E. G. Parish, 1868-1925
Edna Wheeler, /2nd/Wife of E. G. Parish, 1882-1925
Buried just east of Inft. of 1897:
Infant son of E. M. & Lucille /Carter/ Parish, January 11, 1925
This entry from the JACKSON CITY DIRECTORY, 1910, p. 196:
PARISH EDGAR G (wf Edna P) gen contractor
JESTER, LOT 4
R. H. Stringer
wife of J. G. JESTER
Born at Norwich, Norfolk Co., England
Nov. 22, 1851;
D/Feb. 20, 1889
Young, auburn-haired Rose Hannah Stringer accepted from a friend, Mrs. J. Leggett, a farewell gift, a small book entitled THE CHRISTIAN'S POCKETBOOK, on April 11, 1871; she was just before embarking for America, eventually to Jackson, Tennessee. She married John Gilmore Jester, in Memphis, Tenn., April 1, 1873. A native Georgian and Confederate veteran, Jester was born in November of 1846. The Jesters settled in Jackson where he prospered as a "paint merchant." The Jesters had five daughters: Florence, who married Sam Cockrill; Ada Alberta, who married John Milton Brown (grandparents of Nathan Kendrick, John Brown Road, Beech Bluff, Tenn.); Sarah Amelia (Sallie), who married Earl Hunt; Nina, who married John Walters; Minnie, who married William Durward Seavers. The Jesters were communicants of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jackson. John Jester remarried, to Mrs. Ella Spence, August 22, 1895 and they had one child, a son named Roy Jester, born in August of 1896. John G. Jester died August 30, 1905; he lies buried in an unmarked grave beside Rose Hannah.
Sources: Conversation, 11-11-'93 with Nathan Kendrick, a great-grandson of Rose Hannah and John G. Jester. 1880/1900 censuses, Jackson, Tenn. will Book B, page 232 (LWT, John G. Jester, 1905). Parish records of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jackson.
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Jester John G. (J G Jester & Co), res 309 Highland av.
Jester J G & Co. (John G Jester. W H Huddleston), Paints, Oil and Wallpaper, 125 e College.
Jackson City Directory, 1898, p 112
WILLIAMS/SPARKS, LOT 116
John Jay Williams is buried in this lot. In an article about him presented by Miss Alice Shepherd to the Madison Co. Historical Society circa 1944 (and published in THE JACKSON SUN) it is stated,
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An outstanding figure in engineering circles both local and national was the late JOHN JAY WILLIAMS /my emphasis/, who for years made his home on East Main Street near the Mobile and Ohio Railroad crossing. Born in North Oxford, Mass. in 1818, Col. Williams was first employed as assistant engineer under Col. George W. Hughes, United States topographical engineer in 1840-50, on the rivers and lakes of this country; and also on the survey for a railroad across the Isthmus of Panama, and it was he who discovered the lowest pass, Culebra Cut, through which the present road runs and was used in building the Panama Canal. Col. Hughes had been warned by the indians of that region, a hostile band who had been mistaken for good-seekers — that further explorations would provoke an attack from the entire tribe; consequently, he decided to return and was waiting for a steamer. Mr. Williams, in the meantime, went into the mountains alone and succeeded in locating the famous pass. The Panama government has a monument erected to his memory to commemorate the discovery. It can be seen overlooking the Pacific terminus. Mr. Williams also served as principle assistant engineer to Col. J. G. Bernard of United States engineers, on the survey for a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in 1851-52. His report of that work holds an honored place in the library of the Institute of Civil Engineers of London as well as the Congressional Library of the United States. In addition, he held distinguished positions of various engineering works of international importance and his writings on the subject of the Isthmus canal, particularly his contribution to the Scientific American of July 17, 1886 are recognized as of national importance. Mr. Williams' testimony before the committee of the United States Senate in 1888, of which Walthall, Bate, Eustes and Gen. Hawley were members, was of great importance. With the subject, 'A Geological View of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley,' the testimony consisted of a series of interrogatories propounded to the former Jacksonian. When quite a young man, he went as a government engineer on the Lake Champlain survey and later superintended the construction of the military approaches to New Orleans. Coming to Jackson in 1854, Williams took charge of construction of the Mississippi Central and Tennessee Railroad, the first road to enter Jackson and which became a part of the Illinois Central system. He worked on the section between this city and Grand Junction. Later he was made engineer for construction of the Mobile and Ohio from Columbus, Kentucky to Corinth, Mississippi. He later became superintendent of this railroad for 16 years. Leaving the road in 1870 he accepted an appointment as chief engineer of the Tehuantepec Railroad and Ship Canal with a salary of $10, 000 accompanying the appointment. Engaged two years in this work, he was then named engineer for Captain Mead's railroad across the same isthmus. He returned to Jackson in 1897. Inasmuch as Col. Williams made a study of the different inter-oceanic routes across the American isthmus, he was regarded as a national authority on the subject. Once in London he asked a librarian to show him the best work he had on the matter. In turn the librarian handed him a book of his own creation. 'That's the most reliable book we have, ' said the librarian. Williams' books were published in all commercial languages of the world. He was among those composing the commission sent to explored the different waterways of Europe. The famous Jacksonian lived to be 86 years old and it was only the weight of these years that made him lay aside the work he loved and /to/ live a more inactive life during his last few years on earth. Surviving him in Jackson are John L. Williams, Sam C. Whitaker and Mrs. Cyril Roberts. |
(Madison Co. His' cal. Soc., Scrapbook I, 1943-1946, np; microfilm copy, Jackson-Madison County Public Library)
JOHN JAY WILLIAMS, 1818-1904
Colonel Williams prepared a "N. Map of Madison County, Tennessee," a plan for a system of good county roads, published in November 1894. A copy of this splendid and useful map is on file in the Tennessee Room of the Jackson and Madison County Public Library.
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WILSON/FARRAR/MAMER, LOT 246
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Oct. 10, 1923 Retiring about 10 o'clock, in apparent good health, death came in the night to Miss Eva. Alexander, at the home of Mrs. H. P. Farrar, 161 West Orleans, with, whom she had spent her entire life. |
Eva Alexander and her mother lived in the Wilson and Farrar households for many years, the former a life-long servant, having made her home with Captain Hartwell Prentice (Hart)Farrar (July 7, 1839-Oct. 16, 1921) and wife, Agnes Walker (Wilson)Farrar (Aug. 2, 1840-Oct. 15, 1923). She and her mother lie in unmarked graves in this burial lot. It was believed, evidently with some credence, that Eva Alexander was largely of Indian descent.
Captain and Mrs. Farrar were married in Jackson, Apr. 16, 1863; where he served for a time as a Federal soldier. Before and after the war he was a successful civil engineer. Their dwelling, from 1873, was the old home place at Orleans and Clay, built by Duncan Cameron Bledsoe abt. 1847; they made several additions to the house. This dwelling has been restored by its owner, Mrs. Rose (Glynn) Johnsey, in recent years and it is one of the lovely architectural attractions of this city.
Various members of Agnes Farrar's family, including her mother, Mary Cincinnatti (Slayton)Wilson (Feb. 4, 18l4- Mar. 3, 1895), are buried in this lot. After the cabinet-maker, Robert Weakley Wilson (Oct. 20, 1811-Aug. 2, 1860), her first husband (md. Nov. 8, 1832) died, Mary Wilson md. Robert M. May, Mar. 3l, 1866. The Wilsons, children of Robt. W. and Mary C. , were: James M., b. Aug. 12, 1833; Sarah A., Nov. 18, 1835-Aug. 26, 1864, md. Ernest T. Morgan, July 28, 1858; Agnes Walker, born Aug. 2, 1860; Mary Cincinnatti, born Aug. 7, 1842, md. Henry W. Wynkoop, June 4, 1862; Robt. Weakley, Nov. 26, 1844-July 29, 1861; Read Wilson, Mar. 15, 1846-June 22, 1929; Ophelia J., b. Mar. 6, 1848; Ella A., Jan. 10, 1850-Sept. 22, 1864.
The Farrars raised her niece, Willie Wilson (dau. of Read Wilson), who later married George Mamer. They are also buried in this lot.
In a card written to Mrs. Rose Johnsey by Barry Wilson. he wrote. "An ex-slave named Min Wilson is buried in our family plot at Riverside Cemetery." He allegedly had been hanged after being convicted of a violent crime.
Sources: Conversation with Mrs. Rose (Glynn) Johnsey, Nov. l3, 1993; records in her possession shared for information with Jonathan Smith.
LOT 214
Lot 214. This oddly-mounded grave is on the north part of Lot 214 that is listed in the name of the Rev. WILLIAM SHELTON, perhaps once pres. of West Tenn. College. Almost certainly this is a Shelton grave. The west part of 214 is Williams.
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