SLATY GROVE CHURCH AND CEMETERY
Located on the hill behind 422 Bill West Rd., Limestone, TN in the Washington College Community. It is in an overgrown pine thicket. The number of graves could not be determined but it is estimated to be ? to ? acres. It is bounded by the W.R. Beard, Cecil White and West family farms. No signs of the church foundation could be found. In 1952 when the West family purchased the farm, it was pasture land, and there were no markers. Some members of the Gillespie family may be buried here. Relatives were still visiting the cemetery in the 1950’s.
GPS location: 36.12.473N 082.33.487W; Elevation: 1661 ft.
Deed from G.W. Telford, Ex. of E.L. Mathes to John S. Ford,
Whereas E.L. Mathes in his lifetime sold to one George Gillespie (of color) a tract or parcel of land in the 2nd Civil District of Washington County Tennessee bounded as follows. Beginning at 4 white oaks on Slaty Hill near the colored church 1st corner N 80 degrees W 80 Poles to a stump beside the ball mountain road near the mouth of the lane at Gillespie’s house. Then N 53 East along a lane on J.S. Ford’s line 97 Poles to a white oak. J.S. Love’s corner & Mr. Stone’s line. Then S 2 degrees W 64 Poles to a white oak. Then S 17 degrees W 16 Poles to the beginning. Containing 16 acres more or less. And whereas the said E.L. Mathes did not execute to the said George Gillespie a deed in his lifetime but provided in his will for a deed to be made by one Alexander Nelson when the purchase money should all be paid and the said purchase money having been all paid the said Alexander Nelson made a deed to the same which was executed in my presence and witnessed by myself and one of subscribing witnesses but said deed was lot without being Registered and said Alexander Nelson having left the country and is whereabouts not being known. Now therefore I the said G.W. Telford Executor of the said E.L. Mathes died with a full knowledge of the facts herein mentioned and at the request of the said George Gillespie and his vendee J.S. Ford who am both personally present and requesting the same to be done – do hereby transfer and convey all of the land aforesaid (except ? of an acre upon which a colored church now stands, to the said J.S. Ford his heirs assigns etc forever in as full and complete a manner as I am authorized to do under said will – but assuming no personal liability in the matter, am the said George Gillespie having sold said tract of land to the said J.S. Ford requests this deed made to him.
Witness my hand this July 25th 1885
G.W. Telford
Executor of E.L. Mathes (seal)
Witnesses: Z.T. Deatherogs, S.A. Early
3/28/86 Washington Co. Deed Book Vol. 49, page 517
Deed from C.D. Gillespie, Church Trustee to W.B. Graybeal
This Indenture made the 19 day of Sept. 1919, between G.D. Gillespie the only living Trustee of Slaty Grove Church (colored) of Washington County, Tenn. Of the first part and W.B. Graybeal of said county and state of the second part.
Witnesseth said party of the first part being the only Trustee living of Slaty Grove Church (colored) in the 2nd District of Washington County, Tenn. Which church has been abandoned and the Deed made the church Trustees by on George Gillespie (of color) having been lost or misplaced without have been registered, and is being the wish of the remaining members of said church that the property be sold. I, C.D. Gillespie for an in consideration of the sum of ($10.00) Ten dollars to have in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have bargained, sold, remised, released and to Quit Claimed, and do hereby bargain, sell, remise, release and Quit Claim unto the said party of the second part the following described real estate situated in the 2nd Dist. Of Washington County adjoining the lands of Huffman, Beard and the heirs of Mrs. Maggie J. Graybeal, it being the lot on Slaty Hill on which once stood Slaty Grove church (colored) and contains ? acre of land and all the estate, right, title and interest of the parties of the first part therein, with the hereditancts [sic] and appurtenances there-to appertaining hereby releasing all claims to Homestead and Dower therefore, except the ground where the graves are and the privilege to keep up the graves that now exist but no further right to bury on said lot. To have and to hold the said premises to the said party of the second part; his heirs and assigns forever.
In witness thereof, the parties of the first part have hereunto set his hand and seal this the 23rd day of May 1921.
C.D. Gillespie (seal)
Additional information:
1880 U.S. Federal Census, Washington County, Tennessee, 3rd District,
234/235 Gillespie, G.W. (B) 78, Charles (B) 34 son, Harriet (Mu) 37 daughter-in-law, Lewis (B) 8 grandson; Ward, Samuel (B) 8 ward.
Washington County, Tennessee Marriages 1780-1870 by Goldene F. Burgner, page 169:
Charles D. Gillespie (col.) to Harriet E. Hill 27 Oct 1870 by Jacob G. Hill, JP
Harriette Hill Gillespie b. Oct 1840, d. 28 Jun 1913, is buried near the gates in Salem Cemetery. Along with A.J. Gillespie, only one date 1917.
Surveyed and donated to the Washington County TNGen Web Site by Bill West, Karen West, Bob Hylton and Betty Jane Hylton, March 31, 2008. Posted by M. Hougland, 15 May 2008.