Joiner Cemetery-Dooly County, Georgia

When I first fell in love with cemeteries, I was always looking for impressive Victorian influenced markers. While I still love them, my interest has expanded to document vernacular markers. Folk art in headstones always interests me. I always wonder about the person being memorialized and the person who made the marker. The makers are often lost to history.

Close up of the marks on the Eliza Joiner Bullington. The marker’s inscription says, “MRS ELIZA WIFE
OF REV R BULLIN
GTON BORN AUG
THE EIGHTH 1839 &
DIED JULY THE 4
1884 THY HAND
GOD DOTH SAVE 🌟
ME AND THE STAR
OF THY HEAVENS
DOTH GIVE LIGHT”
Carear Bell Bullington (1886-1887)

The Joiner Cemetery sits on the edge of farmland. Outside of traditional markers that can be seen in any cemetery, there are several folk art headstones where a sawtooth pattern can be seen. The letter stamping is all very similar.

The sawtooth and diamond pattern was an interesting addition to the crypt.

As many of the markers are in poor condition, it’s important that these headstones are documented before they are lost forever.

Bessie Joiner marker which has been stabilized.
Susan Carr, (1861-1881)
Sabra Mims, (1846-1896)
A collection of markers with no names or initials likely indicating children who have passed away.

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