Category Archives: Vernacular Headstones

-Georgia, Black History, Cemeteries, Vernacular Headstones

Randolph Cemetery-Baldwin County, Georgia

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Portal to Randolph Cemetery in Baldwin County

Located on a side street on the outskirts of Milledgeville is one of the most impressive folk funerary monuments I’ve had the opportunity to document. The arched entryway for the Randolph Cemetery honors the Knights of the Pythias, Lodge 47. I would assume, minimally, they helped build this arch, but they likely had a hand in the start of this cemetery

The first Black KoP lodge was started in 1880 in Mississippi. I have not located much history about the Black history of KoP lodges in Georgia.

“He watches over me.”

The shield on the right represents the Knights of the Pythias. The F, C, and B stands for friendship, charity, and benevolence. They are often flanked by swords, battle axes, or a spear to represent the weapons they used to fight their enemies.

Cora Wright Randolph, 1874-1926. Notice the handprint on the headstone.

-Georgia, Black History, Cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places, Vernacular Headstones

Basket Creek Baptist Church Cemetery-Douglas County, Georgia

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The Basket Creek Baptist Church Cemetery was established in 1880 with its first burial. Unlike other cemeteries, there is no vegetation. The cemetery is swept and the plot mounds are rebuilt. This practice is tied to West African burial practices. It’s the only known cemetery in Georgia that utilizes this practice. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

-Georgia, Black History, Cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places, Vernacular Headstones

Lizzie Jackson Marker-Milledgeville, Georgia

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A beautiful handcrafted headstone in Memory Hill Cemetery

At one point, it’s been documented that there were a handful of similar terra cotta markers like this one in the African American section at Memory Hill Cemetery. It is believed this marker was made at the McMillan Brick Company, a leading brickmaker in Milledgeville. It is believed the designs were made from stamps in the pottery shop at the brick factory.

The designs on this marker feature a sunflower, acanthus, and diaper (the crisscross pattern).

-Georgia, Black History, Cemeteries, Symbolism, Vernacular Headstones

Sheffield UMC Cemetery, Georgia

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Down a sandy road, there is the Sheffield UMC Cemetery which has several vernacular headstones made with tile. Outside of marbles, this is one of the most used materials I see in homemade headstones and ledgers. There was a church next to the cemetery, but it burned many years ago.

-Georgia, Cemeteries, Symbolism, Vernacular Headstones

Lord. I Am Redy-Tifton, Georgia

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This vernacular headstone can be found in Greenwood Cemetery in Tifton, Georgia. The KOFP represents the Knights of the Pythias. The interlocking links are a symbol of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, and the links stand for friendship, love, and truth.

-Georgia, Black History, Cemeteries, Vernacular Headstones

Union Cemetery, Georgia

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I can’t find anything on this cemetery. It’s still active despite being in a very remote area of Ben Hill County.