Located in rural northwest Alabama is the world’s only coon dog cemetery. Founded in 1937 on Labor Day, the cemetery began when Key Underwood buried his beloved coon dog, Troop. Officially, the cemetery’s name is the “Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard.”
The hand-chiseled gravestone of Troop, the first burial
Coon dogs are a type of scenthound used to hunt raccoons, feral pigs, and other animals. For a dog to be buried in the cemetery, the owner must verify they are a coon hound, a witness must verify the dog is a coonhound, and a board member of the cemetery must verify the dog is a coon hound. If a dog passes those tests, then their final resting place will be among a couple hundred of other coon hounds.
Queen, died 1962
The cemetery is filled with a mixture of professional and handmade headstones. Many headstones had a mixture of mementos left for the dogs, from rocks to balls
Easy Going Sam (4-8-1989-9-12-2002). Notice the color at the top of the cross.The hand-sculpted market for High PockettOne of the statutes honoring the coon dogs.
Founded in 1796, the Hebron Presbyterian Church congregation in Banks County is one of the earliest congregations in north Georgia. The church was built in 1883 and is representative of many rural churches found in the South with the double doors at the entrance, which were used separately by men and women when the sexes did not sit next to each other during church services.
The Hebron Academy is tied to the earlier school on the church’s campus. The first school building was constructed in 1855. At the time, it was a rare school that educated white schoolchildren and the children of the enslaved. The slaveholder could grant permission for anyone they held in bondage to be educated. This continued until a Georgia state law was passed to prevent the education of anyone held in bondage. In 1910, the current school building was constructed, and the old building was moved to be used as a parsonage.
The church’s cemetery highlights a mixture of tombs and markers used over the years. From the head and shoulders grave markers, sometimes called discoids, and the cairns represent earlier markers. Additionally, since it is still an active cemetery, modern markers are mixed throughout it.
The grave of Samuel McKie (1761-1845), who fought in the Revolutionary War, showcases an earlier vault with the addition of a federally issued headstone. The head and shoulders marker of Elizabeth McEntire (1765-1806) is engraved with “Here lies Elizabeth McEntire age 41 yrs. Departed this life 10 August 1806.” It is believed this marker, and others like it, was quarried from local stone.Jane Fleming Ash (1764-1859)The grave of Jennie C. Pruitt (1868-1913) is engraved with the quote, “In my father’s house are many mansions,” from John 14:2-6. This is a frequent inscription in cemeteries.
If you’ve traveled Pio Nono Road in Macon, you likely have noticed the entrance consisting of three arches leading into a cemetery. At first glance, one would assume it serves as the entrance for one cemetery, but there are two: Mosley Cemetery and Jesus Mission of Love Holiness Church Cemetery. There is a third cemetery, but it is on the other side of the church.
The view from the top of the hill to Pio Nono Avenue
The entrance was designed and built by Macon brick mason and general contractor Bartholomew Duhart. Duhart created the arches to honor his parents, Ruel and Annie, who are buried in Mosley Cemetery.
Each side of the bottom arches are painted in a rainbow.
I am uncertain when Mosley Cemetery began. The earliest obituary for Mosley Cemetery is 1933. While I cannot find proof, but I suspect it was either founded by or named for Ruth Hartley Mosley. Mosley was a nurse and helped run her husband’s funeral home. She was well-known around Macon and was very involved in the community.
The twist in the brickwork to create the top arch shows Duhart’s skill.
The Unionville Missionary Baptist Church began in 1865. Its worship home was on Pio Nono until they relocated. The Jesus Mission of Love Church took over the church and cemetery.
This is one of the vernacular markers in the cemetery.
While the cemeteries are officially separate, the landscape of the two cemeteries doesn’t delineate from one to the other.
Located on a dirt road, the Jones Chapel and cemetery sit across the road from each other. At the moment, I am unable to locate any history on the church. The building was built around 1900. The cemetery is somewhat active with a few fairly recent burials. I will update once I know more.
Mr. Newman Jackson, 1910-1995
Two headstones featured these pinpricks as ways to engrave the headstones.
T. L. Jackson, 1980-1980Mattie Jones, 1907-1908Bidy Ann Talington, 1907-1908Lola Roberson, 1904-1999Little Sandra Leann
I will always document any Eldren Bailey marker that I find.
The well-cleaned skeleton of a cow greeted me as I walked a path around the lake.
At one time, there was a school associated with the congregation. Photo courtesy of Digital Library of Georgia.
Located outside of Collinsville, Alabama is the Smith Chapel and Cemetery. I have not been able to find any history on the church. According to FindAGrave, the oldest burial is 1857. The cemetery is still active.
Porterdale Cemetery was the first cemetery for African Americans in Columbus, Georgia. The oldest known burial occurred in 1836. Town plans from 1826 show the cemetery on a map. Initially, it was known simply as the “Colored Cemetery.” It was then named Porterdale after a long serving sexton, Richard Porter.
Professor William Spencer (1858-1925)
Many people important to the history of Columbus are buried here. The most famous burial would be Gertrude “Ma” Rainey (1886-1939). She is buried there with several of her family members.
Professor William Spencer was an educator who served as the Superintendent of Colored Schools. He worked to get an accredited Black high school. His dream was realized after his death when Spencer High School was opened and named in his honor.
This was the oldest marker I photographed. It says, “Little Jenny, Kizzie’s Baby. May 30-Sept. 19, 1858.” In 1860, there were only 141 free Black people listed in the census. There were 3,547 enslaved people listed. The fact that there is a marker could mean “Little Jenny” was born free. However, it seems more likely that since a last name was not included, Kizzie was likely enslaved.
CME preacher Reverend Washington “Old Wash” Allen was born in South Carolina. In 1936, he was interviewed as part of the Slave Narratives Project. His interview can be read on the Library of Congress’s website.
Robert Booth (1867-1931) was the Past Master of the Lewis Hayden Lodge No. 6, Prince Hall Affiliated.
This bench honors the Charleston family. Samuel Charleston was an educator and activist.
Julius Wise served in the 24th Infantry. For more history on the 24th Infantry and Black soldiers, this website provides an excellent introduction.
George HillDr. Charles Swann, 1962-1910Dora O’Neal, 1896-April 25, 1918
Additional land was added to the cemetery. A grove of trees separates it. This section includes a “Babyland” section, where many infants and young children are buried. There are also several vernacular markers. On my last visit to the cemetery in 2021, there were many newly buried graves. I assume that they were for people who died of COVID.
This is only a handful of the new graves.BabylandSteven PateJames Henry MarksThere was no name on this grave.This is a close-up of the vignette.
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