Category Archives: Historic Photos

-Georgia, Cemeteries, Historic Photos, Symbolism

Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery-Miller County, Georgia

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The Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery contains three very interesting markers. Two are of Stephen and Narcissus Spooner. The other one is for Marion Blankenship.

Stephen Morrow Spooner, 1823-1901, was a farmer in Miller County, Georgia. There was once a Spooner, Georgia in this area. My assumption is the town was named after this family.

One interesting story about Stephen Spooner is that I. 1871, he killed Dr. James Barrow Guest over a disagreement according to one news article I found. I cannot Iocate a follow-up article that states whether or not there was a trial. I do know he was living at home in 1880. His property contained 550 acres and it’s value was assessed at $1000 in the late 1870’s.

The Spooners’ 3rd great-grandson, Kevin Daniels, informed me that two different sculptors created their monuments.

Courtesy of Ancestry

Marion Kenneth Blankenship was not your average Elvis Presley impersonator. “Kenn” was was a very talented musician and singer who was nominated for the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Porcelain portrait and marker for their beloved Fancy
-South Carolina, Abandoned, Churches and Temples, Historic Photos, National Register of Historic Places

Sheldon Church Ruins and Cemetery -Yemassee, South Carolina

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Sheldon Church, once known as the Prince William Parish Church, has a long history. The congregation held its first service in 1757. The British troops burned the church in 1779. It was rebuilt in 1826 with the walls that were still standing.

Originally it was believed the church was burned by Sherman’s troops. It came to light with unearthed documents that stated the church was burnt but ransacked by local people who needed supplies.

Crypt of Mary Branford Bull, d. 1777
Ann Bull Hayward, 1813-1851
-Georgia, Cemeteries, Historic Photos, Symbolism

New Park Cemetery-Fort Gaines, Georgia

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Founded in 1860, New Park Cemetery is one of the early cemeteries in Fort Gaines, Georgia. The cemetery contains many examples of markers representing the years it’s been active. One of the more unusual aspects of the cemetery is that there is a Victorian gazebo built in 1880 that sits atop a Native American burial ground, believed to be at least 1000 years old. Like the Kolomoki Mounds, it is believed this was built by the Swift Creek and Weeden Island people.

An example of the iron work in the cemetery.
Col. James Bennett, 1800-1860. The hourglass with wings symbolizes that our time on earth is limited.
Designed by C. W. Morris, the gazebo was built on top of a Native American mound in 1880. This photo is courtesy of the Digital Library of Georgia. When I visited, I did not realize the gazebo was more than a place for reflection, so I did not photograph it. The gazebo reminds me of the Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound outside of Helen, Georgia.
-Georgia, Historic Photos, Houses, National Register of Historic Places

Henry B. Tompkins Home-Atlanta, Georgia

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Neel Reid designed this 1922 Georgian-inspired home for Henry B. Tompkins and his wife. The home was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The home was painted this bright orange in 2010.

Black and white photo is courtesy the NRHP application.