Young Wilson Knott (1855-1859) died a few weeks before his fourth birthday because of scarlet fever. Before the development of antibiotics, scarlet fever, a disease caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, caused frequent breakouts in towns that would often lead to death for children.
Known as the “Cemetery Jogger,” Julia Denise Backus Smith (1946-2003) was a city commissioner and philanthropist in Savannah, Georgia. She was an avid runner who completed several marathons. Her mother commissioned this bronze grave marker that celebrates her love of running.
There’s only one Victorian sculpture in Laurel Grove South Cemetery, the historic Black cemetery in Savannah. It happens to be a John Walz, of Gracie fame. I am unable to confirm much about John and Clara Davis. At one point, I read they were shopkeepers, but I cannot recall the source.
John Walz was a German-American sculptor who moved to Savannah after visiting to help install monuments his company made for the Telfair Museum. My understanding is that no one is certain how many monuments he made for cemeteries, but it’s well-above 80.
Louisa Alexander Porter (1807-1888) was from a prominent family in Georgia. A generous philanthropist, she helped fund the beginning of the “Refuge for the Homeless” which provided housing for homeless women and children. The Louisa Porter Foundation honors her legacy.
Her monument, designed by Antonio Caniparoli, is made of Carrara marble and is listed on the Smithsonian Saving Outdoor Sculpture database. It is in Laurel Grove North Cemetery.
Every time I visit St. Marys, I photograph the Resurrection Angel, so named for the words etched at the bottom, “Awaiting the Resurrection.”
Granville Rodgers was the son of J.W. and Kathleen Rodgers. His final resting place is in Pineview Cemetery, Charlton County, Georgia.
