Tag Archives: vernacular headstones

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

Porterdale Cemetery-Columbus, Georgia

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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 Hill
Dr. Charles Swann, 1962-1910
Dora 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.
Babyland
Steven Pate
James Henry Marks
There was no name on this grave.
This is a close-up of the vignette.
Black History, Cemeteries, Churches, Georgia, Vernacular Headstones

Zion Hill Baptist Church-Haralson County, Georgia

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I was unable to find any history on the church. Based on FindAGrave, the oldest recorded burial is 1900. The church has burials in three distinct locations. The older sections were further from the church.

This marker for Grace Holcomb, 1909-1962, was my favorite find of the day. The top detail reminds me of a crown. The careful lettering and leaf etching illustrate how careful the artist was in making this. According to findagrave, there is another marker like this, but I was not successful in finding it.

On occasion, I will find Eldren Bailey markers where his markers are incorporated into other materials. Rufus and Cassie Rowe lived outside of Bremen. Rufus worked for the railroad. According to Ancestry, they had at least ten children.

Their Eldren Baikey markers were encased in concrete decorated in shells. Seashells are a common Christian symbol used in cemeteries, especially in the South, to represent a crossing over or spiritual journey. It also is believed that enslaved people utilized shells to represent that the sea brought them to this land, but the sea would also take them back to Africa.

There were also other Eldren Bailey markers in the cemetery.

Lawrence Holcomb, d. 1970
Mrs. Claudie Spear, 1909-1973

Below are a few different views of the cemetery.

Cemeteries, Georgia, Vernacular Headstones

Stephens Grave Covers-Buchanan, Georgia

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The Buchanan City Cemetery is a small town cemetery located in Haralson County, Georgia. In this cemetery, there are six grave covers made of Georgia red clay, utilizing a uniform design.

Jessie Parks Stephens, 1880-1880

Several generations of family members rest in these plots. Isabella Hill is the grandmother to John Henry Stephens and Exah Cowart. Jessie Parks Stephens is the son of John Henry Stephens and great-grandson of Isabella Hill. Johnnie Cowart is the son of Exah Cowart and grandson of Isabella Hill. I did utilize Wikipedia and Ancestry to see if there was additional info.

Exah Matilda Stephens (Cowart), 1855-1882

While the deaths spanned from 1880 to 1898, I believe the markers were made simultaneously. The covers show uniformity in size and design. I appreciate the handiwork that went into play to create the

Johnnie Cowart, 1882-1883

I know very little about pottery. If you know more, please provide any additional information that would be helpful in describing then or sharing techniques.

Isabella Hill, 1801-1883
John Henry Stephens, 1853-1887
Walter Jenter Stephens, 1877-1898
A close up of one of the vases
Cemeteries, Georgia, Symbolism, Vernacular Headstones

Mt. Sumach Baptist Church Cemetery-Cisco, Georgia

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Mt. Sumach Baptist Church is located in the hills of the Georgia Mountains near the Tennessee State line. The church’s graveyard is typical of many rural church cemeteries. There are a mixture of modest headstones. Additionally, there are a handful of vernacular markers. Two of these markers are the “head and shoulder” markers, which I usually see made out of wood. The pink marble marker is likely made from Tate, Georgia pink marble.

The grey granite marker says “MRA.” I am not sure what these two markers together mean.
This is a typical Victorian marker which symbolizes the curtains are closing.
The head and shoulders marker of Jackson Columbus Hooker, who only lived for one day.
There was no visible name on this marker.
While I suspect this marker was a commercially made market, I liked that it had a myriad of colors.
Cemeteries, Tennessee, Vernacular Headstones

Mount Gilead Cemetery-Sparta, Tennessee

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Mount Gilead Cemetery outside of Sparta, Tennessee, is one of several cemeteries found in mostly Southern states and the Appalachian Mountains containing tent graves. This cemetery has some of the oldest graves featuring this style.

The graves of Mary Brogdon (1837-1868), Owing Gentry (1806-1875), and William Davis (1864-1873)

Also known as comb graves, it was initially assumed that they were built to protect graves, but it is now believed that these were likely aesthetic choices. I support this idea. Vernacular headstones often appear in clusters in several cemeteries. For instance, there are a series of cemeteries along the coast that feature what I’ve called “Black Madonnas” since they are only in Black cemeteries. Additionally, many cemeteries along the coast feature a single-star motif on headstones. An example can be seen on the Mary Lemon grave at Behavior Cemetery.

The grave of Susannah Keathley (1788-1854)
The grave of Jinsey Aust (1813-1875)
Black History, Cemeteries, Florida, Symbolism, Uncategorized, Vernacular Headstones

Pinehurst and San Sebastian Cemeteries-Saint Augustine, Florida

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San Sebastian and Pinehurst Cemeteries are located in West St. Augustine on Pearl Street. The two cemeteries are next to each other and are stated to be among the oldest Black cemeteries in the state of Florida. There is conflicting information on whether the cemeteries began before or after the Civil War.

The cemeteries contain a mixture of commercial and vernacular headstones, along with military ones. Additionally, there are mementos left on many graves. Everything from conch shells to dolls is scattered throughout.

Mr. James Jones Remembrance of his daughter Elizabith. Aslapp.
Edwin Mansell (1947-1999). This is one of the newer vernacular headstones I’ve seen. It uses tile which is a common material in handmade markers.
I do not know what this stands for.
Bessie R. James, 1883-1913
Lewis Mickell, 1872-1915
Elisah Felds, 1887-1905
The name is hard to read, but the Masonic symbol is still visible.
Ellen Simmons, d. 1910. This marker resembles an Angel.
One of the many concrete crosses in the cemetery.
Victorian grave markers heavily influence this marker.

There is no truth that carved chains on a headstone mean someone is born into slavery. Most chains represent the fraternal organization Fraternal Order of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. They are frequently joined with the letters “ F L T,” which stands for “Friendship, Love, Truth.”

I read several journal articles about the documentation of slave and Black cemeteries, and there was no mention that markers with chains meant someone was born into slavery. What is consistently mentioned are broken dish ware, clocks, shells, and different plants.

A circle of chains, broken or unbroken, can represent death or hope respectively.

Willie Whitted, 1879-1917. This is one of several Odd Fellows markers in the cemeteries. This person was born after the end of slavery.

This cemetery shared two borders with the all-white cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery.