Vidalia Primitive Baptist Church
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Category Archives: –TOOMBS COUNTY GA–
Old Vidalia Cemetery, Toombs County
The Old Vidalia Cemetery has its origins in the McMillan Burial Ground, circa 1810s. The earliest known burial is 1821 but the headstones of the earliest decedents are presumed to be lost. From the historical marker near the entrance to the cemetery: An early settler to the area that is now Vidalia was Malcolm McMillan, who pitched his camp near this site circa 1800, and built his pioneer home. In the following years, he and his cousin, the Rev. Murphey McMillan, established a Presbyterian church and cemetery on this site. For the next 100 years, this served as the principal cemetery for the loose community of farmers, loggers and sheepherders that populated this area of what was then eastern Montgomery County. — The McMillans are believed to be buried here in now unmarked graves. Many of the older wooden markers which were once prevalent here no longer exist. The large open areas of the cemetery are not vacant of graves, only markers. — One of the first towns established near this site was Sterling in 1850, and many of its residents are buried here. — With the coming of the railroad in the late 1880s, this cemetery served the nearby communities that sprang up along its route, including: Aimwell, Appleton, Bandanna, Jenkins Stations, Stacers, Straw and Tosh. — After the founding of Vidalia in 1890, these early towns gradually ceased to exist. With the creation of Pinecrest Cemetery in 1907, this site ceased to serve as the area’s primary cemetery, and has often been known as the Church Street cemetery, the Primitive Baptist cemetery, and the Old Vidalia City cemetery.
Gable Front House, Toombs County
Christmas in Cedar Crossing
These decorations are nearly 20 feet tall and are a well-loved annual tradition which was started by J. Hall Neesmith. Thanks to Kate Moses for the background information.
McNatt Falls, Toombs County
McNatt Falls is an area along the Altamaha featuring numerous fishing cabins, mostly second homes, characterized by their elevation on stilts to protect from flooding.
While many of the structures are recycled mobile homes, many newer, more modern cabins are being built.
Water is usually at dock level here, but the 2011 drought has had a major impact on water levels on the Altamaha.
Brantley-Haynes Memorial, Toombs County
This monument was placed memory of Bennie, Gladys, Faye & Samuel Brantley, and Franklin Haynes, who lost their lives in a boating accident at Gray’s Landing on 12 July 1956. Belinda Brantley writes: My husband had this placed, I think in the 90s. He said that he couldn’t give his Daddy (Bennie) and his sister (Gladys) anything else. My husband was in the boat also, but a bystander jumped in to save him. His mother could never find out who it was, but my husband met the man at Cornerstone Baptist one night, thanks to Roy Mimbs. He was on leave at the time of the accident, and went back to the Navy a day or two later. Like Frankie said it was a day no one that was there could ever forget.
Frankie Haynes Astrauckus recalls: I was in the accident that day at Gray’s Landing. I’ve never been back. Today online, I saw the Memorial placed there in memory of my father, Frank Haynes, Uncle Benny Brantley, cousins, Gladys, Faye and Skeets (Samuel). It’s touching and it is beautiful. Thank you to all the people who came along side our family the days following… Thank you for placing that Memorial to remind us of many things… as a community we lost family, friends and neighbors. Life changed for many of us that afternoon. The loss was profound and they are still missed by those of us who knew them. Some of them were heroes amidst the calamity. I know, I experienced what it means, “greater love has no man than this, that he that would lay down his life for his friends’. That morning as we were on the way to Gray’s Landing, Gladys, Faye and I were singing an old song, “How Far is Heaven”. (I think it was popular in the 50s). They found out- that same day!
Old Campground Cemetery, Toombs County
The historical marker placed by the General Robert Toombs Camp, SCV, outlines the importance of this cemetery, especially its location as the final resting place of a member of the “Immortal Six Hundred”: Founded Circa 1820 as a meeting place for circuit riding ministers, Old Campground added a cemetery in 1853. It contains some of the oldest graves in Toombs County. There are three Confederate veterans buried here, including Lt. Gordon K. Fort, 24th Bn. Georgia Cavalry one of the “Immortal 600.”
During the War for Southern Independence, (1861-1865), the U. S. Army selected 600 captured Confederate officers, including Lt. Fort, for retaliation against the South. In one of the most heinous acts of vengeance in American history, they were starved, maltreated, and used as human shields. Because of their courage and perseverance, they became known as the “Immortal 600.” Also buried here are Lt. Robert Stripling, 61st Rgt. and Pvt. Benjamin Stripling of the 47th Regt. Georgia Infantry, CSA.
The cemetery is 1/4 mile south of this location.
Shotgun Store, Toombs County
I’ve never been able to identify this building, located between Altamaha and English Eddy, but it looks like a store. The utilitarian nature of the shotgun form lends itself to any number of building materials, as seen in this cinderblock example.
Tales from the Altamaha, Lyons
This mural highlights the historical play, Tales from the Altamaha, which has become a popular local event. It’s based on the stories of folklore and cultural history collected by Thomas Ross Sharpe. A native of the part of Tattnall County which became Toombs County in 1905, Sharpe (1893 – 1968) served Toombs County as a State Representative, and helped organize the Altamaha EMC.
Elberta Hotel, 1905, Lyons
The social center of Toombs County for many years, the Elberta Hotel once hosted such notables as Margaret Mitchell and Al Capone. It has been nicely restored and is used as a retail location today.