The Moxley Baptist Church was built circa 1890, according to local history. It’s likely the congregation was established a bit earlier, as a post office was open in the community in 1881; it closed in 1914. The community was named for B. J. Moxley, who operated a gristmill in this section of southern Jefferson County. Several members of the extended Moxley family are buried in the church’s historic cemetery, across the road.
Coleman’s Chapel grew out of a plantation schoolhouse started by Lindsey Coleman, a large landowner in the area of present-day Wadley. After initially meeting in a brush arbor, residents of the area began holding revivals and built this church circa 1871, with the guidance of Dr. L. B. Boschell, who had a church in Summertown, Emanuel County. It has been expanded and modified throughout its long history.
The cemetery is the final resting place of infamous murderer Anjette Lyles, as well as her victims. I’m not sure what her connection to the church was, but she obviously had relatives or friends who allowed her to be buried here.
This historic African-American congregation was founded by Reverend J. J. Davis on 2 June 1878. It’s one of the oldest Black churches in Jefferson County still in existence. I’m unsure when the present structure was built. I believe it’s now associated with the Missionary Baptists.
This well-maintained African-American cemetery contains a collection of vernacular headstones of statewide importance, both as artifacts of ingenuity in the face of adversity and as sacred ground to the loved ones of those interred here. Thanks to Cynthia Jennings for making me aware of the site. Smith Grove [Smiths or Smith’s in some references] members made the best of what was available to them, which was typical of rural congregations. Many of the memorials are nearly unreadable*, but consider that at the time they were made, most rural African-American schools were grossly underfunded and were barely able to provide the basics of an education, and the makers of these were likely “drawing” the letters as opposed to writing them. I believe Smith Grove Cemetery should be on the National Register of Historic Places.
*-All names and dates that follow are presumed to be correct but the nature of the script makes it difficult to be completely accurate
Triangular Headstones
There are four triangular memorials, likely all accomplished by the same maker. Dates on Findagrave for these stones are not completely accurate. The way the numbers are positioned makes it nearly impossible to determine an actual date, in most cases.
The date of Mr. Stone’s birth would indicate he was likely born into slavery.
It is possible that Reverend Smith was the first pastor here and of the family for whom the church was named. [The name is listed as B. C. Smith on Findagrave, but I believe that may be an error in translation].
Unique Headstones
This unique memorial is perhaps the most interesting of all the vernacular headstones at Smith Grove. I believe it represents a crown and/or the trinity.
This is the back side of the Inell Bell monument.
It appears at first to resemble a keystone, but I don’t know if that was intentional. The rectangle in the middle likely once served as a frame for a piece of glass that held something of importance. The grave of PFC Robert W. Lockhart (not pictured), while a simple form, also has such a space and retains the original glass.
This side of the memorial has an even more complicated appearance, including incised areas that seem to be purposeful.
This is a small wedge-shaped stone. I am not sure if the name I have given is correct.
Stacked stones were once a common way to mark burials in African-American and white cemeteries, especially in rural locations.
Round Headstones
Traditional (Rectangular/Square) Headstones
This is identified as Nell Berrie on Findagrave but I believe it to be Mell.
The first name is unreadable but contains an “o”, and an “r”. The surname is misidentified on Findagrave as Iveya. Avera was a common name in the area at one time.
Many of the later headstones in the cemetery use a form slab and stenciled letters.
This historic African-American congregation is still active and this structure is adjacent to the associated cemetery. I am unaware of the history of the church, but it is possible that itwas established by former slaves of the Old Town plantation, located nearby.
This structure is located near the old church, and may have been a schoolhouse. Near the newer church is also a structure which appears to have been a school. I hope to learn more.
This historic African-American congregation dates to 1885. Reverend Andrew Wilkerson was the first pastor.
Ways Baptist Church was organized in 1817 by Revolutionary War veterans near the present-day community of Stellaville, about three miles east of Wrens. It was named for John Way, who donated the land on which it was sited and was known originally as Darcy’s Meeting House. The members were originally part of Brushy Creek Baptist Church but were dismissed for some reason, perhaps because they had slaves or had disagreements over other controversial issues. Enslaved persons were among the first members of the new congregation. A log cabin was built first, then a more formal structure. William Donovan oversaw construction of the present structure in 1851. It features what appears to be a slave gallery (common in churches with slave members) and the labor was likely accomplished by the slaves themselves. After emancipation, they founded their own congregation nearby, known as Ways Grove Baptist Church.
It is a beautiful church and churchyard, and there is an historic cemetery across the highway.
Ebenezer can trace its roots to the 1770s, when a group of Whigs split with the Tories at nearby Buckhead Bethel Church [known today as Bethel, in Vidette]. The Whigs first met on the property of Richard Fleeting. The church was first known as Fleeting’s Meeting House, then Big Creek, before settling on Ebenezer. Reverend Thomas Beattie was the first pastor, sometimes dividing his duties between Buckhead Bethel and Louisville. He died suddenly and was replaced by a Tory, the Reverend William Donaldson, but due to the Revolutionary fervor of most members he left the congregation in 1776. The next minister, Reverend David Bothwell, came from Ireland in 1790. Bothwell was a friend and counselor to Governor Jared Irwin. Irwin, and Governors James Jackson and David Emanuel were elders at Bethel. Erskine Caldwell’s father, Ira Sylvester Caldwell, preached here much later, as well.
The church, located between Louisville and Wrens, is still active and has done a wonderful job maintaining the church and its historic graveyard.
This congregation was organized in 1905. This structure is likely contemporary to that date, or very near it.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 