The Victorian aesthetic of the cemetery as a public park was falling out of fashion by the time Evergreen Cemetery was established, but Fitzgerald embraced the ideal, planting trees and shrubs to enhance the landscape. Part of the park concept often included pavilions for public remembrances. Such remembrances were commonplace in the years just after World War I, when this Craftsman-inspired structure was built. At the time, Evergreen was a much smaller cemetery than it is today, and funeral services were sometimes held here, as well.
N. J. Trammell, Sexton of Evergreen Cemetery, at the new pavilion, circa 1924. Albumen print on cabinet card. Note the absence of the louvered sides. Collection of Brian Brown.
I inherited this photograph of the newly built pavilion from the daughter of the man standing beside it. They were distant cousins of mine. Needham John Trammell (1863-1938) was the sexton of Evergreen Cemetery during the 1910s and 1920s and he was charged with its upkeep and the recording of burials. I believe the photograph was made in 1924 (it’s one of several), but will have to locate more paperwork to confirm a specific date. I’ll update when I do.
Sexton’s Monthly Report of Burials in Evergreen Cemetery for the The City of Fitzgerald, 1922. Collection of Brian Brown.
I also have several volumes of his sexton’s monthly reports, covering most of the 1920s. This page indicates there were only two burials in April 1922.
As the preceding vintage photograph illustrates, the pavilion didn’t have the louvered sides when built. They were added for shade, no doubt.
The pavilion continues to be well-maintained and has become a symbol of Evergreen Cemetery over the years.
In 1855, Sheldon Madison Chapman, Sr. (1829-1911), gave four acres of land for a burying ground for the enslaved members of Jones Creek Baptist Church, and a section along the creek for use as a baptistry for all members. Chapman was one of the most prominent citizens of Jones Creek, having served, like his father, as postmaster of the community. Though originally located in Liberty County, Jones Creek was the earliest and largest settlement in present-day Long County.
There are many unmarked burials in the Jones Creek Black Cemetery, most of them likely dating to the days of slavery, but in contrast, the existing monuments and memorials are of commercial manufacture, indicating a prosperous congregation at a time when that would have been unusual.
One can deduce that the site it is known as Jones Creek Black Cemetery because its earliest burials were the enslaved people who attended Jones Creek Baptist Church with their White enslavers. Since circa 1878, however, it has been the de facto burying ground for St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church.
Rev. March Hughes (Circa 1829-1903) + Peggy Hughes (Circa 1820-death date unknown)
March Hughes was granted a letter that he may minister to a flock of his choice in the 1870s, when many Black congregations were forming their own churches. He preached his own ordination service on 24 August 1878 and established St. Thomas Baptist Church (now known as St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church) for the freedmen of Jones Creek Baptist Church. He was licensed as a preacher on 26 January 1884. When he died in 1903, Rev. Hughes was the most influential Black man in the Jones Creek community. Those who maintain this cemetery have proposed renaming it the March Hughes Cemetery in his honor. [This history comes from plaques at the site and from Mike McCall via the late Christine Welcome, a longtime member of St. Thomas.]
F. Baker, Jr. (3 January 1897-6 September 1929)
Mr. Baker was a member of the the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The W. W. V. initials at the bottom of the headstone stand for “World War Veteran”, World War I in this case.
Martha Snider (Birth and death dates unknown)
Little is known of Martha Snider, but she was 96 years old when she died.
A. L. Baker (9 June 1895-5 June 1929)
Mr. Baker was a World War I Veteran and Mason.
Alford Watkins (1861-5 February 1911)
Watkins was a Mason.
Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. H. Stokes (9 March-1920-26 October 1926)
The memorials for the two young children of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Stokes are vernacular in design, unlike most of the other memorials in the Jones Creek Black Cemetery.
Son of Mr. & Mrs. G. H. Stokes (11 October 1925-27 July 1933)
It’s unusual that the Stokes children are not named, but simply listed as “daughter” and “son”.
Jasper Baggs (August 1873-15 February 1925)
Jasper Baggs was a laborer, according to his death certificate.
Patsy Baggs (15 October 1947-31 May 1931)
Patsy Baggs’s death certificate listed her occupation as “house work” and “keeping house”. This was a common form of employment for Black women in the Jim Crow era.
The Baggs family was quite prolific and many members are buried in this enclosure near the back of the cemetery.
Roy E. Baggs (4 April 1888-28 April 1911)
The initials F.L.T. (Friendship, Truth, and Love) at the top of the marker indicate that Mr. Baggs was a member of the Odd Fellows.
James E. Baggs, Sr. (22 October 1892-17 November 1963)
Mr. Baggs was one of several members of St. Thomas who served in World War I. He was a corporal in the Army. I hope to learn more about his service.
Coda L. Baggs (1852-1935)
I presume the name to be Coda.
Fraulein Baggs Smith (1905-1923)
Fraulein is an unusual name. It’s my favorite in this cemetery.
This open lane follows the bank of Jones Creek and is adjacent to the traditional site of baptisms for Black congregants. A reconstruction of the old dressing room for baptisms is visible at right. In the distance is the White cemetery and the historic Jones Creek Baptist Church.
Immersion baptism was common among churches of both races in the rural South well into the 20th century, and is still practiced by some.
According to church records, “the last time we used the water of Jones Creek was April 23, 1995…”
Dixon Cemetery in Ben Hill County is notable, due to its large number of extant fieldstone grave markers and gravesites that incorporate commercial sculpted stone elements.
It is identified on Findagrave as Dixon Cemetery #1, to distinguish it from another Dixon Cemetery (#2) in the Queensland community. There is also a Dickson Cemetery, near Ashton.
Fieldstones and other available natural stones are among the earliest forms of grave marking throughout the world and are quite common in Georgia.
It’s less common, however, to find them in great numbers in any one cemetery and in more modern cemeteries they often get pushed over and lost among newer markers.
The markers at Dixon Cemetery are sandstone, or a similar soft stone, and therefore are most threatened by erosion. Marble and granite markers in North Georgia have a greater likelihood of long-term survival.
Since the stones lack any identifying elements of the decedents they memorialize, they present a real challenge to genealogists and family members trying to locate burials. The decedent may be associated with a particular stone from one generation to the next, but this information is usually lost to later generations.
In addition to the fieldstones, there are three other gravesites which make use of commercial sculpted stone. This stand-alone marker was probably co-opted from the coping used around the gravesite seen in the next photograph.
Rev. W. M. Bailey (1835-1903)
Though they are dependent on manufactured material, the effect is vernacular.
The “white bronze” Taylor grave marker, better known as a “zinky”, seems out of place in Dixon Cemetery, though these were sold nationally through agents of the Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut and can be found throughout America. This particular example has rusted over the years.
George W. Taylor grave marker.
Commercial markers are present, as well.
Of the identified burials in this cemetery (the earliest dating to 1900), there are a few more Walkers than Dixons, but I believe the earliest burials are those marked by fieldstones, which likely have a connection to the Dixon family. The Walker and Dixon families were also related.
Martha Riley; May Lue Riley; Oscar Riley; Robert Riley; and Eucie Riley. Gone But Not Forgotten.
This extraordinary vernacular memorial marks the burial place of members of the Riley family of Talbotton, in Smith Hill Cemetery. Smith Hill is perhaps the oldest municipal Black cemetery in Talbotton, a town which before the Civil War was essentially a network of plantations. As a result, the final resting places of the enslaved who toiled on those plantations are generally unknown. Smith Hill may have had origins as a plantation cemetery but it grew into the de facto burying ground for the Black community. It quickly descends into a ravine and marked graves are scattered in all directions. Varying styles, from plain to Victorian, are present. The earliest marked burial dates to the 1870s, but there are scores of unmarked graves in Smith Hill.
I chose this memorial to represent the cemetery for its obvious artistic merit, but also to illustrate the difficulty which faces genealogists and historians in documenting the lives of a population that was traditionally left out of the broader story of Southern history. The marker, with stenciled names, a marble cross, and folk art flowers, tells us someone cared about these people, but beyond that, there lives are a mystery. James Riley (1923-1955) and Rose Riley (?-1978) are represented by ledger stones nearby, so they were related. Perhaps the names on this memorial were earlier members of their family who wanted to make sure their names were not forgotten.
Findagrave identifies the graveyard located at this church as the “Salem Methodist Church Cemetery”, indicating that to be the historical name of the congregation. The current sign identifies it as New Salem Church, so a change in affiliation may have taken place in recent years.
Unidentified/unreadable. Headstone appears to be the work of Eldren Bailey.
The well-maintained country church, near Muslim Farm Road on the outskirts of Bronwood, has its origins with freedmen. The earliest identified burial dates to 1885. There are doubtless many unmarked graves.
The steps of the outdoor baptismal are branded with the numbers “666”. I’m guessing it’s symbolic for leaving evil and misdeeds behind as you emerge from the ritual.
Among my favorite things to document these days are vernacular headstones. This one, in White Chapel Cemetery, was created to honor Annie Mosely. Her name is spelled Mosly on the marker, but it was likely Mosley. It’s a concrete memorial with handwritten text, and an added decoration. Ms. Mosley was born just after the Civil War and died just before World War II.
I don’t have a history for Piney Green Baptist Church, but it’s a relatively old congregation. There are some noteworthy vernacular memorials in the adjacent cemetery.
There are a couple of wooden grave markers, of a style broadly referred to as “head-and-shoulders”. There are two lying on the ground in front of this example.
The wooden marker has been painted.
Della McLeod (12 July 1917-20 April1930) – Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. C. H. McLeod
There are also the usual concrete memorials, with stenciled and handwritten text.
Annie B. Simpkins (5 November 1909-2 May 1910)
This marker is a good example of the handwritten variety, and has a shape and form imagined by its maker. I don’t think a form was used.
As this side view illustrates, a wedge of concrete was placed at the front for support; this is an unusual modification.
Alvira or Elvira? Dixon (8 October 1935-November 194?)
The crack in this handwritten memorial is indicative of just how vulnerable these vernacular objects are.
This grave is adorned with a pot, which had some connection to the decedent. This remains a common practice in many African-American cemeteries.
Charles Hicks (1838-1941). Photograph via The Hicks Preserve. Public domain. No known restrictions.
Charles Hicks was born enslaved to a large landowner named Page, of Wrightsville, on 7 July 1838, and was first known as Charles Page. Though largely unknown today, he was well-known by veterans of both sides of the Civil War during his lifetime through his involvement in veterans groups. Modern scholarship makes it clear that enslaved men didn’t “volunteer” for service for the Confederacy, though quite a few assisted their enslavers on the battlefield. As a result, it has been suggested that Mr. Hicks “served” the Confederacy. Since he was personally proud of his superlative achievement, I will not malign that fact, but he had no choice. He has often been held up as an example of Black support for the Confederacy, and but I believe the full story should be available.
Charles’s first enslaver was known for his cruelty and his early years were difficult. Page sold Charles to to James Henry Hicks in 1860, at which time he became Charles Hicks. According to Findagrave, Charles went off to war as a servant with his owner’s son, Lt. James H. Hicks Jr., in 1861. Lt. Hicks served with the 14th Georgia, under the command of Robert E. Lee and he and Charles were present at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Cold Harbor. When Lt. Hicks was wounded in 1864, he and Charles returned to Georgia. Soon thereafter, Hicks went back to Virginia, leaving Charles behind.
The details aren’t clear, but Charles left the farm in Johnson County and was intercepted by Union troops and conscripted into the 110th United States Colored Volunteer Infantry. This unit served with Sherman during the occupation of Savannah. Upon his release from service, Hicks, by now a free man, returned to Johnson County and lived for a time near his old master. He moved to a farm near Lyons in the 1890s. He was granted a federal pension in 1912 and traveled the next year to the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg as an honorary member of the United Confederate Veterans. He returned in 1938 for the 75th anniversary. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union equivalent of the Confederate association, and attended numerous reunions over the years.
He established the first known school for Black children in Toombs County in the early 1930s, donated the land for and was very active in Jordan Stream Baptist Church, where the school was located. According to his obituary, Hicks “was a substantial landowner and operated his farm until after he was a hundred years old when sons gave him such assistance as he needed…”
He was memorialized on the African-American Civil War Memorial in Washington in 1998. I hope this man, who was a shining example of reconciliation and was a living embodiment of the Civil War, is better remembered today. [His family operates an excellent website about his life, but I’m unable to share at the moment because of certificate issues. I’ll update when the certificate is clear; it’s likely a temporary issue.]
This slab at the foot of his grave reads: In Memory of Charles Hicks Who Served in Co. F. 14th GA Inf Reg CSA AND Co C 110th U S Colored Vol Infantry – 1861-1866 – Only Georgia Veteran Known To Be a Member of Both the United Confederate Veterans and Grand Army of the Republic Organizations. It’s probably that there were a few other Black men who “served” both sides, but it’s understood that he was the only one in Georgia.
Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church, near Manor, is the 14th Crawfordite meeting house I have documented in Georgia, the culmination of work that began well over a decade ago.
In that time, I’ve come to consider them an architectural and cultural treasure and admire them as landmarks of vernacular architecture.
As I’ve said before, they inspire even those without religion in their simplicity and practicality, and architecturally, are examples of sound construction and periodic restoration in the traditional sense.
The churches are all isolated but form a collective resource nonetheless.
Some are still in use while others are not, but in one way or another, they are all watched over by the families with connections to the congregations.
The Crawfordites, whom I’ve already discussed at length elsewhere on this website, were/are a subset of the Primitive Baptists who began forming congregations in the 1860s and 1870s, according to historian Dr. John G. Crowley.
Thomasville’s Old Cemetery dates to at least 1842, based on burial dates, and is a microcosm of 19th century funerary art, ranging from exceptional vernacular memorials to grand marble obelisks and monuments. It is said to be the oldest cemetery in Thomas County, incorrectly, but it may be the oldest in Thomasville proper. The deed conveying the cemetery to the city of Thomasville is dated 1858. Nearly 40 Confederate veterans, some in unmarked graves, are buried here, as well.
Isaac W. Mitchell (28 November 1795-24 May 1862) and Pvt. William C. Mitchell (1829-31 January 1868)
Isaac Mitchell was a prominent planter and large slaveholder in the area. In 1838, he sold a thousand-acre plantation with two miles of shoreline on Lake Iamonia, near Tallahassee. He died during the Civil War, and his son, who served in Co. F, 29th Georgia Regiment, died a few years later. Their monument, featuring ruined columns topped with wreaths, is one of the finest in the cemetery.
Sgt James A. McLendon (birth and death dates unknown at this time)
This beautiful Victorian monument is a bit of a mystery. I couldn’t find a name on it, but there’s an adjacent government-issued marker for Sgt. James A. McLendon, who served in Co. F., 50th Georgia Infantry.
Iron gate ornament
The gate decoration here was a common design. There’s a very similar example at the Isaac Joseph House in Columbus. The name on that gate appears to be the name of the maker, so I wonder if this is not the maker’s name, as well. I’ve only been able to discern that it’s either Branner or Brannem, neither of which I find in the burial list for the Old Cemetery. Another mystery, at least for now.
Captain John D. Henderson (birth and death dates unknown at this time)
This is one of two or three seashell graves in the Old Cemetery, this one being in the best state of preservation. In fact, it’s one of the nicest I’ve seen. There is a government-issued memorial at the foot of the grave that notes Captain Henderson served with Co. F, 29th Georgia Infantry.
Anne Frances Remington (21 February 1851-17 September 1852) and Mary Elizabeth Remington (2 October 1849-19 September 1852)
This table grave is an interesting mix of vernacular and formal funerary art. The handmade bricks, likely made by enslaved laborers, are topped by a professionally made marble slab. The girls were both very young, and since they died around the same time, were likely afflicted with the same illness.
There are numerous brick crypts and slabs in the Old Cemetery.
Most of these are unidentified, and therefore I’m just showing them for the skill and craft involved in their production.
Some of the brick in the memorials appears to be handmade, and I would guess that some were made by enslaved people.
The gravestone below is made of slate, an uncommon material in Georgia. I’ve rarely found such memorials away from the coast.
Peggy Seixas (circa 1799-24 May 1858)
The Seixas family were Thomas County pioneers. The Seixas House, circa 1835, is thought to be the oldest one-story house in Thomasville.
The gazebo is a prominent landmark in the Old Cemetery.
