Theodore I. Prendergast (25 February 1902-9 May 1909)
National Register of Historic Places
Child’s Gravestone, Bonaventure Cemetery
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Tag Archives: Georgia Sculpture
Barnett Methodist Church, Circa 1876
This congregation was once a centerpiece of the railroad town of Barnett, which thrived in the latter half of the 19th century. The building was in bad repair for many years but was recently renovated.
Lawrence Battle (12 December 1889-12 June 1878), a prominent local landowner, gave the land on which the church was built in 1876. He died soon thereafter.
Among the many fascinating markers in the adjoining cemetery, the marble angel marking the grave of Marye Lulu Battle (1865-12 June 1900), is the most revered.
Notable, as well, is this wooden grave marker at the burial site of Jason Hayes (September 1834-June 1908). On a personal note, I found the graves of several members of the Pate family, which may well turn out to be relatives of mine. One of the names, Maxie Pate, is a name shared by my maternal great-grandfather. I haven’t yet made the connection, but I believe there is one.
Berta Wooten Monument, Morgan
This moving tribute to Berta C. Daniel Wooten (4 December 1880-31 March 1914) can be found in the historic Morgan Methodist Church Cemetery.
Wes Haun writes: This monument is close to one for her son put there by her husband, Mr James Wooten. In 1921 he was lost at sea on the USS Conestoga which was located in March, 2016. After 95 years missing, all 56 souls were recognized at appropriate ceremonies. The one in Morgan was Saturday July 16. My grand daddy was Mr Jim’s friend and is buried in this cemetery.
Crawford W. Long Statue, Danielsville
Dr. Crawford Williamson Long was born in Danielsville on 1 November 1815. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1839. While in college, Long participated in what were known as “ether frolics”, obtaining a slightly altered state by the use of nitrous oxide. This led him to believe there was a possibility that a similar application could be used to alleviate pain during surgery. Upon returning to Georgia, he began a practice in Jefferson. Since he couldn’t procure nitrous oxide in rural Georgia he began experimenting with sulfuric ether. On 30 March 1842 he used sulfuric ether to render patient James M. Venable unconscious for the removal of a tumor. When Venable regained consciousness, he felt no pain. This was the first use of sulfuric ether as an anesthetic and Long went on to become nationally recognized for his pioneering work. He later moved to Athens, where he continued a thriving practice. He died there on 16 June 1878. Long County, in southeast Georgia, was named in his honor in 1920.
In 1926, a statue of Long by Scottish-American sculptor J. Massey Rhind was placed in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. This is likely contemporary to that date and appears to be a copy. The base of the large statue contains general biographical information and this quote: “My profession is to me a ministry from God.”
Art House, Carlton
This circa 1894 gabled-ell cottage is the home of Mike Jones and Stephanie Astalos-Jones. Stephanie writes: All the art here IS for sale. There is a small sign on the corner of Lexington and Highway 72 that says “art for sale” and points this way…Our hope is that our house is known as an art house where people can come and find original art.
It was hard not to stop after seeing this big hand on a tree in the yard.
Regarding the beautiful decoration of the house, Stephanie explains: Every bit of that is hand painted. I’m a pysanky artist (batik work on egg shell) and I wanted to put pysanky style artwork on the house. I’m also a professional actor…
There were three sculptures in the yard, and the remains of an old tuba attached to a post. Stephanie notes: My husband is a sculptor and a jazz saxophone player. Those are his pieces you show in the yard. It’s nice to see them again since all are sold now.
Black Patriots Monument, Washington
Sharing the Washington town square with the Confederate monument is this unique memorial to the African-American veterans of the Revolutionary War, dedicated in 2012. It’s estimated that over 5,000 black patriots served in the Continental army and though efforts have been made to place a similar remembrance in Washington, D.C., this is thought to be the only such work of this scale and prominent placement in the country. The bust is meant to represent the best known black patriot of Georgia, Austin Dabney. Dabney and his owner, Richard Aycock moved from North Carolina to Wilkes County in the late 1770s and to avoid service himself, Aycock sent Dabney to serve in his stead. He was present at the Battle of Kettle Creek on 14 February 1779, among Georgia’s most important engagements in the war. Dabney was granted his freedom, as well as land in Wilkes County and a pension in reward for his service. As there is no contemporary image of Dabney, sculptor Kinzey Branham used an image of James Armistead Lafayette, a better-known African-American patriot who also gained his freedom after the war.
Bicentennial Fountain, 1976, Elberton
This memorial fountain, made of local granite, of course, is located in Elberton Plaza, across Oliver Street from the Elbert County Courthouse.
Major John B. Mitchell Memorial, Cedar Creek Cemetery, Wilcox County
Having traveled past this memorial all my life, it was one of the first local landmarks I chose to photograph when I began doing the work for Vanishing South Georgia nearly a decade ago. This peaceful cemetery still fascinates me.
The marble statue of a Major John B. Mitchell is notable, so well executed that it’s finer than many county Confederate memorials.
The cemetery is the final resting place for many South Georgia pioneers and Confederate veterans.
This early enclosure is well-preserved compared to many, which have collapsed.
Spirit of the American Doughboy, 1921, Americus
Located in Rees Park, this monument honoring the soldiers of World War I was actually designed while its creator, Indiana native E. M. Viquesney, was living in Americus, though the first one to be manufactured was placed in Nashville, Georgia, prior to the erection of this one. The design was mass-produced in the 1920s and 1930s and is the most popular of its kind, with hundreds located in parks throughout the United States. It’s known as the Spirit of the American Doughboy.
Americus Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
18th Century Tympanic Icons of Midway Cemetery
Tympana are the semi-circular arches atop early headstones, usually featuring an iconic relief sculpture. In early America, the most common of these icons is the “winged death” head, usually represented as a cherubic face or skull above a pair of wings. New England churchyards and burying grounds abound with these earliest forms of American sculpture, but they’re rarities in the Deep South. Charleston has the largest concentration, with other examples scattered around the low country of South Carolina; Savannah has a few examples but Midway has the best variety in Georgia.
This headstone is half-buried [see first photo]. Wilson was born at the Salem Plantation, Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Elisabeth Bennett married William Way in Liberty County on 4 September 1794. In regards to design, this is the most important headstone at Midway. In Early Gravestone Art of Georgia & South Carolina (UGA Press, Athens, 1986), Diana Williams Combs wrote: “As far as I know, the nimbus has not been employed elsewhere during this period of American gravestone art. In this context it emphasizes the salvation of the deceased.”
Susanna Stacy was the daughter of John and Sarah Winn and the wife of James Stacey.
Margaret Stacy was born at the Salem Plantation, Beaufort County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Wilson and the wife of John Stacy. She died soon after giving birth to their fourth child.
Sarah Winn was born at Dorchester, South Carolina, the daughter of John and Sarah Winn. [not the same Sarah Winn whose headstone is pictured above].
This is one of two Sarah Stevens stones in Midway. The other stone marks the grave of Sarah Milner Stevens (1731-1767). I’ll investigate this further when I can.
I believe this marble marker dates to 1793. I will update it soon.
There’s always a nice view of Midway Congregational Church (1792) across US Highway 17 from the famous brick wall surrounding the cemetery.
National Register of Historic Places