Rose Hill Cemetery; Macon, Georgia

Death and Funeral of Edward McCrudden

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Wednesday, 30 March 1921, pg. 3

DEATHS AND FUNERALS
EDWARD MCCRUDDEN
Edward McCrudden, 84 years of age, one of the oldest residents of Macon, died at 6 o'clock last night at his residence, No. 453 Arch street, after an illness of only one day.

Mr. McCrudden was born in Donegal, Ireland, and came to Macon sixty-five years ago, entering business here, in which he continued up to the time of his death.

He is survived by one sister, Miss Margaret McCrudden, of Ireland, and one niece, Miss Mary A. Gallagher of Macon. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church. The funeral will be held Thursday, arrangements to be announced later.

Macon Telegraph
Friday, 1 April 1921, pg. 3

DEATHS AND FUNERALS
EDWARD MCCRUDDEN
The funeral of Edward McCrudden, whose death occurred at 6 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, was held from St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Rev. Father Murphy conducted the services and interment was in the family lot at St. Joseph's Cemetery. The following served as pallbearers: John Murphy, Pat Cassidy, John Gillispie, John McBrearty, Joe Thomas and Pat McNeils.

According to his death certificate, Edward was the son of Daniel McCrudden and Margaret Bern, both of Ireland. His occupation was Merchant.

Edward's brother John is also buried in the family lot, as is his niece Mary A. Gallagher. John McBrearty, one of Edward's pallbearers, was written about a few days ago. John (d. 1961) is buried in a lot across from Edward McCrudden. As stated above, all are in the St. Joseph's Catholic section of Rose Hill Cemetery.

John McBrearty Convicted of Violating the "Blind Tiger" Law

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:08:00 +0000

"Blind Tiger" (a term popular in the southern states) is a lower class version of a speakeasy, a place that illegally sold alcohol during Prohibition. Prohibition in Georgia, by the way, was from 1908 until 1935. This started well before and went on after the national prohibition of 1920 to 1933. In a mid-September 1914 week in Macon, seventy prohibition cases were on the docket for the city court. John McBrearty was one such case.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
10 February 1914, pg. 8

SECOND RAID MADE ON JOHN M'BREARTY'S STORE

Police Secure a Barrel of Whisky and Claim to Have Evidence of a Sale. McBrearty Denies Ownership.

For the second time since the first of the year, the police have raided John McBrearty's grocery store on Monroe street and gotten sufficient whisky to warrant charges of violation of the city blind tiger ordinance and the state prohibition law. The last raid was made last night by Chief Riley and Plain Clothes Officers Morris and Dave Riley.

Not only was a barrel of whisky taken from McBrearty's place, but a sale is also alleged to have been gotten on him, which the officers are confident will "stick" when the case comes to trial. McBrearty declared the whisky did not belong to him and that he knew nothing about it.

I conducted some research in an effort to make sure this article pertained to the John McBrearty (1882-1961) resting beside his wife Margaret Thomas (1882-1957) in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery section of Rose Hill. The 9 April 1930 Federal census for Macon, Bibb County, Georgia lists John with his wife Margaret and son John F. (1913-2005, also buried in same plot as parents). John and Margaret were both born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in the early 1900's. They were married about 1911.

In the 1920 census (same family, same locale), John is listed as a retail grocery store owner. And in the 1918 Macon City Directory, John is listed (with Margaret) as being a grocer at 336 Monroe.

In late June 1915, after John exhausted his appeals, the final ruling came down:

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
23 June 1915, pg. 11

"TIGER" CASE AFFIRMED

John McBrearty Must Pay Fine of $150 Imposed by the Recorder

Clerk R. A. Nisbet, of the superior court, yesterday received notice that the court of appeals had affirmed the judgement of the superior court in the case of John McBrearty, convicted at the February term, 1915, of violating the "blind tiger" law...McBrearty was sentenced to pay a fine of $150 or work sixty days on the county roads.

Another interesting find was John McBrearty in the 1910 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia Federal census. He was working for grocery merchant John Moss (born Ireland) as a Near-Beer clerk. Seems John McBrearty really was in the "thick of things" during Prohibition!

Mislocated and Misnamed? (The One Where Obituaries and Tombstone Conflict.)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:49:00 +0000

James Daniel Stetson
Born May 30, 1846
Died March 18, 1901
"He Giveth His Beloved Sleep"

His Wife
Eugenia Sophia Pate
Jan 28, 1852 - July 31, 1906

Obituaries of this sort give genealogists fits. Was she buried at Hawkinsville or Macon? Was his first name John or James?

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
1 August 1906

MRS. EUGENIA STETSON PASSES AWAY AT HOME

Widow of the Late J. D. Stetson, and One of the Most Prominent Women in Macon's Charitable Circles, Dies After Short Illness.

Mrs. Eugenia Stetson, the widow of the late J. D. Stetson, died about 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the home of the family at 360 College street.

Mrs. Stetson had been ill only a short while. She was aged 55 years. She was one of the most prominent women in the charitable circles of Macon, the splendid Methodist Orphanage being one of the institutions, upon which she bountifully bestowed her time and energy, not to mention her worldly goods.

The death of Mrs. Stetson comes rather as a surprise and shock to hundreds of people in Macon and elsewhere, who were not aware that she was seriously ill. The announcement of the death will strike sorrow into the hearts of a host of loving friends and admirers, and will cast a gloom over almost the entire city.

The deceased was a woman of beautiful and consistent character. Charitable almost to a fault, loving to all and withal possessing a sweet, gentle, sunny nature, she had entwined herself about the heartstrings of a host of [...illegible...] felt as a personal and irreparable loss.

[...Illegible...], the daughter of the late Major John H. Pate, of Hawkinsville. She was born in that city in January, 1852. Her late husband, J. D. Stetson, was for many years the president of the American National Bank.

The following relatives survive Mrs. Stetson: Four brothers, R. O., M. C., J. W. and R. A. Pate, all of Hawkinsville; one sister, Mrs. W. B. Steele, of Hawkinsville; her mother, Mrs. Z. A. Pate, of Hawkinsville; and the following children: J. P. Stetson, of Macon; Mrs. Sam T. Coleman, of Macon; E. W. Stetson, of Fitzgerald, and James D. Stetson, of Macon.

Mrs. Stetson was a devout member of the Mulberry Street Methodist Church. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the residence. The interment will occur this afternoon at Hawkinsville.

A special train will convey the body to Hawkinsville, leaving the Southern depot at 2:30 o'clock, and returning at 7:30 o'clock this evening. The friends of the family are invited to attend the interment at Hawkinsville.

The following will act as pallbearers: R. A. Merritt, R. J. Taylor, W. R. Rogers, Jr., O. E. Dooly, W. P. Glover, B. E. Willingham, A. R. Willingham, T. J. Simmons, Jr.

For what it's worth, the burial records at www.historicrosehillcemetery.com list Mrs. Eugenia Stetson, and there is no indication at the family burial plot in the Central Avenue division that Eugenia's inscription on her and J. D. Stetson's tombstone is a cenotaph.

Here's another one. I find it a bit odd that possible misinformation was provided in obituaries for both husband and wife, who died 5 years apart.

Augusta Chronicle (Georgia)
19 March 1901

JOHN D. STETSON, MACON, DEAD
Macon, Ga., March 18. -- Mr. John D. Stetson, vice president of the American National bank of this city, and a prominent financier in the state, died here today.

Stetson Family Plot at Macon's Rose Hill Cemetery

Shocking Affair: The Fatal Stabbing of Robert Martin

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:10:00 +0000

The following transcriptions of 3 newspaper articles regarding the murder of Robert Martin were provided by Jeanie Smith Zadach.

Macon Daily Telegraph (Georgia)
Saturday, January 16, 1864, Page 2
"SHOCKING AFFAIR - About 6 o'clock last evening, ROBERT MARTIN of this city was fatally stabbed, on 3rd street in front of Mrs. Sullivan's by JAMES BURNS of Twiggs county. The parties had been in each others' company the greater part of the day, in the course of which some trifling dispute arose, but which, after a few words appeared to be settled. Subsequently the affair was renewed when Burn cut Martin, inflicting a desperate gash below the right arm, the knife ranging in between the lungs and liver. Another blow severed the main artery in the left arm, near the shoulder, and in fact, nearly cut the limb entirely off. This last cut was the immediate cause of his death, although the first would, in all probability, have killed him. Martin as soon as cut, staggered forward exclaiming: "He has killed me," until he reached Mr. Jaughsteter's, a few doors distant, where he turned in and expired in a short time.

We were unable to learn what resistance, if any, Martin made. At all events Burn [sic] made his escape and had not been arrested up to a late hour last night."

Macon Telegraph
Monday Morning, January 18, 1864, Page 2
"James C. Burns who killed Martin on Friday night about dusk, was arrested by the Sheriff about eight o'clock the same evening. He was examined and committed yesterday, and will be tried at the adjourned session of the Superior Court, which commences on Monday the 25th."

Georgia Journal & Messenger
Wednesday, January 20, 1864, Page 2, Column 4
"HOMICIDE
A shocking affair occurred in this city, on Third street, about six o'clock on Friday evening last, between ROBERT MARTIN of this city and JAMES BURNS of Twiggs county, in which Martin was killed. It appears that a short time previous, there had been some difficulty between them of a trivial character, at which time Martin drew a pistol on Burns, who, it would appear, was then unarmed, and the affair seemed to be quieted. They soon after met again on the the side walk, on Third street, when Martin received five or six very severe cuts and stabs, of which he died in a few minutes. Of what occurred at this second meeting it would be improper to speak of particularly, as it will probably be duly investigated before the Superior Court of this county, which convenes again on the 25th. A brother of Burns was present, and the facts were noticed only by one or two other persons although it occurred in a public place. Burns immediately fled, but was soon captured. The case was examined into before Justices Grannias, Wyche and Hughes on Saturday, by whom he was committed for trial on the charge of murder.

Burns is a man of respectable standing at home, and came here as a member of a company of State Troops on their way to Savannah; but now has a more fearful ordeal to pass through than that of facing any enemy in the field he would have been likely to have met about Savannah."

Ms. Zadach also provided this entry from Record of Interments for Rose Hill Cemetery of Bibb County, Georgia 1840 to 1871: "ROBERT MARTIN - Date of Interment: Jan 15, 1864; Age: 32; Male; Residence: Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, CSA; Cause of Death: Stabbed; Lot: 5; Block: 1; Page Number 63 in Interment Book."

Robert Martin was a son of John and Eliza Martin. According to the Historic Rose Hill Cemetery website, Robert is buried in the same lot as his parents and sister, Elizabeth Leora Griffin Martin (d. 1842). This was 3/4 of lot 5 in block 1 of the Central Avenue District, purchased by John Martin in 1841. John was the first burial in April 1842, followed by Elizabeth Leora a month later. When I visited the Martin family plot, I was unable to find a marker for Robert. I did find his parents and sister, however. I also noticed an unmarked brick slab beside Elizabeth Leora. Could this be Robert?

Photos © 2012 S. Lincecum
(You may need to click to enlarge.)

Death Summons John Pate Stetson

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:21:00 +0000

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
7 September 1921
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

John Pate Stetson
Son of J. D. & E. S. Stetson
Oct 12, 1874
Sep 6, 1921

I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes
Unto The Hills From
Whence Cometh My Help.

Photo © 2012 S. Lincecum

"DEATH SUMMONS J. PEYT. STETSON

Report of Death In Asheville Received Last Night.

FORMERLY MACON RESIDENT

Message Brief, Merely Stating His Demise Was Sudden

News was received last night of the death of John Pate Stetson in Asheville, N.C. He was 47 years of age.

Mr. Stetson was formerly a resident of this city, but moved about three years ago to Asheville, where he was engaged in the automobile accessory business.

The message received by friends here last night was brief, simply stating that Mr. Stetson died suddenly. The Telegraph received the information that he was walking along the street in the early past of the evening, when he was stricken.

Visited Macon Recently
Mr. Stetson was married in 191[3?] to Miss Virginia Davis, of Athens. He was for a number of years connected with the Massee Brick Company of this city, but he went to Asheville to become associated with his brother, Jim Stetson. The latter recently went to Miami, Fla.

Mr. Stetson was here in Macon less than a week ago and appeared to be in good health, notwithstanding the fact that he had undergone a serious operation.

Besides his wife Mr. Stetson is survived by two brothers and one sister, Mrs. S. T. Coleman of this city; Eugene W. Stetson, vice president of the Guaranty Trust Company of New York, and Jim Stetson."

John Pate Stetson was a son of James Daniel Stetson (1846-1901) and Eugenia Sophia Pate (1852-1906). All rest in the Stetson family plot in the Central Avenue District of Rose Hill Cemetery.

Samuel Dunlap, Macon Hardware Man, Succumbs

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:44:00 +0000

Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
2 July 1928

SAMUEL DUNLAP, MACON HARDWARE MAN, SUCCUMBS
Macon, Ga., July 1 -- (AP) -- Samuel Scott Dunlap, 53, president of the Dunlap Hardware company and one of the best-known men in middle Georgia, died at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon of angina pectoris. The attack came on suddenly.

Mr. Dunlap was unmarried. He is survived by five sisters, Mrs. W. B. Wortham and Mrs. L. O. Stevens, of this city; Mrs. Ashton Starke, of Richmond, Va.; Mrs. C. M. Badgerly, of Middleburg, N.Y., and Mrs. John D. Little, of Atlanta.

Samuel Dunlap was son of Samuel Scott Dunlap, Sr. and sister to Ilah Dunlap Jordan Little. All rest in the Dunlap Mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Of Strong Stock was John D. Little

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:58:00 +0000

From Men of Mark in Georgia, published 1912.

JOHN D. LITTLE, of Atlanta, though a young man, is easily one of the foremost lawyers of the city and State. Mr. Little is of mixed Scottish and French Huguenot descent. He was born in Talbotton, Georgia, on April 17, 1871, son of Judge William A. and Sarah Virginia (Dozier) Little...About 1830 Mr. Little's grandfather, William G. Little, came to Georgia and settled in Wilkinson county. He was a man of mark in his day and served several years in the State Senate...

John D. Little fairly inherits the legal ability of his father, who ranked as one of the best lawyers in the State and also as one of its most honorable citizens...

John D. Little, though born in Talbotton, was reared chiefly in Columbus, to which place his father removed when he was a very small boy. He...entered the University of Georgia and was graduated in 1888, with the degree of A.B., and in 1890, with the degree of B.L. In October, 1890, he engaged in Columbus in the practice of law in connection with his father, and January 1, 1902, moved to Atlanta and became a partner of the law firm of King, Spalding and Little...

Mr. Little through life has been a Democrat and has always contributed his share to the public service, having been for seven years one of the Representatives from Muscogee county in the General Assembly, and for four of these years, 1898-1901, Speaker of the House.

...His religious affiliation is with the Episcopal Church.

...In social life he has a most excellent partner in his wife, who at the time of his marriage was Mrs. Ilah Dunlap Jordan, of Macon, a daughter of Captain S. S. Dunlap, one of the oldest merchants of Macon, with a record of forty-five years in business, and the founder of the largest hardware firm in that city...

John Dozier Little died 25 February 1934. He rests in the Dunlap Mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Ilah Dunlap Jordan Little: Her Travels, Death & Legacy

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:31:00 +0000

After her marriage to John D. Little, there was no change in Ilah's lifestyle. She was wealthy in her own right, and combining with a successful husband was all the better. In 1920, John and Ilah were living in their home at 760 Peachtree Street in Atlanta, GA. Among the servants in their employ was a chauffeur, a laundress, and a maid.

1922 Passport Photo

Ilah also continued to travel, often to Europe. Passport applications are plentiful for the 1920s and 30s. For example, in August 1916 she accompanied her husband for a 3 month visit to France. And in 1922, Ilah D. Little intended to visit France and Switzerland for 8 months simply for pleasure.

Though her second husband died in 1934, Ilah continued her travels through Europe. In fact, her death occurred abroad. Ilah Dunlap Jordan Little died 26 July 1939 at Hotel Bristol in Carlsbad, Sudetenland. Her remains were cremated a few days later and shipped to the United States, where they were put to rest in the Dunlap Mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Ancestry.com. Reports of Deaths of American Citizens Abroad,
1835-1974 [database & images online]. Provo, UT, USA:
Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Original data from National Archives.

Ilah did not have any children from either marriage, so what happened to all the money?

Ilah Dunlap Little Memorial
Library, from University of Georgia Libraries

"The Ilah Dunlap Little memorial Library...opened in 1953. It honors the memories of Mrs. Little, her husband John D. Little, her father Samuel Scott Dunlap, her brother Samuel Scott Dunlap, Jr. and her first husband Leonidas A. Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Little left their entire estate to the University of Georgia Libraries for the creation of a new library building." (Account Book for the Estate of Ilah Dunlap Little) Read more at the This Day in Athens blog.

Wealthy Southern Widow Will Wed

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:29:00 +0000

Philadelphia Enquirer (Pennsylvania)
22 May 1906

After finding out Mrs. Ilah Dunlap Jordan's engagement to Senor Don Luis F. Corea, the Nicaraguan minister to the United States, was broken, I wondered if the still young woman would ever marry again. It did not take much digging to find a newspaper to provide me an answer.

Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia)
22 May 1906

RUMOR THAT J. D. LITTLE WILL WED MRS. JORDAN
...The Atlanta Georgian [italics mine] of yesterday published the following:

"Rumor of almost incontrovertible strength has it that Hon. John D. Little, of Atlanta, and Mrs. Ilah Dunlap Jordan, of Macon, will be married in Macon, June 16.

...Mr. Little has for years been considered the handsomest man in the state, while Mrs. Jordan's beauty is of trans-Atlantic renown..."

Men of Mark in Georgia, pub. 1912

Compiling information from a couple of additional articles, I found these tidbits about Mr. John D. Little:

- "...John D. Little, former Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives...Mrs. Jordan's new fiance is one of the foremost lawyers in Atlanta. He is thirty-six years old, and his father was Chief Justice of the highest court in that State." ("Wealthy Southern Widow Will Wed," Philadelphia Enquirer (Pennsylvania), 22 May 1906)

- "Mr. Little...is a native of Columbus, Ga, though for several years a resident of Atlanta." ("Social Functions," Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 22 May 1906)

- "Mr. Little, son of Judge William A. Little, formerly justice of the state supreme court, was graduated with honors from the University of Georgia in 1890..." ("Rumor That J. D. Little Will Wed Mrs. Jordan," Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia), 22 May 1906)

I hope you'll keep following for the last life stories and legacy of Mrs. Ilah Dunlap Jordan Little.

Heroine of an International Romance Which Dwindled in Mystery

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:59:00 +0000

When we last left the life of Ilah Dunlap (whose final resting place is the Dunlap Mausoleum), she had just inherited the entire estate of her late husband, Col. Leonidas A. Jordan. She also received one fifth of her father's estate upon his death in 1902.

As you might imagine, young Ilah seemed to crave more glitz, glamour, and societal functions than what was available in the little city of Macon, Georgia. As a result, she sometimes sojourned to Washington, D.C. and hobnobbed among the in-crowd there. And there is where she met Senor Don Luis F. Corea, the Nicaraguan minister to the United States. The couple became engaged to be married in 1904.

After the announcement, all heck broke loose with the receipt of some letters that attempted to discredit Senor Corea. Here is a sample of headlines that plastered the front pages of newspapers across the United States:

"SAY COREA IS PARTLY NEGRO"

"Nicaraguan Minister Alleged to Have a Strain of Dark Blood in Veins."

"Sensational Disclosure May Stop Marriage With Rich Southern Widow."

Though it was stated by the Dunlap family over and over that they did not believe the rumors ("which questioned Minister Corea's moral and business standing, his social position and his being white") that were circulated by form of anonymous letters, the wedding was initially postponed. Some reports state the rumors were investigated and disproved to the satisfaction of Ilah, and that she intended to go ahead with the wedding, but that it was Minister Corea that wished to fully and publicly clear his name prior to the nuptials. Either way, by the spring of 1905, the engagement was officially broken and the wedding off. The true reason why is a mystery. "Jilted By Pretty Rich Widow" was the new headline.

Here is the explanation in print via the 28 April 1905 Kansas City Star (Missouri): "Mrs. Jordan's family has made no statement, hoping the matter would die out. It is said that the sensational stories published regarding Senor Corea's race, while believed to be utterly untrue, caused a notoriety painful to Mrs. Jordan and her family." The 6 May 1905 Denver Post (Colorado) put it this way: "Mrs. Jordan refused to credit these rumors, but it is said the notoriety caused her so much annoyance that she decided it would be wise to call off the engagement."

So does Ilah Dunlap Jordan, one of the most beautiful women in the South, ever find love again? Stay tuned!

Ilah Dunlap: the Queenliest of Macon's Young Women

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:18:00 +0000

In the last post, I introduced Samuel Scott Dunlap and the Dunlap Mausoleum. This enormous architectural beauty is just inside the arched gateway to the Central Avenue division of Rose Hill cemetery. All five of Samuel's daughters are buried within, and that includes Miss Ilah. She was born 9 February 1873 in Georgia to Samuel and Mary Ann (nee Burge).

I don't know too much about Ilah's childhood. Being a daughter of a wealthy man, I'm sure she was a desired and welcome guest at all civic functions and the greatest parties. The society columns in the local papers definitely bear that out.

I was somewhat surprised as to who Ilah married -- Colonel Leonidas A. Jordan, a man approximately 55 years her senior. Apparently, no one else thought twice about it. Of course, this is the South. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a lot of whispering, and I have to wonder if Ilah really wanted the marriage. One thing is for sure, she had to know it would be profitable.

The Consitution (Atlanta, GA)
Thursday, 26 April 1894

The Marriage of Miss Ilah Dunlap to Colonel Lee A. Jordan at Macon...
Macon, Ga, April 25 -- (Special) -- The marriage that Macon society has been lo[o]king forward to some time, occurred today at high noon, when Colonel L. A. Jordan and Miss Ilah Dunlap were united in matrimony. The wedding took place at the residence of the bride's parents, Captain and Mrs. S. S. Dunlap, on High street, in the presence of only relatives and a few intimate friends.

...Colonel Jordan is one of Macon's most popular and highly esteemed citizens. He is a cultivated gentleman of great wealth, and is known throughout the state as one of the largest planters and real estate owners in Georgia. The bride, as Miss Ilah Dunlap, has reigned a social queen of great beauty and grace, and has been admired as one of the south's loveliest and most accomplished belles...

Ilah Dunlap Jordan about the year 1900.

The marriage lasted less than 5 years, for Col. Lee Jordan died 22 January 1899 at their home on College Street in Macon. He left his entire estate to Ilah. A few years later, upon the death of her father, Ilah received another inheritance of a fifth of his fortune. And a wealthy southern widow she became.

Ilah can be found heading her household on College Street in the 1900 census. She has a maid, a coachman, a cook, and a butler. Her occupation? Capitalist.

There is much more to Ilah's story. Next, I'll tell you about her engagement to Luis Corea, the Nicaraguan minister to the United States.

Captain Samuel Scott Dunlap & the Dunlap Mausoleum

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000

You can see it even before entering the arched gateway to Rose Hill cemetery. Immediately inside and to your left is the large DUNLAP mausoleum.

The Middle Georgia Historical Society's Rose Hill Rambles describes the Dunlap mausoleum as "one of the handsomest in the cemetery." It continues:

Funeral Mound at
Ocmulgee National Monument

Samuel Scott Dunlap owned property across the river known as Dunlap's Hill, now part of the Ocmulgee National Monument. He moved to Macon and founded the Dunlap Hardware Company and amassed what was a fortune in those days. He had five daughters and one son. All the daughters married well...The mausoleum has twenty crypts and Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap, their five daughters, one son and four of the daughters' husbands and two children are buried here.

It's also interesting to note, according to the same source as above, that Mr. S. S. Dunlap was originally buried just down the street in Riverside cemetery, per his wishes. However, "his daughters traveled a great deal in Europe and evidently decided the spot was not good enough."

From Ancestry's Georgia Memoirs [originally printed in The Southern Historical Association's Memoirs of Georgia, 1895]:

SAMUEL S. DUNLAP is a leading spirit in the industrial life of Macon, Ga., to which city he came, a penniless youth, forty-six years ago. With but an ordinary education, he began his career, in November, 1849, as a clerk in a retail grocery, at $96 per year, and board. For three years he remained in the same position, and even with that insignificant salary was able to save enough to start a very small business of his own. Success attended him from the very start; his business increased, and the war found him on the highway to wealth. Heeding his country's call, Mr. Dunlap joined a cavalry company and served six months as first lieutenant. He then resigned and returned home, where he organized and led to the field, as captain, the Bibb cavalry. The company he uniformed and equipped at his own expense, selling a lot of cotton for the purpose...He returned from the war, sick and wounded in body, but not daunted in spirit. Like many others, he found himself without means....In 1867 Mr. Dunlap concluded to again try a mercantile life, and this time selected the hardware business. Again fortune smiled on him, and he continued to increase his humble beginning, until he is now at the head of one of the largest establishments of the kind in the south, the Dunlap Hardware company being favorably known all over the state.

Mr. Dunlap has always been a man of great enterprise, and instead of allowing his means to accumulate and remain idle, he invested in various industrial and banking institutions. He is president and a leading stockholder in the Macon Agricultural works, president of the Macon Fire Insurance company, a director in each of the three leading financial institutions of Macon, the Exchange Union Savings and Central bank, and a large stockholder in the Southwestern railroad. He also cultivates a magnificently improved plantation of 400 acres, lying within two miles of the city...A word concerning his family: Samuel S. Dunlap was born in Jasper county, Ga., July 31, 1830. He was the son of David and Hetty (Wingate) Dunlap...He [David] reared six sons to maturity; five of them did their duty bravely in the army, and two of them are now living, Rev. William C. Dunlap, of Covington, a Methodist preacher of note, being the other. In 1855, May 15, Mr. Dunlap celebrated his nuptials with Mary A., daughter of J. L. Birgh, of Bibb county, to whom were born seven children. Six of these are now living, as follows: Nettie, Mrs. H. M. Wortham, Macon; Florence, Mrs. Ashton Stark, Richmond, Va.; Clara, Mrs. Claude Badgely, Albany, N.Y.; Lillia, Mrs. Lewis A. Stevens, Atlanta, Ga.; Ilah, Mrs. Col. Lee A. Jordan, Macon; Samuel S., Jr., at home. In 1873 Mr. Dunlap erected one of the most beautiful homes in the city of Macon, where he lives, surrounded by family and friends, enjoying the means his industry has brought him.

Captain S. S. Dunlap died 8 March 1902.

Honoring a Little Boy's Dream (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:22:00 +0000

When John Ross Juhan was a little boy, his dream was to one day become a fireman. He even attached himself as a mascot to Defiance Fire Company No. 5. Unfortunately, young John never got the chance to obtain his dream. His short life ended on 26 July 1875 at the age of just 8 years. The headstone placed for John Juhan was sculpted by J. Artope of Macon and depicts a fireman's hat, belt, and coat.

John B. Ross
Son Of W. A. & E. J. Juhan
Died July 26, 1875
Age 8 Years, 4 Months & 16 Days

Was A Brave Little Fireman
Attached To Defiance Fire Co. No. 5

John was the son of W. A. (1827-1893) and Elizabeth Jane (1837-1901) Juhan. The family rests in the Eglantine Square section of Rose Hill Cemetery.

This stone is a community favorite and is often pointed out on Rose Hill Rambles.

Photos © 2011 S. Lincecum.

Mournful Monday: Death Claimed Mr. W. A. Juhan

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:27:00 +0000

From Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 5 December 1893 edition:

"DEATH CLAIMED MR. W. A. JUHAN

An Esteemed Citizen of Macon Has Been Called to His Reward.

DEATH CAUSED FROM LA GRIPPE

At 8:15 O'clock Last Night the Summons Came While Surrounded By His Sorrowing Family -- Funeral This Afternoon.

Mr. William Alexander Juhan, one of Macon's oldest and most highly respected citizens, died at his home on Second street last night at 8:15 o'clock of la grippe, after an illness of one week.

Just one week ago yesterday Mr. Juhan attended the funeral of Dr. E. W. Warren, who was his bosom friend and pastor in life and from the long exposure to the damp atmosphere at the cemetery he contracted the grip, and on returning home went to bed feeling very unwell, but not anticipating serious sickness, both he and his family thinking he had only contracted a severe cold. They soon discovered that he was seriously ill, however, and a physician called, but his strength was not sufficient to withstand the ravages of the terrible disease which terminated in his death.

Mr. Juhan was in every sense a good citizen and enjoyed the respect and esteem of the community. As a Christian gentleman, he was loved by all Christian people and respected by the worldly minded for his consistency and integrity. As a business man he enjoyed the confidence of the public and admiration of the commercial world. As a husband and father he was loving, indulgent and patient, and his chief aim in life was to make his home and the lives of those around him happy and contented. His death is a loss to the community that will be long felt and mourned.

Mr. Juhan was born in Jones county in 1827, making him 66 years old at the time of his death. When a young man he conducted a general merchandise business in Clinton, Jones county, and while thus engaged he was married to Miss E. J. Caldwell in Clinton. To them several children were born, four of whom, Messrs. W. J., C. J. and Louis Juhan and Mrs. C. W. Gnice of Eufaula, Ala., survive, together with his wife. His aged father and a sister are living and reside in Texas.

In 1872 Mr. Juhan moved to Macon and became a member of the wholesale dry goods house of J. B. Ross and S. T. Coleman, which was at that time the largest wholesale dry goods house in the state, if not in the South. After remaining with this firm for several years he engaged in the retail dry goods business in Triangular block under the firm name of W. A. Juhan & Co., Mr. C. B. Ellis being the silent partner. This business, of which he was at the head, was conducted successfully for a long number of years, and was one of the largest retail dry goods stores in the state. Several years ago the firm failed, but it was regarded by everybody as an honest failure. Afterwards, when Messrs. C. J. and W. J. Juhan engaged in the retail dry goods business, he became associated with them, and up to the time of his last illness he was actively engaged.

The funeral will take place from First Baptist Church this afternoon at 3 o'clock. Rev. George Braxton Taylor and T. W. O'Kelly will conduct the services.

The following gentlemen have been requested to act as pallbearers:

Holmes Johnson, J. H. Williams, R. W. Bonner, George R. Barker, H. V. Napier, J. G. Medlock, Dr. Polhill, W. J. Moore."

John W. Kimbrew: Railroader and Saturday Soldier

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:54:00 +0000

I first wrote about the KIMBREW family plot with Emmitt Kimbrew: a Couple of Inaccuracies. As stated there, the plot is located at the bottom of a hill in Eglantine Square. There is a short brick wall on three sides, with concrete ledger markers filling the plot. If it wasn't for the military marker standing for John W. Kimbrew, the plot could be easily, very easily, overlooked.

The entrance to the plot, as well as a marker in the back brick wall, leads you to believe the plot was owned by John W. Kimbrew, but Rose Hill Cemetery records show the plot was purchased in July 1876 by E. S. Kimbrew. Edward S. Kimbrew was John William's father, per the 1880 Macon, Bibb County, GA Federal census. By that time Edward was married to his second wife, Lula Mosly. Edward married his first wife, Ella E. Lowe, 23 December 1869. There is one unidentified burial in the E. S. Kimbrew lot, and I suggest that interment is John's mother, Mrs. Ella Kimbrew.

The working life of John W. Kimbrew was dominated by the railroad and the military. He enlisted in the United States Army at Ft. Worth, Texas 15 September 1893 at the age of 22. His birthplace was given as Macon, GA as well as an occupation of Railroader. John was described as having light blue eyes and a fair complexion. Though he enlisted for five years, it appears he was discharged after three on 14 December 1896 with an excellent service record.

John next appears in Maloney's Macon Miscellaneous Directory for 1897. He was a flagman for the G. S. & F. Railway. He enlisted again with the U. S. Army 16 May 1898 at Macon, GA. And again he was described as having light blue eyes, brown hair, and a fair complexion. This entry in the U. S. Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914 database online at Ancestry.com ascribes to John the duty of Cook, which is also found on his military tombstone. John was discharged 23 August 1899 with a very good service record.

The 1900 Macon, Bibb County, GA Federal census shows John with his new bride Ada. He is back on the railroad as a flagman. In 1910, John and Ada were still in Macon with three children. This time, John was a Railroad Conductor. John W. Kimbrew lived less than one month past the taking of that census in April. He died 16 May 1910 in Macon, GA.

From the 18 May 1910 edition, Macon Telegraph:

DEATHS AND FUNERALS
KIMBREW
The burial services of J. W. Kimbrew who died at his residence on Oglethorpe street Monday morning took place yesterday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. from the residence and the interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery. The pallbearers were selected from the group of railway conductors and the burial was according to the rites of the Masonic order.

Emmitt Kimbrew: a Couple of Inaccuracies

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:41:00 +0000

Emmitt Kimbrew
Aug 11, 1900
Aug 1, 1953

Emmett rests in the Kimbrew family plot at the bottom of a hill in the Eglantine Square section of Rose Hill Cemetery. Not too far from the railroad tracks and Ocmulgee River. Nearby are his parents, John W. (1871-1910) and Ada A. (1877-1959).

When searching for information about Emmett, I found there are a couple of inaccuracies between his ledger gravestone inscription and other records. The name on his ledger marker is spelled as Emmitt, with an "i". Most other record sources list it as Emmett, with an "e". Notably, his World War I Draft Registration Card of 1918, bearing his signature. The full name there is Emmett Virginus Kimbrew.

Something else that is off is Emmett's death year. The gravestone inscription gives his year of death as 1953. However, the Georgia Deaths database online at Ancestry.com lists the year of death as 1952.

One consistency in the latter years of Emmett's life was his occupation. According to city directories from 1945 to 1950, Emmett was the proprietor of Kimbrew Grocery at 1502 Broadway in Macon, Georgia. Here's what that area looks like today. I dare say, not much different?

Thomas Quinn's Patented Improvement in Cotton-Presses

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Photo by James Allen

Thomas Quinn was born about 1821 in Ireland. By 1870 he had immigrated to the United States and was settled in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia with his wife Mary and two children, Edward and Adaline. In the summer of that year Thomas was working in a cotton mill.

Thomas did not just put his time in at the mill each day. He had an inventive spirit and sought ways to make improvements to some of the equipment of the cotton mill, specifically the cotton presses. He applied for a patent on his improvements 29 July 1879. It was granted about six weeks later. A record from the United States Patent Office (in part):

THOMAS QUINN, OF MACON, GEORGIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN COTTON-PRESSES.

...Patent No. 219,517, dated September 9, 1879...

To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, THOMAS QUINN, of Macon, in the county of Bibb and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Presses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the form part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of a press for packing cotton or other fibrous material direct from the gin or other mechanism in layers, so that the same amount of pressure is distributed equally throughout the whole package.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same...

...In manufacturing cotton it has always been found that the cotton from the middle of the bale works better than the outsides, owing to the extra pressure exerted on the outside in the present mode of packing.

With my machine the cotton falls into the press directly from the gin, and a uniform pressure is exerted from the commencement to the completion of the bale. I am also enabled to put more cotton in the same space without any undue pressure on any part thereof...THOMAS QUINN

Thomas lived about six more years after applying for and receiving his patent. Upon his death in 1885 at age 64, he was laid to rest next to his wife (who had died twelve years earlier) in the Eglantine Square section of Rose Hill Cemetery.

Source List

Georgia. Bibb County. 1870 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Genealogy, Family Trees and Family History Records Online - Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com : 2011.

"Rose Hill Cemetery." Database. Rose Hill Cemetery - Macon, GA. http://www.historicrosehillcemetery.org : 2011.

Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Bibb County, Georgia). Grave markers.

"U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patents, 1790-1909." Genealogy, Family Trees and Family History Records Online - Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com : 2011.

USGenWeb Archives. Rose Hill Cemetery Tombstone Photos, digital images. http://www.usgwarchives.net : 2011.

R. B. Cheves Dead (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:17:00 +0000

R. B. CHEVES DEAD

Was 52 Years Old and Well Known [in] Church Circles
R. B. Cheves died yesterday morning about 10 o'clock at his home on Center street in East Macon.

He was a prominent citizen, and had lived in Macon several years. He was 52 years old, and his illness had lasted a long time. He was known as a faithful church worker.

He leaves a wife and one son. Three brothers, R. H., J. L., and Howard Cheves, all of Macon, survive him. He has five sisters, Mrs. J. S. Weaver of Cordele, Mrs. T. J. Christian of Atlanta, Mrs. A. C. Moye of Davisboro, Mrs. W. H. Harrell and Miss Willie Cheves of Macon.

The funeral will occur at 4 o'clock this afternoon from his residence. His last resting place will be in Rose Hill cemetery. The pall-bearers are: B. W. James, J. C. Jones, C. G. Woodall, Charlie Whidby, F. M. Jones and D. P. Ivey. Rev. Dr. Hillyer will conduct the funeral services. ["R. B. Cheves Dead," Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA), 4 July 1903, GenealogyBank]

R. B. Cheves is Robert, son of Henry and Martha E. Cheves. He was born in Georgia 3 November 1851. He rests in Eglantine Square of Rose Hill Cemetery with his parents and sister Willie G.

Edward Maussenet, Watch Maker (& I Have Photos to Prove It)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:42:00 +0000

Edward Maussenet was born in France about 1815. By the fall of 1847, he had immigrated to the United States and married into the well-respected DURE family when he married Maria Therese Delia Dure October 28th of that year in Chatham County, Georgia.

By August 1850, in time to be counted for the Federal Census, Edward and his family (including brother-in-law George) were residing in Macon, Bibb County, GA. Edward Maussenet's occupation was listed as "watch maker." A search of old newspapers at GenealogyBank found many advertisements for Edward's business throughout the 1850's. He was in a partnership with S. B. Day. They not only sold watches and jewelry, but musical instruments as well.

The ad at left begins this way: "Watches! Watches! CELEBRATED ENGLISH MAKERS -- James Hoddell & Co, R. & G. Beesley, Josh Toleman, Josh Olarenshaw, Edwards Robinson, and the celebrated American Watch in Gold and Solver Cases...by DAY & MAUSSENET."

I wanted to bring your attention to that portion of the advertisement, because I got the coolest email the other day from Mr. Reid Zeigler. He has an Olorenshaw watch that was sent to Day & Maussenet in the 1850s, and he was kind enough to send me information and pictures! From Mr. Zeigler:

"This watch was made in England by Joseph Olorenshaw & Co., in the 1850’s. At that time, it was common for American watchmakers and jewelers to import fine watches from England and Europe for their wealthy customers. The dust cover on this watch is engraved "Made expressly for Day & Maussenet Macon Geo." The outer case is gold washed sterling silver, and it has a Coventry hallmark of 1875. Olorenshaw was in business from about 1842-1857, so the outer case is certainly a replacement. The style of the movement is consistent with mid 1800’s Liverpool manufacture, and that also matches Edward Mausennet’s date of death that you recorded of July 1866."

(Thank-you, again, Mr. Zeigler!)
In an odd turn (it seemed to me, anyway) Day and Maussenet dissolved their partnership in March 1860 "by mutual consent." Two months later, Edward Maussenet announced his entry into the liquor and cigar business via the Macon Telegraph:

E. Maussenet has this day opened a First Class Liquor and Cigar Store...where he will, at all times, keep the Finest Qualities of wines, Liquors, and the Choicest Brands of Cigars.

Indeed, in another couple of months, Edward was enumerated in the 1860 Bibb County, GA Federal census with an occupation of "Wine & Liquor Merchant."

Edward was not to be in the liquor business as long as the watch business, however. Mr. Maussenet died 10 July 1866 and was laid to rest in a minimally marked lot at Rose Hill Cemetery. I have yet to find an obituary, but he was mentioned in the local newspaper some 40 years after his death:

Caught on the Wing
by John T. Boifeuillet
Recently, Mr. Simon Dannenburg and his wife were in a store in Paris, France, buying laces...The French clerk referred to the late E. Maussenet, a jeweler, who married a sister of Capt. George A. Dure, of Macon. Mr. Maussenet is well remembered by ante-bellum citizens of Macon now residing here. He came to Macon from
France some time before the war between the states commenced.

The Short Life of Cinderella Solomon Tarver Heartwell (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:56:00 +0000

1832 - August 20th: Cinderella C. is born to (not proven) William L. Solomon and Frances Crocker.

1850 - October 22nd: "Cendarilla," aged 18, is enumerated with (presumably) her mother Frances S. Solomon in the Twiggs County, Georgia Federal census. Four siblings were listed with her: William, Josephine, James, and Cary.

1854 - April 18th: Cinderella Crocker Solomon marries Paul E. Tarver, son of Hartwell Hill Tarver and Ann Wimberly.

1855 - (about) Cinderella gives birth to a daughter, Dollie.

1857 - July 29th: Cinderella gives birth to a second daughter, Rebecca Heartwell.

1858 - May 15th: Rebecca Heartwell Tarver, second daughter of P. E. and C. C. Tarver, dies. She is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, GA. June 19th: Cinderella's husband Paul dies in Dougherty County, GA. He is also buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. November 23rd: Cinderella gives birth to a son, Paul Hartwell.

1859 - July 24th: Cinderella's son Paul dies. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.

1860 - July 25th: Cinderella is enumerated with her daughter Dollie in the Dougherty County, GA Federal census.

1861 - April 23rd: C. C. Tarver marries C. P. "Hartwell" at Dougherty County, GA. December 29th: Cinderella's brother James C. dies at age 24 years. He is buried in the family plot at Rose Hill Cemetery.

1866 - August 4th: Cinderella Crocker Solomon Tarver Heartwell dies. She is laid to rest beside her first husband in the Solomon - Tarver family plot at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, GA.

Cinderella C.
Wife of Dr. C. P. Heartwell
Born Aug 20, 1832
Died Aug 4, 1866

Thou is gone, but we will not deplore thee,
Whose God was thy ransom, thy guardian and guide
He gave thee, He took thee and He will restore thee,
And death has no sting, for the Saviour has died.

IN CHRIST SHE SLEEPS

It may be truly said of her, that in all the relations
of life she deserved the highest commendation. A
faithful wife, a fond mother, a generous friend, a
devoted CHRISTIAN.
She was ever held in the highest esteem by a large
circle of kindred and FRIENDS.

Signs of the Times with the Death of Paul Tarver

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Tombstone for
Paul E. Tarver

A simple inquiry regarding Paul E. Tarver started me on a quest to find out more about him. A piece in the Historical Collections of the Georgia Chapters, Daughters of the American Revolution (Volume IV -- Old Bible Records & Land Lotteries, © 1932) proved to be fruitful. Information from a Bible of the General Hartwell Hill Tarver family was listed. This gentleman was Paul's father.

Hartwell Hill Tarver was a son of Andrew Tarver and Elizabeth Hartwell, born 1791 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He married Ann R. Wimberly 15 May 1823 and had Paul E. in 1824.

Newspapers in January 1851 declared Hartwell H. Tarver the wealthiest man in Georgia:

- Gen. Hartwell H. Tarver, of Twiggs Co, Georgia, is the largest slaveholder, if not the wealthiest man in the State. He owns a thousand negroes and fifty thousand acres of land, divided into ten plantations, in Twiggs, Pulaski, Houston and Baker counties, yielding two thousand bales of cotton annually...He recently added to his estate a tract of 2350 acres, in Burke county...

In 1850, Paul E. Tarver was listed as a Planter in the Baker County, Georgia Federal census. I would not be surprised if he was planting on lands of his father.

Hartwell H. Tarver died 19 November 1851. His son Paul passed away less than seven years later. Given the wording used in notices of his estate sale, I think the land Paul amassed was possibly inherited by him from his father.

Macon Weekly Telegraph, Georgia
22 November 1859

"150 Negroes for Sale
AT PUBLIC OUT-CRY, IN THE
CITY OF ALBANY.
IN pursuance of the last will and testament of Paul E. Tarver, late of Dougherty county, dec'd, we will expose for sale, at public out-cry, to the highest bidder, on
THURSDAY, THE 29th DAY OF DEC., 1859, and from day to day until the sale is completed, before the Court House door in the city of Albany -- One Hundred and Fifty likely Negroes -- valuable plantation hands, belonging to the estate of the said Paul E. Tarver. Also, at the PLANTATION of the said Estate, five miles west of Albany, all the farm stock of said Estate, consisting of a large lot of Horses and Mules, Cattle, Hogs, Corn, Fodder, Wagons, and farming stock of every description. The sale of the Negroes at Albany, will take place on the 28th, and then the other property at the plantation. Terms liberal, and made known on the day of the sale.

HENRY TARVER, Ex'r

C. C. TARVER, Exr'x.

(Macon Weekly Telegraph, 25 January 1859)

"IN pursuance of the last will and testament of the late Paul E. Tarver, will be sold on the 1st Tuesday in February next, before the Court House door of Dougherty County, at public outcry, the real estate of the said Paul E. Tarver, deceased, situated in the county of Dougherty. Said estate consists of FIVE THOUSAND ACRES of the most valuable COTTON LANDS in South Western Georgia, having been originally selected by the late Gen. Hartwell Tarver."

The notice goes on to describe the lands divided into three plantations: "Porter Place," "Home Place," and "Mill Place."

Since Paul Tarver's tombstone states he died "at his residence in Dougherty Co. June 19, 1858," the plantation called "Home Place" was probably just that.

[It might be important to note: Dougherty County was formed in 1853 from Baker County, so it is doubtful Paul ever moved. The county name just changed.]

All this information is great, but I still questioned as to why Mr. Paul E. Tarver was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, GA. I think the answer lies in his wife: Cinderella Crocker Solomon was possibly connected by her father to Peter Solomon, a pioneer resident of Macon. Her father or Peter just might be the owner of the lot in which Paul Tarver (as well as two if his children and wife Cinderella) was laid to rest. Also buried in the same plot is James C. Solomon, died 1861 at age 24 years. He might be Cinderella's brother.

If anyone can tell me for certain how these individuals are connected, I'd truly appreciate a comment.

Death of Mr. Henry Cheves

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:36:00 +0000

Macon Telegraph, Georgia
28 May 1905
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

"DEATH OF MR. HENRY CHEVES.

Aged Contractor and Builder Passes Away After a Few Weeks Illness
Mr. Henry Cheves passed peacefully away last night at 8 o'clock at his home in East Macon after an illness of three weeks. Mr. Cheves was 70 years of age and a loving father of eight children. They are, Mrs. J. S. Weaver, of Cordele; Mrs. T. J. Christian, of Atlanta; Mrs. W. C. Moye, of Davisboro; Mrs. W. H. Harrel and Miss Willie Cheves of this city, also Messrs. R. H., J. L., and Howard Cheves of this city. The deceased was a Confederate veteran, having fought with distinction throughout the Civil War. He moved to Macon in 1869 from Fort Valley, and since then has been engaged in contracting and building work.

The funeral services will occur this afternoon at 4 o'clock from the East Macon Baptist church, Rev. Perry Lee, pastor, will officiate. Interment Rose Hill Cemetery. The following gentlemen are requested to serve as pallbearers, Messrs. C. Y. Woodall, B. W. James, John Jones, T. L. Bollinger, R. P. Jones, and Clarence McCall."

The next day, the following was also found in the Macon Telegraph:

"FUNERAL OF MR. HENRY CHEVES

He Was Laid to Rest in Rose Hill Cemetery

The funeral services over the body of Mr. Henry Cheves, the aged contractor, who died at his home in East Macon Saturday night were held at the East Macon Baptist church yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock.

There was a large crowd in attendance and the casket was covered with beautiful flowers which showed the high esteem and respect in which he was held by his many friends. Rev. Perry Lee conducted the services very impressively. The interment was in Rose Hill cemetery."

Henry Cheves Suffered from Catarrh (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:13:00 +0000

Henry Cheves was born about 1830 in Georgia. On Christmas day in 1850, he married Martha E. Brown in Monroe County, Georgia. The couple went on to have at least ten children, a few of which are also buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. During the Civil War, Henry was affiliated with Company E of the 57th Georgia Infantry. Afterwards, Henry engaged in the occupation of carpentry and resided in Macon.

I found an interesting newspaper advertisement in which Henry gives his endorsement to a medicine taken for the treatment of catarrh. This is a disorder that causes inflammation of the mucous membranes. It can result in a thick exudate of mucus and white blood cells caused by the swelling of the mucous membranes in the head in response to an infection, usually seen in the nose and throat. It is a symptom usually associated with the common cold and chesty coughs, but can also be found in patients with infections of the adenoids, middle ear, sinus or tonsils. [Source: Wikipedia.org]

RELIEF!

Forty Years a Sufferer from CATARRH.

Wonderful to Relate!

"For FORTY YEARS I have been a victim to CATARRH -- three-fourths of the time a sufferer from EXCRUCIATING PAINS ACROSS MY FOREHEAD and MY NOSTRILS. The discharges were so offensive that I hesitate to mention it, except for the good it may do some other sufferer. I have spent a young fortune from my hard earnings during my forty years of suffering to obtain relief from the doctors. I have tried patent medicines -- every one I could learn of -- from the four corners of the earth, with no relief. And AT LAST (57 years of age) have met with a remedy that has cured me entirely -- made me a new man, weighed 128 pounds and now weigh 146. I used thirteen bottles of the medicine, and the only regret I have is that being in the humble walks of life, I may not have influence to prevail on all catarrh sufferers to use what has cured me -- GUINN'S PIONEER BLOOD RENEWER.
- HENRY CHEVES,
No. 267 Second St., Macon, Ga."

[Note: an obituary and funeral notice for Mr. Henry Cheves is posted here.]

James Willingham Fell Victim to His Own Benevolence (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000

James Willingham
(1813-1844)

This grave is that of a man, who had he lived in these days would have received recognition from Carnegie. - Bridges Smith, 1917

POSTSCRIPT!
Awful conflagration and loss of life.

(Macon Weekly Telegraph, Georgia, 20 August 1844)

Our City has again been visited by a destructive fire; about 1 o'clock this morning, our citizens were aroused from their slumbers by the alarm of fire, it having broken out in a Gun-Smith shop occupied by P. Roux, and immediately spread with great rapidity, notwithstanding the extraordinary exertions of our citizens to arrest its progress. Eleven or twelve buildings were entirely destroyed, estimated in value, at about 35 or $40,000.

We have the melancholy task also to record the death of one of our most active and worthy citizens, Mr. James Willingham. It was occasioned by the falling in of the front of a house which had been blown down in part by powder.

By the death of Mr. Willingham our city has sustained the loss of an energetic and most useful citizen -- and the democracy of Georgia of a staunch and unflinching supporter.

As a foreman in our office we have not only lost a firm supporter in the great republican principles for which we are battling, but a sincere and ardent friend. In our next we will be more explicit. We have stopped the press to insert this short and confused account of this catastrophe.

After the death of James Willingham, the obelisk pictured above was placed over his grave in Rose Hill Cemetery. Inscribed is the following:

Erected by the Mayor and Council of Macon in honour of the Public Spirit which lost a valuable life in saving the property of his fellow-Citizens from the ravages of FIRE.
Over the week after the fire, it's occurrence as well as the death of Mr. Willingham was reported in newspapers across the country, including the District of Columbia's Daily National Intelligencer.

Approximately two weeks after the fire, another item about it and the man considered to be a hero was published in the Macon Weekly Telegraph on 3 September 1844:

"OBITUARY.Departed this life in this city, on the 20th ult. -- the night of the recent fire -- Mr. JAMES WILLINGHAM. The melancholy duty of noticing the death of this gentleman, has fallen to our lot; and when we recur to the intimate connexion that existed between us up to the period of his death, we are compelled to acknowledge ourselves inadequate to the task. It is well known that Mr. Willingham was the Foreman, in our office, as well as our friend; and if honesty, sobriety, and diligence, in the discharge of his duties, tend to the elevation of human character, his claims to that distinction were preeminent. In all the relations of life, his sterling qualities of heart and mind shone forth resplendently. He was the ardent supporter of Democratic Republican principles, the useful, active and benevolent citizen, the warm social friend -- the affectionate husband, and the tender father. They only who knew him intimately were able to appreciate his worth; and now that an inscrutable fist of the Almighty has taken him from our midst, they only can realize to the full, the loss which his family, his friends, and the community in general have sustained.

Mr. Willingham was born in Columbia county, Ga. on 1st November, 1813, and at the time of his death was consequently about 31 years of age. Many of our citizens were eye-witnesses of the sad catastrophe which occasioned his death, and could all have been present, farther comment would be unnecessary. With a chivalrous self devoting spirit he had ever been found foremost in the van where the lives or property of his fellow citizens was endangered. To him "the post of danger was the post of honor," and ever nobly did he perform his duty. On this night the intrepid Willingham was at his post and up to the moment of his death wherever his giant form was seen, his brawny arm wielded the axe -- the only efficient implement that could be then opposed to the destroying element. The building on which he was employed at that time, was a wooden one occupied by Mr. Kennedy as a Grocery, and owned, we believe, by Mr. Bishop. A number of persons were engaged at the same time in attempting to pull down the building while Mr. W., with others were cutting away the stronger studs and braces which supported it. Relying, alas! too confidently on his activity, he remained beneath the roof after every one else had deserted it, and we are told that had he retreated but a moment sooner, his valuable life would have been saved to the community, to his friends, and above all, to his interesting, but now bereaved family.

When it is remembered that our friend was actuated by no selfish motive, (having no interest in that part of the city.) but prompted a one by the most generous emotions of the human heart, he fell a victim to his own benevolence, we are lost in admiration of the man, and overwhelmed with sorrow at his untimely death.

To his bereaved widow, we alas! have not the consolations of Christian piety to offer, but we fervently pray, that this soul harrowing affliction may work for her temporal as well as eternal benefit, that "he who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" will season this dread calamity with good to those little children who have been deprived of a fathers care long ere they could know a fathers love; and may she and they soon find that now belongs to them,

"Whatever God ordained, to bless
The Widow and the fatherless."
For our friend what more can we say. He died as a he had lived, a good and brave man, and there can be no earthly doubt that long ere this he has met with his reward in "mansions of bliss prepared for the just made perfect."

"A good man and an angel! these between
How thin the barrier! what divides their fate?
Perhaps a moment, or perhaps a year;
Or if an age, 'tis but a moment still.""

A Remarkable Funeral: Burial of the Victims of the Woolfolk Tragedy

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:01:00 +0000

On this lot are the graves of nine victims of a kinsman who slew with an axe almost his entire family. This was Thomas Woolfolk, and the extraordinary crime was committed one night in August, 1887. He paid the penalty of his deed on the gallows.
I will not go into a lot of detail here about the Woolfolk murders. The subject has been written about and debated ever since its occurrence. Did Thomas Woolfolk really commit the crime for which he was hung? Countless articles have been written, as well as at least two books. The best online article I have found is Bloody Woolfolk by UGA Professor Donald E. Wilkes, Jr. The two books are The Woolfolk Tragedy: The Murders, the Trials, the Hanging & Now Finally, the Truth! and Shadow Chasers: The Woolfolk Tragedy Revisited, both by Carolyn DeLoach.

Following is a short video of the stones located in the Woolfolk family plot at Rose Hill. The plot is off of a narrow road on a grassy terrace not far from the Ocmulgee River. On the day of the funeral, thousands surrounded this little family plot. Following the video is a newspaper account of the funeral.

Macon Telegraph, Georgia
8 August 1887

A REMARKABLE FUNERAL

BURIAL OF THE VICTIMS OF THE WOOLFOLK TRAGEDY.

The Woolfolk tragedy, as might be supposed, was the absorbing question yesterday. The TELEGRAPH, containing the full story of the crime in its most minute details, exhausted its unprecedented extra supply of papers by half past nine o'clock, and it became necessary to print more. The streets were unusually full of people for a Sunday morning, long before breakfast time, and they could be seen in groups discussing the affair. There was little else talked about during the day by the men, and there seemed to be universal regret that young Woolfolk was allowed to leave the vicinity in which the horrible crime was committed. Those who were at the scene of the tragedy after he was carried off, are certain that had he been there when the shirt and drawers were drawn from the well, short work would have been made of him, as up to that time their was some little doubt resting on the minds of the people. This discovery was the turning point and decided his fate if they could have laid hands upon him.

...Undertaker Clay reached the house with the caskets about 12 o'clock and began at once to prepare the bodies for the grave.

THE PROCESSION
At six o'clock yesterday morning the remarkable procession began its long and slow journey to Macon. There were five hearses in line. The first contained the bodies of Pearl and Rosebud, the second Capt. Woolfolk and Mattie the baby, the third Mrs. Woolfolk, the fourth Richard and the fifth Mrs. West. The body of Charlie was placed in the undertaker's wagon and that of Annie in a carriage. Close behind these followed in carriages Mr. Ben Howard, father of Mrs. Woolfolk, his sons, Charles W. and John, and their families. Then came a long line of vehicles containing the immediate friends of the family, and to these were added many others as the procession winded its way toward the city. Almost at every turn of the road there were crowds of people who had gathered to see the cortege pass, and as it neard town there were many who followed on foot. Between twenty and thirty carriages were following the hearses as the procession passed through the city.

AT ROSE HILL
At the cemetery nearly two thousand people had gathered, hundreds having remained on the grounds since early morning. These people represented all classes.

The work of digging and repairing the graves was begun on Saturday evening. The lot is the new Woolfolk lot, to the right of Central avenue and about two hundred yards from the river bank. The grave-diggers were obstructed in their work by large rocks which they found as they went down into the earth. Although a large force of hands were at work the graves could not be gotten ready in time, and when the cortege arrived it was necessary to place the coffins on a vacant lot adjoining the Woolfolk lot. The nine caskets were placed by the side of each other; the five grown persons in black cloth-covered caskets and the children in white caskets. Around those the great crowd stood. The hill under which the lot was situated, was covered with people looking down upon the scene.

THE FUNERAL SERVICES
Shortly after 10 o'clock, Rev. I. R. Branham took his position between the coffins, and pausing for a moment for the noise of the crowd to be stilled, said he scarcely knew what words to utter that would be appropriate to the occasion...

He then offered up a prayer for the surviving members of the family, and for the one in prison, for "whatever may be his destiny, O Lord, prepare him for it."

Continuing his discourse, Dr. Branham said he knew of no words more fitting as a starting point than those which occur in the parable of the ten virgins, which will be found in the 25th chapter of Matthew: "For you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." This comes today with tremendous force this morning. Spread out before us are nine persons, from the infant to the grandmother, all of them stricken down without notice; aroused from slumber's charms without warning...

He spoke of the uncertainty of life and said the whole of figure and metaphor would be exhausted to give a description of the shortness of life...The missiles of death fly thick and fast around us.

He said a solemn duty must be performed by the law makers...In the administration of the law lies our safety and our hope...All over this land murder dips its hand in blood, the bullet and the knife are conspicuous, and blood flows. We must improve the terrible calamity of today.

The great concern for us all is to be ready. Christians, are all the hinderances that prevent your readiness gathered up and put out of the way? If the Master should come and call today are you ready to "rise and open to him immediately," would there be no trepidation, no hurrying to and fro, no confession and dismay consequent upon a complete surprise? Is there no duty due to God or your fellow man unperformed? ...No friend, no neighbor, exposed to eternal death unwarned? ...Is the doom of the soul forever sealed when the body dies? Oh! then let us rise from our apathy and plead with our fellow men, or with those who stand upon the brink of a fathomless abyss, with one foot uplifted, ready to take the step. Let us see to it that our daily accounts with God and our fellow men are balanced, and that we are ready at a moment's notice to make the settlement and go in peace.

...Turn the ear of your soul, and listen to the silent warning that comes from these coffins, and may the Holy Spirit indelibly impress the mute message upon your hearts and consciences! The speaker knew most of these who have been sent suddenly to their final account. Not long since it was his happy privilege to hear the beautiful story of repentance and faith in Christ from the lips of the oldest daughter. It is doubtless true that, though unwarned, they were ready....

A SAD SCENE
At this point of the services Mrs. Edwards, who was in Athens at the time of the tragedy, and who arrived yesterday morning on the 10:10 train from Atlanta, arrived at the cemetery. She went at once to the lot, and, threading her way through the crowd, uttered a cry as she beheld the coffins. Tears started to the eyes of the people as they saw her great grief and heard her lamentations over the still forms of all her father's family. Many turned away that they might not look upon a scene so sacred and so sad.

The close of the services were announced, and the great crowd filed by that all might see the caskets. For some time the family remained near them. Among these were the Howards, Mr. John Woolfolk, of Houston county, Messrs. James and Thomas Woolfolk, of Jones county, and Mr. Lowell Woolfolk, of East Macon, and their families. After this departure, the caskets were lowered into the graves as they were completed.

The nine graves were divided into two rows. In the front row rest Capt. Woolfolk, Mrs. Woolfolk, Richard, Pearl and Mrs. West; on the lower row, Charlie, Annie, Rosebud and Mattie, in the order named. The graves were walled up and cemented over nearly on a level with the ground.

During the day two heavy showers fell, but the rain did not keep the crowd away, and it was not until 5 o'clock, when the graves were finished, that the people ceased to visit the cemetery.