The Adamson Family Plot

Below is a video of the Adamson family plot, located in the Cabiness Ridge section of Rose Hill Cemetery. It is next to a stone wall. Buried in this plot are Ogean Tolitha Adamson, Samuel Taylor Adamson, Mary Elizabeth Bright Adamson, Franklin Green Adamson, Luther Ennis Adamson, Lynwood Taylor Adamson, Sarah Beatrice Smith Adamson, and Edward Alexander Adamson.

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Bright Adamson, Mother

Mary Elizabeth Bright
Wife of S. T. Adamson
Oct 7, 1851
May 30, 1931
Mother
Mrs. Adamson rests in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Bright married Samuel Taylor Adamson 18 December 1872 in Bibb County, Georgia. They had four children: Edward Alexander (1874-1944), Franklin Green (1875-1922), Ogean Tolitha (1879-1958), and Luther Ennis (1880-1881). All are buried in the same plot in Rose Hill.

In June 1880, the census taker visited Mary and her husband in Clayton County, Georgia. Three of her children were listed. Mary was less than two weeks away from giving birth to her fourth child, Luther Ennis.

The 1897 Macon, GA City Directory has Mary and her husband residing at 1998 3d Street.

In 1900, Mary and her husband are in Bibb County, Georgia with two of their children.

In 1910, Mary and her husband are in Macon, GA. Two of their children are still listed with them.

In 1920, Mary and her husband are still in Macon. This time, only one child, Ogean, is listed with them. An addition (or maybe just a visitor) to the household is Mary's brother, Green L. Bright. Green was a retired merchant.

Mary's husband Samuel died in 1925. Therefore, Mary had to file the proper paperwork to have his Civil War pension delivered to her. (Samuel was a member of Company E, 30th GA Volunteer Infantry.) The required proof of marriage Mary supplied was sufficient, and her application was approved.

One of the questions Mary had to answer on her Confederate Widows' Pension Application pertained to how long she had been a resident of the state of Georgia. Interestingly, her answer was "since age 4 or 5." Even though all the census records state Mary was born in Georgia, this may not be the case.

In 1930, a widowed Mary is a head of household in Macon. Still with her is daughter Ogean. Mary died 30 May 1931 in Bibb County, Georgia.


Sources:
- Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Bibb County, Georgia), Granite Ledger Marker Transcription by Stephanie Lincecum, Acquired February 2009
- bobabddiane1, Starr Family Tree, The Generations Network, 2009
- 1920 U.S. census, Bibb, Georgia, Enumeration District #28, Page 3A
- 1880 U.S. census, Clayton, Georgia, Enumeration District #34, Page 4
- 1900 U.S. census, Bibb, Georgia, Enumeration District #10, Page 8B, Dwelling 162, Family 179, Accessed February 2009; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.Ancestry.com)
- "Maloney's Macon Miscellaneous Directory 1897," database, The Generations Network
- Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Bibb County, Georgia), Marble Ledger Marker Transcription by Stephanie Lincecum, Acquired February 2009
- 1910 U.S. census, Bibb, Georgia, Ward 2, Macon
- 1930 U.S. census, Bibb, Georgia, Ward 2, Macon, Page 20B, Accessed February 2009
- "Georgia, Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1960," database
- "Georgia Deaths, 1919-98," database, The Generations Network, Ancestry (http://www.Ancestry.com)

Lynwood Taylor, Son of E. A. & Beatrice Adamson

WAITING
Lynwood Taylor
Son of
E. A. & Beatrice Adamson
Born Feb 8, 1897
Died July 26, 1901
Budded on earth to bloom in Heaven.
4 year old Lynwood was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery. It's difficult to read, but at the head of his ledger gravestone is the word WAITING.


Lynwood was the son of Edward Alexander Adamson and Sarah Beatrice Smith. His middle name is the same of that of his grandfather's, Samuel Taylor Adamson.

Lynwood can be found in one record - the 1900 US Federal Census. He is living with his parents in Bibb County, Georgia. Just over a year later, little Lynwood would be lost.

Luther Ennis, Infant Son of S. T. & M. E. Adamson

Luther Ennis
Infant Son of
S. T. & M. E. Adamson
Born June 15, 1880
Died Aug 23, 1881
Our chain on earth is broken
Another link in Heaven
Luther Ennis Adamson rests in Rose Hill Cemetery.

He was the son of Samuel Taylor Adamson and Mary Elizabeth Bright. Mary was less than two weeks away from giving birth to Luther when the 1880 census taker visited her family. Without this ledger gravestone, we may never have known Luther existed.

BLE Member Franklin Green Adamson

Franklin Green Adamson
BLE
Sept 4, 1875
May 1, 1922
He Loved To Make Others Happy
Frank is at rest in Rose Hill Cemetery.

He was a son of Samuel Taylor Adamson and Mary Elizabeth Bright, also buried in Rose Hill. Frank did marry and had at least one son.

In 1880, Frank and his parents were living in Clayton County, Georgia. Siblings included older brother Edward and younger sister Talitha.

Frank was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. It was "the senior national labor organization in the United States, and also North America's oldest rail labor union." And though Frank indeed became a railroad engineer, he appears to have worked on just about every aspect of a railcar. He was probably brought into the business by his father and older brother.

In 1894, 18 year old Frank took a fishing trip with his shop buddies to Florida. I can only imagine what that must've been like. Especially since Frank's father and older brother are not mentioned as members of the party. As told in the local newspaper:

28 April 1894
Macon Weekly Telegraph

MACONITES IN LUCK
Employe[e]s of the Georgia Southern on a Fishing Frolic

Putnam Hall, Fla, April 27 -- (Special) -- A party of twelve employe[e]s of the Georgia Southern and Florida railroad shops at Macon have just returned from an enjoyable outing at Putnam Hall, Fla, where they have spent three days. They took back with them 500 pounds of fish, and are highly elated with their success. The party consisted of Messrs. J. T. Willis, W. H. Evans, B. F. Willis, J. T. Stone, J. B. Ray, A. O. Blanks, J. E. Shine, J. R. Herrington, S. S. Youmans, Frank Adamson, W. C. Hobbs and Will Smith.

Frank, his father, and his older brother are found in the 1897 Macon, GA city directory. Frank is living at 1998 Third Street with his parents. His occupation was painter G. S. & F. Shops.

In 1900, Frank was with his parents in Macon. His occupation was Locomotive Fireman.

In September 1919, Frank registered for the draft in Lowndes County, Georgia. His address was Valdosta, GA, and his occupation was listed as RR Engineer for the G S & F Ry at Valdosta. Frank was married, and he was described as short, with brown eyes and light brown hair.

Franklin G. Adamson died in Lowndes County, Georgia 1 May 1922. He was only 46 when he died. I wonder what caused his death at such a young age. For some reason, I get the feeling Frank was a happy man who was fun to be around.

Do you have more information about Mr. Franklin Green Adamson? Please comment.

Edward Alexander Adamson Got a Letter From Hell

Edward Alexander Adamson
March 30, 1874
Aug 25, 1944
"Loving Father, Devoted Husband,
Faithful Friend."
Mr. Adamson rests in Rose Hill Cemetery.

He was a son of Samuel Taylor Adamson and Mary Elizabeth Bright, also buried in Rose Hill. Edward married Sarah Beatrice Smith in 1896, and they had at least two children: Lynwood Taylor and Cecil F.

Edward and his parents are living in Clayton County, Georgia in 1880.

Edward was a railroad man, possibly brought in by his father. In 1897, he and his wife are listed in the Macon, GA 1897 City Directory. Edward was a carpenter at the Central [RR] Shops, and his residence was 2001 Third Street, just a few doors down from his parents.

In 1900, Edward and his wife are in Macon. Edward's occupation was machinist. Sarah's mother was listed with them.

In 1920, Edward and Sarah are again in Macon. Edward's occupation was Railroad Shop Foreman.

In 1930, Edward and Sarah can be found living on State Street East in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. Edward's occupation was Steam Railroad Car-Builder.

Backtracking a bit, Edward A. Adamson received an interesting letter in 1914. Interesting enough to make the local paper:

26 April 1914
Macon Weekly Telegraph

LETTER FROM HELL TO EDWARD A. ADAMSON

Mysterious Document Smacks of Advertising and a Clever Conception.

May not believe it, but nevertheless, it is a fact that E. A. Adamson, car foreman of the Central shops, is in receipt of a letter direct from Hell, but it is a postoffice bearing the "euphonius" name, located somewhere in Norway, Sweden. While the document is in the form of advertising, it is clever, and the letter in full follows:

(Personal)
Hell, Norway, March 28, 1914
E. A. Adamson, Car Foreman
Central of Georgia Railway
Macon, Ga
Dear Sir:
I am in Hell.

And strangely enough, I like it.

You may not be able to find this place of the map, because it is a very small town in the northern part of Norway.

It isn't at all like the place you think it is. The temperature is delightful; the people here are kind and gracious; and there is no "brimstone" in the air.

And so here I am in Hell -- because they are building railroads up here in Norway and you know, it's my business to give railroad men a lift.

I make "good jacks." My jacks have speed and safety. That is how I lift railroad men out of their jack troubles.

Norton jacks hold the record for strength and reliability.

We have fifty-ton self-lowering jacks for loaded car and locomotive work, that will lift and last until this place Hell freezes over, and they they will keep on lifting, because there is nothing inside them to freeze.

You probably never knew another man who went to Hell of his own accord.

And so while I am in Hell, it is only for a short time. Soon I'll be back -- and if you would like a photo-postal of this remote place, just address me as below,
Yours truly,
Harry A. Norton,
286 Congress St., Boston, Mass

Do you have anything to add about Mr. Edward Alexander Adamson?

The Humble Dead in Rose Hill Cemetery

The Macon Telegraph and Messenger
15 February 1882

The Humble Dead in Rose Hill Cemetery

"On fame's eternal camping ground,
The silent tents are spread,
While glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead."

No costly marble marks the spot of the silent sleepers. There has been no portraiture of their death-bed scenes. No long extended notices were published announcing their decease. But sadly and silently they were borne away, and soon the brown autumn leave covered the new made graves. The birds sang their plaintive songs amid the overhanging boughs. The winds sighed a sad requiem and all was soon hushed into deep forgetfulness. Their stations in life were humble, yet many, very many of them did their parts nobly, heroically in life, were kind fathers, devoted wives, noble sons, loving sisters, the toiling mechanic, the just merchant, the private soldier each filled his earthly mission and have gone to their long homes. Let us not forget the humble sleepers in Rose Hill. -- PAUL BLUNT

Some History of Rose Hill

Rose Hill Cemetery is located on Riverside Drive in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. It is an example of a 19th century rural cemetery park, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The main man behind Rose Hill Cemetery was Simri Rose. He was the sixth son of Levi and Mary Rose. He was born in Connecticut and migrated to Georgia about 1818. He died 3 April 1869.

Simri Rose selected and laid out Rose Hill Cemetery. He was also on the first cemetery committee.

Lots in the Rose Hill Cemetery went on sale about May 1840. They were no smaller than 20 square feet and no larger than 40 square feet. Prices ranged from $5 - $30. Lots were auctioned at public sale from time to time, and free lots could also be given to those who improved them according to instructions by the cemetery committee.

At that early time, no tombs were allowed. All interments had to be in underground vaults or coffins. No lot was to be cleared of forest growth, except with permission of the committee.

By 1841, Simri Rose had divided the 50 acre site into five distinct sections: Central Avenue District, Eglantine Square, Forest Hill, Magnolia Ridge, and Holly Ridge.

Originally, each of the sections was separated by thick woodland. But, as the city of Macon grew, so did the cemetery. In 1850, a sixth section, Pine Ridge, was added. Furthermore, in 1856 and 1857, Hawthorne Ridge, Honeysuckle Ridge, and Ivy Ridge was added.

In 1848, immediately west of Rose Hill, Simri planned Oak Ridge Cemetery. This was to be for slaves.

In 1851, it became necessary to lock the entrance gate to Rose Hill to prevent livestock from entering.

In 1859, the Macon City Council commented, "Our cemetery has most justly become a special object of interest and pride to our citizens, and the attraction of many who reside far beyond our limits, many of whom are securing family burial places in it, and many during the last year have been brought from great distances to be deposited in its bosom as their last mortal resting place."

In 1862, the cemetery charter was altered to allow smaller plot sizes. The new maximum size was 30 X 25 feet, and fractional lots were permitted. No longer was a free lot able to be obtained.

Union troops during the Civil War did some damage to the cemetery. Fences, trees, and shrubs were cut down. Soldiers bathed in the lakes, and several crystaline rocks were stolen.

At the end of the war 27,000 square feet was set aside for more than 600 Confederate soldiers. It was the flank of a hill sloping toward the Ocmulgee River, and it was named Soldiers Square.

In 1870, a subdivision was sold to the Beth Israel Congregation and given the name William Wolff Cemetery. Some time later, Cabiness Ridge was established.

In the late 1890s, the Roman Catholic Church acquired what was named St. Joseph Cemetery.

By 1959, the following subdivisions had been added: The Terraces, Lakeside Terrace, Triangle Square, and Carnation Ridge.

Source:
Rose Hill Cemetery: Derivation, Development, Degeneration
by Bruce W. Earnheart, © 1989