Helping Georgia's Blind and Serving the Confederate Soldier

From it's inception in 1851 to his death thirty years later, Dr. James Mercer Green was attached to the Georgia Academy for the Blind.  He co-founded the project and was on the board of trustees as president and medical director.  The following article, which was one of many to come, kicked off the idea and fund raising for the cause.  (Full article transcribed by Margie A. Daniels for USGenNet.org.)

5 April 1851, Georgia Citizen

THE BLIND IN GEORGIA

We are happy to learn that an effort is now making for the commencement of an Institution for the education of the blind youth of our State, and that a meeting for the purpose of encouraging and sustaining this effort, will be held on Monday evening next, at half-past seven o'clock, at the Methodist Church.  An address will be delivered on this occasion by Walter S. Fortescue, a graduate of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind, and more recently a graduate of the University of that State, at the close of which, preparatory measures for the establishment of an institution of this character will doubtless be taken by the citizens.  When it is remembered that the Legislatures of more than two-thirds of the States have already made ample arrangements for the education of their blind, it is to us a matter of surprise that Georgia, occupying so prominent a position in the Union as she does, should have so long remained indifferent to the to the [sic] educational interests of this class of her youth…

When Dr. Green's life and commitment to the academy was complete upon his death in 1881, a lengthy obituary (of which a portion I shared yesterday) was printed in the local newspaper.  Regarding the work of Dr. Green and the Georgia Academy for the Blind, this is what was said (in part):

He was the first to suggest the idea of establishing the Georgia Academy for the Blind, located at Macon, and of whose board of directors he was the first and only president.  One of the officers of the institution, entirely familiar with its history, thus writes:  "Dr. Green was a man whose benevolent instincts were largely developed.  He ever regarded human suffering and infirmity with compassionate feeling.  Institutions designed for the amelioration of the sufferings of these classes of our fellow creatures, received a large measure of his study and interest.  He kept himself informed as to their specail [sic] work, and was a zealous advocate of their cause.  This was notably the case as to the Georgia Academy for the Blind…Although at that time actively engaged in the prosecution of his profession, and encumbered with a large practice, he found time to exert all the influence he had, enlisting his numerous friends by personal appeals and solicitations in behalf of the enterprise…He was made a member of the board of temporary trustees, and when the enterprise culminated in a chartered State charity, he was named with N. C. Munroe, A. H. Chappell, John B. Lamar, E. B. Weed, R. A. Smith and E. Graves as corporators, and when the board was organized on June 23, 1852, he was selected as the president, which office he held continuously until his death, a period of nearly thirty years.  In his office as trustee and president of the board he ever held a just appreciation of the proposed design of the institution, and gave his earnest support to all measures designed specifically to promote the same, and finding his highest gratification in its advancement and success in this particular respect.

"During this period he was from his universally acknowledged fitness for the position by a unanimous vote of his associates appointed attending physician of the academy, and in that position fully merited and retained, throughout this long period, the entire confidence of the trustees and officers charged with the internal management of the establishment.  To the duties of this office, always varied and often perplexing, he gave the most unremitting and assiduous attention, and they were discharged not only with scrupulous fidelity, but with the highest skill.  He had the highest regard for his responsibilities in the offices he held; and in the discharge of the various duties they imposed, he displayed eminent qualifications and fitness, great zeal, activity and talent.  His connection with the Academy for the Blind will be long and gratefully remembered by its friends and the people of the State, and the loss they have sustained in the death of one of their earliest, most constant and devoted friends, will be keenly felt and sincerely deplored."

The remembrance continues by speaking of the next useful contribution to his community made by Dr. Green:

…When the tocsin of war sounded and his fellow-citizens were summoned to the field in defense of right and country, although in feeble health and over age, he cheerfully abandoned the comforts of home and repaired to the scene of conflict, ministering to the wants of the sick and wounded, and continued faithful in this work to the end of the strife, at all times regardless of his own interest…

Dr. Green was much involved in the promotion of Georgia's secession from the Union.  And it seems, that from the very start of the war, he desired to be involved with the Confederate hospitals and helping the sick, wounded, and dying.  He wrote the following to Howell Cobb early in the war:  [Civil War Macon by Richard W. Iobst.  Pub. 1999, Mercer University Press.  Pg. 107.]

"I feel convinced that it is in my power to [be] of great service to hundreds of our poor sick & dying soldiers who are too often treated as if they were paupers instead of the owners of the medicines & supplies so munificently sent from Georgia for their relief."

Dr. Green was in control of the Macon hospitals by 1863.  Specifically, at least at some point, he was Chief Surgeon of the Floyd House Hospital.

The Georgia Academy for the Blind was even converted to a hospital at the persuasion of Dr. Green after Macon was inundated with hundreds more soldier patients after the Battle of Chickamauga.  By the close of 1863, Dr. Green was very pleased with how the Macon hospitals were being run.

There were challenges, tough ones, of course.  But even a year more into the war, when trying desperately to find more beds for needy soldiers, Dr. Green retains his passion and writes this:

"What shall be done with these men shall our brave sick & wounded lie on the floor or be turned into the streets – every one almost will answer no."

And later this:

"It is disgusting…to see the contemptuous indifference & even hatred that many of these wealthy foreigners & yankees & some disloyal men of Southern birth have to everything concerning the soldiers, hospitals &c.  I desire most sincerely to be able to learn some of these men their duties to the Govt. that protects them."

Through all this, the hospitals of Macon were still given high marks.

[Note:  If you have any interest in the history of Macon, or the Civil War and how it may have effected a city such, I encourage you to read the aforementioned Civil War Macon: The History of a Confederate City by Richard W. Iobst.  From inside front flap:  "Richard W. Iobst has produced an encyclopedic account of Macon, Georgia, during the years 1859-1865." – I personally find it to be an invaluable resource.]

A Cenotaph More Durable than Marble: James Mercer Green, M.D. (1815-1881)

Where do I begin with James Mercer Green? Often, in older newspaper articles commenting on the life of a person recently deceased, you will see the word useful used to describe said individual.  We don't use the word in the same way as much anymore.  What I interpret that term to mean in that context, is the recently deceased individual gave more to their community than they took.  That their life made other lives better.  It doesn't have to be in some grand way, necessarily, it simply means the community benefited from their presence in it.

Useful, based on the research I've conducted, truly describes the life of Dr. James Mercer Green.  And in his case, there are, some might say, a couple of grand examples.  Before we get to those larger examples, let's go over the "basics."

James Mercer Green was born 15 November 1815 in Georgia (maybe Milledgeville?) to Dr. William Montgomery Green and his second wife, Jane McKonkey.  It may or may not be important to note, I'm not sure Dr. William Green was a physician, though I have seen him described as such.  He was an educator, having been the Director of Mathematics and Languages at Franklin College (UGA) in Athens, Georgia.  Dr. William Green also opened academies in Milledgeville, Baldwin County.

Less than a month after his thirteenth birthday, the mother of James Mercer Green died.  Yet he pressed on, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia in 1837.  Dr. James M. Green would follow that vocation for the rest of his life.

When Dr. James Mercer Green died 13 June 1881 in Macon, a funeral notice in the local newspaper described him as "the oldest practitioner in the city." Some twenty years earlier, when pushing for Dr. Green to get a position at a military hospital, wealthy Maconite John B. Lamar described him as "the best physician we have in Macon, as he is the only physician who attends me, when I am sick." [Civil War Macon by Richard W. Iobst.  Pub. 1999, Mercer University Press.  Pg. 96.]

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
10 July 1881 -- pg. 1 [Entire article available online at GenealogyBank.]

Obituary.
On the 13th day of June, 1881, James Mercer Green, M.D., for years one of the most prominent, useful, distinguished and highly esteemed citizens of Macon, passed from time to eternity.  He was the son of William Green, M.D., a native of Ireland, and graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, who, driven from his native land, on account of his intense love of freedom and of country (having participated in the rebellion of Lord Edward Fitzgerald,) like numbers of his illustrious fellow exiles, found on these shores a warm welcome and generous appreciation…Dr. James Mercer Green was born on the 15th of November, 1815, and like his brothers, the late Drs. Thomas F. and H. K, Green, was educated by his father, who was not only a faithful, but highly competent instructor of youth.  He taught his pupils to think and to study, and their after career reflected the highest credit upon his fidelity and skill.  Thus equipped, the subject of this sketch entered upon the study of his chosen profession, and having completed his preparatory course to the satisfaction of the late Benj. A. White, of Milledgeville, matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated as doctor of medicine in the year 1837.  Immediately upon his graduation he returned to Macon, which had been his home since 1831, and entered upon the practice of his profession, in connection with his brother, Dr. H. K. Green.  Almost from the commencement, they had a varied and extensive practice, and rapidly rose to prominence, in a community that could boast of quite a number of able and accomplished practitioners.  After many years, when this professional connection was dissolved, Dr. J. Mercer Green continued active practice on his own account, and notwithstanding his numerous and exacting professional engagements, he devoted much time and thought to political duties, and for one at least of the great public charities of the State, he was an earnest worker to the day of his death.  Like his eldest brother, Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald Green, who for more than thirty years was connected in controlling capacity with the State lunatic asylum, he had a warm sympathy for and an ardent desire to minister to the wants of the afflicted of his race…

…Dr. Green had very exalted but very just views of the character and learning of his profession, and he scrupulously guarded it from practices that had a tendency to lower its dignity and impair confidence in its integrity.  The foundation of all professional excellence is broad, generous and extensive culture, and Dr. Green was a conspicuous example of this truth.  He was well read in history, philosophy and polite literature.  His acquintance [sic] with the best of our English classics was extensive and accurate.

There was nothing that affected the wellbeing of his country in which he did not take an active interest…

In 1846, Dr. Green was united in marriage to the eldest daughter of the late Hon. Oliver H. Prince.  She, after many years of wedded happiness, with two only of their children, is left to cherish his memory and to deplore their loss.  But they are not as those who mourn without hope.  In early life he united with the Episcopal church, and for twenty years was senior warden of Christ Church parish, Macon.  Few men have had the good fortune to leave behind them more pleasing and grateful memories.  A cenotaph more durable than marble is erected in the hearts of those whose sufferings he alleviated and whose maladies he healed.  This feeling descending from them to their posterity will be a precious legacy to his children and their descendants.     A FRIEND.

James Mercer Green, M.D. rests in the Magnolia Ridge section of Rose Hill Cemetery.  Next time, we'll look at a couple of those grand examples that made Dr. Green such a useful individual.

(See also Helping Georgia's Blind and Serving the Confederate Soldier.)

Yankees Killed Aleck A. Menard?

Alexander Ambrose Menard, a well-known druggist about the city of Macon, was born between 1828 and 1830 in Georgia to S. and Victorine Menard.  He joined the Jackson Artillery of Bibb County and is listed on an 1861 muster roll of this, Capt. Dure's Company, at the age of 31.  But it was something that happened after the Civil War that perhaps followed, even hastened, Aleck to his grave. (Image at right by James Allen.)

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
23 March 1881 -- pg. 1 [via GenealogyBank]

Death of A. A. Menard, Esq.
The many friends and acquaintances in Macon of Mr. Aleck Menard were surprised to hear of his death, which occurred yesterday afternoon, very suddenly, about 3:30, at his residence in this city.

Congestion of the brain is thought to have been the immediate cause of his death, produced from the effects of a blow given Mr. Menard on the head shortly after the war.  When he was in Albany, Georgia, and while standing by, having nothing to do with a fight in which Yankee soldiers were engaged four of the soldiers attacked Mr. Menard, one of whom gave him a severe blow with a gun on the head.  Mr. Menard has frequently suffered from the effects of this blow, and his death is supposed to have resulted finally from this, though he has been more or less unwell for several months past.

Mr. Menard was out on the streets Monday, but became indisposed that night, and Tuesday morning grew worse, when about noon he was taken seriously ill, physicians sent for, and he gradually became weaker and, and in the afternoon about 3:30 o'clock calmly died.

Perhaps Mr. Menard was as well known as any man in Macon, where he has followed the drug business long years, and had a retail drug store on Fourth street at the time of his demise.  He was a genial gentleman and will be sadly missed.  He leaves a wife and family.  His sons, Messrs.  Victor and Robert Menard have a large circle of acquaintances.  We understand that the funeral will not be held until the arrival of Mr. Robert Menard from Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he is engaged in business.

I would like to point out, though you probably already noticed, the death year on Mr. Menard's ledger marker pictured above is incorrect.  It should be 1881, not 1885.  Aleck rests in the Central Avenue Division of Rose Hill Cemetery -- A precious memory.

Father and Son McLaughlin

On the last day of 1879, the widower Alexander R. McLaughlin died of Bright's Disease at his home in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.  He was born in Ireland in the early 1800s, and was living in Macon by his early 20s.  A death notice for Alexander, a retired merchant, was issued in the 1 January 1880 Macon Telegraph (Georgia):

Died.
Yesterday Mr. A. R. McLaughlin, an old and well-known citizen of Macon, died at his residence in this city.  He was at one time a large merchant and capitalist.  He was also, for a long time, a member of the Macon Volunteers, and his name was still regularly enrolled among its honorary members.  He will be buried this morning with military honors.

That same day, another item was ran in the same newspaper regarding Alexander R. McLaughlin, Jr.  It seems he would have to resign from his position on the Macon City Council due to health reasons.  Less than ten weeks later, A. R. McLaughlin, Jr. was dead.  He was remembered in the 14 March 1880 Macon Telegraph.  (Original article, as well as image at right, via GenealogyBank.)

Death of A. R. McLaughlin.
The many friends of Mr. A. R. McLaughlin will be pained to learn of his death, which occurred yesterday morning at two o'clock.  The deceased had long been a sufferer from consumption, and passed quietly away after the disease had run its course.  Mr. McLaughlin was once a lieutenant in the Floyd Rifles; for a long time chief of Young America, No. 3, fire company, and served a portion of a term as City Clerk, resigning on account of failing health.  He was a young man of most excellent character, admirable qualities, the favorite of a large circle of friends and beloved by all who knew him.  His funeral will take place from the residence of his sister, Mrs. H. R. Stroemer, corner of Mulberry and Fourth streets, to-day at 2 p.m.  He will be buried by the Floyd Rifles and No. 3 Fire Company with appropriate ceremonies.

I thought it was a little strange to find no mention of his father's death just a few months before.  Both father and son were found listed together in the 1880 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census mortality schedule, though.

Via Ancestry.

Father and son McLaughlin, along with wife and mother Elizabeth who had died in 1872, were laid to rest in block 1, lot 19 of the Central Avenue Division of Rose Hill Cemetery.

Every Eye Grows Dim with Sickening Tears: Obituary for Ida Gertrude Nelson Shinholser

Ida, born about 1856 in Georgia, was a daughter of William T. and Gertrude Nelson.  A book of deaths from Christ Church in Macon shows Ida Shinholser was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery.  I think her grave might be unmarked.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
25 January 1880 – pg. 4 [via GenealogyBank]

OBITUARY.

Ida Gertrude Nelson, wife of W. T. Shinholser, departed this life on the 7th instant, aged 23 years, 11 months, and 24 days.  She left a husband, three children, the youngest an infant eight days old, and numerous relatives and friends to mourn their loss.

O Earth, how many bright ones
Are in thy bosom laid !
How many kindred spirits
Now seek their home in thy dark caverns.
Death, thou dost find thy victims
Amongst earth's rarest and most gifted children,
And now thou hast taken ONE
Who budded forth so fair, so beautiful,
So full of taste and talent, joy and love,
That every heart sinks at the sudden, awful change,
And every eye grows dim with sickening tears.
Oh, who can tell the woe, the anguish that reigns
Where she lived, in all the pride of womanhood,
The beloved wife?
But oh, remember, in this trying hour,
That He who gave has taken away;
That He has claimed His own,
Which, but for a little time, He lent to us.
Bless we His name.
And while our hearts, in deepest woe,
Feel the full agony of this His act,
Bend them, though they should break.
To His most mighty will;
Then will the light burst forth;
Then will the darkness disappear;
And He, while on earth did raise the dead,
Shall, in the resurrection,
Raise our Ida.

Inquest into Death of W. Arthur Whittle

William Arthur Whittle was born 12 June 1855 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.  He was one of twelve children born to Sarah Powers and Lewis Neale Whittle.  In a late night hour on 3 February 1879, the eighth anniversary of his mother's death, Arthur Whittle ended his own life with an accidental pistol shot.  He was laid to rest in the Central Avenue Division of Rose Hill Cemetery.  Arthur and his brother Abner are memorialized on the same tombstone.  Abner died four years later of consumption.

The following is a report of the inquest into Arthur's death.  It's a bit long, but nonetheless an interesting read.

Macon Weekly Telegraph (Georgia)
Tuesday, 11 February 1879, pg. 1 [Online at GenealogyBank.]

SUDDEN DEATH OF ARTHUR WHITTLE.

One of the saddest deaths that has occurred in Macon, and one which has created a greater shock on the community than any since the death of Mr. Edgar Collins, was the death of Mr. W. Arthur Whittle.  The city was startled by the announcement, and  a shade of sadness spread over its face.  At ten o'clock on Sunday night Mr. Whittle was at the Lanier House joining in the conversation of quite a coterie of friends.  Soon after he left.

About a quarter of twelve he went home, carefully removing his shoes before entering the house for fear of disturbing the inmates.  His room was on the second floor.  He entered it and almost immediately a pistol shot was heard.

The rest of the melancholly [sic] circumstances can be learned from the evidence of the coroner's jury.

Dr. C. H. Hall, sworn, said I have examined the body of deceased, Mr. W. A. Whittle; I find but one wound upon the body, that caused by a pistol shot, the ball entering the right side of his head just above the right ear, going directly through the cerebrum and lodging just under the scalp of the temple on the left side of his head about one and a half inches above the left ear; I consider the one wound sufficient to produce immediate death.

Mr. A. P. Whittle, sworn, said:  I think at a quarter after twelve last night, the deceased, my brother, Mr. W. A. Whittle, came into this room; I was asleep in the bed on the side nearest the fireplace, and the opening of the door awakened me; I said, "Hello, Arthur, is that you?" he replied, "Yes," in his usual tone of voice; I think then he must have sat down upon the trunk to the left of the fireplace; I think so from the fact that when he got up again I heard the sound of the trunk top as it sprang back into position; there was no light in the room; a very short time after I heard this sound made by the trunk, I heard the crack of a pistol and the fall of the body; just as the pistol fired I was about to address him again, but I don't recollect what about; so soon as I could get a match from the mantelpiece, I lit the gas, rushed up to him and found him dead; as soon as I saw that he was dead I went to arouse my father, down stairs, and other members of the family; when my father came in, after looking at the body, he asked me if I had seen any pistol; I told him no, and began to look for one; I found one on the left side of his body, down near his feet, and one chamber exploded; I recognized it as my pistol, which I kept in the drawer of a dressing case on the corner of the mantelpiece; I had not seen the pistol for several days, having had no occasion to look in the drawer; this pistol had been in his possession several times; in the same drawer I had a pair of kid gloves, which I found in my brother's pocket after his death; I had been absent from the city that day, and my brother had told my sister that he would wear my gloves that day as they were better than his, or some such expression; it was my brother's custom, when he came in after the light in his room had been extinguished, to go to bed without a light; the drawer to which I referred was about as high above the floor as my brother's chin, and his body lies just where it fell directly in front of that drawer, as if he was standing with his head directly at the drawer when the pistol exploded; did not hear any sound such as always accompanies the act of cocking a pistol; if such a noise had been made I would have heard it.  The drawer was nearly filled with papers, and, realizing whenever I went to replace the pistol in it that some danger of exploding existed, I always used great care.  He was always of a cheerful frame of mind, and I have not heard of, nor do I know of anything which would induce me to think that he contemplated taking his own life.  He and I had a positive engagement, at his suggestion, to meet at my office and transact some business this morning.  He removed his shoes before he came into the house, leaving them on the back porch, where they were this morning early; this was a custom with him and a precaution he took to keep from waking the family when he came in late.  I have searched his pockets and have not found any preparation for or consideration of death.

Mr. R. A. Nisbet, sworn, said:  About half past twelve o'clock last night, Mr. A. B. Whittle came to my house, awoke me, and I went with him at once to his home and to the room where we now are.  I saw the body of deceased, Mr. W. A. Whittle, lying as it does now just in front of the dressing case on the mantelpiece.  It now lies as i[t] did then.  The only change in his attire is, that I, with the assistance of Mr. J. P. Fort, placed on his hands a pair of kid gloves which we found in deceased's pockets…[Went on to say he found no suicide note on the deceased.]

Here, at the request of a member of the jury, Mr. Nisbet cocked the pistol and it made two distinct clicks, loud enough to be heard all over the room and to attract the attention of anyone in the room.

Mr. N. M. Hodgkins, sworn, said:  Having had considerable experience in the handling of firearms, having been a dealer in them for fifteen or twenty years, he stated that he could easily see how the discharge of the weapon shown him could have occurred by striking the hammer against the corner of the drawer or otherwise…

After duly considering the foregoing evidence the jury arrived at the following verdict:

Upon considering the testimony, and after a careful examination of the body of deceased, and of the premises, we, the jury of inquest, find that W. A. Whittle came to his death by the accidental discharge of a pistol, which, in the dark, he was attempting to place in the drawer of a dressing case on the end of the mantelpiece in his room, near the height of his head…[Names of jury members listed.]

Mr. Whittle would have been twenty-four years of age in June.  He was born and reared in Macon, graduated at the State University, and has, for the past two years, been farming near Bolingbroke.  He had just removed to the city to commence the study of law in his father's office.  He was well known and very popular with his young friends and companions.  His impulses were those of a thorough gentleman, and in his nature was much of true nobility.

The casket which held the spirit was like it, and a more symetric [sic] physique could hardly be found.  He has died in the very bloom of magnificent manhood, and his young life has gone out "while it was yet morning." His nature was impulsive and his bravery was almost a fault.  With his family, whose hearts are almost crushed under this weight of sorrow, the entire city sympathize.

It is Not the Object of the Writer to Eulogize the Dead, Jerusha Wakeman

Obituary
Departed this life, on Saturday the 25th of October last, at Macon, Ga., JERUSHA C. WAKEMAN, in the 73d year of her age.

It is not the object of the writer to eulogize the dead, but to present for the satisfaction of living friends here and elsewhere, impressions of the real character of the deceased, produced by a long life of unobtrusive piety and usefulness.

Mrs. Wakeman was by profession an instructress of youth, and continued in this useful employment until the infirmities of age demanded repose.  In the discharge of her duties as a teacher she was faithful and conscientious and her faculty for teaching was a peculiar gift, consequently she was eminently successful and the amount of good conferred on Society by her self denying labors, cannot be computed.  But the feature which imparted the purest lustre to the character of the deceased, was her humble, unobtrusive, but devoted piety.  She had for a long series of years been a member of the Episcopal Church, and truly did she illustrate in her daily walk and conversation the beautiful and evangelical spirit of that Church.  She was faithful in the discharge of all her obligations, but especially so in the duties she owed to the Church as one of its professing members.  Her attendance on the public and private observances of the House of God was most punctual and uniform, and her charity was conferred in a manner so delicate as to induce the recipient to believe that it was a favor confered [sic] on herself.

She has doubtless gone to her reward and her works do follow her.

A FRIEND.  Macon, Nov. 7th, 1862.  [Macon Telegraph (Georgia) – 8 November 1862, pg. 2]

I found mention of Mrs. Wakeman's burial in The History of Christ Church Parish Macon, Georgia by Oliver Hart and Calder Payne (Omnipress, 1974).  The entry, noted as being from a book of deaths held by the church, listed her as Mrs. J. C. Wakeman.  The date and location of her funeral was given as 26 October 1862 at Rose Hill Cemetery.

A search of the RoseHillCemetery.org database did not reveal a record for Jerusha Wakeman.  It's possible her grave is unmarked.  There is, however, a record of the burial of her husband James (d. 1861).  If Jerusha C., born 1789-1792 in Connecticut, rests near her husband, they are in the Magnolia Ridge section, Block 1, Lot 7.

Pulaski S. Holt Outlived Them All

What started out as a research task that *should* have been completed in an hour, ended (after several hours) with five pages of hand-written notes and a promise made to myself to revisit the old family often to see how much more I can learn.

If you wander around Rose Hill Cemetery often enough, as I believe I have, you'll notice certain surnames are more plentiful than others.  Holt is one of those names.  Here is the family plot purchased by Col. Pulaski S. Holt in 1854.

There are at least six individuals buried in this lot, in addition to Pulaski S. Holt, Sr.  They are three of his sons, his second wife, a daughter, and a niece.

Col. Holt was married once prior to his union with the wife buried here.  That wife, as well as two additional children, are buried elsewhere.  Furthermore, I believe there is yet another daughter who died at a very young age.  Pulaski outlived them all.

Pulaski S. Holt, son of Thaddeus Holt and Martha Goode, married first Lavinia Richardson October 1824 in Hancock County, Georgia.  They had four children:  Jane, Pulaski S. Jr., Thaddeus G., and Peyton C. Holt.

Lavinia Richardson Holt died 11 August 1836 per Milledgeville's Southern Recorder -

DIED – At their residence near Eatonton, on the 11th inst. Mrs. LAVINIA HOLT, wife of Col. Pulaski S. Holt, in the 32d year of her age.

I believe Jane, born about 1825, was the first child of Lavinia and Pulaski Holt.  A memorial was placed for her, her brother, and her mother in Union Church Cemetery at Eatonton, Putnam County.  Jane died at Sparta, Hancock County in 1827.  She was just two years old.

Thaddeus G. Holt, born about 1831, passed away six years after his sister -

Here lie the remains of Thaddeus G. Holt son of P. S. & L. Holt who departed this life in June 1833 in the 2nd year of his age.

Peyton C. and Pulaski S. Jr. died in consecutive years.  Peyton in 1857 at age 24, and Pulaski in 1858 at age 29.  Both rest in the family plot at Rose Hill.

Pulaski Holt, Sr. married again in May 1838 to Charity N. Grimes, daughter of Thomas Grimes of Greene County.  This union produced, I believe, two daughters and one son.

For the 1840 Putnam County Federal census, there is a female under the age of five noted along with Pulaski, Sr., Charity, Pulaski, Jr., and Peyton.  Of course, this daughter could belong to either Lavinia or Charity.  I have no other information other than a digital family group sheet that does list a daughter born 1839 and died 1843.  I actually thought it an error initially, but the census changed my mind.  Admittedly, I am still skeptical of the listed name – Valerie Catherine Holt.

Charity Grimes Holt died 4 April 1880 in her 67th year.  Daughter Julia died 1857, a few months before her 16th birthday.

The last of the children of Pulaski and Charity Holt was a young son, Grimes.  He passed away two months before his 14th birthday.

If all the "1857s" didn't leap out at you, here's the article I found that was the initiator for this post. From the 23 May 1857 Columbus Tri-Weekly Enquirer (Georgia):

DEATH'S DOINGS – The whole community profoundly sympathizes with the family of our friend and fellow-citizen, Col. Pulaski Holt, on account of the afflictive bereavement which has just befallen them.  On Monday the 11th, Miss Julia A. Holt, an only daughter, was buried.  On yesterday, a son, Peyton C. Holt, aged 22, was consigned to the tomb.  And to-day another son, Grimes Holt, who died yesterday noon is to be buried.  And we also learn that Mrs. H. is now lying very ill! Truly this is a sad record of Death's doings in one family, within ten days! – Daily Georgia Citizen

Col. Pulaski S. Holt, Sr. lived 28 more years after burying his last child, and 6 more years after burying his second wife, before succumbing to "feeble" health 11 July 1886.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia) – 12 July 1886 – pg. 3 [via GenealogyBank]

Death of Col. Holt
Col. Pulaski S. Holt died at his late residence, 129 Orange street, at half-past three o'clock yesterday afternoon.

Col. Holt was born in Hancock county in April, 1797, and was consequently eighty-nine years old.  He was the oldest lawyer in the State, he and the late John P. King, of Augusta, having held the two oldest licenses.  His life was an interesting one.  With his father he lived in Fort Wilkinson, in Baldwin county, long before Fort Hawkins was built.  For thirty-seven years he was a resident of Macon.

He had been in feeble health for the past year, and was confined to his bed six weeks prior to his death.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia) – 13 July 1886 – pg. 7

Funeral of Col. Holt
The funeral of the late Col. Pulaski S. Holt occurred yesterday from his late residence on Orange street, and his remains were followed to Rose Hill by a large number of friends, among them the oldest citizens of the city.

Col. Holt was the oldest living graduate of the University of Georgia, having as his class-mate and room-mate Major John Park, the father of our fellow-citizen, Capt. R. E. Park.  They graduated in 1820.

…Col. Holt was very successful as a lawyer and planter, and, before the war, was a very wealthy citizen.  He was distinguished for his rare courtesy and polish of manner and his genial disposition.  No man in Georgia, except the late Judge E. Y. Hill, ever equaled him in politeness and geniality.

For over thirty years he had been a citizen of Macon, having moved here from Eatonton.  He leaves two grandsons, having survived all of his children…

If you enjoyed this content,
please consider supporting my blog.

Suffered Burns from Embers in Woods? (Mary Palmer's Story)

Mary L. Palmer was born about June 1858 in Georgia to Samuel B. and Mary (Lewis) Palmer.  Six months after her birth, Mary's mother passed away at the age of just 25 years.  Though listed with her father for the 1870 U.S. Federal census in Savannah, Mary seems to have been "away" at school by the age of 16.  Here's the rest of her story, told in a local newspaper:

Macon Telegraph and Messenger (Georgia)
16 March 1875, pg. 4

Death of Mary Palmer.
This young lady, about 16 years of age, died a day or two ago from the effects of burns she had received.  She was walking in the woods near her school at Cartersville, and, from the information we obtain, her clothing caught on fire from some burning embers in the woods.  Her companions rushed to her rescue and assisted in the extinguishment of her apparel.  She was taken to her school, and her father, Mr. Samuel Palmer, of Savannah, was telegraphed to as to her condition.

Mr. Palmer, we learn, left immediately to visit his daughter, and the opinion was that she would recover from the effects of her burns.  Mr. Palmer's business called him away, and during his absence his daughter relapsed.  The effects of the burns were more severe than pronounced.  He was again sent for, and before he could reach her she was dead.

Being conscious of her situation, she requested that her remains should be deposited by the side of her mother and her grandparents in the family lot in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Cubbedge, a friend of the parents of the girl, received the remains at his residence, and the last sad rites were performed by the Rev. Mr. Rees yesterday afternoon.

Miss Palmer's mother was the daughter of the late F. F. and Julia Ann Lewis, of this city, who were among the first members of the Presbyterian Church of this city.

I must admit, my skeptic side reared a bit when reading this story of Miss Palmer's death.  I don't quite understand the circumstances of her being burned enough to believe it happened just as was written, I guess.  Mary does appear to have been a mature young lady to make a level-headed decision as the one she faced when near death.  I hate to think of her being alone at that time.

I do not have a good photo for Mary's tombstone in the Central Avenue District of Rose Hill Cemetery.  The photo at top (taken 2009) shows where her stone is leaning, and you can see a CUBBEDGE stone to the left of hers.  I cannot say, however, if this is indeed the family that accepted her remains.

The left side of the image below was taken by James Allen about 2007.  It appears the stone was lying on the ground.  For the right side, I just inverted the colors to maybe make it easier to read.  You should be able to click any picture to enlarge it.

Mary L. Palmer
Daughter of Saml B. Palmer
Died March 10, 1875
Aged 16 Y'rs, 8 Ms, 20 Ds
When she died on earth, she was born in Heaven.

A very nice picture of Mary's tombstone can be viewed at FindAGrave.  The memorial was created January 2015, and I see the stone is standing upright.  That makes me happy.

Also on FindAGrave is a memorial for Mary's father, Samuel B. Palmer.  He rests at Bonaventure Cemetery in Chatham County.

Clarence Cubbedge Fought Illness for Many Months

Clarence Cubbedge was a well known business man in Macon, Georgia.  For more than a decade (at least) he was involved in hardware.  In June of 1912, Clarence took leave of the business for health reasons, but hoped to be back soon.  His decision was posted in a local newspaper, the Macon Telegraph :



Before the end of 1912, Clarence was unfortunately confined to the Georgia State Sanitarium at Milledgeville.  His wife Etta applied for letters of guardianship over his property.  This, too, was posted in the Macon Telegraph.

Finally, in September 1913, Clarence lost his battle.  Per the Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 8 September 1913, pg. 3, as viewed online at GenealogyBank.

CLARENCE H. CUBBEDGE SUCCUMBS TO ILLNESS

For Many Years He Was In Hardware Business In Macon -- A Quiet, Unassuming Man With Many Friends.

Clarence H. Cubbedge, aged 54 years, and for many years engaged in the hardware and crockery business in Macon, died yesterday at a private sanitarium.  He had been in ill health for a long time.

Mr. Cubbedge was born in Macon and for a time he was a member of the firm of Cubbedge and Redding.  He was a modest and unassuming gentleman and one who had a great many friends.

Besides his widow, Mr. Cubbedge leaves four daughters and two sons:  Misses Meta, Fairlie, Annie and Henrietta Cubbedge and Messrs. Clarence and Cooper Cubbedge.  One brother, Richard W. Cubbedge, of Bluefields, W. Va., also survives.

The funeral will be held this afternoon at 4:30 o'clock from the residence, 217 College street, Dr. E. C. Dargan, pastor of the First Baptist church, assisted by Rev. Charles H. Lee, rector of St. Paul's church, officiating.  The interment will be made at Rose Hill cemetery.

Richard W. Cubbedge: Sketch of the Life of the Deceased

The obituary for Richard W. Cubbedge states he was born "in Savannah [Georgia] about sixty-five years ago." The 1870 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census suggests Richard was born about 1829 in South Carolina.

Mr. Cubbedge's obituary (shared below) also lists his living children.  A daughter, Metta, passed away almost fourteen years before.  She is profiled here.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
15 June 1891, Pg. 6

RICHARD W. CUBBEDGE

DIED AT HIS RESIDENCE YESTERDAY EVENING.

Sketch of the Life of the Deceased - He Was Well Known and Liked in Macon - Many Years Resident and Business Man.

Mr. R. W. Cubbedge, one of the best known and most popular citizens of Macon, died at 5 o'clock yesterday evening.

He had been lingering for many days and his death was not unexpected, but none the [l]ess regretted, by the people of Macon.

Until his past serious attack, about three weeks ago, Mr. Cubbedge seemed to be in fairly good health, but a complication of liver, kidney and other disorders caused him to fail rapidly after being confined to his bed.

Mr. Richard W. Cubbedge was born in Savannah about sixty-five years ago.  More than half his life, however, had been spent in Macon.

At the beginning of the war, Mr. Cubbedge was made cashier of a savings bank which did business until 1865, after which he entered an insurance and brokerage firm, the style of which was Cubbedge, Caldwell & Co., and afterward Cubbedge, Hazlehurst & Co.

About ten years ago Mr. Cubbedge engaged by himself in the real estate, rental and insurance business, which he was conducting up to the time of his last illness.

When the Bibb county Board of Education was first organized in 1873 Mr. Cubbedge was its secretary and he was an active member of the board up to the time of his death.  During his long service on the board he was always watchful of the educational interests of Bibb county and was ever on the alert to see that the school funds were properly utilized.

Mr. Cubbedge leaves behind him a wife, two sons, Clarence H. and R. W. Cubbedge, Jr., and two daughters, Mrs. George S. Obear and Miss Fannie Cubbedge.

He was a man of warm sympathies, strict business integrity and generous heart.  On countless occasions he put himself to inconvenience in order to accommodate others, and he will always be remembered for the kindly spirit which he cherished for all that knew him.

The funeral take [will] take place this afternoon, at 5 o'clock from the First Baptist Church.

Metta Cubbedge: the Fair Flower has Been Rudely Broken

Original photo by James Allen.
Slightly enhanced image above by Stephanie Lincecum.

...And Rose Hill had another fair sleeper awaiting the end of all things...

Metta Cubbedge was born 26 April 1861 in Georgia to Richard W. and Anna M. Cubbedge. The beginning of 1877 saw Metta as a bright scholar of the junior class at Macon, Georgia's Wesleyan College. She was described, in reference to her role as a student, as "faithful to every duty, never by word or action, disobeying her preceptors."

Metta also had an active extracurricular life. She was President of a secret literary society (it was only allowed to maintain a member number of 30) at Wesleyan known as the Philomathean* Society. She also seemed to enjoy singing. Newspaper articles included her name when describing performances by Macon's Baptist Church choir, as well as Wesleyan's Philomathean Society. Miss Metta Cubbedge was often singled out as a soloist. She was described as having a "sweet modest voice." And her rendition of a song called "The Old Arm Chair" was noted as having a "tender pathos and sweet, sad music."

But before the summer of 1877 ended, Metta was dead. The young 16 year old was struck down by typhoid fever. An illness that lasted a mere 10 days.

Before I share a couple of articles about Metta's death and funeral, I'd like to pose a question: Was Metta's death forseshadowed? If I read an article about her funeral correctly (it's transcribed below), a "dying companion" told Metta she would either die young, die soon, or something of the sort. Please comment with any thoughts you might have on this, especially if you think I'm way off base.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
1 September 1877, pg. 4

Death of Miss Metta Cubbedge.
The sad intelligence of the death of this young lady reached the city yesterday and threw over her large circle of friends and acquaintances a profound feeling of sadness.

She is a daughter of Mr. R. W. Cubbedge, a prominent banker of this city, and had been spending the summer at Griffin, Georgia, with friends, where she had won by her gentle deportment a host of ardent admirers.

About ten days ago she was taken ill with fever, which rapidly developed into typhoid, and ended her young life yesterday at ten and a half o'clock.

A telegram Friday evening announcing that all the symptoms of the disease were better, deterred Mr. Cubbedge from going up with his family physician, Dr. Boone. Another yesterday morning brough[t] the sad intelligence that she was sinking, and in a few hours after she died.

The remains were brought down on the Central railroad yesterday evening and the funeral will take place from Mr. Cubbedge's residence, on College street, this morning.

All who knew Miss Metta Cubbedge loved her for her many traits of character. She was a member of the junior class at the Wesleyan College this past year and all her companions were devotedly attached to her. Her rendition of the "old arm chair" will never be forgotten by those who heard it for its tender pathos and sweet, sad music. She was just verging into womanhood, but the fair flower has been rudely broken by the hand of death. We tender our sincerest sympathies to the bereaved parents in this sad hour of their mysterious affliction.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
2 September 1877, pg. 4

Funeral of Miss Metta Cubbedge.
...The badges of the members of the Philomathean Society, of which she was President, were draped with mourning...

The services were conducted at the grave, and Rose Hill had another fair sleeper awaiting the end of all things. A strange presentiment has, it seems, taken possession of the young lady, that she would soon die in verification of a remark made by a dying companion some two years since, and, during her sickness, she spoke frequently of death and expected the coming of the grim messenger.

*It's also interesting to note another role Metta played in history. The Philomathean Society, founded at Wesleyan College in 1852, and of which Metta Cubbedge was President for a time, later changed its name to Phi Mu. The sorority is active today with more than 228 chapters and is considered to be the second oldest secret organization for women.

Ellen Washington Bellamy: Strong and Faithful

Middle Georgia has an awesome genealogy and history record source in the Washington Memorial Library, located in Macon. It's situated on Washington Avenue, at the site of the old James H. R. Washington home place. The benefactor behind the library was James' daughter Ellen. And the genealogical and historical room, specifically, was founded by the Mary Hammond Washington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mary Hammond Washington being Ellen's mother.

Ellen Clayton Washington was born 12 April 1842 in Macon.  Her father was at one time mayor of each Milledgeville and Macon, in addition to being a banker and a planter, so as you might imagine Ellen was a well-off and well-educated young lady.

If you'll permit me to jump ahead to the end of Ellen's life for a bit:  she rests in the Washington family lot, Central Avenue Division of Rose Hill Cemetery.  Here is an image of a portion of her ledger marker grave stone --

Enhanced image.  Original by James Allen.

After seeing that, I'm sure you'll understand my surprise in discovering Ellen was actually married for a time. As I began researching her life, I quickly started seeing the name "Ellen Washington Bellamy" come up. It didn't take too long to convince me these two individuals (at first blush) were one and the same.

Finding the first name of Ellen Washington's husband was a bit more difficult, until I located an 8 May 1923 Macon Telegraph news article entitled "Watches Macon Grow From Village To City Of Over 60,000." In the article Mrs. Bellamy was quoted as saying, "Soon after I returned to Macon [about 1861] I married Major Burton Bellamy, a Florida planter and a member of the General Assembly of Florida. In one year I returned to my family, widowed, and I have resided here continually since." -- Well that explains a lot.  [Note:  image at top of post accompanied this article.]

Getting back to the library, it was actually donated to the city of Macon in the name of Ellen's brother, Hugh Vernon Washington. "New Public Library is Given to Macon" in the 30 December 1916 Augusta Chronicle (Georgia) states:

Fifty thousand dollars in cash and deeds for the site of a new public library were today turned over to a board of trustees by Mrs. Ellen Washington Bellamy of this city, the only consideration being that the library be erected as a memorial to her brother, the late Hugh Vernon Washington, said to be a descendant of the famous family of which George Washington was a member.

Negotiations were nearly closed with the Carnegie corporation of New York by which the city was to receive $50,000 for a Carnegie library. Mrs. Bellamy had given the site and asked that a nameplate bearing her brother's name be placed inside the building. This is said to have been objected to by the Carnegie corporation, so Mrs. Bellamy, who is an invalid, decided not only to give the site but money with which to build a "Washington library" and "cut loose" from the Carnegie fund...

It was Mrs. Bellamy's wish to have her funeral conducted within the walls of the library she helped bring to Macon. She passed away the morning of 12 January 1925. Her body lie in state at a local funeral chapel from 5 pm the evening of her death until 10:00 the next morning. It was then moved to Washington Memorial Library.  An article on the front page of the 14 January 1925 Macon Telegraph tells it this way:

Funeral services for Mrs. Bellamy, whose death occurred early Monday morning at the Macon Hospital, after a prolonged illness, were conducted at noon yesterday from the Washington Memorial Library, which she built and donated to the City of Macon as a memorial to her brother, Hugh Vernon Washington.

The funeral service, which was simple in every respect, was attended by hundreds of persons from every walk of life. The last rites were conducted by the Rev. Charles H. Lee, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery.

The body lay in state at Burghard's Chapel from 5 o'clock Monday afternoon until 10 o'clock yesterday morning, where it was viewed by hundreds of persons.

The body was removed in simple procession from Washington Memorial Library to Rose Hill Cemetery...

The bottom of Ellen Clayton Washington Bellamy's ledger marker reads, "Forti Et Fideli. In the end, thou shalt be all in all & I in thee forever." Forti Et Fideli translates to Strong and Faithful.

Col. James H. R. Washington is No More: Obituary and List of Children

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
22 November 1866, pg. 2 (Via GenealogyBank.)

DEATH OF COL. WASHINGTON
We regret to announce the death of Col. James H. R. Washington, Postmaster of Macon, which occurred at his residence in this city, at an early hour yesterday morning, after a brief illness -- He was at his office on Monday, attending to his business as usual, but got wet during the day and took a chill soon after returning to his home. From this he rapidly declined, and passed away at the hour already stated.

Col. Washington was, we believe, a native of South Carolina, though he has resided in this city from his early manhood. He was a gentleman of fine intelligence, imbued with much public spirit, and held many public trusts which he managed with ability and good faith. He was for many years agent for the Bank of the State of Georgia, was once or twice an incumbent of the Mayoralty, several times a Representative in the State Legislature, and finally Postmaster, to which office he was appointed at the close of the war. He was a man of decided opinions and ardent temperament, never yielding his convictions to any amount of opposition, or stooping to make a friend. In an acquaintance with Col. Washington that ran through a decade we ever found him a sensible, upright and courteous gentleman. He leaves a wife and several children, all of whom, we believe, have attained their majority, though the loss of his care and counsel will prove a great bereavement to them in these troublous times. They have our sympathy in the deep sorrow that has come upon them.

A monument standing for Col. Washington and his wife Mary A. Hammond Washington lists their children --

Sons: Samuel Hammond, James Henry, LeRoy Hammond, Robert Porter, Hugh Vernon.

Daughters: Ellen Clayton, Mary Elizabeth, Annie Tefft.

James H. R. Washington
Born Wilkes County, Ga. July 19, 1809
Died Macon, Ga. Nov 21, 1866

Mayor of Milledgeville, 1844
Mayor of Macon, 1851

Banker, Planter, Legislator

He Fulfilled Every Duty
With Courage And Fidelity

"Ever green be his memory."

More NAPIER Stuff: Junior and Senior Die Just Days Apart

In April 1919, a father and son from a prominent Macon family died just days apart. Hendley Varner Napier, Sr. died 1 April 1919 at the age of 73 years. And Hendley Varner Napier, Jr. died 6 April 1919 at the age of 42 years. Here's the story from a local newspaper:

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
2 April 1919, pg. 14

DEATHS AND FUNERALS

HENDLEY V. NAPIER, SR.
Hendley V. Napier, Sr., died last night at the Williams Sanitorium at 6 o'clock from injuries sustained in an accident about a week ago.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Willie Mae Edwards, Edwardsburg, Idaho, and one son, Hendley V. Napier, Jr., of Macon. Also seven grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held from Burghard's chapel, 718 Cherry street, this (Wednesday) afternoon at 5 o'clock, Rev. J. P. Wardlaw, officiating. Interment in Rose Hill cemetery.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
5 April 1919, pg. 12

Town In Tabloid
H. V. NAPIER, well known Macon lawyer, is in a critical condition at his home on Napier avenue with meningitis. Yesterday he was conscious only at intervals.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
7 April 1919, pg. 1

H. V. NAPIER DIES; BURIAL ON MONDAY

Eagles, Odd Fellows [a]nd Lawyers to Attend the Funeral -- Leaves Wife and Four Children.

Hendley Varner Napier, well-known Macon lawyer, senior member of the law firm of Napier & Maynard, died at 7:50 o'clock last night at his home, No. 200 Napier avenue, after an illness of several days. He was 43 years of age.

Cerebro spinal meningitis, contracted shortly after the death of his father, H. V. Napier, Sr., a few days ago, caused his death. Because of the nature of the disease the funeral services this afternoon will be held at the grave in Rose Hill cemetery...

The funeral will take place at 5 o'clock.

Odd Fellows to Attend.
Franklin Lodge of Odd Fellows will turn out in a body to attend the service at the grave and there will be a delegation from the Macon Bar Association also to attend...

Mr. Napier was born in Macon county, Alabama, on October 15, 1876, and came to Macon, the old Napier home, in 1881. He studied law at Georgetown and Macon and has been in active practice here for several years.

He was a son of the late Hendley Varner Napier, Sr., and Virginia Blackmon Napier. Besides his wife, Viola Ross Napier, he is survived by four children: Marion, John Blackmon, Viola Ross and Hendley Varner Napier.

All articles were transcribed from images of originals available at GenealogyBank.

Once again, I am without photos for this one. Both gentlemen rest under ledger markers in Rose Hill Cemetery, and they each have FindAGrave memorials.

John Powell: a Blackmon or a Napier?

© S. Lincecum

If you follow this blog much, you'll likely know I don't usually post without a photo relating directly to the subject. I'm afraid I don't have one this time, but I feel the information is too valuable for genealogists not to share.

Name changes in a family's history is not all that uncommon, but I dare say finding "proof" of one might be. The following newspaper article actually explains a change of this sort within the NAPIER family of Macon, Georgia. An article following that corrects a mistake in the first. Don't you just love newspapers for genealogy? [Note: GenealogyBank is my go to site for historical newspapers! See ad in sidebar.]

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
11 October 1907, pg. 3

MR. J. P. BLACKMON DIED IN OKLAHOMA

WAS WELL KNOWN SON OF MR. AND MRS. HENDLEY V. NAPIER, OF MACON

Mr. J. P. Blackmon, aged 33 years, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hendley V. Napier, of this city, died Thursday from the effects of an operation for appendicitis at the hospital at El Rino [sic], Oklahoma.

Mr. Blackmon is survived by his parents of this city, by his wife, Mrs. Emma Methina Blackmon, two children, Hendley Napier Blackmon and Dorothy Virginia Blackmon, a brother, Hendley V. Napier, Jr., and two sisters, Mrs. W. A. Edwards, of Logan, Idaho, and Miss Ida Page Napier, of this city.

Mr. Blackmon changed his name many years ago from Napier to Blackmon, the name of his mother's family, in order to preserve it.

He was well known and liked in Macon as he was raised here from boyhood and was a first honor graduate of Gresham High School several years ago.

From Macon he went to Washington to take a departmental position and from there he was sent West, where he was in charge of the Kiowa Indian agency at Abundarke, Oklahoma. This position he has since held and his work at the agency [has] been highly commended in the Government reports by his superiors in the Department of the Interior at Washington.

The news of his death will be received with sorrow by many friends as he was very popular in Macon. The funeral and interment will occur at Anndarke [sic], Okla.

The Macon Daily Telegraph (Georgia)
15 October 1907

MR. JOHN POWELL BLACKMON LAID TO REST IN ROSE HILL
The funeral of Mr. John Powell Blackmon occurred at the residence of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hendley V. Napier, yesterday at 12:30 o'clock. The Rev. John M. Northrop, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church officiated. Interment was in Rose Hill cemetery. The following gentlemen acted as pall bearers: Messrs. J. P. Holmes, Louis Juhon, C. P. Roberts Jr., and J. W. Blount, Dr. Holmes Mason, and Prof. C. B. Chapman.

I hope this information is helpful to someone!

John William Burke, Bibliophile and Methodist Preacher

John William Burke was the founder of J. W. Burke Co., touted in 1933 as "one of Macon's oldest businesses and one of the oldest publishing houses in the state."

John William Burke and wife Caroline A.
Photo by James Allen.

Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia)
22 August 1897, pg. 2

REV. J. W. BURKE IS DEAD
Head of the Firm of J. W. Burke & Co., Publishers, of Macon
MACON, Aug. 22 -- Rev. John W. Burke died at 2 a.m. He had been sinking all day and his death was not unexpected. He had been in poor health quite a while. He was at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Walter R. Holmes.

Rev. Mr. Burke was born in Clarke county about 70 years ago, but lived in Macon many years, where he conducted a large bookstore and publishing house. He was at one time state printer. He was a Methodist preacher. He leaves a wife and five children, Mrs. N. E. Harris, Mrs. B. H. Sasnett, Mrs. W. R. Holmes, Edward Burke and Rev. W. B. Burke, who is missionary to China.

John W. Burke Struck Down at 24

Enhanced Photo. Click for
original photo by James Allen.

John W. Burke, born 18 June 1869, was the youngest son of Rev. J. W. Burke. He graduated from Emory College (Oxford) about 1890, and in the summer of 1893, young John was a corporal of a local military company (the Macon Volunteers). While at an encampment on Cumberland Island, during a heavy thunderstorm, Corporal John W. Burke was struck by lightning and died instantly.

Macon Weekly Telegraph (Georgia)
24 July 1893, pg. 1
Via GenealogyBank.

JOHN BURKE STRUCK DEAD.

Awful Calamity at Cumberland Island During Yesterday's Heavy Thunder Storm.

IN THE VOLUNTEERS' CAMP

Alone in His Tent When the Bolt Fell. Death Was Instantaneous -- The Remains Arrived in Macon This Morning.

From the Telegraph, July 17.
Brunswick, July 16 (Special) -- At Cumberland Island about 2 o'clock, while the Macon Volunteers were preparing for dinner, a pretty hard thunder storm came up. Most of the members had left their tents and gone to the hotel. Mr. J. W. Burke, Jr. was among those left behind. A blast of lightning struck a tree in the midst of the tents. A few moments after a negro porter passed by the tent occupied by Mr. Burke and saw his head lying on the outside of the tent.

Death was Instantaneous.
He notified the members of the company and several physicians on the island were called in. They pronounced death instantaneous.

An examination showed that the lightning had struck him, coming up through the ground, tearing a shoe off one foot. Every hair on the body was singed and it has the appearance of being that of a much older man.

The Company Grief Stricken
The company is grief-stricken over the death of their comrade and accompanied the body to Brunswick, where Undertaker Moore prepared it for shipment on the 8:10 East Tennessee train. It is supposed that the lightning struck the centre pole of the tent and then passed through his body from the ground.

A gun in the next tent was torn literally to pieces...

John's funeral took place at the Mulberry Street Methodist Church. "The church was filled until the aisles and vestibule were crowded with the friends of the deceased..." [Most Solemn Obsequies, Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 18 July 1893, pg. 6 - via GenealogyBank.] He rests in the Burke lot, Central Avenue Division, Rose Hill Cemetery. A granite obelisk marking the spot is not far from the entrance to the cemetery.

(Photo by James Allen.)

John W. Burke, Jr.
June 18, 1869
July 16, 1893

To Live In The
Hearts Of Those
We Love Is Not
To Die

Agnes Burke and Infantile Paralysis (Tombstone Tuesday)

Agnes Burke, eldest daughter of Edward Walter Burke and Effie Barden, was born 14 June 1893. She died in January of 1918, just before reaching the age of 25. The remains of Miss Agnes rest in the Central Avenue Division of Rose Hill Cemetery.

Photo by James Allen.

Finding the death of Miss Agnes came at such a young age, I searched for an obituary or funeral notice in the local paper using GenealogyBank. I was able to find a couple of items marking each occasion. In the article published 30 January 1918 by the Macon Telegraph, Miss Agnes' cause of death was linked with pneumonia.

Knowing death certificates for that year should be easily accessible, I also checked FamilySearch with the hope of possibly finding more information.

"Georgia, Deaths, 1914-1927," index and images, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-567-11221-4424-79?cc=1320969 :
accessed 24 March 2015), 004176531 > image 1304 of 1344;
Department of Archives and History, Atlanta.

The certificate states Agnes Burke, single - white - female, died at 2 a.m. the morning of 29 January 1918. Cause of death was listed as acute endocarditis. A contributing factor was infantile paralysis, also known as polio. It seems Agnes had been living with the disease nineteen years, which means she was struck about the age of five.

John Logan Suffered a Combination of Diseases

Photo by James Allen.

John Thomas Logan was born 2 August 1853 to George M. and Pauline V. Logan. As a child, John's father was keeper of the Lanier House Hotel in Macon, Georgia [source: 1860 census].

John married Tero Callaway in Bibb County on the 10th of January, 1882 [marriage record]. Less than two years later, John and Tero bury an infant daughter. Just two more years go by, and John dies.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
29 November 1885, pg. 7

Death of Mr. John Logan.
Mr. John Logan died at his residence in Vineville yesterday morning at 7 o'clock. His funeral will take place at the Vineville Union Church this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.

Mr. Logan's death was caused by a combination of diseases, from which he suffered long and acutely. He was well known in Macon and also in Middle and Southwest Georgia. Wherever known, he was liked, and many who read this notice of his death will regret that he has passed away from earth.

Mr. Logan rests in the Central Avenue District of Rose Hill Cemetery.