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.

Caroline Augusta Scott: Not Dead, But Sleepeth

She Is Not Dead But Sleepeth

Caroline Augusta
Daughter of Isaac and Caroline Scott:
Born in Macon, Georgia September 25, 1840;
Died in Macon July 27, 1868.

Erected by Her Fond Mother in Memory to an Affectionate
Daughter.  We are Parted in this Life, but Hope to Meet in a Happy
Eternity; Where there is No More Parting, Sorrow or Tears.

"Blessed are they who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors."

Old Veteran George Keith Dies, Then Waits

He survived the Battle of Chancellorsville, but he couldn't beat old age.  I just hope he wasn't lonely in the end.

On his 1908 Indigent Soldier Confederate Pension Application, George A. Keith stated, "Have no family. Children all married. So far as I know they have no homestead or property." George's wife Sarah died in 1901, and he had been living in the Soldiers' Home of Atlanta, Georgia since 1904. Upon his death in 1919, this was the headline and article that ran in the 8 November edition of the Atlanta Constitution:

GEORGE H. KEITH DIES
Old Veteran Had Been Missing for Several Days.

George H. Keith, 78 years old, and a resident of the Confederate Soldiers' home, died Friday morning at 8:30 o'clock at 129 1/2 Edgewood avenue from an attack of heart failure. The body was carried to Harry G. Poole's chapel and will be held there pending funeral arrangements.

Several days ago the old veteran left his comrades of Bull Run, Appomattox, and his whereabouts in Atlanta were unknown until the announcement of his death was made.

Immediately after his disappearance the police were notified to institute a quiet search for the old veteran, but no trace leading to his recovery could be found.

George's death certificate can be freely viewed online at FamilySearch.org. It shows he "died suddenly" of "heart failure". And it appears some of the certificate was filled out before an informant could arrive.

Same such situation surrounds his burial. George was not laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery until almost a week after his death, waiting for family to arrive.

George A. Keith
Pvt Co B 2 Battn Ga Inf
Confederate States Army
Dec 22, 1841 - Nov 7, 1919

Photo by James Allen

Another M. Muldoon & Co. Monument

As I continue the painstaking task of entering all of my Rose Hill Cemetery information into one central database (I'm up over 1,200!), I came across this quick little tidbit and thought to share.

Some of you might be readers of my Southern Graves blog (thank-you!). A post from June 2012 describes and shows the work of marble cutter Michael Muldoon. While his American shop was based out of Louisville, Kentucky, he had a studio and workshop in Italy. Seems most of the actual carving of the Italian marble was done there, possibly by a French sculptor named Charles Bullit. It's interesting to note at least one of those Muldoon creations ended up in Rose Hill Cemetery (I dare say there are likely more).

The double columned and arched monument placed for Amanda R. &
T. J. Shinholser was crafted by M. Muldoon & Co. of Louisville, KY.
It's likely made of Italian marble and possibly carved in Italy.

Amanda R. Shinholser (1818-1898)
and
T. J. Shinholser (1802-1879)

Maybe after the snow melts, I'll return and get some better photos!

To Bury Six Children

It's an unthinkable thought. So I doubt James Williams, originally from North Carolina, foresaw the heartache that would befall him when he purchased the lot in Rose Hill Cemetery about a year after it opened.

James William Lot
Central Avenue Division East, Rose Hill Cemetery

James and his wife Catherine Arnett had to make the trek to the cemetery over and over again. Six times. Seven times for Catherine, since she outlived her husband as well. I can only imagine the scene. Entering the cemetery and following the main road until it starts to slope downward. Then turning right and climbing up a slight elevation. Unfortunately, the path likely became well known and worn. No thought was required for the direction of their steps.

Funerals were held in the spring, summer, and winter. And they lost children at ages ranging from 17 months, to 15 and 29 years. No rhyme or reason is apparent.

Little Catharine Arnett, Mary Jane, Sarah Mason, and Henry James.

In addition to the four mentioned in the caption above, there was also James E., aged 15 years, and Felix A., who was a railroad fireman before his death.

Sarah Mason
Daughter of James & Catharine Williams
Died 28th July 1841
Aged 18 months & 26 days

Henry James
Son of James & Catharine Williams
Died 7th May 1859
Aged 17 Months and 25 days

In Christ He Sleeps
James Williams
Born in Edgecombe Co, North Carolina Feb 10, 1795
Died in Macon, Ga Oct 17, 1871

Catherine Williams
Wife of James Williams
Born Nov 4, 1805
Died Sep 8, 1882

The last lines of Catherine's epitaph are especially poignant, and I hope they are true --
Sweet be thy rest, Till He bids thee arise.

All photos © 2014 S. Lincecum.

Now I Know Franklin Adamson's Cause of Death

Way back in February 2009, I wrote an article about Franklin Green Adamson. He was the son of Samuel Taylor Adamson and Mary Elizabeth Bright. All three rest in the Cabiness Ridge section of Rose Hill.

Franklin Green Adamson
Sept 4, 1875
May 1, 1922
He Loved To Make Others Happy

In the article mentioned, I noted that Frank had died at the young age of just 46 years and wondered what was the cause. Well, now I know.  I revisited Mr. Adamson, conducted more research, and brought up an image of his death certificate.

"Georgia, Deaths, 1914-1927," index and images, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDXW-FFF : accessed 25 Nov 2013),
 Franklin Green Adamson, 01 May 1922.

The document answered my initial question -- Frank's cause of death was "heart disease with pneumonia." Most everything else on the certificate of death was as expected.  Frank was married, he was a locomotive engineer for G. S. & F. Railway Company, his father was S. T. Adamson, and his mother's maiden name was Bright.  This information was provided by Frank's brother Edward.

A tidbit that should be noted, however, is the birth date.  The document states it as Sept 5th, 1876.  But Frank's ledger marker in Rose Hill Cemetery gives it as Sept 4, 1875.  Hmmm...

But Some Must Die, Even Some in Beauty's Bloom

In the Central Avenue Division of Rose Hill Cemetery rests Jane P. Shackelford, her ledger marker describing the sweet young lady she was, and the classy woman she was surely to have become. The article following details her tragic end.

In Memory Of
JANE P. SHACKELFORD
a member of the Junior Class in the Georgia Female College
who departed this life
Jany 26th, 1841
in the 15th year of her age.

Never was there a happier commingling of all the virtues that adorn the
female character, than was to be found in this early victim of the grave.
In childhood's hour she had been taught the precepts of the adorable
Saviour, and in after life she exemplified in her meek and pious
deportment, that those divine precepts had been deeply engraven upon
her heart by the Spirit of God.  Though sudden was the call, yet was she
prepared through the merits of her Redeemer, to enter upon the realition of
the Heavenly World.  This humble tribute is from one, who would ill become
to utter flattery or praise, but who can calculate the measure of that pang,
which strikes the parents heart upon the loss of such a child.  Whither shall
he go for comfort.  Let him look up and say,
"Thy will, O God, be done."

DIED,
At the Female College, in this city, on the 26th ult., Miss JANE SHACKELFORD, daughter of F. R. Shackelford, of Darien, formerly of this place, in the 14th year of her age.

But some must die, e'en some in beauty's bloom
Be laid within the cold and silent tomb.

The melancholy circumstances attending the untimely death of this young lady, are briefly these: -- She was a member of the College, and on the Wednesday preceding her death, whilst alone in her room, thoughtfully engaged in preparation for her customary recitations, her dress accidentally came in contact with the fire, near which she was sitting, and was instaneously [sic] enveloped in flames. With that calm self possession, which the war-worn veteran, who has faced danger and death at the cannon's mouth can never acquire, and a resolution unknown to ordinary intellects, she endeavoured by her own exertions to extinguish them; as calmly as if it was a premeditated act, she strove to arrest their progress, but the advance of the devouring element was too rapid to be subdued, by such means, and in the attempt her hands were dreadfully burned. Assistance was called, and quickly came, but all too late. The fire was quickly subdued, but its progress had been fatally rapid. Every exertion that skill or kindness could devise to relieve the sufferer was put in requisition, but in vain. She lingered in agony until the Tuesday following, when her pure spirit took its flight to another and better world... [Macon Weekly Telegraph (Georgia) 9 February 1841, pg. 3]

Credit: original photo by James Allen. Slightly cropped variation above by S. Lincecum.

Midnight in the City of the Dead, Pt 2

MIDNIGHT IN THE CITY OF THE DEAD (continued)

...We could but listen. Thoughts, for which neither reason nor training are responsible, at times flash over the mind, and so we stood there with all this night tremulous with this strange rapture, there came a dream, that this weird melody, born out of the silence of death, was chastened grief turned to joy, and made immortal in melody. It came and passed, casting a fleeting shadow on Belief, as the shadow of a bird falls upon the upturned face of an infant that watches, and leaves its mark only upon the memory.

Just out of the line of these aisles our companion pointed to a group of pines, whose trunks and branches wove themselves into the semblance of a ruined cathedral. The columns were standing, and the rotten roof, across whose opening the white moon was swiftly gliding, seemed just ready to drop downward. A low, murmurous breeze shook the foliage, and like the far, faint chanting of a hymn, we heard its whispers. This low-voiced breeze, this only sound which reaches us from eternity (DeQuincy), heard through this temple of the pines above the graves of many thousand, spoke its message not in vain.

On we pass, up the river, turning once to look into the hollow aisle we have forsaken. The deep, transparent shadows, lie within. It is the back ground Correggio loved, the

shades Rembrandt learned so well. It only needed a fair face beside the scarred beech, to make the picture perfect, and who can doubt but there have been wanderers there, who, turning from a flower-decked tomb, have paused to look upon the perfect picture wrought by Memory's potent touch.

And so lingering no more, we continue the journey. White robed forms stand back among the trees pointing to heaven: a child sleeping upon a marble bed with upturned face at rest; a boy kneeling forever with hands clasped in prayer, and silent crosses keep watch. Into the light, into the shadow, we pass back and forth, as these slumberers had passed through joys and sorrows. The river is far away behind us, the broad entrance before. As we pass out we think if all the grief that has sobbed beneath that arch could return and find voice, the walls of heaven itself would tremble and the angels' song be hushed.

[Author of text unknown. Item published in the 7 October 1881 "Georgia Weekly Telegraph" (Macon, GA). Photos © 2009-2013 S. Lincecum.]

Midnight in the City of the Dead, Pt. 1

MIDNIGHT IN THE CITY OF THE DEAD.

It was late in the night when in company with a companion, like ourselves moved by curiosity, we arrived in front of Rose Hill Cemetery and passed in silence under the arch which, itself, stands like a monument across the pathway of the living. Not a sound from all that vast resting place of the dead arose to break upon the breathless air, save the monotonous crunching of the gravel as we strode along down the right, past the white monuments, to the lowly beds of the Confederate dead. What a sight! Line upon line, rank upon rank, column upon column, as though a regiment wearied and worn, had lain down beneath those trees to rest. We fancied once we heard in the distance the faint echo of a bugle call, but as we listened, the repeated hooting of an owl explained the sound. Never again will the ranks uprise, nor stir. Never again will those solemn lines be broken by death, sickness or furloughs. There in the sound of the river they rest. Empires may rise and fall, republics strengthen, break and die, and Liberty become immortal, but the changes will be rung no more in the hollow circles of their lives. Their labors are ended, and in the hearts of Southern people their name and their glory is preserved. We stop and read upon the nearest head-board, "Unknown." It seemed the very irony of fate.

Leading away toward the river was an avenue, above which the trees clasped hands and caught the gleaning dew-drops as they fell. Beneath we passed until the flashing light upon the river shone upward through the tangled brakes. Within this aisle which

followed the river course through the cemetery the shadows are away among the trees right and left, the ivy carpets the ground from view. In one place stood a giant tree entirely covered by it. The vine had climbed to the nearest bow, swayed back in streamers, and woven itself a banner that swung nearly to the ground. Through this dark robe the broken light found a passage. Scarcely hearing each other's footsteps, we were traversing the avenue, when there fell upon the ear, the low gurgling warble of a mocking bird just breaking into song. Away above us he had hid himself. The song, broken into snatches at first, grew in power as the singer became enthused. Wonderfully clear and musical it floated down. The narrow aisle was filled with a presence, as though the very incarnation of music had swept by upon trembling wings, and awoke a thousand fairy bells...

[Author of text unknown. Item published in the 7 October 1881 "Georgia Weekly Telegraph" (Macon, GA). Photos © 2009-2013 S. Lincecum.]