Jane and James Byington, 2 Sons, and a Daughter-in-Law

The Byington family plot is located in the Holly Ridge section of Rose Hill Cemetery. Buried within are parents James Lawrence and Caroline Jane (McClendon) Byington, sons Charles W. and Edward Telfair Byington, and daughter-in-law Elia Goode Byington (wife of Edward).

James L. Byington was born 24 July 1815 and died 23 January 1869. A portion of his epitaph reads, "God created man in His own image. Beneath this lies one of His most noble works. May he rest on thy Holy throne."

Macon Daily Telegraph (Georgia)
23 January 1869

DEATH OF J. L. BYINGTON. -- The community was shocked yesterday to hear of the sudden and unexpected death of the well-known proprietor of the Byington Hotel. He walked over to the Central Depot Tuesday morning, and, upon returning, complained of being ill, and thought he was going to have a chill. He went to his room, and was soon after seized with violent fever and inflammation of the stomach. He grew rapidly worse, until, at half-past ten yesterday morning, he died.

From a constant connection with hotels in Middle and South-Western Georgia, running back many years, he was know far and well; and the thousands of people who have so often shared his hospitality, will read this notice with the deepest regret. As a landlord, he had few superiors; as a citizen, father, and husband, he was respected and beloved. We mourn his loss as one who but yesterday walked among us in the full vigor of health and manhood, as a good citizen whose heart and hand were always open to charity, and who was ever true to his friends, true to his plighted word.

"Let the bells toll, another soul
Has crossed the Stygian river!"

Another article provides James's "disease was supposed to have been congestion of the bowels."

Jane Caroline, noted on her tombstone to be the widow of James, died 5 July 1897.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Wednesday, 7 July 1897

Laid to Rest

...The funeral of Mrs. J. L. Byington, whose death occurred on Monday morning, took place from her late residence, on Spring Street, yesterday afternoon.

There were quite a large number of friends in attendance, and the services were conducted by Rev. Dr. White, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. Wm. McKay. Mrs. Byington was born in Laurens County, Ga., August 11, 1822, and therefore lacked only a few weeks of completing her seventy-fifth year.

For many years prior to 1860 she resided in Albany, and for many years after that time at Fort Valley, at both of which places her husband, the late James L. Byington, was successfully engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Byington moved from Fort Valley to Macon in 1867, and was engaged in business in this city until his death in 1869. Mrs. Byington was a woman of many rare virtues, and her beauty of character had drawn about her a large circle of devoted friends whose hearts have been saddened by her passing away.

Charles was born 1 October 1848 and died 17 June 1875 "at his home in Fort Valley [Georgia]...after a long and protracted illness."

Image by James Allen.

It does not appear that Edward has an inscribed grave marker, but is possibly buried near his wife of fifty years.

Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Monday, 7 March 1927 - pg. 2

Old Friends Mourn Death of Colonel E. T. Byington

By Jake Houston
Old friends of a generation that is almost forgotten are mourning the passing of Edward Telfair Byington, 73, who died at his home, 445 Second avenue south Saturday night, and who for 50 years has been identified with southern journalism.

Born in Albany Georgia, Colonel Byington, was a pioneer of the first large movement of population to Florida in the 90's. A year after the founding of Miami, 32 years ago, by Henry M. Flagler, found Col. Byington in this new resort as publisher of the News, which has since grown into the Miami Herald of today.

From that time till a few weeks before his death, Mr. Byington played an inspirational and responsible part in the rapid development of both east and west coast of Florida, through his editorial and special work for Miami publications, the Tampa Times, and Pinellas county newspapers, the St. Petersburg Times, the Tarpon Springs Leader, the Clearwater Sun, and the Evening Independent. Up until a few weeks before his death he was contributing editor on the Independent, writing anonymously, but with full command of his faculties and experience of more than 30 years of Florida progress.

His work brought him in contact with that first generation of Florida builders, Henry Flagler, of the Florida East Coast railway, whom he numbered among his friends; Henry M. Plant, of the west coast railroad development, and scores of others, who have passed on before him. He knew the story of the progress of Florida to 1925 probably better than any other man from his close association with the leaders of the movement.

His early newspaper success began with the Atlanta Journal, on which he served as city editor under John Paul Jones. He established in 1886 the Columbus Ledger, the first afternoon daily in that city, which he later sold. He served as editor of the Jacksonville Herald under the ownership of John Temple Graves and Henry Clarke, prior to his first venture in Miami, just after the completion of the railroad, when the place was no more than a small scattered grove center and hardly visioned health and winter resort.

Mr. Byington was the son of Caroline Jane McLendon, and James Lawrence Byington, old Georgia families. For many years he has been a member of the Christian Science church. Many of his friends knew his [sic] always as Colonel Byington -- the title echoing the days when his trenchant editorials on Georgia politics won his statewide recognition and a place on the staff of a Georgia governor of the 80's.

With Mrs. Byington, who was his active partner in many newspaper activities, and who survives him, Mr. Byington saw their 50th wedding anniversary pass on Jan. 17. They were married in Perry, Georgia. Two nieces, the Misses Lucy and Willie Collier of Tampa, also survive. Rhodes Funeral Co., is in charge of arrangements.

Interment will be in the family plot in beautiful Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Ga., Tuesday. Mrs. Byington, and Miss Lucy and Willie Collier will leave this morning to attend the last services in Macon.

Elia, wife of Edward, was a daughter of Charles T. and Cornelia (Warren) Goode, both of whom rest in Evergreen Cemetery at Perry, Houston County, Georgia.

Image by James Allen.

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Canadian Patrick W. McLaughlin Buried Away from Family in Macon, Georgia

Patrick William McLaughlin died at US Army (training) Camp Wheeler near Macon, Bibb County, Georgia less than a week before Christmas in 1917. He was a private in Company G, 124th Infantry, and cause of death was tuberculosis.

Augusta Chronicle (Georgia)
Friday, 21 December 1917

THREE MORE DEATHS AT CAMP WHEELER

Macon, Ga., Dec. 20. -- Patrick McLaughlin, of Company G, 124th Infantry, who died in the base hospital Tuesday night, is said to have seen service in the trenches in France in the present war. He was a Canadian. The body is still being held and efforts are being made to locate relatives...

That last line made me worry his family wasn't located in time, but then I found the following:

Atlanta Consitution (Georgia)
Sunday, 23 December 1917 - pg. 9

COMES FROM CANADA IN RACE WITH DEATH

Facing Zero Temperatures, Miss McLaughlin Arrives for Soldier Brother's Funeral.

Macon, Ga., December 22. -- (Special.) Miss Charlotte McLaughlin traveled all the way from Saskatoon, saskatchewan, in the Canadian northwest in response to a message that her brother, Patrick William McLaughlin, 24 years of age, was at the point of death at the base hospital at Camp Wheeler. She left Saskatoon on Monday morning while the temperature registered 45 degrees below zero and a heavy blanket of snow covered the ground, arriving here today.

Coming through the state of North Dakota on Wednesday Miss McLaughlin received a telegram that her brother was dead. She continued on to take charge of the burial, for Miss McLaughlin's parents are dead and the only other living member of the family is another brother, Bertrand Alexander McLaughlin, 21 years of age, who is a member of a Canadian artillery regiment mobilized at Kingston, Ontario.

Miss McLaughlin decided after her arrival to have her brother buried in Rose Hill cemetery in this city. Captain A. Wright Ellis, of Company G of the 124th Infantry, of which company her brother was a member, arranged for the service. All of the officers, including Captain Ellis and Lieutenants Giles, Simmons and Byrne, turned out yesterday morning for the funeral. The service was conducted by Captain L. A. Spencer, chaplain of the regiment. The funeral and burial were with full military honors and there was a large attendance at the service. There was an escort and a firing squad, the latter firing the usual salute at the grave.

This is the first soldier to be buried in Macon since the troops moved to Camp Wheeler and the base hospital was established there.

Miss McLaughlin left the city for her return trip tonight. She said that she had hoped, when she started out, to spend Christmas with her brother at Camp Wheeler.

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Jacob Russell Helped Start the First Lager Beer Brewery in Georgia

Though his tombstone provides the birth year of 1824, it's more likely Jacob Russell was born between 1813 and 1817 in Bavaria. He came to the United States and settled in Bibb County, Georgia in the late 1830s and married Catherine Follendore there about 1842.

The local newspapers began remembering the full life of Mr. Russell before his death, which came on 14 July 1887 in Macon, GA.

Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
Thursday, 14 July 1887 - pg. 3

AN OLD CITIZEN

Lying at the Point of Death -- A Life of Vicissitudes.
MACON, Ga., July 13. -- [Special.] -- It is the opinion of competent physicians that it is now no longer a question of days, but of hours, when Jacob Russell shall have drawn his last breath. He has eaten nothing for several weeks except prepared milk in small quantities, and his son remains up with him every night awaiting the inevitable end.

Jacob Russell has a remarkable history. At the age of twenty-eight he left his native land, Bavaria, and came to this country...

His wife, who still lives, at the age of sixty-three, left Baden at the age of eight years, and grew to womanhood in America. In 1843 Jacob married her and set out to make a living. For thirty years they did a dry goods business on the corner of Pine street and Cotton avenue, where Charlie Russell now has a grocery store. The young Germans did well...

In [1860?] Russell and Peter Slenten started the first lagar beer brewery in Georgia. Russell put a lot of money into it, and the old buildings and cellars still remain, out on Vineville branch, in a dilapidated condition.

The firm secured a foreman from the west, who ruined their beer, and the concern bursted, leaving Russell with nothing but that property on Cotton avenue.

For a long time he was with L. W. Rasdal, and when the Aurora beer first appeared here Russell took the agency.

Finally he removed, in 1880, back to the Cotton avenue place and opened a grocery story [sic] where he has made money.

He has eight daughters and two sons, ten in all, seven of whom are married. He has twenty-four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, all living and doing well.

The old man is passing away from the combined effects of rheumatism and old age, and his family think he will hardly survive the night. His long life has been one of honest and manly labor, and he has many friends in this city, where he has lived so long.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Friday, 15 July 1887 - pg. 5

Death of Jacob Russell, Esq.
Mr. Jacob Russell died at his home on Cotton avenue at 11 o'clock last night after an illness of about a month.

He was nearly 74 years old, and came to Macon about 1834. He aided in building the old Monroe railroad, now the Atlanta division of the Central. He built the first brewery in Georgia, if not in the South, and was a member of the firm Russell & Peters, brewers, during the war and for some time afterward.

He made a good citizen, and was at one time one of the aldermen of the city, and held other places of honor and trust. He was a member of Germania Lodge of Odd Fellows, and was also an old member of the Macon Volunteers.

The funeral will take place this afternoon.

Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
Saturday, 16 July 1887 - pg. 3

JACOB RUSSELL'S DEATH.

Some Additional Points About the Old Citizen.
MACON, Ga., July 15. -- [Special.] -- Last night Jacob Russell breathed his last, after a long and lingering illness. Mr. Russell was seventy-four years old. He came to Macon in 1837, and began life in good earnest. He was an officer on the old steamboat Goddard in the old steamboat days. When the State road was begun Mr. Russell took the first section on it, and he it was who built and named "Big Shanty," a few miles out of Atlanta. His wife was a Follindore. When she came to Macon she was brought on the river boat from Darien. The family has lived here ever since, and Mr. Russell could tell as many stories of the early history of the city as anybody.

On June 21st, last, he had a wine dinner, and invited some of his old friends to enjoy the semi-centennial celebration of his arrival in America. He was a member of Germania Lodge of Odd Fellows, and they will be present in a body at his funeral.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
16 July 1887

Funeral of Mr. Russell.
The funeral of Mr. Jacob Russell took place yesterday afternoon from his late residence on Cotton avenue, and was largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. Wm. McKay, and were very impressive. The remains were intered [sic] in Rose Hill cemetery, and the following gentlemen acted as pallbearers: Messrs. J. Madison Jones, Geo. B. Wells, H. P. Westcott, E. Sprinz, G. C. Conner and Valentine Kahn.

As stated yesterday, Mr. Russell was one of the oldest citizens of Macon, having come here in 1838. He built a section of the Monroe railroad, the second railroad built in Georgia. He followed the road to Atlanta, and then was engaged on the State road. He gave one of the stations the name of Big Shanty, which name it retains to this day. In 1860 he built with Mr. Julius Peter, the first brewery in the South the business of which was lost in the reverses that followed the close of the war. By dint of hard work and and [sic] close attention, built up a business on Cotton avenue which falls to his son, Mr. C. H. Russell...

Remarkably, the site of Georgia's first brewery was uncovered in 2017.

The Telegraph (Macon, Georgia)

Georgia’s oldest brewery unveiled with widening of I-75 in Macon
BY LAURA CORLEY
OCTOBER 27, 2017 11:44 PM

There on a steep embankment between a blighted cemetery and Interstate 75, a deep, dark hole leads to a cave that is the site of what was likely Georgia’s first brewery.

The nearly 200-year-old beer cave is no secret to longtime residents in Macon’s Pleasant Hill neighborhood.

However, it was an unexpected discovery for Georgia Department of Transportation contract workers, which first saw it in September as they were cutting back trees to widen the interstate...

...Back in the late 1830s, the 50 feet deep cave was used to age ale and German lagers crafted by Russell & Peters’ Brewery.

Immigrants Jacob Russell, of Bavaria, and Julius Peters, of Germany, started brewing beer, distilling liquor and fermenting wine before the Civil War and continued during it, according to a 1938 Telegraph article...

...The cavern is beside Riverside Branch, which leads to the Ocmulgee River. [Chris Tsavatewa, professor at Middle Georgia State University] said kegs were shipped down to Darien.

'The significance of this cave not only resides in the industrial history of Macon, but the significance of the time period of which the brewery operated...Jacob Russell was a slave owner and the cave itself reveals thousands of pick marks on the inside that created the cave’s expansion...it was most likely done with slave labor.'

The cave, for the most part, is undisturbed...[Full article here.]

Jacob and Catherine had at least eleven children:

• Louisa Ella Russell, 1844-1915 (m. Julius Herman Otto in 1862)
• Julia Russell Hertel, b. abt 1845
• Mary A. Russell, b. abt 1847
• Lavinia Russell, 1849-1924 (m. Louis Vannucci)
• Aurelia Russell, d. 1929 (m. Louis Nelson)
• Emma C. Russell, b. abt 1853 (m. H. M. Taylor in 1875)
• Charles H. Russell, b. abt 1855
• Jacob Russell, b. abt 1856
• Robert Russell, b. abt 1857
• Kate Russell, b. abt 1860
• Annie Russell, b. ant 1866 

Louise and Lavinia also rest in Rose Hill Cemetery.

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John O'Keeffe Killed in Front of Washington Hall Hotel in 1852

Ireland native John O'Keeffe, born about 1808, had been a resident of Macon, Bibb County, Georgia "for many years" when he was killed on 11 December 1852. His wife Ellen placed a gravestone for him in the Oak Ridge Section of Rose Hill Cemetery.

In Memory of
JOHN O'KEEFFE
A native of Westmeath, Ireland.
For many years a resident of Macon.
His acquirements as a scholar and
deportment as a citizen obtained for
him to his last moment the respect and
consideration of all who knew him...
Requiescant in Pace.

Death notice from Wednesday, 15 December 1852 Georgia Journal and Messenger (Macon, GA):

Death of John O'Keefe.

On Saturday night, about twelve o'clock, John O'Keefe was killed in front of the Washington Hall, by John T. Boyd, a journeyman saddler in the employ of Wm. T. Mix & Co., of this city. Mr. O'Keefe was a native of Ireland; but had resided in this place for many years, quietly and unobtrusively pursuing his occupation as a school teacher.

On Monday morning Boyd was committed to await his trial for murder, at the next term of the Superior Court of this County.

"Mulberry Street at Second Street Macon, Georgia"
© 2011 Ken Lund (CC-BY-SA 2.0)
Washington Hall was located at the NW corner of
Second and Mulberry streets.

The killing seemed to result from a strange encounter between O'Keeffe and Boyd after a night out at the bar. Testimony published in the 17 May 1853 Georgia Telegraph (Macon, GA):

Bibb Superior Court.

The State vs. John T. Boyd } Murder.

EVIDENCE.

JOHN SPRINGER SWORN -- I do not recollect the day of the month, when the circumstances took place. But it was on the night of the day of the election of the Mayor and Aldermen, the election was in December, 1852; the circumstances took place in the county of Bibb, in Georgia, near the Washington Hall.

I was in company with John O'Keeffe, coming diagonally across from Macarthy's Bar Room towards the Washington Hall, O'Keeffe had my left arm. Just as we were striking the sidewalk, we discovered a gentleman, who since proved to be Mr. Boyd, on the inside of the sidewalk, walking in the same direction that we were going. Mr. O'Keeffe hailed twice or thrice, saying, Who is that? or something to that purport. No answer being made, O'Keeffe let go my arm and advanced into the inside of the walk, where Boyd was; a scuffle or fray immediately ensued, they fell, Mr. O'Keeffe falling on top. I ran up, caught hold of O'Keeffe, exclaiming John, quit, attempted to pull them up; and in the attempt fell myself, and they fell again also. I recovered from the fall, caught hold of O'Keeffe again, and raised him up, he was not difficult to raise. He seemed to be in a staggering condition, and said that he was a dead man, that, that man had killed him.

I eased him down as gently as I could, on the pavement, and said to Mr. Boyd, you have killed O'Keeffe, and must not leave. Whereupon, Boyd said, good God! is he dead! I went then to the Washington Hall with Mr. Boyd, gave the alarm, and gave notice of what had occurred. I know nothing more of the case at this time, unless it was the fact, that when we reached the Washington Hall, Mr. Boyd showed two knives, and designated the one which he had killed O'Keeffe.

I do not think O'Keeffe had a knife. When O'Keeffe haild Boyd, it was in a usual tone of voice. Can not identify the prisoner at the bar with Boyd. Mr. O'Keefe died immediately, I think from the effect of the wounds.

SPRINGER CROSS-EXAMINED -- John O'Keeffe and myself were coming from Macarthy's Bar Room; said Bar Room is this side of the Lanier House, on the right side of the street as you go up. We were crossing so as to strike this side of the Washington Hall, Boyd was going up towards the Washington Hall from Strohecker's corner, on the inside of the sidewalk.

Boyd was near the Barber Shop when we first noticed him, about half way, he did not stop when O'Keeffe hailed him.

When O'Keeffe started towards Boyd we were about square with Boyd. Boyd kept walking on. I said to O'Keeffe, let him alone John, he has as much right to the sidewalk as we have. O'Keeffe did not stop till he reached Boyd. I do not suppose it was more than a second, after they caught hold of each other, before they fell. I did not fall on O'Keeffe and Boyd, but fell over them on the pavement.

After raising O'Keeffe, he made no attempt to run at Boyd again. O'Keeffe said nothing about being hurt, until he was raised completely up, and said he was a dead man, nor do I think he made any further complaints.

I saw no cutting or knives when they were engaged together. I cannot swear that O'Keeffe did not have a knife, nor did I see any knife until afterwards at the Washington Hall. It was in the inside of the Washington Hall, that Boyd designated the knife with which he had killed O'Keeffe.

The night was dark, and there was no moon that I know of. From the confusion that I was in, after falling and getting up, many things might have happened without my knowing it. After getting into the Washington Hall, some conversation occurred between Mr. Dense, Mr. Boyd and myself, in relation to the occurrence. I do not recollect what I said, but suppose what I said was true, as the facts were then fresh in my mind.

If I made any statement to Mr. Dense in regard to O'Keeffe's jumping on Boyd, it was under excitement, and not as the thing occurred.

There was an unusual interest taken in the City Election, I suppose.

There was no light on the sidewalk when the difficulty occurred.

WILLIAM T. MIX SWORN -- I saw Mr. Boyd on the night when the killing took place, at about a quarter of six o'clock, it was on the 11th December, the day when the City Elections took place.

THOMAS WILLIAMS SWORN -- I was present at the examination before the Mafistrates, on the Monday after the difficulty took place. I identify the prisoner at the bar as the John T. Boyd who was up before the Magistrates that day.

DR. A. PYE SWORN -- I examined Mr. O'Keeffe when I was called to see him, found one mortal wound on his left breast, which seemed to have caused his death, there were other cuts, but none that I deemed serious. It was Sunday morning, after breakfast, when I called to see him, 'twas after the Coroner's inquest. I do not recollect more than four distinct wounds -- the wounds seemed to have been made with a knife. The mortal wound was right above the fourth rib...the wound ranged up, seeming to have entered between the 4th and 5th rib, and ranged upwards.

PYE CROSS EXAMINED -- I think that if they were lying down, the wound might have ranged upwards, if they were standing front to front, the knife would probably have entered straighter, everything depends on the way the knife was held. There were two wounds in the back, both ranging upwards, both of which might have been made either while they were standing up or lying down.

I did not examine the wound under the left arm, and am unable to say whether it ranged up or down.

The same paper also published the following on the same day:

Bibb Superior Court.

The Spring Term of this Court commenced a week ago yesterday, his honor Judge Powers, presiding. We give, in another column, the testimony in the case of John T. Boyd, charged with the murder of John O'Keefe...After a consultation of several hours, the Jury returned a verdict of "Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter."

I don't know what punishment (if any) came to Mr. Boyd.

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Dispositions Contained in the Will of Meyer G. Schwed (d. 1885)

Upon his death in 1885, Meyer G. Schwed was laid to rest next to his wife Minnie in the Hebrew Burial Ground section of Rose Hill Cemetery. This first Jewish cemetery in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia was established in 1844. When Congregation Beth Israel was born in 1859, it took over the grounds.

 

I can't offer much concrete information about Meyer and Minnie, but his will (dated 14 August 1883) sure left a lot of clues. Here are some excerpts:

3 - Item - I want to be buried next to my beloved wife on my lot in Rose Hill Cemetery in the grounds of the Congregation Beth Israel. I want my said executors, hereinafter named, to have a monument erected over me as neat like that now over my wife as can be procured but it is not to cost over Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00)

4 - Item - $1000 to Congregation Beth Israel of Macon, Georgia to be invested in United States bonds or other good securities, bearing no less than four (4) per cent interest per annum, the interest from which shall be annually appropriated to keeping in repair & beautifying my said lot in the grounds of said Congregation in said Rose Hill Cemetery.

5 - Item - $500 to the Jewish Congregation Aschenhausen, Province of Lochsen [Sachsen?] Weimar Eisenach, Germany upon the conditions hereinafter stated...that they shall burn a light & say Kadish annually upon the anniversary of my death.

6 - Item - $1000 to Macon Lodge No. 5 F. A. M. of Macon, Ga. upon the conditions hereinafter named...the same shall be invested...which annual interest shall be used...in defraying the expenses of such re-union & entertainment by said lodge as they may deem appropriate to commemorate the anniversary of my death.

7 - Item - $2000 to parents Samuel and Matilda Schwed;

$3000 to brother Marcus Schwed;

$1000 to sister Rebecca Dankwerth;

$1000 to brother Lippman Schwed;

$1000 to brother Seligman Schwed if alive & his whereabouts can be ascertained within five (5) years after my death;

$1000 to brother Joseph Schwed;

$500 to sister Sarah Werzburg;

$500 to wife's brother Siegfried Lilienthal;

$500 to wife's brother Leonard Lilienthal;

$500 to wife's sister, wife of my esteemed friend Albert Gibian, Julia Gibian;

$500 to wife's nephew Julian Gibian;

$500 to wife's niece Mamie Gibian;

$500 to niece Essie Schwed;

$500 to nephew Isadore Schwed;

$1000 to niece Emma Dankwerth;

$500 to nephew Max Dankwerth.

8 - Item - ...to my namesake, M. G. Schwed Berkner, son of my esteemed friend Henry J. Berkner...$500.

9 - Item - ...to my namesake Herman Schwed Hertwig, son of my esteemed friend Herman Hertwig...$500.

10 - Item - $500 to esteemed friend Alexander Proudfit, Esq. [one of the named executors]

12 - Item - to Essie Schwed proceeds of my life policy for $1000 in the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company.

13 - Item - to Mamie Gibian proceeds of my life policy...in the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York for $2500.

14 - Item - to Marcus Schwed proceeds of my One Thousand Dollar life policy in the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, also the proceeds of my certificate for $2000 in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, also the proceeds [of] my certificate for $2000 in the Order of Knights of Pythias.

17 - Item - to my wife's sister, Julia Gibian, all my wife's clothes and paraphernalia.

21 - Item - At my death I desire my will translated into German & transmitted to the beneficiaries thereunder who may then reside in Germany.

Meyer believed his estate was valued at about $21,000.

He died 11 May 1885. An obituary from 18 May 1885 Morning Journal-Courier (New Haven, Connecticut):

Death of a Macon Merchant.

The Atlanta Constitution announces the death May 11 of M. G. Schwed, a prominent wholesale grocer of Macon, Georgia, aged thirty-six years...His firm were erecting a large and handsome business house in Macon. Deceased was a brother of Marcus Schwed, of this city, and formerly lived here.

I also found mention -- more than once -- in the local newspaper of the Macon Masons honoring the wishes of Mr. Schwed. Here's a clipping from the 11 May 1901 Macon Telegraph -- published sixteen years after his death (which incorrectly stated it was celebrating his birth).

THE M. G. SCHWED MEMORIAL TONIGHT

The Masons of Macon Will Enjoy the Feast Provided for in the Will of the Deceased Member of the Macon Lodge.

The Masons of Macon will tonight celebrate the anniversary of the birth of M. G. Schwed, the story of whose will has been annually told in these columns since his death. He provided that a certain sum of money should be invested by Macon lodge, and the proceeds from the investment should be used each year for making merry on the anniversary of his birth. The Masons find it very easy to carry out his wishes in the matter, and tonight they will gather at the asylum of Macon lodge and do as the will directs.

 

Minnie, beloved wife of M. G. Schwed, died 16 April 1879 at age 26.

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Sgt. Thomas Christian Heidelberg, III (d. 1864)

The image below captures but a small portion of Soldier's Square in Macon, Georgia's Rose Hill Cemetery. Behind and to the left of the centered stone placed for John Smith is a similar marker placed for Thomas Christian Heidelberg, III.

Soon after the American Civil War, Jane Lumsden Hardeman led the charge of "removing the remains of soldiers from graves scattered around the Confederate hospitals" in Bibb County to Old City and Rose Hill cemeteries "and erected wooden headboards at each mound with the name, company, regiment, and date of death of each soldier." [Historical Marker] The number of Confederate dead in Soldier's Square at Rose Hill Cemetery numbers above 600.

Thomas C. Heidelberg, III was one such soldier. He was born about 1836 in Mississippi. In May 1862 he enlisted as a Private in Co. H, 27th Mississippi Infantry. The headstone placed for him erroneously puts Thomas in the 29th Miss., though it does concur with the Roll of Honor published in the Macon Telegraph in 1866.

A couple of months into his service, Thomas spent some time "in hospital at Mobile," but definitely had returned to his company by the fall of 1862.

The following year, Thomas (now a sergeant) was "wounded battle Lookout Mt. Nov 24, 1863 & sent to hospital by order Brigade surgeon." Furthermore, according to his service records, Thomas "Appears on a LIST of killed, wounded and missing, of Walthall's Brigade, in the engagement of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., (Nov. 24, 1863.)" List dated Camp near Dalton, Ga Dec 18, 1863, with remarks: mortally wounded.

Thomas must have survived, though. He was with his company leading up to the Battle of Jonesborough (Jonesboro) in Clayton County, Georgia. Curiously, a card from his service file states he was admitted to a hospital near Jonesboro on 27 August 1864. This was a few days before the battle, yet the same card cites the dates of the battle, and a subsequent card seems to give an injury date of 31 August 1864. Lack of a precise date notwithstanding, Thomas quite possibly was wounded in that battle. A gunshot wound fractured his "middle third left femur." Field treatment received was a "simple dressing" 10 hours after injury.

I cannot imagine the pain.

At least a week would pass before Thomas arrived at Ocmulgee Hospital in Macon (approximately 70 miles south of Jonesboro). I presume an infection had set in at the wound site, as his medical card stated his leg was amputated.

Sixteen days after that last hospital admittance, on 24 September 1864, Thomas Christian Heidelberg, III died. At Ocmulgee Hospital in Macon, Georgia -- more than 400 miles from his home in Jasper County, Mississippi.

We see their gory forms in long procession, embracing the epauletted leader and private soldier, the beardless youth and gray haired sire, the strong and middle-aged, the wan and weary, whole hecatombs, indeed, who went down amid the crash of battle and with garments rolled in blood. Others, not less brave, appear stark and stiff in the hospitals where, too, with equal devotion they had yielded their lives a Holocaust for liberty. -- "Roll of Honor Republished," 26 April 1878, Macon Telegraph and Messenger

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Jane Armistead Taliaferro: an Accomplished Young Lady Unlucky in Love

Well, unlucky in marriage, at least.

With my first glance at Jane's gravestone in Rose Hill Cemetery, I made two hypotheses:

(1) Jane's maiden name was Armisted, and

(2) Henry's middle name was Colt.

Maybe you can see how I did that.

...And I was wrong in both instances.

Jane Armiste(a)d Taliaferro was born about 1839 in Caroline County, Virginia to Louisa G. Armistead and Charles C. Taliaferro. She first married Dr. Cassius Carter on 18 June 1856 in Orange County, VA. About a month later, Dr. Carter was dead. The 11 August 1856 Alexandria Gazette published the following:

DIED.

Recently, in Orange County, Virginia, in the thirty-first year of his age, Dr. CASSIUS CARTER, of Prince William. The deceased had been united in marriage but a few hours to an accomplished young lady when, amid the innocent festivities common to such occasions, he was arrested by the hand of death. The mysterious dispensation filled many hearts with the deepest grief...

 So Jane was first widowed about age 17.

Seven years would pass before Jane married again. This time, the groom was John Hill Lamar of Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Though it ended in a Confederate victory, Col. Lamar fell in the Battle of Monocacy (Maryland) six months later. Following from the 21 July 1864 edition of the Macon Telegraph:

...We get sad news from the 61st Georgia. The Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment were both killed at the battle of Monocacy. Both were valued citizens of Macon. Col. John Hill Lamar was quite young, and within the present year married an accomplished and beautiful young lady of Virginia. A more gallant ingenious and right-minded youth never perished on [the] battle-field. He was with all a fine officer, and very popular with his command...

Jane was widowed again about age 25. She had to think, "Are you kidding me?" In a span of about eight years, Jane had been married twice. Yet, she actually only spent about seven months as a married woman. For all the other years, she was Widow Carter/Lamar.

Finally, on 19 September 1870, Jane Armiste(a)d Taliaferro Carter Lamar got married for the last time. To Henry Coit Day, son of Mary Jane Crocker and Charles Day. The couple settled in Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia as Henry was an agent for the Macon & Brunswick Railroad. About September 1873, the couple had a daughter named Mary. Jane died the following month at about age 34.

Daily Telegraph and Messenger (Macon, GA)

2 October 1873 - pg. 4

Death of Mrs. Day.

Mrs. Henry C. Day died in this city at the residence of Rev. J. W. Hinton, at half past one o'clock yesterday morning. Mrs. Day's maiden name was Taliaferro. She was a native of Virginia, and married Col. John Hill Lamar, who command [sic] the 61st Georgia regiment. Col. Lamar was killed at the battle of Monocacy Junction, and shortly after Mrs. Lamar came to this city, where she remained until her marriage with Mr. Henry C. Day, some three years ago. She was a most amiable and charming lady, and had a multitude of friends here who will regret to hear of her death. She had been living in Brunswick for some time, her husband being agent of the M. & B. R. R., but her health being bad, she came to Macon with the hope of being benefited. But alas, she came too late. She arrived here only last Friday, and died as stated, yesterday morning, leaving an infant about a month old...

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