19 November 2019

Moseley Family: 10 Tombstones with a Lot of Errors

Warren Alonza Moseley, a first wife, and eight children have stones in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. They are riddled with errors. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. My guess is these stones were added some years after death, possibly by a descendant or other researcher. I'm sure well-meaning, best-information-at-the-time was provided. And, to again be sure, having these stones is so much better than having no stones at all. Not throwing shade here. Nonetheless, here are my findings and (if I may be so bold) corrections.

Warren Alonza Moseley


According to his tombstone, Warren was born 1828 in Atlanta and died 1912 in Macon. Census records suggest he was more likely born about November 1839 in South Carolina. He died 16 December 1912 at his home in Macon. Obituary from Milledgeville, Georgia's Union Recorder:
Death of Mr. Warren Mosely.
Mr. Warren A. Moseley died at his home in Macon Monday night, as the result of an attack of grippe. He was a member of the police force of Macon at the time of his death, and had a record of bravery.

Mr. Moseley was a citizen of this county for a long number of years, being employed at the State Sanitarium. The little village of Moseleyville is named for him.

He was a brave Confederate soldier. His friends and acquaintances here regret to learn of his death.
Annetta Chambers Moseley


This one is pretty easily explainable. According to her tombstone, Annetta was born 1834 in Atlanta and died 1882 in Moseleyville. She more likely was born in 1843, and death did come in 1882. Obituary from the Union & Recorder:
DIED at the family residence, in this county, on October 12th, 1882, Mrs. R. A. MOSELY, wife of Warren Mosely, Esq. Mrs. M. was born August 1st, 1843, and was married on 21st November, 1867. She was the mother of ten children, eight of whom survive her. She was a good wife, and a careful, solicitous, devoted mother. For the last two years she was a constant sufferer under the slow but sure ravages of consumption. Her sufferings were borne with submissive resignation. She often expressed her willingness to suffer under the hand of Providence; and she is doubtless rejoicing in the presence of that Saviour to whom she was thus ready to submit in all things.
Lillian Viola Moseley


Lillian's birth year is possibly only off by one, and her death year is off by two. She was not listed with the family in the 1870 census, and 1869 is the consistent birth year for her older sister Mary. According to Lillian's death certificate, she died at the Milledgeville State Hospital 7 November 1930. That same hospital employed her father as an attendant during the 1860s and 1870s.

Carl Albert Moseley


Carl's birth year might be accurate, but his death year is definitely off by one. Carl died 26 August 1882. An obituary from the Union & Recorder:
CITY AND COUNTY.

DEATH. -- Died suddenly, on Saturday last, of congestive chill, Carl Moseley, son of Mr. Warren Moseley. He was a bright boy about nine years of age. His funeral took place from the residence of his father Sunday afternoon -- Rev. G. H. Pattillo officiating. The afflicted family have our sympathy in their bereavement.
I'll also note here that I am unsure if members of the family that died before about 1891 were originally buried at Rose Hill. The obituary immediately above -- I think -- would have mentioned the cemetery if it was out of town. Conjecture on my part, though.

William Warren Moseley


William's death year is accurate. He died 6 June 1940 at his home in Macon. Cause of death was Aspiration pneumonia (hypostatic) due to Congestive heart failure. Though his birthdate was given as 14 November 1869, I disagree with the year. (His father was listed as William A., and his mother was "D.K." So an inaccurate birth year would not be surprising.) Like his sister Lillian, William was not listed with the family in the 1870 census, and 1869 is the birth year consistently associated with older sister Mary. The 1880 Baldwin County, Georgia Federal census suggests William was born about 1872.

Thomas Oliver Moseley


According to census records and his World War I draft registration, T. O. was born 14 November 1875. In September 1918, he was living at 669 Mulberry Street in Macon. And Bibb County is where he died on 14 May 1949.

Martha Claire Moseley


This one, along with youngest sister Nena further down the list, is most curious. Birth year is possibly off by a few, and Mattie's death year is off by eight. Obituary from 7 April 1896 Union-Recorder:
Editorial Glimpses and Clippings.

Miss Mattie Clare Moseley, daughter of Mr. Warren Moseley, of Macon, died last Wednesday after a long illness. The funeral took place from Centenary church last Thursday afternoon and was largely attended by mourning relatives and friends. She was a lovely christain [sic] woman and her death is deeply lamented. She was admired for many beautiful traits of character. Many friends in this city mourn with the bereaved family in the death of the beloved daughter and sister.
Samuel Riley Moseley


Census records concur with a possible birth year of 1877 for Samuel. Unfortunately, I have yet to find any additional information regarding his death. (I suppose this could be the one accurate tombstone?) Here's a 1903 article from the Macon Telegraph detailing Samuel's then-current occupation as a barber.
STRIPLING & MOSELEY AT THE OLD STAND

Still Remains as the Popular Barber Firm in the Napier Building.


Robert Stripling, who established the barber shop at Third and Poplar streets, Napier building, and his partner Samuel R. Moseley, desire to announce to their customers and the public generally that they remain at their old stand and that they are not associated with the Macon Barber Company. They make this statement, not to affect the business of the latter company, but only to prevent a confusion as to any possible report that Mr. Stripling and Mr. Moseley have changed their place of business. They are conducting their shop in the fine style in which they have been doing for the last three years and will continue to do so. Mr. Luther Wineberner, the deaf mute, is still with them and their prices are still the same -- shaving 10c and hair cut 15c.
James Moseley


First, there is a discrepancy with James's middle name. Stone says "Howard," but death notice says "Leonard." The birth and death years are off, as well. Following from the 23 November 1880 Union & Recorder:
OBITUARY.

DIED at Moseleyville, Baldwin county, Ga., on the 15th of November, JAMES LEONARD, infant son of Warren and Ann Moseley, aged fifteen months and fifteen days. -- Dark is the shadow thrown upon the household by the removal of the bright, cheerful spirit of the baby boy. The ties of parental love had only been strengthened and made to twine the more tenderly about the precious one by the very illness which at last took him from their embrace. But we should not "sorrow as those who have no hope." After weeks of patient suffering the little one is gone to that beautiful home where he can never again know sickness and pain. Suffering will no more dim the eyes which now look upon the glories of heaven and the separation, now so hard to bear, will soon end in a blessed reunion beyond the grave.

"Tender Shepherd, thou hast stilled,
Now thy little lamb's brief weeping:
In this world of care of pain,
Thou wouldst no longer leave it;
To the sunny heavenly plain,
Thou dost now with joy receive it;
Clothed in robes of spotless white,
Now it dwells with thee in light."
Nena Arminta Moseley


Similar to the stone of her half-sister Martha, Nena's birth and death years are quite a bit off. Here are two newspaper items published in the Macon Telegraph shortly after Nena's death, which was 9 June 1896.
A SECOND BEREAVEMENT.

Miss Nena Moseley Died Yesterday Afternoon.


Miss Nena, the 13-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Moseley, died at 1:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon. She had suffered with spinal affection for some time. The funeral will be conducted today from the residence at 220 Shamrock street.

This is the second sad death in Mr. Moseley's home during the past six months, his grown daughter having died only a short time ago.

The many friends of the bereaved family will deeply regret to learn of the sorrow that is thus added.

The pall-bearers are Messrs. Will and Sam Moseley, Clifford Ricks, Robert Fetner, Sam Westcott, Jr., and Will Bracken.

--------------------------

SLEEPS BY HER SISTER.

Miss Nena Moseley's Remains Were Interred Yesterday.


The funeral services of Miss Nena, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Moseley were held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock from the family residence. They were largely attended, and the beautiful floral tributes were a manifestation of the love and tender feeling of her many friends.

The deceased was an unusually bright and interesting child, and possessed a patient, sympathetic and loving nature.

She was laid to rest in Rose Hill beside the sister who had preceeded her but a little more than two months.
Though Warren A. Moseley was already in my personal Rose Hill Cemetery database, I was first connected with his life story (beyond the dates) through the book Civil War Milledgeville: Tales from the Confederate Capital of Georgia [affiliate link] by Hugh Harrington. In it, Warren was described as "a Confederate soldier for over fifty years." Stay tuned for more about Capt. Moseley!

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10 February 2019

Daniel and Elizabeth Bullard of Twiggs County, Georgia

It was 10+ plus years ago when I visited Beech Springs Methodist Church and graveyard at the Bullard community in Twiggs County, Georgia. In researching the area, I learned it was first the site of a steamboat landing on the Ocmulgee River. It later became Bullards Station, a depot on the Southern Railway named for Daniel Bullard.

Daniel was born 11 March 1805 at Washington County, Georgia to Wiley and Parthena Bullard. He moved to the Bluff district of Twiggs County when just a boy, and after spending the balance of his life there, Daniel's final resting place would be the Cabiness Ridge section of Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. (Seems a bit odd to me, but I'm sure there were reasons.) Following is an obituary from the 6 September 1894 Macon Weekly Telegraph:
DANIEL BULLARD IS NO MORE

His Long and Useful Life Ended at High Noon Yesterday Surrounded By Loving Friends.

WILL BE BURIED IN MACON

He Was the Oldest and Wealthiest Citizen of Twiggs County and a Man Who Had Accomplished Much Good in His Day.


Yesterday at 12:30 o'clock Mr. Daniel Bullard of Twiggs died at his home in that county.

He was born in Washington county, Georgia, March 11, 1805, and had therefore reached his 90th year. He was the oldest [citizen] of his county. His death was due, not to any specific disease, but to the gradual decay of life in advancing years. When about 10 years of age he moved to Twiggs county, and for eighty years consecutively was a resident of the same district -- "Bluff district" -- of that county. For many years past he was a familiar figure on the streets of Macon and was known personally to nearly all of the business men of the city.

He was married four times. There survive him his last wife, whom he married January 29, 1865, and who was Miss Elizabeth Bardon [sic]; and the children of their marriage, Mrs. Cora Etheridge, Mrs. Victoria Billingsly and Daniel Bullard, Jr. His older surviving children are J. M. Bullard and Monroe Bullard of Cochran, Mrs. Elizabeth [Everett] and Mrs. Dora Harrell of Twiggs.

Mr. Bullard's life furnished another illustration of the opportunities open to energy and frugality under the conditions of life in this country. He started life a poor boy, without a cent, without parental help, earning his first quarter by manual labor. He leaves an estate estimated at from $50,000 to $75,000. He was wont to say in his quaint manner that he worked hard for this money when he was young, and after he was old he let it work for him. He allowed his capital, unlike the rolling stone, to gather the moss of interest, and being of simple tastes and habits his income was comfortably beyond his wants.

He was the first agent of the Macon and Brunswick (now the Southern) railroad at Bullard's station, which was so named after him, a position he held for thirteen years. His public spirit was shown by giving the right of way through an extensive tract of land and by his subscribing $42,000 to the stock of the road. Mr. Bullard was eminently a just man. He believed in the religion of paying debts. He rendered to every man his due, and thought that every man should do likewise by him. If he found a debtor seeking to evade or defeat a just claim he would pursue his rights to their full extent, but in many transactions, where the other party showed a desire to do justice, he would cheerfully remit a part -- sometimes much -- to which he was justly entitled.

Mr. Bullard lived and died a consistent member of the Baptist church. He was universally liked and respected in the community in which he lived. He was an honest, quiet, industrious, kind-hearted, God-fearing man. Such men make valuable citizens and when they die they are a loss. He had many warm friends here.

His remains will reach the city this afternoon at 4:20 by the Southern railway and will be interred at Rose Hill cemetery... The following gentlemen have been requsted [sic] to act as pall bearers: W. A. Davis, J. W. Cabaniss, N. E. Harris, R. H. Plant, C. J. Toole, M. R. Freeman, G. L. Reeves, W. M. Wimberly, Theodore Ellis. They are requested to meet at the store of Lamar Clay at 4 p.m.
It's important to note Daniel was not the only one to work "hard for this money" (his estate at death would equal 1.4 to 2.1 million dollars today). Daniel enslaved people and forced them to also work hard, solely for the benefit of him and his family. According to the 1850 Twiggs County census slave schedule, he owned sixteen individuals -- male and female, ranging in ages from 7 to 45 years.

Following is an obituary for Daniel's "last wife."

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Sunday, 20 May 1917 - pg. 8 [via GenealogyBank]
DEATHS AND FUNERALS

MRS. ELIZABETH BULLARD.

Mrs. Elizabeth Bullard, widow of Daniel Bullard, and one of the oldest and most prominent women of Twiggs county, died Saturday at her home near Bullard's station, Twiggs county, after a brief illness. She was 86 years old and probably the oldest woman in the county.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Dora Harrell, Mrs. Victoria Billingslea and Mrs. Walter T. Holmes, and one son, Daniel Bullard. Twenty-one grandchildren also survive.

The body will be brought to Macon Sunday morning and carried to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Billingslea, 820 New street, where the funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. T. F. Callaway, pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist church, assisted by the Rev. J. P. Wardlaw, will conduct the service and the interment will be in Rose Hill cemetery.

Daniel Bullard was one of the leading planters and one of the largest land owners in Twiggs county. The family is well known throughout this section of the state.
According to his obituary, Daniel was married four times. In addition to Elizabeth, I have only one other name to offer: Caroline. I believe she was the mother of at least seven of his children. In all, I have found Daniel fathered at least thirteen children:

- Wiley Bullard (b. abt 1829)
- Charles Bullard (b. abt 1832)
- Mary Bullard (b. 1836-1838)
- Elizabeth Bullard Everett (d. 1905)
- Henry H. Bullard (b. abt 1840)
- Ira Bullard (b. 1843-1844)
- J. Madison Bullard (b. 1848-1850)
- Monroe Bullard (d. 1921)
- William Bullard (b. abt 1856)
- Dora Bullard Harrell (1868-1934)
- Cora Bullard Etheridge Holmes (1872-1927)
- Victoria "Vick" Bullard Billingslea (1872-1948) *also buried in Rose Hill
- Daniel Bullard, Jr. (1873-1960)

14 January 2019

3 Wives of Ezekiel Luther Burdick (1838-1918)

100_4076Ezekiel Luther Burdick was born about 1838 in Rhode Island, son of George and Mary Burdick. Around the time of the Civil War, Luther made his way to Bibb County, Georgia and married Mary Ella Clark/e on 12 December 1865.

Mary Ella, born 25 August 1843 in Georgia, was a daughter of Henry and Mary Ann Clark. Though she and and Luther were married 13+ years before her death on 21 February 1879, I have found no children attributed to them as a couple.

Macon Telegraph and Messenger (Georgia)
22 February 1879 - pg. 4 [via Georgia Historic Newspapers]

Death of Mrs. E. L. Burdick.
The friends of Mrs. E. L. Burdick were shocked yesterday morning to learn of her death, which occurred yesterday morning at one o'clock, after a very short illness. The deceased was well known in the city and much loved by her friends. She was taken suddenly ill on Thursday night and expired in about two hours. She had been in ill health for some time. The immediate cause of her death, however was supposed to have been congestion. The funeral services took place from her late residence on Plum street. She was about thirty-five years of age.

The mother of this first Mrs. E. L. Burdick had died less than a year before.

100_4077

100_4078E. Luther Burdick married again eight months later. This second wife was Mary Ella Riley, born 7 January 1854, and thought by me to be the daughter of David Ferrell Riley and Mary Jane Neal.

For the taking of the 1870 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census, Luther and first wife Ella were listed in the household of his father-in-law (her father) Henry Clark. Also in the household was Ella Riley (age 15, b. GA), "attending school." So it's possible Luther had known his eventual second wife for some time.

I know of three children born to Luther and Ella Riley Burdick before her death on 3 December 1885:

  • Lucille (b. abt 1880)
  • Myrtle (b. & d. 1882)
  • Clarice "Clarissa" (b. abt 1883)

Myrtle was laid to rest near her mother.

100_4079

erbedwardsLuther's third wife was his second wife's younger sister, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Riley. They were married in Pike County, Georgia on 3 August 1887 and had one daughter, Florine (b. abt 1892).

This marriage, however, would not end the same way as the others. Lizzie and Luther were divorced in 1914, though they possibly were separated years before. The taking of the 1910 U.S. Federal census found the couple in different households. E. Luther Burdick was in the household of his son-in-law and daughter, Frank and Clarice B. Walker, in Louisville, Kentucky. Lizzie could be found at the family home – 140 High Street in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.

Lizzie remarried before 1918 to James Campbell Edwards. She died 30 March 1931.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Tuesday, 31 March 1931 - pg. 15 [via GenealogyBank]

DEATHS AND FUNERALS

MRS. J. C. EDWARDS
Mrs. Elizabeth Riley Edwards, wife of J. Campbell Edwards, of 140 High street, died at a private hospital early yesterday morning following an illness of two weeks from influenza and pneumonia.

Mrs. Edwards was a member of Christ Episcopal church and a worker in the D. A. R., the U. D. C., and the Daughters of 1812. She was the daughter of David Ferrell Riley and Mary Jane Neal and was a descendant of pioneer residents of Bibb and Pike counties.

She is survived by her husband, J. Campbell Edwards; a daughter, and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Davis;…two step-daughters, Mrs. Henry O. Farr, of Brunswick, and Mrs. Clarice B. Walker, of Jacksonville, and two brothers, D. H. and F. L. Riley, of Macon.

Funeral services will be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon from the residence 140 High street, by Rev. Cyril E. Bentley, rector of Christ church. Interment will follow in Rose Hill cemetery…

According to the Historic Rose Hill cemetery directory, E. L. Burdick died 9 December 1918. He (supposedly), both Ellas, and daughter Myrtle were buried in the Eglantine Square section of the cemetery. Elizabeth Burdick Edwards was laid to rest in Cabiness Ridge.


10 January 2019

Robert G. Burgess Killed By the Explosion of an Ammunition Chest in 1864

Robert George Burgess was born about September 1834 at Manchester, Lancashire, England to Robert Burgess and Jessie Miller of Scotland. The family, including young Robert's sister Margaret, immigrated to the United States and were settled in Kings County, New York by about 1838. After the father's death, the rest of the family moved south to settle in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia by about 1856.

100_4063In 1862, Robert G. Burgess joined the Confederate service with Capt. Massenburg's Battery, Jackson Artillery. On 10 March 1864, in Bibb County, Robert married Rebecca A. Artope. She was a daughter of James B. Artope and Susan M. Raine. Five months following the marriage, Lieut. Burgess was dead.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Monday, 15 August 1864 [via GenealogyBank]

COPY OF DISPATCH.
HEADQUARTERS JACKSON ARTILLERY,
West Point, August 12, 1864.
Massenburg & Son: -- Inform Judge Artope that Lieut. Burgess was killed to-day by the explosion of an ammunition chest. Tom will take his remains home to-morrow.  T. L. MASSENBURG.

The funeral of Lieut. Burgess will take place at the house of Mrs. Burgess, corner of 1st and Plumb streets, on Sunday morning at 9 A.M. The friends of Judge Artope and Mrs. Burgess are invited to attend.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Saturday, 27 August 1864 [via GenealogyBank]

OBITUARY.
Death in any form is sad, but to be suddenly snatched from earth while in the enjoyment of health and usefulness is sad indeed. Lieut. R. G. BURGESS, the subject of this notice, while examining an Ammunition Chest in Massenburg's Battery, was almost instantly killed by the explosion of the chest, on the 12th inst. He lived about four hours after the accident occurred, and death came and relieved him of the intensest agony.

Lt. Burgess was born in England, but lived in New York from his childhood until the year 1856, when he came South and settled in Macon. He enlisted in the Jackson Artillery in May, 1862, and was appointed a Sergeant. By his prompt attention to his duties he received a promotion to Ordnance Sergeant of Palmer's Battalion of Reserve Artillery, when a vacancy having occurred in his company of 2d Lieutenant, he was appointed to fill it, which he did with honor to himself and to his command. Devoted to the country of his adoption, the South has lost an able officer and a good soldier, one who was ever ready to bare his breast to the storm of battle, in her defence. [sic] The writer of this article has often heard him say, "If I could only live to see our independence gained I would willingly die."

But alas, the shaft of death came whilst the longed for haven shone brightly, and snatched him from its view. Whilst we his brothers in arms grieve for him as one we esteemed as an officer, and loved as a man, what must be the feelings of an aged mother, a young and devoted wife, an affectionate brother and sisters. Not one word to the absent ones was he able to utter after the dreadful accident occurred. Let them console themselves, "That the ways of the Lord are inscrutable. He hath given and He taketh away." THE JACKSON ARTILLERY.

Rebecca, widowed at age 24, never married again. She lived with family for the rest of her days, passing away from pneumonia on 5 January 1925. The 94th anniversary of her death was just five days ago.

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Tuesday, 6 January 1925 - pg. 12 [via GenealogyBank]

DEATHS AND FUNERALS

Mrs. Rebecca Artope Burgess
Mrs. Rebecca Artope Burgess, widow of Lieut. Robert G. Burgess, who was killed in battle near Chattanooga in the war between the states, died yesterday afternoon in her 84th year.

Mrs. Burgess had been a life-long resident of Macon. She was the daughter of the late J. B. Artope, one of the pioneer citizens of Macon, who in his day, was well-known in the monumental business.

Mrs. Burgess is survived by six nieces and one nephew: Mrs. LeRoy Fuss, of Macon; Mrs. J. W. Fielder, of Atlanta; Mrs. C. H. Megrath, of Macon; Mrs. M. R. Meadows, of St. Augustine, Fla., and Miss Mary Hodgkins and Miss Leila Artope, of Macon, and T. E. Artope, of Macon…

Robert and Rebecca were buried in the Eglantine Square section of Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.

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