Martha Estella & Willie Mae: Sisters Abel Wed Smith

(Descendants of Henry Abel series.)

In the most recent post for this series, I wrote about a grandson of Henry Abel.  Named Oscar, he was a son of William Abel and Susan Reid.  Susan died before Oscar was a year old, and William took a second wife about 1873.  She was Martha "Mattie" Jane Jones, daughter of William and Julia F. Bailey Jones.

William Abel and Mattie Jones had at least seven children:

• Elizabeth Villa Abel Jones (b. 1873 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1941 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
• Julia F. Abel Jenkins (b. 1876 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1941 Newport News, Virginia)
• Willie Mae Abel Smith (b. 1878 Georgia; d. 1918 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
• Martha Estella Abel Smith (b. 1881 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1943 Bibb County, Georgia)
• Ethel Kate Abel Davis (b. 1886 Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1971 Monroe County, Georgia)
• James Benjamin Abel (b. 1889 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1950 Bibb County, Georgia)
• Lula Ruth Abel (b. 1893 Georgia; d. 1979 Bibb County, Georgia)

Willie Mae Abel married Archibald Jordan Smith about 1903.  He was a son of Archibald J. and Caroline R. Hicks Smith.  The young couple had two sons – Arch J. Smith, Jr. and William Abel Smith – before Willie Mae died on 8 April 1918.  She was laid to rest in Macon's Riverside Cemetery, located in the same neighborhood as Rose Hill Cemetery.

Four months after Willie Mae's death, Archibald married her sister Martha Estella.  The union didn't last forever, though.  By the taking of the April 1930 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census, Martha was noted as divorced.  It doesn't appear the couple had any children.  In fact, Stella seemed to be a career girl.  She was employed as a stenographer before and after her marriage to Archibald.  A November 1943 obituary in the Macon Telegraph (Georgia) stated Stella was "for a number of years…with the government agriculture laboratory at Fort Valley."

Stella Abel Smith was laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Archibald Jordan Smith married for a third time prior to his death in 1936.  He was laid to rest with first wife Willie Mae in the Honeysuckle section (row R, lot 4) of Riverside Cemetery.

Some Additional Sources:

1. "Illness Fatal To Mrs. Jones," issued 11 May 1941, accessed 29 May 2017, name of interest: Mrs. Elizabeth Abel Jones, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
2. 1900 census of United States, population schedule, Macon Ward 4, Bibb, Georgia, E. D. No. 32, sheet 7B, dwelling 109, family 129, William Abel household, accessed 11 December 2016, National Archives and Records Administration credited. Includes wife Martha Jane; daughters Lizzie, Willie May, Mattie Estelle, Ethel Kate, & Lula Ruth; and son James B.; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com).
3. 1880 census of United States, population schedule, Fourth Fire Ward, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, E. D. No. 16, Page No. 58, dwelling 428, family 574, William Abel household, accessed May 2017. Includes wife Mattie; son Oscar; daughters Lizzie and Julia; and Willie (listed as both male and a daughter); digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com).
4. Riverside Cemetery & Conservancy, Genealogy Data; Riverside Cemetery, Inc., Macon, Georgia, USA, 2017. http://www.riversidecemetery.com/.
5. "Deaths and Funerals: Mrs. Willie Mae Abel Smith," issued 9 April 1918, accessed 19 May 2017, name of interest: Mrs. Willie Mae Abel Smith, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
6. Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Bibb County, Georgia), Grave Marker Transcription by Stephanie Lincecum, Acquired between 2003 - 2013.

Burial Place of Oscar Abel, d. 1909

(Descendants of Henry Abel series.)

Oscar S. Abel, born 1871-2 in Georgia, was the son of William and Susan Reid Abel.  Henry Abel was his grandfather.  Oscar's mother died 24 May 1872 and was laid to rest in the Eglantine Square section of Rose Hill Cemetery, in a lot purchased by her husband a week before her death (block 4, lot 12).  In all likelihood, this took place before Oscar turned one year old.

William and Oscar would not be alone for long, however.  William soon married Martha Jane Jones (1851-1933), daughter of William and Julia F. Bailey Jones.  This couple would give Oscar at least seven half-siblings, one being James Benjamin Abel.

When Oscar was about sixteen years old, he had an accident on the job.  Following from the 28 September 1887 edition of the Macon Telegraph (via GenealogyBank).

A Finger Cut Off.
Mr. Oscar Abel, son of Mr. Wm. Abel, had a finger cut off by a lathe at Reynold's foundry yesterday morning.

Oscar married Dora Bullock at Bibb County, Georgia 2 November 1892. The couple moved to Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama within a few years of their union, where Oscar continued his work as an iron moulder.  Though I have no proof of any children being born to Oscar and Dora, I wonder if little Earnest Abel (1900-1902) resting at Decatur City Cemetery was theirs.

Oscar and Dora returned to Macon in Bibb County, Georgia about 1905.  A city directory entry showed Oscar was a molder at Mallary & Taylor Iron Wks.  A short time after, certainly by 1908, Oscar joined the police force.  Then something horrible happened.  Following from the 18 June 1909 edition of Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser (also via GenealogyBank).

POLICEMAN KILLS WOMAN AND HIMSELF

Macon, Ga., June 18. -- About 1 o'clock this morning Officer Oscar Abel of the Macon police force, shot and killed Emma Raymond, in the red light district here, and then committed suicide.  Whether a quarrel occurred before the crime or not cannot be ascertained.  The whole affair is shrouded in mystery.  The officer was dressed in his uniform at the time, and was wearing his badge.

The woman was shot three times in the breast.  Abel lived only a short time after shooting himself twice in the head.

I found nothing in the local newspaper regarding Oscar's funeral or final resting place, but I did come across a scan of a page titled "Interments for Rose Hill and Oak Ridge Cemeteries." There was an entry for Oscar --

Unfortunately, I have yet to determine the source of this scan.  It makes sense, though.  It also makes sense Oscar rests near his mother in Eglantine Square block 4, lot 12.  Neither have a tombstone.  Oscar's father was also placed there upon his death in March 1920.

A sad side note is that William had to attend the funeral of his brother Fred just three months after burying Oscar.

Oscar's wife Dora did not marry again, and eventually left Georgia to land in Columbus, Ohio.  She died and was buried at Union Cemetery there in 1938.

Will of Fred T. Abel, d. 1909 Bibb County, Georgia

(Descendants of Henry Abel series.)

Frederick "Fred" T. Abel was born 15 April 1844 to German immigrant parents Henry and Elizabeth Follendor Abel.  Fred spent most, if not all, of his life in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.  Four years before his death in September 1909, Fred made out his last will and testament.  The solemn form was typed and recorded in Bibb County Will Book E, page 451.

Last Will and Testament of Fred. T. Abel, Deceased.
GEORGIA, BIBB COUNTY.

I, F. T. Abel of said County and State being of sound & disposing mind, make this my last Will and Testament.

Item 1st.  I desire my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner.

Item 2nd.  I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Rebecca G. Abel, my house and lot in the Columbus Road whereon I now reside, to be hers during her life, and at herdeath [sic] to go to my son Louis R. Abel:  I also bequeath to my beloved wife Rebecca G. Abel my Store house and lot situated on the corner of Harris Street and Columbus Road, to be hers during her life and at her death, to go to my son William W. Abel, I also bequeath to my wife Rebecca G. Abel my household and kitchen furniture.

Item 3rd.  I give and bequeath to my beloved Children, Mamie L. Mc.kay, F. T. Abel, Jr., Louis R. Abel, and William W. Abel, the remainder of the real estate owned by me or the proceeds of the same, to be equally divided between them share and share alike.

Item 4th.  I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Carrie G. Bonner $100.00 One hundred dollars to be realized out of my personal property.

Item 5th.  I give and bequeath the remainder of my personal property or the proceeds of the same, after my debts have been paid to be equally divided between my Children, Mamie L. Mc. Kay, F. T. Abel, Jr., Louis R. Abel and William W. Abel, share and share alike,. [sic]

Item 6th.  I hereby constitute my wife Rebecca G. Abel, and Jeff. D. Mc.Kay Executors of this my last Will and Testament.  F. T. Abel. (L.S.)

Signed and sealed as the last Will and Testament of F. T. Abel, he signing in our presence, and we in his presence, and in the presence of each other.
This the 14th of July, 1905.  H. A. Mc.Kay / Henry L. Slocumb / J. W. Jones

In the matter of Rebecca G. Abel, and Jeff. D. McKay.  } Petition for Probate in Solemn Form of Will of Fred T. Abel, deceased In Bibb Court of Ordinary, December Term, 1909.

Fred's first wife was Camilla Brooks.  She was the mother of Mamie L. McKay, F. T. Abel Jr., and Carrie G. Bonner, mentioned in the will.

[Source:  "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990." Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. County probate courthouses, Georgia.]

An obituary for Fred appeared on page 3 of the 12 September 1909 edition of the Macon Telegraph (via GenealogyBank):

DEATHS AND FUNERALS

ABEL.
Mr. Fred T. Abel, aged 65, died yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock at his residence on Log Cabin Heights.

Mr. Abel was one of the prominent, older citizens of the city, a veteran having served in the Civil War as a member of Massenburg's battery and the Jackson artillery.  He was also a member of Central City Lodge Knights of Pythias.

The deceased is survived by an immediate family of six, a wife, three sons, F. T., Jr., L. W. and W. W. Abel, of this city; two daughters, Mrs. W. H. Bonner, of Valdosta, and Mrs. J. D. McKay, of this city.  There are also four brothers Messrs. Charles, Milo and William, of Macon and Louis Abel, of St. Louis, Mo.

The funeral will be held at 10 o'clock Monday morning, from the residence on Log Cabin Heights.  Rev. J. M. Bass, of Centenary church, will officiate, and interment will be made in Rose Hill cemetery.

Camilla S. Brooks Abel Family, 1848-1878

(Descendants of Henry Abel series.)

Camilla was born 20 January 1848 to James M. Brooks and his wife Mary J.  It is unclear to me whether Camilla was born in the state of Alabama or Georgia, but by the 1850 census – taken when she was just two years old – the family was living in Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia.  This city is located about twenty miles from the Alabama / Georgia state line.

Ten years later, in 1860, Camilla was residing with her father and mother and five siblings in Randolph County, Georgia.  This is where she, at the age of 19, would marry Frederick "Fred" T. Abel of Bibb County.  He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Abel.  The city of Macon in Bibb County, Georgia is where the couple would reside.

"Georgia County Marriages, 1785 - 1950", database, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
FamilySearch, (http://www.familysearch.org), image, Frederick T. Able m. Camilla S. Brooks 11 April 1867
at Randolph County.

It's worth noting, including Camilla, three Brooks siblings married three Abel siblings. Laura Elizabeth Brooks married John Henry Abel, and James P. Brooks married Louisa Abel.

Camilla and Fred would be together for just under 11 years before they were separated by death.  The young and devoted wife and mother died 19 March 1878, a couple of months after her 30th birthday.

Within hours of Camilla's death, Fred would suffer another loss.  The couple's 8-year-old son Henry Bartrum Abel would also succumb, necessitating a double funeral and burial in Rose Hill Cemetery.  Following from the 21 March 1878 edition, Macon Telegraph and Messenger:

Affliction.
We regret to learn of the sad affliction of Mr. F. T. Abel, on whom the double loss of his wife and infant son has fallen.  Both died in a few hours of each other.  The funeral of both took place from the First Street Methodist Church yesterday afternoon and was largely attended.

Six months later, Fred Abel would trudge to the family lot in Rose Hill Cemetery yet again, to bury his young son George.

Children of Camilla S. Brooks and Frederick T. Abel (an asterisk (*) denotes individual also buried in Rose Hill Cemetery):

• Carrie Gertrude Abel Bonner Wilkinson (b. 6 January 1868 Georgia; d. 10 January 1961 Lowndes County, Georgia)
• Henry Bartrum Abel* (b. abt December 1869 Georgia; d. 20 March 1878)
• Fred T. Abel, Jr. (b. 15 December 1869 Georgia; d. 29 December 1925 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
• Mamie L. Abel McKay* (b. 1873-7 Georgia; d. 2 July 1914)
• infant Abel* (d. 1 June 1873)
• George Abel* (d. September 1878)

Fred T. Abel would marry again six months after the death of Camilla.  He wed Rebecca "Bessie" G., daughter of Dabney Holloway, in Jasper County, Georgia.  This couple had at least three children (an asterisk (*) denotes individual also buried in Rose Hill Cemetery):

• Louis R. Abel (b. 23 March 1883 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 28 October 1922 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
• William Wolff Abel* (b. 27 September 1885 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 4 July 1948 Bibb County, Georgia)
• Ida Abel* (b. 1887; d. 22 September 1888)

Some Additional Sources:

1. "Georgia County Marriages, 1785 - 1950", database, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch, (http://www.familysearch.org), image, Frederick T. Able m. Camilla S. Brooks 11 April 1867 at Randolph County.
2. Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Bibb County, Georgia), Grave Marker Transcription by Stephanie Lincecum, Acquired between 2003 - 2013.
3. "Married," issued 6 October 1878, accessed 25 May 2017, names of interest: Mr. F. T. Abel and Miss Bessie Holloway, Macon Telegraph and Messenger, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/MediaTypes/Newspapers.html).
4. "Mother of Twenty-Two Children Died in Macon," issued 10 January 1905, accessed 25 May 2017, name of interest: Mrs. Elizabeth Abel, Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
5. 1870 census of United States, population schedule, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, Page No. 220, dwelling 1562, family 1910, Fred T. Abel household, accessed May 2017. Includes Camilla F. (age 26); Carrie (age 2); and Henry (b. Dec 1869); digital image, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org).
6. Sunset Hill Cemetery (Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia), image of tombstone by Robert Strickland (2009) via FindAGrave memorial #42174544 -- Carrie Bonner Wilkerson. http://www.findagrave.com/.
7. Friends of Rose Hill, "Historic Rose Hill Cemetery Directory", database, Historic Rose Hill (http://www.rosehillcemetery.org)
8. "Deaths and Funerals: Abel," issued 12 September 1909, accessed 25 May 2017, name of interest: Mr. Fred T. Abel, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
9. "Georgia Deaths, 1914-1927", database, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch, (http://www.familysearch.org), death certificate image for Fred T. Abel, d. 29 December 1925 at Bibb County.
10. 1880 census of United States, population schedule, Fourth Fire Ward, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, E. D. No. 16, Page No. 58, dwelling 427, family 573, Frederick T. Abel household, accessed May 2017. Includes wife Bessie; daughters Carrie and Mamie; and son Frederick; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com).
11. "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990", database, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch, (http://www.familysearch.org), Bibb County Will Book E, image of last will and testament of Fred T. Abel.
12. 1900 census of United States, population schedule, 481 Militia District, Bibb, Georgia, E. D. No. 11, sheet no. 27A, dwelling 521, family 577, Frederick T. Abell household, accessed 18 May 2017. Includes wife Bessie G.; and sons Lewis R. and William W.; digital image, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org).
13. Riverside Cemetery & Conservancy, Genealogy Data; Riverside Cemetery, Inc., Macon, Georgia, USA, 2017. Entry for Louis R. Abel, d. 28 October 1922. http://www.riversidecemetery.com/.

Descendants of Henry Abel (1817-1895)

According to his tombstone in Rose Hill Cemetery, Henry Abel was born 15 February 1817 at Ebertzheim Rhein, Bavaria, Germany.  He immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York in late Spring of 1834 – listed as age 18 on a ship manifest.  About 17 months later, Henry came to Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.  Approximately 4 years after his move, Mr. Abel married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Follendore.  She, born 20 October 1826 in Baden, Germany, was just 16 years of age at the time.  Elizabeth is possibly the sister of Catharine Follendore Russell (1828-1895), also buried in Rose Hill.

Henry and Elizabeth Abel as a couple were a fixture in the city of Macon for more than fifty years.  I have documented more than 240 of their descendants, concentrating primarily on the first 3 generations – through their great-grandchildren.  While the branches of their tree are far-reaching, I would also expect to find "a descendant or two" still in Macon today.

In census records, Henry's occupation was sometimes noted as farmer or gardener.  He seemed to support his family, however, as a merchant – generally in the "grocery and provision" sector.  As early as 1861, we see a reference to this noted in the local newspaper.  Richard W. Iobst recounted in his book, Civil War Macon: The History of a Confederate City (pg. 100) --

Another spectacular fire occurred early on Saturday morning 25 May in a row of wooden buildings on Cotton Avenue, opposite City Hall.  The fire burned half a block on Macon's most important business thoroughfare. Occupied by several tenants, the structures consisted of eight one-story wooden tenements which were used as grocery and provision stores.  The rear portions of the buildings were occupied as living quarters.  Henry Abel, in whose store the fire began, lost most of his goods.  The tenement occupied by Krutz's Bakery also burned.  The fire spread quickly because many of the buildings were old, and of little value…

By 1880, Henry had narrowed his wares to meats.  He and a couple of his sons maintained a butcher business, which carried on after Henry's death in 1895.  Following is an advertisement from a March 1892 edition of the Macon Telegraph (via GenealogyBank).

The number of children attributed to Henry and Elizabeth Abel ranges from 19 per his obituary, to 22 per hers. I can account for the 17 listed below. An asterisk (*) denotes individual also buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.

- Frederick "Fred" T. Abel* (b. 1844 Georgia; d. 1909 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
- William "Willie" Abel* (b. 1845 Georgia; d. 1920 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
- John Henry Abel* (b. 1846-7 Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1892 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
- Ella Eliza Ann Abel* (b. 1848; d. 1856)
- Charles Edward Abel (b. 1849 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1926 Morgan County, Alabama)
- George F. Abel (b. 1852; d. bef. 1920)
- Mary Elizabeth Abel* (b. 1854; d. 1856)
- Catherine V. Abel* (b. 1855; d. 1856)
- Aurelia Abel Stubbs (b. 1858-9 Georgia; d. 1901)
- Louis A. Abel (b. 1859-60 Georgia; d. bef. 1920)
- Louisa Abel Brooks Rathe (b. 1860-72 Georgia; d. 1917 Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida)
- Ella F. Abel Ruhl Rathe (b. 1863 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1939 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
- Josephine "Jo" P. Abel* (b. 1864-78 Georgia; d. 1931 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
- Julia F. Abel George (b. 1865 Georgia; d. 1927)
- Milo Freeman Abel (b. abt 1867 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia; d. 1920 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia)
- Kathleen Abel Kilburn (b. 1868-77 Georgia)
- unnamed female Abel (b. abt 1870 Georgia; d. bef. 1880)

Henry's obituary appeared on page 6 of the Tuesday, 19 March 1895 edition of the Macon Telegraph (Georgia):

AN OLD CITIZEN PASSES AWAY

After a Useful Life of Seventy-Eight Years Mr. Henry Abel Is No More.

WAS ILL JUST THREE WEEKS.

He Was the Father of Nineteen Children, Forty Grandchildren and Five Great-Grandchildren -- The Funeral Tomorrow.

Mr. Henry Abel, one of Macon's oldest and best known citizens, died at his home on Adams street, Tattnall Square, last night at 10 o'clock, after an illness of three weeks.

For more than a week the watchers by Mr. Abel's bedside expected each breath to be his last as he grew weaker and weaker, so that when the summons came last night his loving and family and friends were not surprised -- it was the sad ending they had hourly expected, and yet so sorrowfully dreaded.  In his death the community has lost a valuable and highly respected citizen and his family a loving father and husband.

Mr. Abel was born in Erberzein, Bavaria, February 15, making him 78 years of age.  He arrived in New York from Germany May 20, 1834, and came to Macon October 18, 1838, and has been here ever since, not even having been outside of Bibb county since he first came here.  In 1842 he married Miss Lizzie Follendore in this city, who still survives him.  To them nineteen children were born, eleven of whom are still living, together with forty grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom reside in Macon except two.  The living children are Messrs. Fred T., William, Charles, Louis and Milo Abel, Mrs. Aurelia Stubbs, Mrs. Louisa Brooks, Mrs. Ella Ruhl, Mrs. R. E. George, Mrs. L. J. Kilbourne and Miss Josephine Abel.

For many years Mr. Abel was a prosperous merchant and to business saved a competency that has given himself and family comfort during his old age.  He was a man who was never heard to speak ill of any one, and if he could say nothing good would say nothing.  He was a staunch Democrat -- one of the bourbon stripe -- and an ardent admirer of President Cleveland.  Of late years the only times he left his home was to vote the Democratic ticket, and he let no party election pass without voting.

Mr. Abel was one of the oldest members of Franklin lodge of Odd Fellows, and his funeral will be conducted with the ceremony of that order.  The exact time for the funeral has not been set, but it will be tomorrow.  A funeral notice will appear later announcing the time.  The interment will be at Rose Hill.

Elizabeth Follendore Abel outlived Henry by almost ten years.  Her obituary appeared on page 3 of the Tuesday, 10 January 1905 edition of the Augusta Chronicle (Georgia):

MOTHER OF TWENTY-TWO CHILDREN DIED IN MACON

Mrs. Elizabeth Abel Passed Away in Her Seventy-ninth Year.

Macon, Ga., Jan. 9 -- Mrs. Elizabeth Abel, relict of Mr. Henry Abel, died yesterday at her home on Adams street, Huquenin Heights.  She was in her 79th year, and was the mother of twenty-two children, a number of whom now reside in Macon.  She was born in Boden-Boden, Germany.

Among the surviving children who reside in Macon are Messrs. Fred and William Abel, Mrs. J. A. Ruhl, Mrs. J. L. J. Kilburn, Mr. Louis Abel and Mrs. Charles Abel.

All of the family have been successful in business and have wielded a strong influence in the business of the city.

Some Additional Sources:

1. Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Bibb County, Georgia), Grave Marker Transcription by Stephanie Lincecum, Acquired between 2003 - 2013.
2. 1860 census of United States, population schedule, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, Page No. 98, dwelling 699, family 723, Henry Abell household, accessed May 2017. Includes Elizabeth; Frederick (age 17); William (age 15); Henry (age 13); Charles (age 11); George (age 7); Amelia (age 2); and Louis (age 1); digital image, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org).
3. "Georgia Deaths, 1914-1927", database, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch, (http://www.familysearch.org), death certificate image for Lovick Askew Abel, d. 11 August 1925 at Bibb County.
4. 1850 census of United States, population schedule, 716th Dist G. M., City Macon, Bibb, Georgia, Dwelling & Family 53, Henry Abel household, accessed 18 May 2017. Includes Elizabeth (age 24); Frederick (age 6); William (age 5); Henry (age 3); E. A. (female, age 2); and C. E. (male, age 8/12); digital image, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org).
5. Friends of Rose Hill, "Historic Rose Hill Cemetery Directory", database, Historic Rose Hill (http://www.rosehillcemetery.org).
6. F.H. Terry, Decatur City Cemetery; FindAGrave, 2017. FindAGrave memorial #55094166 -- Charles Edward Abel -- includes transcription of obituary. http://www.findagrave.com/.
7. 1870 census of United States, population schedule, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, Page No. 189, dwelling 1353, family 1663, Henry Abel household, accessed May 2017. Includes Elizabeth (age 43); John H. (age 25); Charles (age 20); George (age 17); Amelia (age 12); Louis (age 10); Louisa (age 10); Ella (age 7); Josephine (age 6); Julia (age 5); Mylo (age 3); Catherine (age 2); and an unnamed female (age 1/12); digital image, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org).
8. "Superior Court: The Trial of George Abel," issued 28 July 1874, accessed 27 May 2017, name of interest: George Abel, Macon Weekly Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
9. "Milo F. Abel Dies Suddenly," issued 7 February 1920, accessed 7 July 2017, name of interest: Milo F. Abel, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
10. "An Old Citizen Passes Away," issued 19 March 1895, accessed 28 May 2017, name of interest: Mr. Henry Abel, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/MediaTypes/Newspapers.html).
11. 1880 census of United States, population schedule, Fourth Fire Ward, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, E. D. No. 16, page no. 39, dwelling 298, family 352, Henry Abel household, accessed May 2017. Includes wife Elizabeth; sons Louis A. and Milo; and daughters Aumelia R., Ella, Josephine, Julia, and Catherine; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com).
12. "Charles H. Stubbs," issued 24 April 1932, accessed 21 June 2017, name of interest: Charles Herbert Stubbs, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
13. "Mother of Twenty-Two Children Died in Macon," issued 10 January 1905, accessed 25 May 2017, name of interest: Mrs. Elizabeth Abel, Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
14. "Deaths and Funerals: Mrs. J. H. Rathe," issued 21 September 1917, accessed 25 June 2017, name of interest: Mrs. Louisa Abel Rathe, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).
15. "Georgia Deaths, 1928-1940", database, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch, (http://www.familysearch.org).
16. Crestlawn Cemetery (Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia), Image of tombstone provided by RrrrrGrrrr (2015) via FindAGrave memorial #141696747 -- Julia Frances Abel George. http://www.findagrave.com/.
17. "Deaths and Funerals: Abel," issued 12 September 1909, accessed 25 May 2017, name of interest: Mr. Fred T. Abel, Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, online image (http://www.genealogybank.com).

James Buford Scarbary, Jr. Vault (Tombstone Tuesday)

Son of James Buford Scarbary, Sr. (1919-2008) and Myrtie Adams (d. 1988).

"Everything Under the Sun Is in Tune"

Delmar Arliss Warren's Pyramid (Tombstone Tuesday)

[Originally posted at the Southern Graves blog.]

"Egyptian, is perhaps the most funerary of all architecture," writes Douglas Keister in Forever Dixie: A Field Guide to Southern Cemeteries & Their Residents.  This, of course, makes perfect sense.  The very definition of an Egyptian pyramid, at it's core, is a tomb.  History.com's article about the Egyptian Pyramids says this:

The pyramid's smooth, angled sides symbolized the rays of the sun and were designed to help the king's soul ascend to heaven and join the gods, particularly the sun god Ra.

Oftentimes, especially in cemeteries located in the southern United States, Eqyptian architecture is combined with more mainstream Christian symbols.  Delmar Warren's pyramid tombstone at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia, however, is pretty plain.

Frankly, the simple display looks out of place amid the crosses, angels, flora, and fauna carved in stone around it and throughout the cemetery.  So why was this particular tombstone placed for Delmar Arliss Warren (1911-1982)? A line from his obituary (16 January 1982, Augusta Chronicle) could hold the answer:

Mr. Warren attended schools in Macon and was a graduate of Georgia Tech.  He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, was a member of the American Institute of Architects and was a Methodist.

Furthermore, the 1940 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census – search it free here – provides Delmar's occupation as Architectural Designer.

Simple as that.

Oliver & Mary Prince Perished in 1837 Wreck of Steam Ship "Home"

Pictured here is a portion of lot 7 in block 2 of the Magnolia Ridge Section of Rose Hill Cemetery.  The broken column tombstone was placed for a brother and sister – Harry (d. 1874) and Mary Raymond (1847-1877) Green.

The tablet to the right was placed for the siblings' grandparents, Oliver Hillhouse Prince and his wife Mary R.  A lot could be written about Oliver.  He lead the planning commission that laid out the city of Macon about 1822.  He was a well-respected lawyer who compiled a couple of "Laws of Georgia" digests.  He liked to write humorous literature.

What I am drawing your attention to today, however, is how Oliver and his wife died.  They perished in the wreck of the Steam Ship "HOME" Monday, October 9, 1837.  It happened off the coast of North Carolina.  The couple was returning from a trip to Massachusetts, probably Boston, where Oliver was submitting work for the second Laws of Georgia digest.  An account of the harrowing, deadly event was published in newspapers up and down the east coast.  The following is from an article in New York's Commercial Advertiser dated Monday, 23 October 1837, referencing the Charleston Courier (South Carolina) from the Thursday before:

The gale commenced on Sunday afternoon, and the captain was anxious to double Cape Hatteras, with the intention of anchoring under its lee.  About 4 o'clock on Monday, however, the boat commenced leaking so much as to render it necessary for all hands and the passengers to go to the pumps, and to bail, which was continued without intermission until she grounded.  The water gained upon them so fast, that at about eight o'clock, the fire was extinguished, and the engine of course was stopped in its operations -- a sail was then hoisted, but was immediately blown away.  Another was bent, and with this assistance, the boat slowly progressed toward the shore.

At 11 o'clock at night, the Home grounded, about 100 yards from the shore.  The ladies had been all requested to go forward, as the place where they were most likely to reach the shore, bearing nearest the beach, but a heavy struck her there, and swept nearly half of them into the sea, and they were drowned.  One boat was stove at this time.  Another small boat was launched, with two or three persons in it, but capsized.  The long boat was then put overboard, filled with persons, 25 in number, it is supposed, but did not get 15 feet from the side of the steamer before she upset, and it is the belief of our informant that not one of the individuals in her reached the shore.  The sea was breaking over the boat at this time with tremendous force, and pieces of her were breaking off at times, and floating toward the shore, on some of which persons were clinging.  One lady, with a child in her arms, was in the act of mounting the stairs to the upper deck, when the smoke stack fell, and doubtless killed her and her child on the spot.  Some few of the ladies were lashed to the boat...

The hull of the boat broke into three pieces, and the shore was completely strewed with portions of the wreck, baggage, &c. for five or six miles in extent, the next morning...[Full article available at GenealogyBank's Newspaper Archive.]

Even more articles described an unseaworthy boat and an intoxicated captain.

I assumed the tablet placed in the Green family burial lot for Oliver and Mary was a cenotaph.  Surely, they were lost at sea? Well, maybe not.  I was surprised to find the following declaration in a biographical sketch of Oliver H. Prince printed in the 17 December 1913 Macon Telegraph (emphasis mine):

On the return trip to Savannah, the Home, the steamer on which [Oliver] and his wife were passengers, was wrecked off the coast of North Carolina.  He, with other male passengers, was in the hold of the steamer trying to bail out the water, when the vessel sank and his body went down with it.  His wife was washed ashore and was identified and buried near Wilmington, N.C., and afterward brought to Macon and now rests in Rose Hill cemetery, over whom is a monument erected by their children to her and her husband…[Full article available at GenealogyBank's Newspaper Archive.]

According to cemetery records, Dr. James Mercer Green (father of Harry and Mary Green) bought the lot in Rose Hill in April of 1852.  That would suggest Mary R. Prince was exhumed from her grave in North Carolina almost fifteen years after the sinking of Steam Ship Home.  I'll admit to being skeptical.  Anyone have information to share?

Miss Leila Foote Rose: "Gather the rose buds while ye may"

Miss Leila F. Rose, born 1848, was a daughter of Simri Rose, the developer of Rose Hill Cemetery.  She died at the young age of seventeen years, and was laid to rest in the family burial lot.

A tribute to young Leila was printed in the 5th August 1865 Macon Telegraph (Georgia) newspaper.  I enjoyed reading it, so thought I'd share it here.  I was especially impressed with the implication, no matter how benign, that Leila went through some growing pains -- a notion that certainly applies to teenagers to this day, more than 150 years after her death.

OBITUARY.
LEILA F. ROSE.
"Gather the rose buds while ye may,
For time is ever flying;
The lovely flower that blooms to-day,
To-morow shall be dying."

How forcibly are we reminded of the truth of the above thought, by the early and untimely death of our young friend.

"Your life is even a vapour that continueth for a little while, and then vanisheth away."

The promises of love and friendship serve for the time to brighten the future prospect and awaken joyous anticipations which dissipate the shadows that early begin to gather around the pathway; but like all the hopes of earth, they must die in disappointment.  If we taste them, it is only to quicken our thirst for a deeper draught, and then -- to feel more painfully the loss of short-lived pleasures which were once our own.

The calm dignity, the eminent social qualities, the urbanity of our young friend had gathered around her a large circle of associates, who appreciated the pleasures of her society.

Three years ago she felt the importance of seeking more enduring pleasures than could be obtained in the fitful enjoyments of the world.  She sought the peace of heart which comes from above, the gift of grace, the value of which is seemingly enhanced by a consciousness of moral and religious rectitude.  Under the abiding and cheering conviction that she had obtained the "pearl of great price," she united with the Baptist church of this city, of which she remained a member until taken to the church triumphant.

Under the impulses of her vivacious young nature, the peculiar temptations of the times, and the influence of young companions, she, like thousands of others who have enjoyed much longer experiences in walking the "path of the just," wavered for a time, but soon saw and felt her folly and abandoned it.

On her dying bed she enjoyed this sentiment, which she requested a friend to sing,

"Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God;
He to save my soul from danger
Interposed His precious blood."

Her many good qualities of mind and heart bid fair to develop a true, noble and useful woman, and constitute her an ornament of the church, but at the early age of seventeen years, she has been called to a seat in the upper sanctuary.  She died in the calm and full assurance of her acceptance with God through the merits of His Son.

"Early, bright, transient, chaste as the morning dew,
She sparkled, was exhaled and went to heaven."

Marion Preston Rose (1840-1861), Leila Foote Rose (1848-1865), and Annie Rose Ross (1850-1888) were sisters.  Other siblings, though unknown to these three, were mentioned here.  Edgar Alfred Ross (1850-1929) was the husband of Annie.  He married again, a few years after Annie's death, to Fanny Prescott (1857-1938).

The flip side of this granite obelisk bears the inscription for Simri Rose (1799-1869) and his wife Lavinia Blount Rose (1812-1883).

Children of Simri & Lavinia Rose (Wednesday's Child x 3)

Three children of Simri and Lavinia Rose.  This stone can be found in the Magnolia Ridge section of Rose Hill Cemetery.

Virginia Caroline
Born July 1st, 1831
Died Mar 10th, 1833

Caroline Georgia
Born Apr 4th, 1833
Died Oct 22d, 1833

Augustus Beall
Born June 26th, 1834
Died Feb'y 4th, 1836

They bloom in Heaven.

Notice Virginia Caroline died less than a month before the birth of Caroline Georgia.  Unless remains were moved from another location, this is likely not the site of their burial.  This lot was purchased by Simri Rose in 1840.

As buds of earth born flowers
came they forth.

And were cut down.

Blount Family Cenotaph: the Golden Bowl was Broken

Lots in Rose Hill Cemetery began to be sold about May of 1840.  According to the cemetery's records, the lot where the following stone, memorializing members of the James Blount family, was placed was purchased by Simri Rose – the developer of Rose Hill – on 28 July 1840.  Unless remains were moved from another location, the stone placed is a cenotaph:  "a tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person or group of persons whose remains are elsewhere." [Merriam-Webster]

Rumor has it James and Elizabeth Blount were buried in Jones County, Georgia.

James Blount
Born 28th June 1780
Died 12th Dec 1820
Son of Col. Edmund and Judith Blount
of Washington Co, N.C.

Elizabeth Blount
Consort of James Blount
Daughter of P. S. and Nancy Roulhac
Born 4th Oct 1786
Died 17th Feb 1834

Edmund Sharpe Blount
Son of James & Elizabeth Blount
Born 10th Sept 1806
Died in 1826

Erected by John M. Blount, 1851.

Father
This marble to thy memory
the "Golden Bowl was broken"
when scarce I knew thee

Mother
for the lessons thou hast taught me

Brother
I can give thee but a tomb, it
bears thy name too soon.

Note:  "the Golden Bowl was broken" references the Bible.  Ecclesiastes 12:6 (KJV), to be specific – "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth..."

⁵…because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.

⁶Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

⁷Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it…

Gov. Nathaniel Edwin Harris (1846-1929)

Confederate Soldier.  Governor of Georgia.  Founder of Georgia School of Technology.

The Southern's Ponce de Leon came through here at 8:20 p.m. bearing the body of the distinguished soldier, statesman and educator to his final honors among his friends and neighbors in Macon.

From Augusta Chronicle (Georgia)
23 September 1929 - pg. 1 [via GenealogyBank]

IMPRESSIVE RITE TO MARK FUNERAL OF 'NAT' E. HARRIS

Company of National Guard to Fire Salute Over Casket

PALLBEARERS CHOSEN

High State Officials Among Many to Pay Last Respects to Georgian

Macon, Ga., Sept 22 (AP) -- Georgia tomorrow will pay its last respects to Nathaniel Edwin Harris, former governor, distinguished Confederate veteran and father of the Georgia School of Technology, who died last night at his summer home at Hampton, Tenn., after a lingering illness...

The casket will be draped with the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy and a company of national guardsmen will fire a military salute over the grave.  Taps will be sounded as the casket is lowered.

...Governor Harris was 84 years of age and had been suffering for more than a year from trouble that forced his retirement from public life.  During the last few weeks he had been sinking gradually and his illness, together with advanced age, soon wore down his resistance.  The end came a few hours after he lost consciousness yesterday afternoon.  The family was at his bedside for several days before his death...

Further Reading:
Myers, Barton. "Nathaniel E. Harris (1846-1929)." New Georgia Encyclopedia. 14 May 2013. Web.

4 Jeffers Brothers in the Confederate Army

Yesterday, I shared with you a life story of 1st Lieut. Eugene C. Jeffers, one of the Immortal 600.  He was just one of four* Jeffers brothers from Macon, Georgia to serve in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War.

These brothers were sons of John Eugene and Eliza W. Jeffers.  The family came to Georgia from Virginia about the early 1830s.

I can't provide much more information about John Jeffers beyond what you can see on his government issued tombstone.  The 1850 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census records do suggest he was born in Virginia.  They also indicate John was occupied as a painter prior to the war.

Lieut. Edward Gilbert Jeffers was also born in Virginia, about 1826-1827.  In February of 1850, he married Adeline J. Andrews in Bibb County.  The couple had at least two children:  Willis Anna and John E. Jeffers.

Since the Jeffers boys' father had died in 1848, Edward seemingly took over as clerk of the inferior court, the position held by his father.  For the 1860 census, however, Edward's occupation was listed as Livery Stable Keeper.

Edward enlisted into Confederate service at Macon, Georgia on 15 March 1861.  He was well thought of as an officer, and was recommended for promotion by Gen. Slaughter in a letter dated June 1863 [via Fold3]:

I take pleasure in recommending Lt E. G. Jeffers as a competent officer, and one who fully merits advancement.  He has been under my observation and command since 1861.  My opinion of his ability is further established by the fact of his being the only officer of his regt that was retained after it was disbanded, which was due to his having the confidence of his superiors.  His conduct during the bombardment of Pensacola was highly honorable to him; and at once distinguished him as an efficient officer...

This was attached to a letter from local citizen Thomas Hardeman, and forwarded to Hon. A. H. Kenan:

Lt Jeffers is a man of family -- gave up an office at home -- upon which he was dependent, & left with Georgia's first troops for the field.  He is now in command of a company, who have charge of a stationary battery, at Mobile.

Lieut. Edward Jeffers survived the war, but only lived to the age of about 50 years.

Albert V. Jeffers might have been the last son born to John and Eliza.  He most certainly was the youngest of the four profiled here.  Prior to the Civil War, Albert was occupied as a carpenter.

Pvt. Jeffers was enlisted into Confederate service in March of 1862 at Macon.  Muster rolls count him as either present or sick – he had issues with chronic Rheumatism – until May of 1864.  Then he was noted as, "absent; missing in action May 6, 1864 - Supposed to have been captured."

Another card from Albert's file within the Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Georgia database at Fold3 provides he was indeed captured as a prisoner of war and held by the Union Army at Fort Delaware.  Albert was exchanged 18 September 1864.

A funeral notice for Albert appeared in the 20 July 1890 edition of the Macon Telegraph.  He was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery that summer Sunday afternoon.

These fours sons were buried in the same lot as their parents, whose graves appear to be unmarked.

*At least two more sons – William H. and Thomas – were born to John and Eliza Jeffers.  They both are found in the 1850 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census, but I do not know what became of them after.

1st Lieut. Eugene C. Jeffers, One of the "Immortal 600"

Eugene C. Jeffers was born about 1833 in Virginia to John E. and Eliza W. Jeffers.  Within a few years of Eugene's birth, the family moved to Georgia.  In 1848, when Eugene was a young adult, his father died at the age of 49.

Eugene Jeffers enlisted as a junior 2nd lieutenant in Company I of the 61st Georgia Infantry before October 1861.  He was promoted to 1st lieutenant 2 July 1863.  Muster rolls after that date and through April 1864 listed him as Present.  The 3 November 1864 roll, however, stated he was absent; "in hands of enemy."

Eugene was captured by the Union army as a Prisoner of War near Spottsylvania, Virginia in May of 1864.  He was received at Fort Delaware from Point Lookout, Maryland the next month.  By December of the same year, 1st Lieutenant Eugene Jeffers was listed on a roll of prisoners at Fort Pulaski off the coast of Georgia.

That last card from Fold3's Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Georgia pushed me toward researching the names of the "Immortal 600."

I visited Fort Pulaski six years ago, and the following is on an informational marker at the historic site:

The Immortal 600 were a group of Confederate officers held as prisoners of war at Fort Pulaski during the bitterly cold winter of 1864-1865.  They were moved here from Charleston where they had been placed in the line of artillery fire in retaliation for what was viewed as similar treatment of Union POW's.

The fallen officers endured many hardships, including a six-week diet of rancid cornmeal and pickles…From dysentery, chronic diarrhea, scurvy, and pneumonia, thirteen of the prisoners died while here at Fort Pulaski.

Wikipedia adds this:  "They are known as the 'Immortal Six Hundred' because they refused to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S. under duress." For a more complete account of this Civil War history, please read this article at HistoryNet.

And, finally, a list of the Immortal 600 – on which you can locate 1st Lieut. Eugene Jeffers – is here.

Eugene Jeffers survived his captivity, but his life may have been shortened because of it.  Eugene died 9 December 1873, about the age of just 40 years.  He was laid to rest near his parents at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Nothing Good Comes With a 2 a.m. Telegram

He left to join the Navy and never returned, but not for the reason you might think.

Augusta Chronicle (Georgia)
Saturday, 15 August 1903 - pg. 2 [via Newspaper Archive at GenealogyBank]

ADDISON C. HOOK BURIED IN MACON

Young Georgian Who Lost His Life in New York State Sunday -- Little News of How He Was Killed.
Macon, Ga., Aug 14 -- (Special) -- The remains of Addison C. Hook, Jr., of Atlanta, who was killed Sunday night in Rochester, N.Y., by an elevated railway train, reached the city this morning and were laid to rest in the old Lake burial grounds in Rose Hill cemetery.  Mr. and Mrs. Hook, parents of the young man and Mr. Sid Smith, a kinsman of Mrs. Hook, came along with the remains.

So far Mr. Hook knows little of the circumstances surrounding the fatal injury to and the death of his son.  In addition to a letter dated the 11th, received by Mrs. Hook, this morning all that is known came to Mr. Hook from the chief of police at Rochester.  Sunday night last at 2 o'clock Mr. Hook received through the chief of police at Atlanta a telegram from the chief at Rochester stating that his son had been run over by a train at 10:30 Sunday night and that he was then at the Rochester city hospital in a dying condition.  Monday morning about 7 o'clock Mr. Hook received a second telegram informing him that his son had died at 5 o'clock that morning.  Over the long distance telephone Mr. Hook was told by the Rochester chief that his son had been found beside the track with the right arm and the right leg crushed off and that he was conscious when brought to the hospital, but that he had been unable to give any account of the accident or to tell anything except his name and and [sic] home.  Mr. Hook was also notified that the railroad company demanded an inquest.  Through Hon. Hoke Smith, of Atlanta, the father arranged for the presence of attorneys at the inquest.  On Tuesday afternoon at 7 o'clock the body left Rochester in charge of the American Express Co., and taking a round about way, did not reach Atlanta until 5 o'clock this morning.  Mr. and Mrs. Hook and Mr. Smith left Atlanta over the Central at 7:50 this morning, the body being consigned to Undertaker Burghard of this city.

Young Hook left Atlanta last week for Brooklyn, N. Y., to join his brother, Robert Hook, who is in the United States navy at Brooklyn, with a view to entering the service.  He was in Buffalo last Sunday and during the day went to Niagara.  That afternoon he wrote his father stating that he would leave for Albany, where he would take boat for New York.  He probably stopped off at Rochester on his way and by so doing lost his life.

Addison C. Hook, Jr., was about 18 years of age and was reared in Atlanta.  His father is one of the best known travelling men in the south.  His mother was Miss Sally Lake, daughter of the late Francis Lake, a member of the firm of Greer, Lake & Co., years ago one of the leading grocery houses of this city.  He was a young man of good habits and good reputation and was popular with all who knew him.

The Rosses of Rose Hill

In the Central Avenue Division West of Rose Hill Cemetery (block 8), is the burial ground for some members of the ROSS family.  You can't miss it.  Several of the tombstones are tall and ornate, to be sure, but what always strikes me is their stark white color.  They stand out prominently among the surroundings.

There are at least eleven family members buried in this lot purchased by John B. Ross.  The patriarch of this branch of the family was Mr. Luke Ross.  He and his wife, Mary Grimes, came to the Macon area from Martin County, North Carolina in the early 1800s.  John was a son of Luke and Mary.

As was written in his obituary (Macon Weekly Telegraph, 24 September 1844), "For some weeks previous to his last and fatal illness, he [Luke Ross, Esq.] seemed to have a premonition of his approaching dissolution." The family burial lot was purchased by son John about four months prior to Luke's death.  But what might be even more telling, is the sale of the plantation known as Ross' Place even earlier in the year.  It was described in the local newspaper as being "two miles above Macon, on the East side of the Ocmulgee River, containing 400 acres -- 250 acres cleared, 200 of which is first rate Corn and Cotton Land, under tolerable good fence."

This coincides with what was written by G. S. Dickerman in the The House of Plant about 1900 regarding the settlement of the Luke Ross family in middle Georgia:

It was about this time or in 1821, that Mr. Luke Ross having come from North Carolina with his family and all his effects, arrived at old Fort Hawkins and proceeded to select a place for his future home.  The spot decided upon was on the east side of the [Ocmulgee] river in what is now East Macon, and about two miles distant from Macon itself...

The rest of the marked burials in the Ross lot belong to John B. Ross and his immediate family.  Col. Ross was born 1808 in North Carolina, and first married Ann Lane Holt in 1834, Macon.  She was a daughter of Tarpley and Elizabeth "Betsy" (Flewellen) Holt.  This union produced five children:  William Henry (b. abt 1837), Tarpley Holt (1840-1848), John Franklin, Ann Flewellyn (d. 1892), and Carolina Virginia.

Tarpley Holt and John Franklin Ross are both buried in the family lot at Rose Hill.  John "died on the field of honor" in Kentucky, 1862.  He was just nineteen years old.

After Ann's death in 1844, John married Martha Leonora Redding in March of 1845, Macon.  She was a daughter of William Chambliss and Margaret (Flewellyn) Redding.  Martha's mother was a sister to Ann's mother.  John and Martha produced six more children:  Mary Matthews (b. 1846), Nora (d. 1855), Viola (b. abt 1850), Margaret Redding (1852-1917), Fanny Elvira (d. 1898), and Martha Florence (1857-1922).

Nora and Martha Florence Ross are buried in the family lot at Rose Hill Cemetery.

After the death of Martha Leonora (Redding) Ross in 1858, John waited eight years before marrying for the final time.  His third wife was Mary Ann (Lamar) Longstreet.  Mary was the daughter of L. Q. C. Lamar, and the widow of James Longstreet.

John had three more children with Mary:  John Bennett Jr. (b. 1867), Thompson Lamar (b. 1870), and Donald Graeme (b. 1877).  The final son was born just a couple months before the death of his father.

John B. Ross was laid to rest beside his first two wives in Rose Hill.

The other two marked burials in the Ross family lot are for Graeme Dickerman Plant (1894-1964) and his wife Elizabeth Davenport (1897-1988).  Graeme was a grandson of John B. and Martha (Redding) Ross.  The parents of Graeme, Margaret Redding Ross and Robert Hazlehurst Plant, also rest in Rose Hill – in a lot adjacent to the Ross family.

Video of Ross Family Burial Lot in Rose Hill Cemetery, from 2009:

History of this branch of the Ross family available here:

Aurelia Lamar Ralston Bozeman: Her Life, & Tombstone Symbolism

Aurelia L. was born 19 January 1825 in Georgia.  She was one of at least seven daughters born to Henry Graybill Lamar and Mary Ann Davis, and sister to Mary Gazaline Lamar Ellis.

When Aurelia was 20 years old, she married James A. Ralston.  The marriage was solemnized 5 March 1845 by Seneca Bragg at Christ Church in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.  I think James was a son of David (d. 1842) and Anna V. (d. 1836) Ralston.

The couple had at least five children:  Henry (b. abt 1846), James A. (b. abt 1848), Anna, George, and Davis (b. abt 1850).  Anna and George were twins, born 3 August 1849.  According to the inscription on a tombstone in Rose Hill Cemetery, George died April 1850, and Anna died September 1851.  The date (month, at least) might be incorrect for George, since both he and Anna are listed in the Ralston household for the 1850 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census taken August 12th of that year.

A little more about James A. Ralston, Sr.:  this was a wealthy man.  According to the 1850 Bibb County, Georgia Federal census, James held real estate valued at $50,000.  His occupation was listed as Speculator.  I dare say at least some of his real estate was inherited from his father, who died November 1842.  The 1860 Federal census for the same location shows James had real estate valued at $120,000, and a personal estate worth $60,000.  His occupation was listed as Planter, and the slave schedule shows he owned 30 individuals.

Furthermore, the Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms, 1861-65 database at Fold3 contains more than 70 images relating to rent payments made to James Ralston for the usage of buildings in downtown Macon by the Confederate Army for office space during the Civil War.

According to his tombstone in Rose Hill Cemetery (image of inscription above), James A. Ralston, Sr. died in December of 1864.  Just over two years later, on 7 February 1867, Mrs. Aurelia L. Ralston married Dr. Nathan Bozeman in Bibb County.  Their marriage service was conducted by a pastor of the Presbyterian Church.  Dr. Bozeman lost his first wife, Mary Frances Lamar, in May of 1861.

By 1870, Dr. and Mrs. Aurelia Bozeman were living in New York.  Aurelia was keeping a home containing at least three of Dr. Bozeman's children by his first wife.  Notably, this household also employed five Irish born domestic servants.

Three years later, Aurelia died at her home in Morristown, New Jersey.  Notice was printed in the Weekly Sumter Republican, an Americus, Georgia newspaper (29 August 1873, pg. 3):

DEATH OF MRS. DR. BOZEMAN. -- Mrs. Aurelia Bozeman, wife of Dr. Nathan Bozeman, of Morristown, N.J., died suddenly at three o'clock yesterday morning, at her home in New Jersey.  Mr. Geo. B. Turpin received a dispatch early yesterday morning notifying him of the sad occurrence, and through him the many relatives and friends of the lady in Macon and elsewhere in Georgia.

Mrs. Bozeman was a daughter of Judge Henry G. Lamar, and, before she married Dr. Bozeman, was the widow of the late James Ralston of this city, and mother of James A. Ralston.  She was a sister to Mrs. N. C. Monroe, of Griffin, and of Mrs. W. L. and Mrs. Hayne Ellis, of this city. -- Telegraph & Messenger, 27th inst.

Aurelia Lamar Ralston Bozeman was laid to rest in the Holly Ridge section of Rose Hill Cemetery.  Her tombstone is topped with a large cross covered in ivy, her initials in the middle of the cross (pictured above).  At the base of the cross is an anchor, and there appears to be a crown on top of the cross.

There is a lot of symbolism in play, here.  According to the go-to source for symbols in the cemetery, Stories in Stone: a Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography by Douglas Keister, here are some proposed meanings:

• Cross:  Though the symbol actually predates its religious association, this Latin Cross (shaped like the letter t, as opposed to a + sign) is most commonly connected to the religion of Christianity.
  
• Crown:  The crown is a symbol of victory, leadership, and distinction.  The cross with a crown, though not always depicted in this same manner, is a Christian symbol of the sovereignty of the Lord.
  
• Ivy:  "Because ivy is eternally green even in harsh conditions, it is associated with immortality and fidelity.  Ivy clings to a support, which makes it a symbol of attachment, friendship, and undying affection.  Its three-pointed leaves make it a symbol of the Trinity." [page 57]
  
• Anchor:  The anchor is a symbol of hope.  For more information, see Anchors and the Virtue of Hope in the Cemetery at the Southern Graves blog.