Exploring Alabama’s long lost cemeteries.

[GreeKKTiNoS]

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[Oil-Burner]

This is an excellent RR, subscribed

[Colemanfu]

It always make me wonder about the history of the folks in those old graves when I see em out and about. Did you discover them out for a ride or did you have to look up where they were? It was cool to hear the story about those sites. Pix are neat as well. Good job.

[DeBandi]

As I was looking around the lost cemetery you could see the depressions in the ground that hold the bodies of men, women and children. Most of the graves have long since lost their markers.

About 50 yards behind Isaac B. Points, I discovered Monroe Burns.















So far, we have traveled only six miles from where we started in the driveway.


Soon, we will venture out farther to discover other long lost cemeteries.

[BADDAD]

I would like to know how you find these old cemetaries. Is there are registry, online or Co. Courthouse maybe? I live east of Muscle Shoals and being a transplant from SOCAL I am fascinated by all the old graveyards around. As usual great report and pics, If you are not a history teacher you should be.

[mnormand]

Very nice indeed! Well done!

Friend down here took me to an old 1800's woods site like those, brick above ground graves opened/busted, couple of bones around, and laying there rusting in the weeds...a child's riveted metal casket with a small window for looking in/out!!??

[Brown Dog]

Originally Posted by BADDAD

... If you are not a history teacher you should be.

Bingo. I think Dave would make a great teacher.
Im glad I met him, rode with him & call him my friend.
Keep it coming DeBandi

[DeBandi]

Originally Posted by BADDAD

I would like to know how you find these old cemetaries. Is there are registry, online or Co. Courthouse maybe? I live east of Muscle Shoals and being a transplant from SOCAL I am fascinated by all the old graveyards around. As usual great report and pics, If you are not a history teacher you should be.

Thanks, BADDAD.

These lost cemeteries are not easily found. I've lived in these hills and hollers for some twelve years. I found these from just exploring and listening to the locals. I'm also a collector of local history items on Blount Springs. I run across people that help me collect information about the area. The locals really help when it comes to finding these lost pieces of history.


The local courthouse or library would be a great place to start.

[Drilldogger]

Found this thread by accident. I'm from Ontario, Can. I have found some pioneer cemeteries in the area, and I love looking for ghost towns. I've even found some of my own ancestors graves. Our township was an end point for the underground railroad, which has created some interesting places to visit.
Around here many folks buried their own on their own farms, so we find graves in unusual places.
Anyways sorry for the hijack, but I really enjoyed the read!
Doug

[DeBandi]

Local legend claims that a cemetery is hidden just on the edge of this field.







As I began to examine the area, I realized that there is some very thick underbrush.


Several minutes into looking around I noticed what could be several headstones.





Incredibly thick underbrush! And, this area is known for rattlesnakes.


I think I've found what I was looking for.





I wonder who these people were?

[VStromNC]

Dave,

Wow, Good stuff. These type of RR's always fascinate me. You make me want to start looking around my neck of the woods.



Jon

[Brown Dog]

You must be OFF work this week DD

[DeBandi]

I actually did that yesterday around 6:30.





I've discovered the lost Hamilton Family Cemetery.





The names.

Armstrong,
Chenault, Evelyn B.
Hamilton, Isaac Jane, 24 Apr 1858 - 15 Mar 1877
Hamilton, Isaac, 18 Aug 1822 - 14 Dec 1903
Hamilton, James, 26 Nov 1860 - 21 Jul 1899
Hamilton, Jane, died 18 Aug 1906, age 22 years
Lee, Berthie, wife of C.P. Lee, 1 Oct 1852 - 5 Aug 1882, [Burthenie
Hamilton married Columbus P. Lee 19 Nov 1872, Blount County]
McPherson, Elizabeth, wife of Henry McPherson, 10 May 1835 - 13 Oct 1893
McPherson, Henry, 1828 - 1893
McPherson, Nancy, 30 Aug 1853 - 1 May 1873
Wood, Jeremiah, 11 Sep 1814 - Sep 1877


I have writings from Mary Gordon Duffee, stories of strolling up the old "Tuscaloosa Road" past the homes of the McPhersons, Mr. Wittich, Mr. Mann and Mr. Shannon, and upon the summit of the hill, the homes of Dr. Estill, Isaac Hamilton, and Dr. Robinson.



















The location of this lost cemetery will have to remain a mystery. It's on private property and the land owner requested that I not publicize the location.


It's amazing just how many of these lost cemeteries are all so close to my home.


I have many more lost graves to find.

[craftycoder]

Nice!

[DeBandi]

The locals speak of a cemetery up on the hill to the north. The location is somewhat confusing. They cannot tell me the exact area. All they remember is that this cemetery is different than all the others.

The story of hand laid stone and small tombs is very intriguing to me.


Today, we will set out on a journey to try to find this mysterious old cemetery.







The first challenge will be this gate. We need to be on the other side.




I'm between thunderstorms. It's wet and sloppy.



A few minutes of creative riding, and the gate is history.




I've got several miles of searching and lots of intersections ahead.




More later...