July 25

Gravely Hill: A Cemetery on Florida Flat Land

As would be expected when I heard that the 5th President of the United State’s son, Jame Monroe had once lived in Jacksonville, I had to find some evidence. It has always been of interest to me to know famous people who have graced our city.  Elvis Presley never lived in Jacksonville, but he stayed often in a home in the Murray Hill area.  The esteemed preacher and evangelist, Billy Graham spent many occasions in Jacksonville as he preached the Gospel of Christ and even had his doctors here at the Mayo hospital. I photographed him in the once-called “Gator Bowl” and saw him on our Jacksonville newscasts visiting places in our city.  Rosa Parks came to Jacksonville on at least two occasions where I met her and she invited me to sit beside her and tell how I broke my arm which was in a cast at that time.  There have been many well known visitors who have spent time in our fair city and so to read that a former president’s son had actually spent most of his life here, it was certainly worth detailing.

After reading through a number of stories online, I set out first to find his grave which was found in a cemetery on the westside of the city.  Sandy Strickland, a former writer of the Florida Times Union newspaper had written an article “Gravely Hill is a Cemetery within a Cemetery”.  Using that as the basic information, “Maps”, provided the address and a trip to the old cemetery dating back to at least the 1830’s was found literally inside the fence of Riverside Memorial Cemetery’s chainlink fence.  The sign reads “Gravely Hill Cemetery Historical Landmark, NOTICE Any alterations or work performed on these premises must have authorization by M. Weeks 904-268-1934”.  Another sign indicated the property was being maintained by the City of Jacksonville.  I learned that the 200 acres of Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery had built its cemetery around the Gravely Hill cemetery.  Sandy Strickland named her article precisely that. 

Walking through the lawn-cut grounds, I read the names on the stones such as Price, Hogan, Bramlitt, Pacetti, Lauramore, Hills, and of course, there was the grave of a James Monroe flanked by an American flag. On the tomb stone there is no birthdate but only his day of passing.

According to online information from Ann  Parkinson, the Concordia Sentinel, October 30, 2009 has him listed as the “oldest Confederate veteran of the American Civil War” at 133 years, 11 months, 24 days at death”.  , Monroe says he was born on the 4th of July in 1925. That would have made him 133 years upon his death in June of 1949.  Tim Gilmore, a Jacksonville enthusiast wrote in his article “If James Edward Monroe were 133 years old when he died, then he was 22 when, in 1837, Steven Eubanks stated in his will that he wished to be buried beside “the grave of my departed mother in the burial ground on my plantation called Gravely Hill.”

According to sources such as Gilmore, James Edward Monroe was a wanderer and could have been found removed by the police for squatting in the Riverside area during his time in this city.

After reading and researching for a time, there is no real evidence to indicate that J. E. Monroe lived from 1815-1949 except that its on actual official records and on a stone in Gravely Hill. According to a 1926 Associated Press article, he was a major in the military, fought under the command of General Robert E. Lee and there is a  post card with the words “Major Edward Monroe youngest son of President James Monroe, 110 years old July 4, 1925. Jacksonville, Florida.  ( Find a Grave, James Monroe photos)

Photos from the Find a Grave site: Jacksonville Journal photo, a post card, Pres. James Monroe, Elizabeth, the President’s mother (which is said the Jacksonville Monroe has among his belongings.)

Monroe, The 5th President of the United States is listed as being born April 28, 1758 and died July 4, 1831.  He was known as a statesman,  lawyer, diplomat, President from 1817-1825, and the last of the Founding Fathers. According to White House records, he and Elizabeth Kortright had three children:  Eliza(1786), James (1799) and Maria ( 1802).  There is no mention of a James Edward.  So, did he live to be 133?  Was he the youngest son of the 5th President of the United States? 

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources:   Sandy Strickland , “Gravely Hill is a Cemetery within a Cemetery, The Florida Times UnionMarch 12, 2018,). Tim Gilmore,Gravely Hill Plantation and Graveyard, , December 7, 2018., Find a Grave photos, Find a Grave. Com, James Monroe, White House . Gov.  

August 3

Lem Turner of Duval County

The Find a Grave website indicates that Lemuel Turner was born on an “old family homestead just east of Capper Road” in Jacksonville, Florida.  Yesterday, I trekked over to find this area and to weed through the cemetery where he and his family are buried. Not knowing where I was going, I met Kenneth Rodgers who lived along the cemetery road.  When asked about a long-lost cemetery in the area, he was quick to point me toward its direction saying it may be so overgrown I wouldn’t be able to get in.  I told him I’d take my chances and I did.

Dead end street

Rodgers said that the field gets cut from time-to-time but generally speaking,  the cemetery stays overgrown and uncared for. Such was the case when I drove to the dead-end of the road and parked.  There was a partial fence around a wooded field and yard waste right where one might walk into the cemetery. At first glance, it just looked like a pretty, wooded field but upon a closer look, there was a wooden cross rotting from age in the middle of the overgrown field.  To get in, I walked around the edges to find a break in the foliage and fencing and headed towards the cross.

Lem Turner ( Find a Grave photo).

The greenery was thigh-deep so I picked up a stick along the way to ward off any long and slivery animal.  Thankfully, I did not see one  but I was semi-prepared and did walk slowly and cautiously.

It is called the “Pickett Cemetery” . It has other grave names as well.

To the left of the cross were actual gravestones, one being that of Lemuel Turner.  Turner was born June 6, 1834 and died March 24, 1912.  The cemetery is called “Pickett Cemetery” and located on a dead-end street on the Northside of Jacksonville. Turner was known for owning and operating a ferry on the Trout River.  Too, he operated a lumber yard.  Once known as Turner Ferry Road, the now called “Lem Turner Road” is a busy area north of the city. 

Find a Grave photo of Lemuel Turner’s stone.

Turner and his family before him lived on property some 650 acres now called the “Highlands” area. Turner had at least 6 brothers and sisters and 8 children.  He is buried next to is wife, Sarah Ann Pickett Turner and at least 2 of his children. His other children are buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Edgewood Cemetery and Ogilvie Cemetery.

The cemetery had other grave stones in the center back  with such names as Pickett and in one area an actual decorative gated section. I did not go in but looked over into the multiple grave stones inside the probably about 20  x 20 fenced area.

A fenced off area inside the cemetery completely over grown.

The things I loved about the cemetery was that the name of Jesus was on so many of the tombstones with some scriptures and crosses galore.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Find a Grave, Kenneth Rodgers, Personal visit to the grave site.

Category: Cemeteries, People | Comments Off on Lem Turner of Duval County
February 24

Trusting Jesus is the Better Decision Than the Method of Execution

The Florida Electric Chair and Other Methods

On May 1 1924, the Jacksonville Journal, former “Metropolis”, printed the first known picture of the first electric chair in Florida. It was on display at 10 Newnan Street, Jacksonville, Florida where both White and Black people dropped in to view and “discuss among themselves”.

Newnan Street, Jacksonville, Florida (Ramey Collection).

 It is said to have been built by inmates of the Florida State Prison.  According to Wikipedia, the “electric chair was the sole means of execution in Florida from 1924 until 2,000 when the Florida State Legislature, under pressure from the Supreme Court, signed lethal injection into law”. Because of sparks emitted by the chair when being used from time to time, it caused great controversy and was named “Sparky”.   A new chair was put in use in 1998 but no one has been executed by the chair in Florida since 1999. 

Jacksonville Journal, 1924 (Ramey Collection).

Funds for the first Florida State Prison Farm, as it was known, were provided by the Florida Legislature in 1911.  The very earliest days of the prison system is sketchy but in 1877, lawbreakers were a part of a “convict leasing program” whereby corporations leased their services having to also “clothe, feed, house and provide medicare for the prisoner”. 

After 1913, prisoners were housed at the often called “Raiford Prison”, located northwest of Jacksonville, Florida in  a small town named Raiford. It became a place where  prisoners were used to build bridges, field crops, dig ditches and more.  Women inmates sewed, made clothing, gardened and cooked.    The inmate leasing program ended in 1923.  

On February 23, 2023, Donald Dillbeck, the convicted killer of a precious soul, Faye Vann was executed by lethal injection, although he could have chosen the electric chair. Lethal injection was passed by the courts in January of 2000, however the choice of that or the alternative of the electric chair at the execution chamber would be that of the inmate.  

The last chair was built in 1998 was a three-legged chair made out of solid oak.  Hangings, which waere the means for execution in early 1800’s have not been used since the April 18, 1927 where a “large crowd gathered.” In South Florida.   Schools were closed for the day and it is said “onlookers stood on rooftops”. The gallows were built behind the jail in Volusia County.  While the Florida State Legislature had changed the methods for executions after 1924, “ a surprising Florida Supreme Court ruling called for one last local hanging” according to  the Daytona Beach News-Journal.”

The first inmate executed by chair was in 1924.  This chair, that sat at 10 Newnan in Jacksonville was taken to Raiford and used for many years.  There is quite of list of inmates who used that practice and others.

Dept. of Corrections

The most recent execution was that of Dillbeck  who was the 100th prisoner executed since the death penalty was reinstate in Florida in the mid 1970’s.  Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant and though his attorneys tried to stop the execution, the Supreme Court declined the request. Dillbeck declined use of the electric chair which was one of his last decisions.  In all sincerity, I hope he decided to trust Jesus, a decision we all must make. That would be the decision of true life or death.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Sources: Wikipedia, dmarlin. com, Jacksonville Journal,  

February 20

The Moulton & Kyle Funeral Home Entry

It is unclear when this tile flooring was put down at the address of 17 W. Union in Jacksonville, Florida.   It could have been when the building was built in 1914.  The ground tile remains even today in 2023 after the 2021 demolition of the downtown property once, a two-story, approximately 9,000 square foot funeral parlor.

Entrance to old funeral home demolished 2021- Ramey Collection

Robert  Peeples, Jr. owned the building and property which he bought in 1992. His current funeral home is located out North Main Street. Moulton- Kyle caught fire in January of 2021 and was removed shortly after. Hauled away also was a black 1967 hearse.

The building had been one of Jacksonville’s oldest which was once the funeral home business of Calvin Oak.  It was later owned in 1909 by Harry S. Moulton and Samuel A. Kyle funeral home establishment . 

Built in 1914- S. A. Kyle- Moulton & Kyle- Photo- Florida Memory

H. S. Moulton died on October 21, 1939.  S. A. Kyle in 1969.

William F. Miller & Co did the tile work.

All that’s left of the once brick building is a line of brick bounding part of the old structure and the front entrance decorated tile floor. I wonder if the new builder will preserve it?

See you tomorrow,

Nan

February 11

First Woman Funeral Business Owner,  First Black Funeral Director, First Hearse(Well Second)

Jacksonville celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2022.  The beginning of the city was documented as being platted in 1822 only a year following Spain releasing Florida to the United States.  The Sesquicentennial booklet of 1972 indicates there were “ fully 250 people up and down the river in 1821”.  They were called “Inhabitants of the St. Johns”. The land of Cowford, on the Northside where Jacksonville was to grow was owned by Lewis Z. Hogans, John Brady and Isaiah D. Hart. 

 A town was laid out at the insistence of Isaiah David Hart.  “They came by covered wagon and boxcar, bumping along the Kings Road from Georgia, filtering down from the Carolinas and Virginia.  They came too by sailboat or sloop, or simply in a jammed-packed canoe” writes the author of the booklet.

Credit:Jacksonville Historical Society

With 250 people along the St Johns River, there was a need for caring for the lost, dying and the dead. That ’s where the hearse was established.  The hearse would carry the dead through the stages of loss to their resting place. The word hearse is a “middle English word and became associated with a horse and carriage transporting the deceased”.  Early on, the horse-drawn carriage was used to carry the sick and the dead from place to place. Doctors traveled with a flat-back buckboard used to carry patients and people when needed. Over time, it was customised to meet the need and eventually was specific to funeral home use.

Early Dr. wagon-Ramey Collection

The Florida Morticians Association indicates that the first Black-owned funeral director and home in Jacksonville was run by Japhus M. Baker in 1895. It was located at 767 W. Beaver Street in Jacksonville according to reports.   Wyatt Geter, his nephew was born in 1883,  is said to have become the first Black man to become a licensed undertaker. His home was  at 441 Beaver Street was occupied by his wife, Alice, Mother, Fannie Presley and brother Frank. Geter is listed in the 1940 census as being 83.

Credit:Schepp funeral Home

Wooden pews were used in many of the early funeral homes.  Hillman-Pratt Walton Funeral home where one of the first Black licensed funeral directors once served still has those pews according to Anthony Walton who runs the business. It began in 1900 and has the original curtains and Bible from the days of Pratt. Pratt, according to Walton built his own caskets and had a factory on the 2nd floor of the funeral home.  The Pratt family, according to Florida Memory, also lived on the 2nd floor. According to the Daily Record the business began in 1900 by Pratt and “operated in the 400 block Broad Street until moving into the building at 527 W. Beaver street in 1915” . It closed in 2019.  The new owner, Eric Adler wishes to preserve the history. Pratt is also the founder of the Florida Negro Embalmers and Mortician’s Association Dan McDonald reported.

Early on, Jacksonvillians used wagons of sorts for carrying the deceased. By 1909, H. D. Ludlow  of Chicago was credited as having used a “rebooted Cunningham horse-drawn hearse body remounted on a Thomas bus chassis by Coey’s Livery Company” for an actual funeral procession; the first of its kind. There is believed to be the birth of the funeral carriage.

Early hearse

According to the Begg’s Museum in Madison, Florida, Jacksonville’s Samuel Allen Kyle of Moulton- Kyle Funeral Home,  a Jacksonville undertaker ordered, along with T. J. Beggs, Sr. the first two Dodge hearses in Florida.  The first one was delivered by train to Beggs in Madison, Florida distinguishing him as the “first” to own a motorized Hearst in Florida. S.A. Kyle’s motorized hearse was delivered to Jacksonville second being the first in Jacksonville but the second in Florida.  The Begg’s hearse has been remodelled and is on the floor in their museums.  Seeing it, we can get an idea of what was used in our city by S. A. Kyle Funeral Home in 1919.

Beggs Hearse ordered along with one by S. A. Kyle of Jacksonville, Fl-Photo-Beggs Museum

Looking back at the first funeral homes in Jacksonville, one is documented to 1851, when Calvin Oak, known as a “gunsmith, funeral director and watchmaker” moved his family from Vermont to Jacksonville for health reasons. He would live some 30 years building several businesses in the city including a gun factory which manufactured barrels, cartridges and all things related to guns.  He owned and operated a jewellery store on Bay Street. In 1856, he and his son Byron Edgar,  opened a funeral home business which was eventually was owned by  Harry S. Moulton and S. A. Kyle and of the Moulton and Kyle Funeral Services.   Calvin’s son, Byron and brother would continue with his businesses even adding  tomb stones being a “marble cutter” at 25 Laura Street by 1870. Oak who died July 26, 1881 and was carried by horse and wagon to the Old Cemetery for burial. Byron died October 28, 1889 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. 

Oak family-Mortuary and Stone business-Florida Memory

 

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission documents a sketch of the early design of the Moulton-Kyle funeral home.  It was located west of Main Street and on the north side of Union Street.The 1914 drawing by  architects Earl Mark and Leroy Sheftall would come to fruition over time.   In 1976, the First Baptist of Jacksonville, Florida would have a block-size parking lot built across from it.

Entrance of the funeral home- Video grab- Channel 4

Over the years there were several owners until it closed in  A brick garage was added in 1926. Harry Moulton died in 1936. The business fell to different businesses and finally closed in the 1960’s. It fell into disrepair and burned in 2022. The most recent owner of the building was Peeples Funeral Services, J. Robert Peeples, President,  now operating a funeral home on Main Street of Jacksonville. A 1976 hearse was said to have been removed.

Moulton-Kyle hearse removed 2021- Credit-AbandonedFl S.E.
Moulton- Kyle Funeral Home: Library of Congress
Moulton & Kyle Funeral Record- AbandonedFl-SE

An interesting document found by “Abandoned Southeast”, an urban explorer in the defunct Moulton-Kyle funeral home was the information for the wife of William W. Adams who died on March 2 1914.  It seems her body was prepared and she was shipped or sent by train to her hometown in Steuben County, New York. Her husband, William W. Adams would  also be buried in NY beside her in 1931.

Both William and his wife Francis were buried in NY.

In 2009, Navy pilot Scott Speicher and graduate of Forrest High School and FSU was stationed at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fl. when he was the first American commit casualty of the Persian war.  His plane was shot down in Iraq and when  his remains were found 18 years was later met with crowds of people lining the streets to welcome him home in a bittersweet tribute.  

Nancy Scott Speicher carried in closed hearse with Navy Seal on side-(US. Military Photo-Chief Specialist A. C Casullo)
Jacksonville Memory Gardens now has a fleet of hearses . Ramey

In February 2019, the following was posted about Sarah L. Carter with Sarah L. Carter Funeral Home:  “Ms. Carter is the first African American woman in the state of Florida to open a funeral home from start-up and has marked her 17th year in the business as an independent owner.” Ms. Carter has a degree in Mortuary Science and a bachelor’s in Biblical studies. 

Photo Credit: Sarah L. Carter Funeral Service website
Sarah L. Carter Funeral Home- New Kings Road
Sarah. L. Carter Funeral Home Fleet of hearses

Different hearses are used by various funeral homes. The services for police officer Jimmy Judge was honoured in 2023.

Giddens hearses

There are those who provide horse and buggy services even today. When I went to give my support and regards to the family of Queen Elizabeth II, a horse and carriage carried her to a hearse where she was taken to Windsor Castle to be buried. “God Save The Queen” was sung by her people as the coffin rode past. It was quite moving.

Queen Elizabeth II honors in London-2022- Photo:Ramey

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Buildings, Cemeteries, History | Comments Off on First Woman Funeral Business Owner,  First Black Funeral Director, First Hearse(Well Second)
January 11

The Cemetery and Battle of Blight

Since a visit to the Old City Cemetery on East Union Street, I realize there is a focus by the government of Jacksonville to improve the cemeteries in the city where rot and decay resides.  There is though more than one battle of blight where the dead are concerned.

Tomb stone 1885-1932

Trying to research the history of the oldest downtown cemetery has piqued my interest and now comes an online map shared by Kelsi Hasden about the whereabouts of another old cemetery near downtown Jacksonville. After looking up  St Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery on the City Council agenda, I see it’s one of the Black cemeteries getting distinction of being another of the old burial cites and will receive monies provided to improve it. I wanted a closer look. By its name, It was probably a plant by Bethel Baptist from downtown Jacksonville in the 1880’s. Bethel and First Baptist began together in 1838, and was the first Baptist church in the city. Both Black and White members worshipped together.

Military stone with cross at the top

 

This morning, I set out to find this southside church and cemetery.   The cemetery was once under the care of St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church at some point was enclosed with fencing such that unless you know it’s a cemetery, its just a place of broken cement and where roaming feral cats and the possible homeless frequent.  While there, I saw broken stones when peeking through the fence and multiple cats as well as a homeless bag-pack. I did not open it.

Feral cat among many

Using the map provided on the January 5th blog of “The Jaxson” write-up, I was able to go right to the location and photograph the remains of the remains.  While looking through the view-finder on my camera I saw a tabby cat, grey Russian blue type and a solid black cat.   Living beside an apartment complex and frequenting the dumpster area seemed like a good thing for them. They all appeared full and healthy but ran when I reached towards my camera to zoom closer.   

The grounds are completely grown up with wood rot, tree growth and thick brush. Beneath all of that were broken tombstones, cement slabs and obvious lack of care for the dead.  The two stones that I found intact were difficult to read but I was happy to see the cross boldly engraved at the top.

Florida Memory. com offers a document of the founding of this church to be 1880, located on “San Diego Road, 1/2 mile from Kings Avenue, South Jacksonville, Duval County.”

Florida Memory.com church doc

At that time this was a white building which was moved to the present site, and remodelled in 1917.  It does not say from where it was moved unless it was closer to the cemetery? The present church is slate blue. The pastor is Carl C. Patterson according to the sign out front.

St Nicholas Bethel on San Diego Road

The pastor at the time was J. C. Christopher serving from 1880-1885.  It looks as though the city of Jacksonville will allocate funds in order to help get the graveyard cleaned up which will allow respect to be paid to the interments.  There appears to be both military and civilian graves in the area.  This will be no small job but kudos to the City Council for approving this project. Its current address is 2602 San Diego Road so there is a lot more than a cemetery clean up. There is the history to ponder.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

January 9

Iron Corn Cobs,  Shucks, Broken Fencing and Eroding Tomb Stones at Jacksonville’s Oldest Cemetery

The Old Jacksonville City Cemetery on east Union Street has iron corn cobs and the shuck itself as fence posts. In actuality, they had to have once been so beautiful and even today are unique by any measure.The tops of some look just like a piece of corn with the shuck peeled back; even now, a piece of art.  The iron fence posts are in some cases sturdy while others are failing.  There are full fences around areas, partial fencing about others and fencing that is completely dilapidated to point they have been roped off with orange taping.  

The wording on a great many of the tombstones is unreadable.  There are broken tombs and evidence of grave-robber thieves in their mischief.  Who would dare disturb the dead I wondered as I walked through the yard? 

In a few areas the piles of debris and old plastic flowers discarded in a mountain of trash and dirt appear weathered and old. Some say the city keeps the cemetery and that the police patrol it.  There is little evidence of it being kept except for perhaps the cutting of grass.  Cemeteries are supposed to visited and kept by the families, flowers laid upon graves on special occasions but it does not appear so here.  There is hardly any evidence of tear drops being spilled.  

Much of the cemetery hosts the bodies of some of Jacksonville’s oldest resident dating back to the mid 1800’s.  I did not look at every grave today but just taking an overview found a variety of dates such as:  1811- 1879  1822-1871, 1825-1884, 1816-1878.   The plaques at the front of the cemetery indicate City Cemetery was established  in 1852.  Pleasant Gold, author of History of Duval County says there were possible graves interred there before that date. It was designated an historic landmark of Jacksonville, as it should be. A new-looking sign at the entrance says “Old City Cemetery Restorations” to be completed Spring of 2023.  Walking about there are areas cordoned off with yellow and orange taping. Restoration here is long overdue and being the cities oldest interment the sooner the better. While I’m not much for government intrusion, in this case, there is definitely a need.

Every soul is important and there are some notable names having been buried in the Old City Cemetery such as:

At least thirteen “Hart” interments including Daniel C. Hart, Elizabeth Streetman Hart,  William Hart, William L. B. Hart, Solome H. Hart, Oscar Hart, Henry Hart and Carol Jean Hart.

Of note, the parents of Jacksonville’s founder, Isaiah Hart, William Hart and Elizabeth Streetman Hart which are listed in the Hart family Bible as having been buried here.  

Also, Oscar Hart , the Jacksonville’s founder’s son was disavowed by his father Isaiah David Hart. Oscar was a mover and shaker in his own right.  Maybe he was too much like his father?  In 1835, he was a private in the Florida Militia climbing in rank to a Lieutenant.  In 1846 he was Clerk of Court in Duval County, Married Virginia Crews with no known children.  He became an attorney, Adjutant General, Commissioner of Deeds in Jackson County, a private Confederate soldier in 1863,  Attorney at Law in Duval in 1870. He is mentioned in the Hart family Bible. Others buried here include…

Steamboat Captain Captain Jacob Brock (July 5, 1810- September 22, 1876).

Brigadier General of the Confederate States Army, Joseph Finnegan( November 17, 1814- October 29, 1885).

Edwin Martin-Editor of the Times Union newspaper.

Clara White, (July 4, 1845- July 21, 1920) A Black woman, together with her adopted daughter Eartha serving as humanitarians and philanthropists. In 1900, she was teaching and living at 804 Pippin Street in Jacksonville.  

Eartha M. White, Born, Nov. 8, 1876- Eartha was adopted by Clara White and together they served the Black community.  She died on Jan. 18, 1974.

Transcriber of the Christmas song, Silent Night, Holy Night from German to English and the second Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. 

The 15th Governor of Florida, Francis P.  Fleming ( September 28, 1841- December 20, 1908).

Names such as the L’Engle,  Bowden, Martin, and more have been buried in Old Jacksonville Cemetery.  Louisa Burritt and her three children along with Judge John Locke Doggett and while there is no grave stone, it is believed Napolean B. Broward, a river pilot and 19th Governor of Florida may have a grave there. ( Pleasant Gold refers to this in History of Duval County, Florida). There are also 6 other “Broward” graves in the Old Cemetery.  

“Infant Thomas”- ( September 22, 1923-September 22, 1923-) “Created and maintained by Billy Walker on Findagrave offers some info . There is no photo of the grave but a death certificate instead with the cause death being “stillborn”. Heartbreak yet the graveyard is unkept.

Over the years various groups have taken on projects there including reworking the covered deck area and adding names and plaques to different projects. “Find a Grave” has many listings by “Cousins by the Dozens” and other. 

In 1854, it is believed that one year old Ally started the Scarlett Fever epidemic and is buried there.  

Maybe an epidemic of restoration could occur in the spring as noted on the restoration sign. There is so much more…

See you tomorrow,

Nan