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