Decedent
Gospel Pilgrim Decedents has a comprehensive list of men, women, and children interred in the cemetery. Using grave markers, obituaries, and death certificates, we have complied a list of individuals buried within the cemetery and, to the extent possible with archival silences, developed short biographies of each persons' life. Some decedents have marked graves, while others do not.
In part, this data is based on an early 2000s GIS survey of the cemetery, which was completed by David Berle, Gail Tarver, Taylor Ladd from the University of Georgia's Horticulture Department. The Athens-Clarke County Death Certificate data was, likewise, transcribed by Leah Richier, an graduate alumni of the University of Georgia's Department of History.
| Last Name | First Name | Gender | Race | Status | Occupation | DOB | DOD | Age |
Grave Location |
Grave Marker | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huff | Will | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1934 | 40 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Alois Howard and Gib Huff, Will Huff was born on March 12, 1893 in Crawford, Georgia. He died from [??] of heart and nephritis on February 11, 1935. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as laborer and lived at 264 Bridge Street. |
| Hill | Emerline | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1950 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Emerline Hill, who resided at 654 North Avenue NW in Atlanta, died in May 1951. The funeral was handled by Hanley’s Ashby Street Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Bates | William | Male | African American | Free | Farmer | December 31, 1864 | December 31, 1941 | 77 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Kissey Bates, William Bates was born around 1865. His first wife, Marie Bates, died sometime before 1920. In the 1920s and 1930s, he worked as a farmer near the Princeton Factory in Clarke County, Georgia. By 1940, he had remarried 44 year-old Alice Bates and they lived at 1537 W Broad Street. At that time, he did not work and she worked as a laundress. He died on March 6, 1942; he was around 77 years of age. |
| Matthews | Margaret | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1877 | December 31, 1977 | 101 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Margaret “Maggie” Matthews born around 1878.She married John T. Matthews, and the couple rented a home at 1095 W Hancock Avenue in 1920 and 1930. She worked as a rural school teacher and public school teacher. According to the 1956 City Directory, she stilled lived at that address. At 101 years old, she died from unknown causes on March 6, 1978. |
| Davis | Wm | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cotton Worker | December 31, 1922 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Tompkins | Corine | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1922 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Evans | Will | Male | African American | Free | Rail Road Worker | December 31, 1885 | December 31, 1925 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of William Evans, Will Evans was born around June 25, 1886. He married Julia Evans and, according to his First World War draft card, he supported four children. After the war, he worked on the railroad. On June 8, 1926, he died from [??] and acute endocarditis. The couple had been living at 488 Strong Street. |
| Virgil | Emma | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1879 | December 31, 1943 | 64 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Mary and Louis Jackson, Emma Virgil was born around 1880; her parents had been enslaved to John Montgomery in Oconee County. In 1930, she worked as a cook. When interviewed by the WPA in the 1930s, she lived at 1491 W. Broad Street. According to the 1952 City Directory, she lived at 268 Parris Street. At 64 years old, she died from unknown causes on February 14, 1944. |
| Johnson | Eddie | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | December 31, 1946 | 27 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mattie Franklin and Eddie Ted Johnson, Eddie Johnson was born on May 9, 1920. He never married. In 1941, he lived in Chicago and worked on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Still living in the city, he was working as a “Bumper Factory Worker” when he died from unknown causes on November 13, 1947. The body was returned to Athens for burial in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. |
| Peek | Sallie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1942 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Sallie Peek was born around 1885. She died from unknown causes in Fulton, Georgia on November 6, 1943. Her death was reported in the Atlanta Constitution, where it mentioned her funeral was to be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta on November 11, 1943, after which her remains would be taken to Athens for interment in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Her obituary stated that she had many friends and family. [Researched and written by Roshni Hariharan] | |||
| Owens | Emberly | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 99 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Brydie | Carrie | Female | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1857 | December 31, 1877 | 20 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Carrie E. Brydie was born (most likely enslaved) on January 8, 1858 and died on May 11, 1878. She was 20 years old at the time of her death. | |
| Morton | Claud | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1892 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Claud Morton was born in February 1893 and died in June; he was just over 3 months old. He most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family. | ||
| Reid | Mattiline | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1893 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Laura and Lorenza Reid, Mattiline I. Reid was born on August 14, 1893 and died on July 30, 1894. She was only 6 months old. In 1897, her father lived at 431 Bridge Street; this is most likely her last known address. | ||
| Hawkins | Dave | Male | African American | Enslaved | Construction | December 31, 1919 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Hawkins | Ida | Female | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1860 | December 31, 1908 | 47 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Ida Hawkins was born on May 12, 1861 and most likely spent her early years enslaved. She married Perry Hawkins around 1907. She gave birth to seven children, but only five were living in 1910. On March 11, 1909, she died from unknown causes. | |
| Hampton | Amanda | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1874 | December 31, 1928 | 51 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Floyd Newsome, Amanda Newsome Hampton was born on July 17, 1875. She died from a cerebral hemorrhage on December 5, 1929. At the time of her death, she worked as a domestic and lived at 1253 W Broad Street. |
| Young | Agnes | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1836 | December 31, 1897 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Agnes “Aggie” Crawford Young was born in March 1837. In 1870, she was “keeping house.” She was married James Young in 1864 and they had at least six children: Edward, John, Minnie (Davis), Maria, James, and Young. As a widow in 1880, she lived at the corner of Foundry Street and Connecticut Street and worked as a “Washer & Ironer.” According to the 1889 City Directory, she lived at 438 Bridge Street and worked as a laundress. At he died from unknown causes on January 10, 1898. After her death, she bequeathed her possessions to her daughter, Minnie Davis. |
| Lawrence | Carrie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Domestic | December 31, 1849 | December 31, 1923 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Wiley and Asbury Lawrance, Carrie Lawrence was born in August 1850 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1880, she worked as a “Washer & Ironer” and lived on Jackson Street. She was a founding member of the Gospel Pilgrim Society. As a widow in 1900, she worked as a “Janitress” and lived at 129 Alley Street. She no longer worked in 1920 and lived in a boarding house on Berry Street. At age 74, she died on December 15, 1924. According to her Death Certificate, she did “housework” and lived at 112 Berry Street. |
| Bayne | Annia | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1918 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Shortey | Bobie | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1924 | 35 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Collins | Female | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1917 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, this female member of the Collins family died in 1918. She was most likely married to Reverend Collins, who preceded her in death in 1894. | ||||
| Smith | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Carpenter | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1924 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Nellie Thomas and Scott Smith, Robert Smith was born around 1889. He married Pearl Smith and served in the 313 Service Battalion during the First World War. He died from being “shot by police in self defense” on December 25, 1925. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as carpenter and lived at 387 Flint Street. |
| Johnson | La Fayette | Male | African American | Enslaved | Drayman | December 31, 1855 | December 31, 1920 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Hunt | Doll | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1898 | December 31, 1946 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Doll Hunt was born in 1899. In 1930, she lived with her sister, Mollie Clark, on Crawford Avenue and worked as a laundress. She married Dozier Hunt and, according to the 1931 City Directory, the couple lived at 67 Crawford Avenue. According to the 1942 City Directory, she lived at 350 Barber Street and worked as a cook. She died from unknown causes on September 28, 1947. |
| Howell | Leonard | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1954 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Leonard Howell, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in November 1955. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Lyons | Hannah | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1922 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Jones | Louisa | Female | African American | Enslaved | Seamstress | December 31, 1853 | December 31, 1909 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Louisa Beale Jones was born sometime between 1848 and 1854 and most likely enslaved. In 1870, she lived in the household of Tena Beall and did not work. In 1880, she lived alone on Hancock Avenue and worked as a dressmaker. At some point between 1880 and 1910, she married. Jones died from unknown causes on October 11, 1910. According to her funeral notice, she lived on Newton Street at the time of her death. |
| McCleskey | Edward | Male | African American | Free | Carpenter | December 31, 1864 | December 31, 1931 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Julia and William McCleskey, Edward McCleskey was born in March 1865. In 1930, he was widowed and owned a home at 220 Harris Street. He worked as a carpenter for much of his life. At age 67, he died from cardiovascular renal disease on September 19, 1932. |
| [Murfrey?] | [??] | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1928 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, this individual was born around 1893 and died in 1929; they were 36 years old. | |
| Derricott | Mariah | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1925 | 95 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Varnell | Will | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1925 | 55 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Favors | Ada | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1926 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Cynthia and Thomas Favors, Ada B. Favors was born around 1885. At 16 years old, she worked as a laundress and lived with her parents at 609 Lumpkin Street. By 1920, the family had moved to Billups Street. According to the 1926 City Directory, her parents lived at 148 Pearl Street--she most likely lived with her parents at this time. She died from unknown causes in 1927. |
| Favors | Tom | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1859 | December 31, 1930 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Fannie Howard and Ben Favors, Tom Favors was born around 1860 and most likely spent his childhood enslaved. He married Cynthia Favors and the couple had a least four children: Lela, Ada, Lillie, and Homer. As a laborer, he spent most of his adult life as a street sweeper or road hand in Athens. In 1913, he was arrested for selling liquor. According to The Athens Banner: “Tom Favors, colored, took it into his head a few days since that he would dish out a little of the ardent, and out at his home on Broad street, he had a crowd of men around that were buying the stuff right along, when the police officials broke into his little game.” Rather than face jail time, he paid a $100 fine. According to the 1926 City Directory, he and his wife lived at 148 Pearl Street. He died from [??] and [??] on December 18, 1931. At the time of his death, he was around 71 years old and had been living at 481 Billups Street. |
| W | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
| Johnson | Rhoda | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1875 | December 31, 1931 | 55 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Rhoda Ann Johnson was born around 1876. In 1920, she was a widow and worked as a washerwoman. In 1920, she lived with her two daughters (Minnie and Lula) and her mother-in-law (Emma Lee Johnson) at 882 Water Street. According to the 1931 City Directory, she still lived at that same address. At 55 years old, she died from unknown causes on May 29, 1932. |
| Riley | Lillie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1972 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Mattie H. Hawkins, who resided at 650 W Hancock Avenue, died from unknown causes in December 1953. She had at least four, married daughters Mrs. Willie C. Erwin, Mrs. Otis E. Johnson, Mrs. William Cooks, and Mrs. Robert T. Owens. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Owens | Isibella | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1918 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Brydie | Eugene | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1882 | December 31, 1908 | 25 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of E.W. and Camilla Brydie, Eugene A. Brydie was born on May 5, 1883. He most likely lived with his parents at 101 N Findley Street He died from unknown causes on Jaunry 14, 1909. | |
| Morton | Lizzy | Female | African American | Free | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lizzy C. Morton died around 10 months old. She was the sister of William Morton, who died when he was 10 years old. She most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family. | ||||
| Reid | Laura | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1893 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Laura and Lorenza Reid, Laura Ella Reid was born on August 14, 1893 and died on July 30, 1894. She was 11 months old. In 1897, her father lived at 431 Bridge Street; this is most likely her last known address. | ||
| Hawkins | Julia | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1924 | 37 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Hawkins | S. | Unknown | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1858 | December 31, 1936 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, S. H. Hawkins was born (most likely enslaved) in 1859 and died in 1937. | |
| Hardeman | Eugene | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1901 | December 31, 1950 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mary Hardeman, Eugene Hardeman was born on September 2, 1902. According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a landscaper and lived at 623 Hull Street. He was still living at the same address in 1928. At 48 years old, he died from unknown causes on July 21, 1951. |
| [??] | Barbara | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Barbara [M??] [??] is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about her life. | ||||
| Lawrence | Odessia | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1902 | December 31, 1903 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Odessia Lawrence was a 15 month old infant who died from unknown causes on October 6, 1904. | ||
| Bayne | Richard | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 75 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Simmons | Harett | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1921 | 95 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Cooper | Pinkie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1865 | December 31, 1907 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Pinkie Cooper was born around 1866 and married H. E. Cooper. She died at age 42 on February 28, 1908. | |
| Smith | Julia | Female | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1939 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Julie E. Smith died on July 11, 1940. She is buried alongside Winnie Moore. | |||
| Johnson | Will | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Hunter | Richard | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1868 | December 31, 1928 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Carolina and Richard Hunter, Richard Hunter was born sometime between 1857 and 1869 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He worked as a laborer on the city streets in 1910 and as a “general worker” in 1920. He married Rachel Hunter and the couple had at least three children: Anna Bell, Nellie Bell, and Christine. He died from pneumonia on March 16, 1929. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a mechanic and lived at 487 Madison Avenue. |
| Howell | Lamar | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1967 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Mrs. Leonard Howell, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in February 1968. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Lyons | John | Male | African American | Free | Mason | December 31, 1920 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Bell | Judge | Male | African American | Free | Drayman | December 31, 1866 | December 31, 1936 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Harriett Jones, Judge Bell was born between 1867 and 1869 in Monroe, Georgia. He worked as a drayman for most of his life. Around 1885, he married Hattie E. Hutchinson Bell, a dressmaker, and the couple had at least six children—Luther, Waterloo, Hazel, Norma, Jerome, and Lillian. According to the 1904 City Directory, he still worked as a drayman and now lived at 15 Rock Spring Street. In 1920, the couple owned their own home at 165 N Rockspring Street and he was still living at that address when he died from Chronic Nephritis on July 22, 1937. The Jackson Funeral Home managed the interment. |
| McCombs | Sarah | Female | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1906 | 21 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Serena and Cisero McCombs, Sarah R. McCombs was born on October 22, 1885. In 1900, she attended school and lived with her parents at 901 Reese Street. At 21 years old, she died from unknown causes. |
| Neely | Helen | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1898 | December 31, 1963 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Helen B. Neely was born on September 10, 1899 and died on March 26, 1964. She was 65 years old. | |
| Dorsey | Crock | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1923 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Wagner | George | Male | African American | Enslaved | Plasterer | December 31, 1918 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Favors | Lillie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1886 | December 31, 1949 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Cynthia and Thomas Favors, Lillie Favors was born between 1886 and 1888. She never married nor did she work. In 1930, she lived with her parents at 481 Billups Street and, in 1940, she lived with her sister-in-law at 170 Dublin Street. Favors died from unknown causes on August 19, 1950. | |
| W | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
| Johnson | Emanuel | Male | African American | Free | Janitor | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1939 | 43 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Lulu and George Johnson, Emanuel Johnson was born in May 1897. In 1900, the family lived at 8 Oconee Street. He married Lonie Johnson and, in 1929, they lived at 260 Vine Street. At that time, he worked as a janitor. According to the 1931 City Directory, he worekd as a janitor at the First Baptist Church and lived at 260 Vine Street. He remained at that address, according to the 1940 City Directory. He died from unknown causes on October 2, 1940. He was only 43. |
| Sims | Mary | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1945 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Mary E. Sims was born around 1903. She married M.C. Sims Sr. In 1930, she worked as a laundress and lived on Fifth Street with her husband and their son Sam. The 1940 US Census lists her as a widow, employed as a cook and living on Hull Street with her sister, Sara Hill, and two of Hill’s grandchildren. At the time of her death Mary Sims lived at 853 West Weddell Street. At 43 years old, she died from unknown causes on October 18, 1946. [Researched and written by Ainsley Stephens] | |||
| Parrott | Henry | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| [Brydie?] | Eugene | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| Mullins | William | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1882 | December 31, 1954 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | William J. Mullins was born around 1883. In 1910, he lived on Reese Street and worked as an ice wagon driver. According to the 1928 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived with his wife, Nancy, at 223 N Church Street. In 1930, he drove truck for the ice company and still worked as a driver in 1940. In 1952, he lived with his wife at 223 N Church Street and worked as a truck driver at Atlantic Company. At 71 years old, he died from unknown causes on August 26, 1955. |
| Reid | Lorenzo | Male | African American | Enslaved | Barber | December 31, 1862 | December 31, 1946 | 84 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lorenzo W. Reid was born around 1863 and most likely enslaved as a child. On October 5, 1884, he married Laura Richardson Reid, a laundress, and the couple had at least ten children: Beulah, L. W., Charlie, Addie, Fannie, Louisa, Ruth, Etta, Mattiline, and Laura Ella. In 1900, the family lived at 431 Bridge Street. He worked as a barber in 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1940. In 1940, he lived at 431 Bridge Street. At 83 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 14, 1947. |
| Hawkins | Peter | Male | African American | Free | Construction | December 31, 1921 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Hawkins | Daviet | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| Hardeman | Julia | Female | African American | Free | Homemaker | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1962 | 66 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Julia L. Hardeman was born sometime around 1897. She married Lucas F. Hardeman, a farmer, and the couple had at least six children: Lucas, Garfield, Jerome, Willimena, Hunter, and Martin. In 1930, they lived at 139 Bailey Street. According to the 1949 City Directory, the couple lived at 230 Branch Street. She died from unknown causes on December 30, 1963. |
| Jane | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Jane is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about her life. | |||||
| Lay | Hattie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1899 | December 31, 1965 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Hattie Christopher Lay was born on October 4, 1900 and died from unknown causes on May 3, 1966. | |
| Benford | Henry | Male | African American | Free | Fireman | December 31, 1922 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Sloan | Lucinda | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Cotton | Thomas | Male | African American | Free | Farm Laborer | December 31, 1867 | December 31, 1904 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mary and Jack Cotton, Thomas L. Cotton was born on December 25, 1868. In 1880, he worked as a farm laborer and lived with his parents in Athens, Georgia. He died from unknown causes on February 2, 1905. |
| Snelson | A. | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1899 | 2 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | A. O'Luwole Snelson was born on July 29, 1897 and died from unknown causes on March 1, 1900. This child was 2 years and 8 months old at the time of death. | |
| Johnson | William | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 26 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Hunter | Ed | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | December 31, 1957 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Annie Hunter, Ed Willie Hunter was born around 1919. In 1930, he attended school and lived with his mother on Finley Street. In 1940, he worked as a butler. He married Juanita Gross on January 25, 1943. According to the 1956 City Directory, he worked as yardman and lived at 540 S Finley Street. He died from unknown causes on June 5, 1958. According to his obituary published in The Atlanta Constitution, he lived at 548 Finley Street. |
| Johnson | Curtis | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1983 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Curtis Johnson, who resided at 97 Broad Acres, died from unknown causes in September 1984. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Mack | Claudie | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1885 | December 31, 1924 | 41 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Bell | Georgia | Unknown | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1885 | December 31, 1904 | 19 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Dying at age 19, Georgia Bell was born on July 17, 1886. According to the 1904 City Directory, she worked as a washerwoman and lived at 1213 W Broad Street. She died from unknown causes on August 16, 1905. |
| McCray | Laura | Female | African American | Enslaved | Baker | December 31, 1817 | December 31, 1912 | 95 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Dolly Billops, Laura McCray was born on June 7, 1818 and enslaved for much of her live. While a slave, she received a letter in 1841. In 1870, she was “keeping house” in Athens. In 1880, she worked at “Confectionery Baking” and lived on Prince Avenue. According to the 1897 City Directory, she worked at a cake shop and lived at 819 Prince Avenue. In 1910, she lived on Prince Avenue and worked as a baker. Indeed, she was famous for her cakes. She died from unknown causes on December 5, 1913. |
| Nesbit | John | Male | African American | Enslaved | Mason | December 31, 1853 | December 31, 1895 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Sarah and Charles Nesbit, John Nesbit was born around 1854. In 1870, he lived with his parents and siblings in Athens. He married Ella Virginia Richardson on February 3, 1884 and the couple had six living children, including John, Fannie, Sarah, Julia, and Laura. According to a 1889 editorial on East Athens, “Mr. John Nesbitt has a pretty house that can vie with many of our handsome ones on this side.” According to the 1894 City Directory, he worked as a brickmason and lived at 310 Pearl Street. He died from unknown causes on October 13, 1896. |
| Dunfoy | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |||
| Wales | Cassie | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1921 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Favors | Cynthia | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1863 | December 31, 1943 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Cynthia Favors as born in July 1864 and most likely spent her first year of life enslaved. She married Tom Favors and the couple had a least four children: Lela, Ada, Lillie, and Homer. In 1930, the couple lived at 481 Billups Street and she worked as a laundress. After the death of her husband, she lived at 170 Dublin Street with her daughter. |
| W | J | Unknown | African American | Unknown | 77 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||
| Johnson | Will | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1907 | December 31, 1935 | 28 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Alice Johnson and N. Derricotte, Will Henry Johnson was born on September 10, 1936. He died from “labor pneumonia” and “pleural effusion” on May 21, 1936. He was living in Atlanta, Georgia at the time of his death. |
| Stanton | John | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1947 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | John R. Stanton was an Athens resident who was born around 1899. He was married and had multiple siblings. He died from unknown causes on October 25, 1948 and was buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery on October 31, 1948. [Researched and written by Abby Lauterbach] | |||
| Patterson | Nellie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1922 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Bullock | Fletcher | Male | African American | Free | Janitor | December 31, 1914 | December 31, 1957 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Fletcher Bullock was born around 1915. He married Janie Beatrice Bullock and the couple had at least two children: Fletcher Jr. and Willie. In 1940, he worked as a janitor and lived at 468 First Street. According to the 1956 City Directory, he worked as a construction worker and he and his wife lived at 426 First Street. He died from unknown causes on August 9, 1958. |
| Mullins | Henry | Male | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1869 | December 31, 1930 | 61 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Henry A. Mullins was born around 1870. He married Georgia Mullins and the couple had at least four children: Owen, Samson, Lumpkins, and Mary. In 1910, he worked as a city cook and owned a house at 236 S Collins Street. He died from unknown causes in 1931. |
| Reid | Laura | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1866 | December 31, 1928 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Alfred Richardson, Laura E. Reid was born around 1867. On October 5, 1884, she married Lorenzo W. Reid, a barber, and the couple had at least ten children: Beulah, L. W., Charlie, Addie, Fannie, Louisa, Ruth, Etta, Mattiline, and Laura Ella. In 1900, the family lived at 431 Bridge Street and she did not work outside the home. She worked as a laundress in 1910. In 1897, her husband worked as a barber and lived at 431 Bridge Street. At 63 years old, she died bronchial pneumonia on December 29, 1929. |
| Hawkins | Rebecca | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1926 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Hawkins | Lucy | Female | African American | Free | Homemaker | December 31, 1871 | December 31, 1921 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lucy M. Hawkins was born in October 1872. She married David Hawkins, a plasterer, in 1886 and the couple had three children: Peter, Lurean, and Harry. According to the July 21, 1899 edition of The Weekly Banner, she “was . . . called before the mayor. She was changed with scrapping and general disorderly conduct. Not being able to prove her innocence she was fined $2.90.” In 1900, she lived with her husband and children at 732 Oconee Street. According to the 1921 City Directory, she lived at 924 Oconee Street. She died from unknown causes in 1922. |
| Hardeman | Harry | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1970 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Harry Hardeman born on May 23, 1897. The son of Juliette Cornelius Hardeman, a single mother and Athens washerwoman, Hardeman and his two sisters lived at 425 Pope Street. By all accounts, he appeared to be a mischievous child; he, at least once, was caught “casting pebbles” at another boy. Whereas a white child most likely escaped the attention of law enforcement, a black child in Jim Crow Georgia did not. Twelve-year-old Hardeman—for his harmless, childish antics—found himself before the local police court. As punishment for the ‘crime,’ reported The Weekly Banner, the Athens mayor “assessed the scrapper the sum of one dollar,” but remitted the fine after “one of the older darkeys in the court volunteered to administer the necessary chastisement, in the place of the absent parent.” During the First World War, he served stateside as a sergeant in the 157th Depot Brigade. Retuning to Athens after the war, he worked as a laborer and lived at 171 Church Street in 1920. According to the 1958 City Directory, he worked as a butler and lived at 405 Benning Street. He died on April 10, 1971 from an unknown aliment. | |
| Walter | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Walter is believed to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. Little is known about his life. | |||||
| Lee | Henry | Male | African American | Free | Farm Laborer | December 31, 1878 | December 31, 1934 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Ella and John Menifee, Henry L. Lee was born on March 14, 1879. He married Maggie Lee around 1900 and the couple rented a home in Oconee County in 1910. He worked as farm laborer. In 1930, he lived at 45 Rocky Branch Road in Oconee County. He died from unknown causes on December 15, 1935. |
| Bimett | Mary | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1921 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Smith | Betney | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1922 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
