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 DODsort descending Age Grave Location Grave Marker Biography
Turner Frances Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1892 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Frances Truner was born around 1893. She married Luther Turner and the couple had at least seven children: John, Dorthey, Walter, Fannis, Charles, Joseph, and Crawford. In 1920, the couple lived on Water Street. In 1940, they lived at 970 Hobson Street and she worked as a laundress. She died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
[Campbell?] Andrew Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Most likely a member of the Campbell family.
H[??] Olivia Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
Smith [??]ssie Unknown African American Free December 31, 1940 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Thoma[??] [??]nno Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Turner Luther Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1884 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Luther Turner was born around 1885. He married Frances Turner and the couple had at least seven children: John, Dorthey, Walter, Fannis, Charles, Joseph, and Crawford. In 1920, the couple lived on Water Street and he worked as a laborer for the Southern Railroad. In 1940, they lived at 970 Hobson Street and he worked as a watchman. He died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
Whitfield Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
H. H. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
M. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Edwards Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Franklin [?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Ha[??] Mamie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Hawkins Daviet Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Au[??] Ned Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Floarey Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Franklin R. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Mattie Franklin and Eddie Ted Johnson, Eddie Johnson was born on May 9, 1920 and died on from unknown causes on November 13, 1947. He is buried alongside R. Franklin—who is most likely a sibling.
[Hunter?] Annie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Shaw Charles Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Eddie Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jackson [L.?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Wilder Charlie Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Rachel Wilder and James Wilder, Charlie Wilder was born around 1860. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely his last known address. He died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
[??] 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.
[Carey?] Clara Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
G S Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Wilder Odessia Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The daughter of Rachel Wilder and James Wilder, Odessia Wilder was born at an unknown issue. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely his last known address. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely her last known address.
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.
[Brydie?] Eugene Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Carey?] Anna Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Gaiy Harriet Female African American Free 55 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Harriet C. Gaiy died during the 1940s at 55 years old.
Iverson Edward Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1827 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Edward Iverson was born around 1828 and most likely enslaved. He married Amanda Iverson, a cook, sometime before 1870. In 1880, he worked as a laborer and they lived at 268 10th Street. She died of unknown causes at an unknown date.
[Jackson?] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Stach Family John Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
W J Unknown African American Unknown 77 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
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.
B[??] Gar[?]le Unknown African American Unknown 37 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Iverson Amanda Female African American Enslaved Cook December 31, 1824 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Amanda Iverson was born around 1825 and most likely enslaved. She married Edward Iverson, a day laborer, and in 1870 she was “keeping house.” In 1880, she lived at 268 10th Street and worked as a cook. She died of unknown causes at an unknown date.
Jameson Shores Male African American Free Driver December 31, 1871 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Shoals Jamison was born around 1872 in Alabama. According to the 1904 City Directory, he worked as a butler and lived at 23 N Findley Street. In 1910, he worked as a coachman and lived with his wife, Ella Jamison, at 193 Pendley Street (193 Finley Street). He died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
Morton William Male African American Free 10 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked William Morton died when he was 10 years old. He was the brother of Lizzy C. Morton.
B. W. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Holsey [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Bacon Robert Male African American Enslaved Porter December 31, 1818 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Robert Bacon was born around 1819 and most likely enslaved for much of his life. He married Minerva Bacon sometime before 1870 and the couple had at least three children: Robert Jr., Edward, and Mary. He worked as a La laborer in 1870 and porter in 1880. In 1880, he lived with his wife, children, daughter-in-law, and grand children at 353 Foundry Street in Athens. According to the 1889 City Directory, his wife lived at 414 N Foundry Street and this is most likely his last address. He died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
[Goon?] [??] Female African American Free 75 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, [??] Sally [Goon?] died during the 1940s at 75 years old.
J. S. Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Long Georgie Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1907 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Georgie Long was born in June 1908. He married Thelma Long and they lived at 237 Billups Street. In 1940, he worked as a yard laborer for the University of Georgia. He died at an unknown date from unknown causes.
Porter Susie Female African American Free Laundress Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Susie Bason Porter was born around 1886. She married Walter Porter and the couple appears not to have had living children. In 1930, she worked as a laundress. In 1940, the couple owned a house at 554 Strong Street, according to the 1958 City Directory, they remained at 554 E Strong Street. At 82 years old, she died from unknown causes in 1968.
S[??] Emma Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Strickland?] [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Bacon Marenia Female African American Enslaved Cook December 31, 1823 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Minerva Bacon was born around 1824 and most likely enslaved as a young woman. She married Robert Bacon sometime before 1870 and the couple had at least threechildren: Robert Jr., Edward, and Mary. In 1880, she lived with her husband, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren at 353 Foundry Street in Athens. She worked as a “Washer & Ironer” in 1880 and as a “cook” in 1889. According to the 1889 City Directory, she lived at 414 N Foundry Street. She died from unknown causes on an unknown date.
[Thomas?] Lucius Male African American Free Printer December 31, 1866 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked The son of Randal Thomas, Lucius Thomas was born around 1867. In 1880, he lived with his father and siblings in Athens. He married Julia Collins Thomas and the couple had at least five children: Mary L., Walter, Sylvester, Violet, Charley, and Eugene. In 1900, they lived at 21 Washington Street and he worked as a printer. According to the 1910 Census, he worked as a “Type Setter.” In 1920, he worked as a printer and lived at 588 Hancock Avenue. He died from an unknown cause on an unknown date.
Brown Eliza Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jones Effie Female African American Free Laundress December 31, 1893 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Effie Jones was born between 1890 and 1894.Around 1908, she married Robert Jones, a mason, and the couple appears not to have had children. She worked as a laundress in 1910, 1930, and 1940. In 1930, she lived at 167 Paris Street. As a widow in 1940, she lived at 1353 W Hancock Avenue. She died of unknown causes at an unknown date.
Lyles Eugene Male African American Free Laborer December 31, 1972 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Eugene Lyles was born around 1870. He married Mattie Owens Lyles and, in 1930, they lived at 147 Plum Street. He worked as a plasterer in both 1910 and 1930. According to the 1956 City Directory, he still lived at 147 Plum Street. According to his tombstone, he died on November 25, 1973.
[??]ll Se[??] Unknown African American Free 34 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Blont [Gary?] Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Harris R Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Smith D Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Re?]id Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Marcellus Male African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Harris Mary Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Jackson Louisa Female African American Enslaved Laundress December 31, 1825 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Louisa Jackson was born around 1826 in Georgia and most likely spent most of her life enslaved. She married Alfred Jackson, a day laborer and white washer, and the couple had at least six children: Camilla, Edward, Albin, Bettie, Mary, and Judy. She worked as a washer and ironer in 1880 and lived on River Street. She died sometime after 1880.
[Jones?] [??]mar Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Wilson Annie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Annie Wilson died sometime in April.
[??] Mattie Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
[Campbell?] Charles Male African American Unknown Janitor Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Charles Campbell most likely worked as a janitor and was married to Marzella Campbell. According to the 1937 City Directory, they lived at 660 W Hancock Avenue.
Scott Samuel Male African American Enslaved Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Samuel S. Scott died in 1862; he was most likely enslaved. His body was most likely moved to Gospel Pilgrim sometime after 1882 when the cemetery opened.
[Campbell?] Female African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Known as "Mother" on her tombstone, she most likely a member of the Campbell family.
Foster [??] Unknown African American Unknown Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked [biographical information unknown]
Mi[??] Mamie Female African American Unknown 70 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Mamie Mi[??] died on October 31, [19??]. She was 70 years old at the time of her death.
Dillard Hansel Male African American Enslaved Barber December 31, 1792 December 31, 1852 60 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Hansel Dillard was born enslaved around 1793. Trained as a barber, Dillard advertised his services to white Athenians in The Southern Whig: “Barbering and Hair-dressing. Hansel Dillard, Respectfully informs the citizens of Athens and the public generally, that he will, at all times, be found at his Shop, happy to accommodate those who favor him with their patronage.” In an era that barred almost all free and enslaved men from skilled employment, barbers enjoyed steady, profitable work. Indeed, this profession paid well; Dillard’s earning bought him freedom. As a free man of color, Dillard carved out a respectable space for himself in the slaveholding South. Dillard, according to The Weekly Banner, “made a great deal of money.” In addition to his barbershop, Dillard owned a bakery, operated a confectionery, kept a stable, and ran a delivery service. For him, and many other African-American men, barbering was a path to freedom and middle-class prosperity. It allowed him to procure not only his own freedom, but purchase his wife’s freedom for $1000 as well. She, then, took in student’s washing for additional income. In 1851, Dillard owned property; he paid taxes. Sixty-year-old Dillard died of unknown causes on Sept. 5, 1853. He was buried in Athens. Exactly where, however, is unknown. At some point, years after Hansel Dillard’s death, friends from Charleston, South Carolina erected a tombstone in his memory. While damaged by age and neglect, the stone, inscribed “I know that my Redeemer livith,” still stands in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery today.
Jackson Edward Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1852 6 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to his tombstone, Edward Jackson died on October 3, 1853 and was most likely enslaved. He died at 6 years old. Her body was most likely moved to Gospel Pilgrim sometime after 1882, when the cemetery opened, or a marker was simply erected for a lost loved one.
Brown Martha Female African American Enslaved December 31, 1831 December 31, 1858 27 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Martha M. Brown was born on September 27, 1832 and died on November 4, 1859; she was most likely enslaved. Her body was most likely moved to Gospel Pilgrim sometime after 1882, when the cemetery opened.
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.
Stephens Oliver Male African American Enslaved December 31, 1848 December 31, 1879 31 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Oliver Stephens was born on August 21, 1849 and most likely enslaved. At 31 years old, he died on September 6, 1880.
Martin George Male African American Enslaved Laborer December 31, 1819 December 31, 1880 61 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked George Martin was born around 1820 and most likely spend the majority of his life enslaved. He married Mary Martin and the couple had at least one child: Essen Martin. In 1880, he worked as a laborer and the family lived on an “unnamed street near River Street.” He died from unknown causes in 1881. According to the 1897 City Directory, his wife lived at 648 Odd Street, East Athens; this is most likely his last address as well.
Morton Elizabeth Female African American Free Keeping House December 31, 1831 December 31, 1880 50 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked Elizabeth “Lizzie” Morton was born enslaved around 1832. She had at least five children: Monroe, Willie, Albert, Sue, and Emma. In 1870, she was “Keeping House” in Athens. At around 50 years old, she died from unknown causes on January 10, 1881.
McQueen Mamie Female African American Free December 31, 1881 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Marked According to her tombstone, Mamie McQueen died in 1885. She most likely was the infant daughter of Nettie and W. M. McQueen, who, according to the 1897 City Directory, lived at 630 Hull Street. Hull Street. She was the sibling of CarrieMcQueen and William McQueen.

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