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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Rudell | Male | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1924 | December 31, 1924 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Fields | Eldon | Male | African American | Enslaved | Janitor | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1924 | 76 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Eldon Fields was born on September 12, 1849 and most likely spend his childhood enslaved. In 1880, he worked as a carriage driver and lived at 440 Jackson Street. He married Susie Shaw Fields around that time. By 1900, he lived with his wife at 144 Warsaw Street and worked as teamster. He, then, worked as an janitor in an office building in 1920. He died from “paralysis following apoplexy” on January 29, 1925. |
| Campbell | John | Male | African American | Free | Porter | December 31, 1876 | December 31, 1943 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Ann Harden, John B. Campbell was born on March 18, 1877 in Athens, Georgia. In 1900, he was serving as a sergeant in the 48th Volunteer Infantry and stationed at Naquilian, Philippine Islands. Rather than return to Athens following his tour of duty, he moved to Chicago and, according to the 1910 Census, worked as a railroad porter. He died from unknown causes on July 4, 1944. He may or may not have returned to Athens, Georgia before his death. Mrs. Katie Thomas, of 748 Hull Street, applied for a military tombstone for his grave in 1944. |
| Morton | Charlie | Male | African American | Free | Soldier | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1947 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Charlie L. Morton was born on November 17, 1895. At the start of the First World War, he lived at 784 Chase Street. He died from unknown causes on March 12, 1948. After his death, Mrs. Clara Morton applied for a military headstone on his behalf. She lived at 784 Chase Street, which was most likely his last known address as well. |
| Davis | Madison | Male | African American | Enslaved | Legislator | December 31, 1832 | December 31, 1901 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Madison Davis was born around September 27, 1833 and spent his youth and young adulthood enslaved to a carriage maker. His father, who was from Ireland according to the 1900 Census, may have been a white slaveholder. Davis married Ella Davis and the couple had at least six children: Willie, Annie, Lizzie, Mattie, Mana, and James. During Reconstruction he served as a Republican in the Georgia House of Representatives. Later in life, he worked as a merchant, postmaster, and a real estate agent. In 1900, he was living at 27 Newton Street and just two years later, on August 20, 1902, he died from unknown causes. |
| Nolan | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1870 | December 31, 1935 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Eliza Harris Nolan and Peter Nolan, Robert Nolan was born around 1871 in Walton County, Georgia. He married Mary “May” Jackson on December 28, 1895 and the couple had at least three children: Edward, Robert, and Eva. In 1930, she worked as a cook and he worked as a “yard man.” The family lived at 434 Peabody Street. In 1931, they lived at 167 Peabody Street. At 65 years old, he died from “Nephritis [relation?] of the heart” on October 14, 1936. At the time of his death, he worked as a laborer and lived at 167 Peabody Street. |
| Scott | Emmett | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1925 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Walker | Benjamin | Male | African American | Free | Farm Laborer | December 31, 1878 | December 31, 1959 | 55 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Manda and Taylor Walker, Benjamin F. Walker was born around 1879. In 1880, he lived with his parents in Athens. He married Susie Walker and the couple had at least seven children: Asa, Violet, Jenever, Bulah, Watkins, Ned, and Henry. In 1910, the family lived on Newtons Bridge Road and he worked as a laborer at the planning mill. He worked as a farm laborer and lived at White Hall Road in 1930. At 55 years old, he died from unknow causes on August 21, 1939. |
| Blont | [Gary?] | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| Griffen | Thomas | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 26 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Sanders | Edward | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1920 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Sarah Coleman and Will Sanders, Edward O. Sanders was born around 1897. In 1910, he lived with his parents on Hull Street and worked as an Ice Cream “Padder.” According to the 1914 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived at 270 Arch Street. During the First World War, he served as a private in the 530th Service Battalion. After the war, he married Susie Sanders. He died from heart disease on June 2, 1921. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a laborer and lived at 149 Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. Richard Sanders, most likely his brother, applied for a military headstone after his death. |
| Sanders | Richard | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1901 | December 31, 1944 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Richard Sanders was born on December 26, 1902. According to the 1916 City Directory, he worked as a "wks [at] Costa's" and lived at 240 Newton Street. In 1917, he worked as a porter and lived at 241 Newton Street. He served in the stationed at 327 Service Battalion and was stationed at Camp Gordon during the First World War. In 1940, he worked as a butler and lived in the rear of 724 Prince Avenue. He died from unknown causes on September 25, 1945. | |
| Adams | Clarence | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 1 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Thomas | Eluice | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1923 | December 31, 1924 | 1 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Jarrell | Robet | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1883 | December 31, 1959 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Robert Jarrell was born around 1883. In 1904, he married Mearly Taylor, who worked as “servant at Moss-Side, 497 Cobb Street, for forty-three years.” According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a driver and lived at 190 Cohen Street. According to the 1956 City Directory, he still lived at that address in 1956. At 77 years old, he died from unknown causes on May 13, 1960. |
| Campbell | Miller | Male | African American | Free | Soldier | December 31, 1880 | December 31, 1935 | 55 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Miller L. Campbell was born around 1881. He enlisted as a private in the 1Cl. Hospital Corps in 1905; his military records described him as a man of dark complexion, with brown eyes, standing 5 foot 5 ½ inches tall. He most likely married Jane Campbell and lived at 748 Hull Street. He died from unknown causes on July 13, 1936 and was around 55 years old at the time of his death. |
| Morton | Chester | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1884 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Chester Morton was born in March 1885 and died from unknown causes in July 1885. He was 4 or 5 months old at the time of his death. He is buried in the Morton plot in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery and most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family. | ||
| Neelia | Peter | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1925 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| [Re?]id | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
| Owens | Alphonso | Male | African American | Free | Porter | December 31, 1899 | December 31, 1929 | 30 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Isabella Owens, Alphonso A. Owens was born on February 5, 1900. In 1910, he lived with his mother and siblings at 228 Cleveland Avenue. He served in the First World War and applied for Victory Metal in 1921. At that time, he was living 147 Plum Street in Athens and attended school. Sometime prior to 1930, he moved to Chicago and worked as porter. He died from unknown causes on August 8, 1930. At the time of his death, he lived at 5321 Calumet Avenue in Chicago. |
| McCree | Sam | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1955 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Sam McCree, the son of Ella Kelly and the husband of Rowena McCree, died from unknown causes on October 1956. The funeral was handled by McWhorter Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| White | Joseph | Male | African American | Free | Porter | December 31, 1873 | December 31, 1959 | 86 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Joseph C. White was born around 1874. In 1930, he was married to Flora Gresham White and lived with his mother-in-law (Mary Elder Gresham) at 623 Vine Street. He worked as a hotel porter in 1930. At 86 years old, he died from unknown causes on October 4, 1960. |
| 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. |
| Anderson | J. | Male | African American | Enslaved | Painter | December 31, 1919 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Clemons | Clifford | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1945 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Clifford T. Clemons died from unknown causes in July 1946. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave is unmarked. | |||
| [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. | |||
| Cox | Dick | Male | African American | Enslaved | Mill Employee | December 31, 1922 | 64 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Boyd | William | Male | African American | Enslaved | Shoemaker | December 31, 1859 | December 31, 1918 | 59 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Thad Boyd, William H. Boyd was born around 1860 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1883, he married Rosa S. Boyd (most likely his second wife) and had at least eight children: Barlien, Rosa, Willie, Lucy, Racheal, Lydia, Thelma, and Constance. In 1900 and 1910, he worked as a shoemaker in Athens and owned a house at 307 Pope Street. According to the 1915 City Directory, he still worked as shoemaker but had moved to 437 Pope Street. He died from unknown causes in 1919 and was around 59 years old around at the time of his death. |
| Foster | John | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1903 | December 31, 1930 | 27 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Emma Shropshire and Robert H. Foster, John Albert Foster was born around 1904. On June 23, 1931, he died from acute endocarditis. At the time of his death, he worked as a laborer and lived with his wife at 1683 South Milledge 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. | ||||
| Jerby | Minor | Male | African American | Free | Farmer | December 31, 1918 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Morton | Monroe | Male | African American | Enslaved | Businessman | December 31, 1855 | December 31, 1918 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of a white man and Elizabeth Morton, Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton was born enslaved around 1856. He most likely lived on plantation of John Phinizy. In 1870, he lived with his mother, “Lizzie,” and his siblings in Athens. He worked a number of jobs. According to the census, he worked at a retail grocery in 1880, post master in 1900, and a contractor in 1910. He was also a republican party leader, the owner and publisher of The Progressive Era (a black newspaper), a business leader, and a real estate owner, who built the Morton Theatre and facilitated the development of Athens’s “Hot Corner.” According to the Atlanta Independent (Jan. 30, 1904), “Mr. Morton is a self-made man, and has won his way to the front in business, politics, society by sheer force of character, distinct individuality, rare precocity and strict application to business.” In his personal life, he first married Amanda Morton, who died in 1885 He, then, married Tallulah Morton, his second wife, and the couple had several children, including Monroe, Maude, Ida, and Charlie. He died from cirrhosis of the liver and chronic myocarditis on February 12, 1919. He was, according to his Death Certificate, a “Retired Capitalist” who lived at 823 Prince Avenue. His obituary in The Athens Banner described him as “one of the wealthiest negros in the South.” The paper continued: “‘Pink’ Morton was well known not only in Athens, but throughout the state. He was one of the leaders of the republican party in Georgia, and at one time under the administration of President McKinley was postmaster of Athens. His career has been a most unusual one. Starting life as a slave in 1853 on the plantation of Phinizy’s near Athens, he became a leader of his race, and a most successful business man.” |
| Adams | Obadiah | Male | African American | Enslaved | Reverend | December 31, 1825 | December 31, 1891 | 66 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Reverend Obadiah Adams was born on February 13, 1826 and most likely enslaved as a child and young adult. He died of unknown causes in Jacksonville, Florida on November 19, 1892. He was 66 years old at the time of his death. |
| Crane | Thomas | Male | African American | Free | Gardener | December 31, 1867 | December 31, 1924 | 57 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Davis | G.H. | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1844 | December 31, 1894 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, G. H. Davis was born on July 3, 1845 and most likely enslaved as a child. According to the 1889 City Directory, he worked at Harris & Davis and lived at 319 Reese Street. At 49 years old, he died on June 11, 1895. | |
| Bakin | Edward | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1918 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Thomas | Matt | Male | African American | Enslaved | Driver | December 31, 1923 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Jefferson | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Tailor | December 31, 1865 | December 31, 1900 | 34 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Ella and Edgar Jefferson, Robert Jefferson was born on May 1, 1866. In 1880, he lived with his parents and attended school. He married Mary L. Jefferson in 1890. In 1900, he worked as a tailor and live with his wife and four children—Robert, Geneva, Ellen, and Julian—at 8 Harris Street. He died from unknown causes on May 10, 1901. |
| [Campbell?] | Andrew | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Most likely a member of the Campbell family. | ||||
| Terrell | Burnett | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1913 | December 31, 1943 | 30 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Burnett Terrell was born on August 2, 1914. He died from unknown causes on November 8, 1944. | |
| Credell | Henry | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Jones | John | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1831 | December 31, 1916 | 85 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | John W. Jones was born on March 19, 1832 and most likely spent his early life enslaved. He married Georgia Thomas Jones, a cook, around 1881 and the couple had three living children. In 1900, he worked as a cook and owned a house at 360 Broad Street. In 1910, he rented a house at 563 Broad Street and did not work. According to the 1916 City Directory, he lived at 522 W Broad Street. He died from unknown causes on July 27, 1917. |
| Owens | Jesse | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1929 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Jesse Owens served as a private in the 403 Labor Battalion during the First World War. In 1926, he worked as a laborer and lived on Water Street. He most likely married Flora Owens, who lived at 240 Newton Street. According to the 1928 City Directory, the couple lived at 2402 Newton Street and he worked as a laborer. He died from unknown causes on August 23, 1930. | ||
| McGinthy | Harmon | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1956 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Harmon McGinthey, who resided in Madison, Georgia, died from unknown causes in April 1957. He was the husband of Leila Mae McGinthey and the father of Gussie Mae McGinthey. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Shaw | Henry | Male | African American | Free | Mason | December 31, 1922 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Boyd | Thad | Male | African American | Enslaved | Shoemaker | December 31, 1847 | December 31, 1903 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Thaddeus "Thad" Boyd was born sometime between 1842 and 1848 and most likely spent his childhood and youth enslaved. As a freeman, he worked as a shoemaker in Athens. He married Araminta Boyd and had at least six children: William, Carrie, Thad Jr., Nannie, Eulessis [Ulysses?], and Mary Lou. By 1900, he was widowed and living at 1019 W Hancock Avenue. He died from unknown causes on November 15, 1904. |
| Mathews | Henry | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1854 | December 31, 1916 | 62 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Henry Mathews was born between 1855 and 1861 and most likely spent his childhood enslaved. In 1900, he worked as Rail Road Laborer and lived as a single, male boarder at 772 Georgia Railroad Street. He married Lizzie Mathews and, in 1910, the couple lived at 144 Summey. At that time, he worked as a city streets laborer. According to the 1914 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived at Summey, which intersected Lumpkin Street near Cedar Street. On February 7, 1917, he died from unknown causes. |
| Barnett | Joe | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 18 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Johnson | Tom | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1953 | 59 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Eveline Howard, Tom Johnson was born around 1895 or 1896. He most likely served in the 341 Service Battalion during the First World War. In 1920, he worked as a laborer at a cotton press and he and his mother rented a place at the rear of 789 Thomas Street. He died from unknown causes on April 7, 1954. At the time of his death, he lived at Apt. 188 803 Play Lane. |
| Norman | John | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1923 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Shaw | Warren | Male | African American | Free | Presser | December 31, 1922 | 33 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Brewer | Dennis | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1898 | December 31, 1927 | 29 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Georgia and Albert Brewer, Dennis Brewer was born on April 28, 1899. In 1920, he lived with his parents and worked as a laborer. According to the 1921 City Directory, he still worked as a laborer and lived at 1018 Pope Street. By 1924, he lived at 986 Water Street. He died at 29 years old on October 25, 1928. |
| Matthews | Anderson | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1887 | December 31, 1917 | 29 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Jennie Mathews, Anderson Matthews was born on July 15, 1888. He married Julia Cheney in November 1914. During First World War, he lived on W Hancock Avenue and worked as a chauffeur. According to the 1914 City Directory, he lived at 1423 W Broad Street. At 29 years old, he died from unknown on May 17, 1918. |
| Foster | Robert | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1852 | December 31, 1917 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Nice and Lee Foster, Robert H. Foster was born around 1853 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, he worked as a farm laborer and lived with his parents. He married Emma Foster and the couple had at least three children: Ella, William, Robert, and John. He worked as a farmer in 1880 and 1910; he lived outside of town near “Allensville and Wherele Hall Road” In 1918, he and his son were accused of “desecrating the United States Flag,” but were both acquitted of the crime. He died from unknown causes on September 3, 1918. |
| Shanks | Otis | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1956 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Otis Shanks was born around 1892 in Thompson, Georgia. In 1916, he “was arraigned on a charge of disorderly conduct and his cash bond was forfeited.” According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a truck hand for Southern Railroad and lived at 499 River Street. During the war, he served stateside in the 157 Depot Brigade at Camp Gordon. After the war, he married Christine C. Shanks. He worked as a laborer at the gas plant in 1930 and a “helper” in 1940. According to the 1952 City Directory, he worked as plant operator at Atlanta Gas Light and lived at 139 N Newton Street. At 65 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 19, 1957. After his death, his wife applied for a military headstone. |
| Barnett | William | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1887 | December 31, 1919 | 38 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Davis | James | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1948 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, James W. Davis, who resided at 178 Strong Street, died from unknown causes on June 28, 1949. He married Mrs. Minnie Reid and had at least five children. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave is unmarked. | |||
| Johnson | William | Male | African American | Unknown | Reverend | December 31, 1841 | December 31, 1908 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | William D. Johnson was born in Maryland on March 19, 1842. In 1879, he married Alice V. Johnson of Georgia. The couple had at least five children. As a clergyman, Johnson could read, write, and owned his own house at 529 Lumpkin Street. He died from unknown causes on April 10, 1909. |
| Allen | Owen | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1828 | December 31, 1899 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Owen Allen was born in December 1829 and most likely enslaved as a child and young adult. He married Margaret Allen and the couple had at least five children—Hopy, Albert, Henry, Nancy, and Margaret. In 1870, he worked as a “Day Laborer” and, in 1880, as a "farmer." According to the 1889 City Directory, he worked as a blacksmith at 907 S Lumpkin Street and lived in Allensville. He died, at 71 years of age, on December 28, 1900. |
| Kenney | Charlie | Male | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1964 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Charlie Kenney died on August 16, 1965. | |||
| Nesbit | Ernest | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1945 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Ernest Nesbit, who resided in Augusta, died from unknown causes December 15, 1946. He married Mollie Nesbit, and the couple had at least one child, Leroy Nesbit. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Shaw | Will | Male | African American | Free | Chauffer | December 31, 1926 | 38 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Whitfield | W. | Male | African American | Free | Blacksmith | December 31, 1864 | December 31, 1938 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | W. M. Whitfield was born on April 18, 1865. According to the 1938 City Directory, he worked as a blacksmith and lived with his wife, Mittie, at 495 Reese Street. At 74 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 13, 1939. |
| Hudson | Charlie | Male | African American | Enslaved | Merchant | December 31, 1857 | December 31, 1941 | 84 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Charlie Hudson was born around 1858 and most likely enslaved as a child. He married Maggie Hutson, a laundress, around 1904 and the couple lived at 387 Odd Street in 1910. He worked as a retail grocery merchant in 1910 and 1920. He died from unknown causes on October 29, 1942. |
| Harris | Will | Male | African American | Free | Shoemaker | December 31, 1925 | 41 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Matthews | John | Male | African American | Free | Merchant | December 31, 1883 | December 31, 1940 | 57 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | John T. Matthews was born between 1874 and 1884. He married Margaret “Maggie” Matthews, and the couple rented a home at 1095 W Hancock Avenue in 1920 and 1930. He worked as farmer in 1920 and was a dry goods store merchant in 1930. He died from unknown causes on March 27, 1941. |
| Barrett | Luther | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | 5 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Johnson | Herbert | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1922 | 51 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Morton | Charles | Male | African American | Free | Entertainment Industry | December 31, 1902 | December 31, 1969 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton and Tallulah Morton, Charles Morton was born on February 27, 1903. In 1910 and 1920, he attended school and lived with his parents and siblings on Prince Avenue. In 1930, he worked as a “Machine operator” at the “picture show,” most likely at the Morton Theatre. According to his Second World War draft card, he worked for his family and lived at 823 Prince Avenue. According to the 1958 City Directory, he worked at Twentieth Century Billiards and lived, with Goldiee W., at 659 W Hancock Avenue. At 67 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 20, 1970. |
| Au[??] | Ned | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| Davis | Wm | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cotton Worker | December 31, 1922 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Whitlock | John | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1856 | December 31, 1916 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | John Whitelock (or Whittlock) was born around 1857. According to the 1894 City Directory, worked as a laborer and lived at 805 Athens Avenue. He may have been married to Martha Whitelock. At 60 years old, he died from unknown causes on March 3, 1917. |
| 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. |
| Brittain | Will | Male | African American | Free | City Worker | December 31, 1866 | December 31, 1925 | 57 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Gabriel Brittain, Will Brittain was born in November 1867 in Georgia. He married Brayne Brittin and the couple may or may not have had children. He died from apoplexy on March 21, 1926 and, at the time of his death, he “worked for the city” at lived at 140 [Glyn?]. |
| 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. |
| Shaw | Charles | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| Varnell | Will | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1925 | 55 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Diggs | William | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1972 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, William Diggs, who resided at 357 DuBose Avenue, died from unknown causes on January 27, 1973. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| 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. |
| [Carey?] | Eddie | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| Johnson | La Fayette | Male | African American | Enslaved | Drayman | December 31, 1855 | December 31, 1920 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| 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. | ||
| Derricotte | Mathew | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1899 | December 31, 1943 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mathew “Booby” Derricotte was born around 1890. In 1909, he worked as a laborer and lived at 46 Hull Street. He married Lucy Derricotte and, according to the 1942 City Directory, they lived at 270 Fifth Street. He still worked as laborer. At 54 years old, he died from unknown causes on October 28, 1944. |
| Pinkard | Amos | Male | African American | Free | Grocer | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1961 | 73 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Amos Pinkard was born in 1889. In February 1908, he was charged “for violation of the prohibition law.” He married Nettie Pinkard and, 1940, the couple lived at 264 N Billups Street. According to the 1940 City Directory, he worked as a grocer. He still lived at 264 N Billups Street in 1958. He died from unknown causes on December 16, 1962. |
| Hawkins | Dave | Male | African American | Enslaved | Construction | December 31, 1919 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Lyons | John | Male | African American | Free | Mason | December 31, 1920 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Bayne | Richard | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 75 | 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. | |
| Johnson | Will | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Austin | Henry | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1895 | December 31, 1939 | 44 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Henry L. Austin was born on February 28, 1896 in Washington, Georgia. During the First World War, he served as a private in the 157 Depot Brigade at Camp Gordon. At the start of the war, he lived at 528 Strong Street. After the war, he married Ada Austin, a cook, and in 1930 the couple lived in the rear of 574 Pulaski Street. It is unknown if they had children. In 1930, he worked as a laborer for the University of Georgia and, in 1935, he was a janitor, most likely for the university. In 1935, he and Ada lived at 150 N. Harris Street. He died from unknown causes on June 29, 1940. His wife, still living at 150 N Harris Street, ordered a military tombstone marker in1941. |
| Dorsey | Crock | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1923 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Pledger | William | Male | African American | Enslaved | Lawyer | December 31, 1849 | December 31, 1903 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | William A. Pledger was born in 1850 and enslaved as a child. Along with William Henry (Harrison) Heard, he was the co-owner and editor of the Athens Blade, a leading African-American newspaper that was distributed throughout Georgia and in several northeastern cities. As one of the first African-American lawyers in Atlanta, he was active in republican politics and a delegate to each republican convention from 1876 to 1900. According to the 1898 City Directory, he worked as a lawyer and lived at 209 Pearl Street. He died from unknown causes on January 8, 1904. |
| 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. | ||||
| 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. |
| Brown | Hamilton | Male | African American | Free | Printer | December 31, 1903 | December 31, 1970 | 66 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mamie E. and Anderson Brown, Hamilton J. Brown was born on May 3, 1904. As a child, he lived on Reese Street with his parents. In 1947, he worked as a printer and, according to the 1947 and 1949 City Directories, he lived at 987 Reese Street. He died from unknown causes on January 25, 1971. |
| Shaw | Willie | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1879 | December 31, 1926 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Elizabeth Shaw, Willie A. Shaw was born in October 1888. In 1900, he attended school and lived with his mother and grandmother in Athens. In 1915 and 1916, he was arrested and charged with violating prohibition. During the First World War, he served as a cook in the 157th Deport Brigade. After the war, he married Eliza Shaw. He died from [??] on April 5, 1927. At the time of his death, he worked as a chauffeur and, after his death, his wife lived at 330 N. Pope Street. |
| Benford | Henry | Male | African American | Free | Fireman | December 31, 1922 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| 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. |
| Johnson | William | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 26 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| 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. |

