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
Johnson	William	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1919	26	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jones	Lula	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook	December 31, 1858	December 31, 1929	71	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Lula Jones was born on March 18, 1859 and most likely enslaved. She married and had three children. In 1910, she was a widow who worked as a cook and rented a house at 160 Lyndon Avenue. According to the 1928 City Directory, she worked as a cook and lived at 157 Warsaw Street. She died from unknown cause on April 3, 1930.
Derricotte	Fannie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laundress	December 31, 1861	December 31, 1933	72	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Gabrella and George Brown, Fannie Brown Derricotte was born around 1862 and most likely enslaved as a child. She was widowed sometime before 1900, and had at least two children: Mary and Willie. According to the 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 Census, She worked as a laundress. She died from cardio vascular renal disease on February 21, 1934. According to her death certificate, she worked as a domestic and lived at 825 W Hancock Avenue.
Taylor	Ida	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1898	December 31, 1959	61	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Ida M. Taylor was born around 1899. In 1920, she was married to S. D. Taylor and the couple lived at the corner of Athens and Lula Road. In 1920, she was apparently shot during an altercation at the Morton Theatre. According to the newspaper report, she had been with a man who was not her husband when the shooting occurred. She recovered from the minor flesh wound. In 1930, she lived alone in Patrick Alley and worked as a hotel cook. In 1940, she worked as a cook and lived at 360 Madison Avenue. According to the 1958 City Directory, she worked as a maid The Webb-Crawford Company and lived at 634 N Foundry Street. She died from unknown causes on March 25, 1960.
Sloan	Lucinda	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1919	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Dunfoy		Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Heard	J.	Unknown	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1854	December 31, 1907	53	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to the tombstone, this individual was born on June 6, 1855 and most likely was enslaved as a child. They died from unknown causes on December 30, 1908.
Brown	Mamie	Female	African American	Free	Teacher	December 31, 1880	December 31, 1960	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Mamie E. Brown was born around 1881. She married Anderson S. Brown and the couple at had least three children: Hamilton, Fedrick, and Julius. She was active in the Odd Fellows and, during a 1915 convention, she “welcomed the visitors to the colored households of Athens.” In 1910 and 1930, she and her family lived at 987 Reese Street. She worked as a public school teacher, according to the 1930 Census. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived still lived at 987 Reese Street, but now worked as a cook at “Chicken Shack.” She died from unknown causes on April 3, 1961.
Owens	Isabella	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laundress	December 31, 1853	December 31, 1918	64	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Rhodes and Tom Owens, Isabella Owens was born around 1854 and most likely enslaved. In 1894, she was jailed for receiving stolen goods. In 1900, she was a widow with three children: Pearl, Susie, and Alphonso. She worked as a day laborer. She died from cystitis nephritis and uremia on November 8, 1919. At the time of her death she was around 64 years old, worked as a wash woman, and lived at 147 Plum Street.
Mack	Claudie	Female	African American	Free	Housework	December 31, 1885	December 31, 1924	41	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Lovingood	J.	Unknown	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1874	December 31, 1919	45	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to the tombstone, J. H. Lovingood was born on February 9, 1875 and died on March 31, 1920. This individual was 45 years old at the time of their death. This person is most likely Edward Lovingood who, according to the 1914 City Directory, worked as a painter and lived at 1327 W Hancock Avenue.
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.
White	Anna	Female	African American	Unknown			December 31, 1913		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Anna E. White died on October 24, 1914.
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]
Wales	Cassie	Female	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1921	48	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hawkins	Peter	Male	African American	Free	Construction		December 31, 1921	36	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hawkins	Rebecca	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework	December 31, 1848	December 31, 1926	78	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jackson	Cora	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1886	December 31, 1887		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Cora Jackson was born on July 15, 1887 and died on February 7, 1888. The infant was only 7 months old at the time of her death.
Carrington	Sarah	Female	African American	Free	Housewife	December 31, 1883	December 31, 1931	48	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Eliza and Mayor Saggors, Sarah L. Carrington was born on March 23, 1884 in Georgia. She married Chas H. Carrington, a railroad shop laborer, and the couple lived in Birmingham, Alabama. She died from unknown causes on January 8,1932. Her body was returned to Athens and interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery on January 11, 1932. She was only 48 years old at the time of her death.
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.
Patterson	Nellie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1922	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
McQueen	Carrie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1883	December 31, 1883	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Carrie McQueen died in 1885; she was 1 year, 3 months, and 11 days old. 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. She was the sibling of Mamie N. McQueen and William McQueen.
Cobb	Minnie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1943		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Minnie Lee Crawford Cobb died from unknown causes in February 1944. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is unmarked.
Bimett	Mary	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1921	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
B[??]	Gar[?]le	Unknown	African American	Unknown				37	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Jones	Callie	Female	African American	Free	Domestic		December 31, 1925	39	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jones	Thomas	Male	African American	Enslaved	Driver	December 31, 1829	December 31, 1899	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Thomas Jones was born around 1830 and most likely enslaved. In 1870, he worked as a domestic servant and in 1880 he worked as a street car driver. He married Mary Jones in 1863 and the couple most likely did not have living children. In 1900, he lived at 529 Lumpkin Street. He died from unknown causes on October 13, 1900.
Derricotte	Savannah	Female	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1851	December 31, 1899	47	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Savannah Derricotte was born on November 17, 1852 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1874, she married Henry Derricotte, a carpenter, and, in 1900, the couple had seven living children. According to the 1900 Census, she did not work. At 47 years old, she died from unknown causes on September 25, 1900. According to the 1909 City Directory, Henry Derricotte lived at 213 Chase Street and this is most likely her last address.
Terrell	Annie	Female	African American	Free	Domestic	December 31, 1893	December 31, 1931	37	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Charles and Lucy Shaw, Annie Terrell was born in 1894. She married Kino Terrell and, in 1910, they lived at 427 First Street. She died from acute myocarditis on October 30, 1932. According to her Death Index, she lived at 426 First Street and worked as a domestic.
Smith	Betney	Male	African American	Enslaved	Cook		December 31, 1922	71	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Eberhart	Martha	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1918	33	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Heard	Lizzie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1894	December 31, 1957	63	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Lizzie Dorsey Heard was born around December 25, 1880 or 1895 (according to the Death Index). She most likely married Hill Heard, a farmer, and, according to the 1926 City Directory, they lived at 275 Field [Rd? St? Av?]. She died from unknown causes July 31, 1958. She was around 63 years old.
Brown	Anderson	Male	African American	Free	Barber	December 31, 1868	December 31, 1938	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Anderson S. Brown was born in 1869. In 1900, he was widowed and worked as a post office clerk. He remarried before 1910; he and Mamie E. Brown at had least three children: Hamilton, Fedrick, and Julius. They were active in the Odd Fellows and, during a 1915 convention, she “welcomed the visitors to the colored households of Athens.” He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He worked as a “Special Deputy” for the “City Odd Teller” in 1910 and aa barber in 1920 and 1930. In 1910, 1920, and 1930, the family lived at 987 Reese Street. He died from unknown causes in 1939. She remained in the house after his death.
Owens	Pearl	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1884	December 31, 1918	34	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Isabelle Owens, Pearl Owens was born around March 25, 1885. In 1900, she worked as a day laborer and, in 1910, she was a waste picker at the cotton mill. She was arrested with her mother, sister, and two other women for “creating a disturbance” in 1915. She lived at 228 Cleveland Avenue in 1910 and obtained a piece of property on Flynt Street in 1915. According to the 1916 City Directory, she worked as a cook and lived at 228 Cleveland Avenue. She died from unknown causes on January 10, 1919.
Mack	Cynthia	Female	African American	Unknown	Housework		December 31, 1921		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
George	Maria	Female	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1824	December 31, 1914	90	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Maria George was born around 1825 and most likely spent the first half of her life enslaved. As a widow in 1910, she owned a home at 584 Strong Street. She still lived at that address in 1912, according to the City Directory. She died from unknown causes on March 14, 1915.
Whitehead	Carrie	Female	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1878	December 31, 1927	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Carried A. Whitehead was born on March 2, 1879. In 1910, she was divorced and worked as a laborer. She married Reese Brown on November 25, 1917. According to the 1923 City Directory, she lived with her husband at 151 Strickland Street. She died from unknown causes on November 27, 1928.
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]
Walker	[??]	Female	African American	Free	Child	December 31, 1924	December 31, 1924		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hayes	Annie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1921	December 31, 1922	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jackson	Alfred	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer	December 31, 1821	December 31, 1883	62	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Alfred Jackson was born around 1822 in Virginia and most likely spent most of his life enslaved. He married Louisa Jackson and the couple had at least six children: Camilla, Edward, Albin, Bettie, Mary, and Judy. He worked as a day laborer in 1870 and a white washer in 1880. He lived on River Street. He died from unknown causes on February 14, 1884.
Clark	Minnie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1889	December 31, 1932	43	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Minnie Lee Clark was born around 1890 and died in November 1933. She was only 43years old at the time of her death.
Scruggs	Viola	Female	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1885	December 31, 1925	30	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Viola Scruggs was born on June 15, 1886. She married Ellie Scruggs, a railroad fireman. In 1910, she worked as cook and lived with her husband and sister on Pearl Street. In 1926, she lived at 447 Third Street. At 30 years old, she died from unknown causes on December 5, 1926.
Payne	Jesse	Male	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1926	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Colbert	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Nurse		December 31, 1946		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Mrs. Mary J. Colbert, the mother of Mrs. Mamie Harden and a “veteran nurse civic and religious leader,” died from unknown causes in November 1947. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is unmarked.
Binns	Elizzebeth	Female	African American	Free	Teacher		December 31, 1925	24	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
B.	W.	Unknown	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Jones	John	Male	African American	Free	Drayman		December 31, 1919	40	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jones	Julius	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1907	December 31, 1941	34	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Julius C. Jones was born in 1908 and died in 1942.
Derricotte	Edward	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer	December 31, 1856	December 31, 1939	83	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Edward J. Derricotte was born on March 12, 1858 and most likely enslaved as an infant. He worked as a day laborer in 1870 and as a “Sexton To Church” in 1880. In 1882, he married Charlotte L. Derricotte and the couple had at least four children: Ophelia, Edward Jr., Tom, and Andrew. He worked as a laborer at “odd jobs” while living in Everett, Massachusetts in 1920. Upon returning to Athens, he worked as carpenter in 1920. After the death of his wife, he moved back to Everett, Massachusetts where he worked as a janitor and lived with extended family. He died from unknown causes on June 4, 1940.
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.
Smith	Lizzie	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1922	48	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Echols	Hiram	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1923	53	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Heard	M.	Unknown	African American	Free		December 31, 1887	December 31, 1888		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to the tombstone, this 7 month-old infant was born on October 12, 1888and died from unknown causes on May 14, 1889.
Brown	Alice	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1910	December 31, 1912	2	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Alice E. Brown was born on 1911 and died on 1913.
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.
Mack	Mollie	Female	African American	Free	Domestic		December 31, 1925	40	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Lyles	Mattie	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1880	December 31, 1934	55	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Isabel Owens and Coloumbus Hardman, Mattie Owens Lyles was born on March 12, 1881. She married Eugene Lyles sometime before 1910. In 1910, she worked as a washer woman and, in 1930, she was a housewife. She died from diabetes mellitus and candidiasis disease on August 25, 1935. According to her Death Certificate, she was a housewife living at 147 Plum Street.
Geter	Otis	Male	African American	Free	Unemployed	December 31, 1899	December 31, 1967	67	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Ida and Dink Geter, Otis Geter (or Jeter) was born around 1900. As a child, he attended school and lived on Fourth Street with his parents. He married Alice Brown on May 17, 1937. At the time of the Second World War, he was unemployed and living at 630 Madison Avenue. On February 12, 1959, he was arrested for liquor possession and spent twelve months in jail. He died from unknown causes on May 6, 1969.
Whitelock	Martha	Female	African American	Unknown			December 31, 1896		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Martha Whitelock died from unknown causes in 1897. She may have been the wife of John Whitelock (or Whittlock), who worked as a laborer and lived at 805 Athens Avenue, according to the 1894 City Directory.
Strickland	Willie	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1973		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	The son of Edward Strickland and Jennie (Wagner or Wagoner) Strickland, Willie Strickland was born in Athens, GA around 1898. He grew up on First Street, and after marrying Bertha Mae Harvey in 1937, the couple moved down the street to another residence on First Street. Throughout his life, Strickland had many different jobs including working in a saw mill according to the 1920 census, a cotton mill according to the 1930 census, and as a maid according to a 1931 Athens directory. During the Second World War, Strickland registered for the draft, but was not drafted into service, most likely because he was already married and 43 years old at the time. He died from unknown causes on April 6, 1974 in Athens, and was buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. [Researched and written by Casey Serrano]
Walker	Charlie	Male	African American	Enslaved	Reverend		December 31, 1919	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hayes	Magnola	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1922	18	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Clark	Julia	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1880	December 31, 1940	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Julia Shaw Clark was born in 1881. She most likely married William W. Clark, a laborer, and the couple lived at 144 Warsaw Street, according to the 1929 City Directory. At 84 years old, she died in 1941.
Scruggs	Ollie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1928	December 31, 1934	6	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Young and Olli Scruggs, Ollie Mae Scruggs was born on June 15, 1929 in North Carolina. At 6 years old, she died at the Athens General Hospital from endocarditis on October 6, 1935. In 1935, her father lived on Danielsville Road; this is most likely her last known address.
Payne	Jessie	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1924	22	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Meriweather	Senie	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1876	December 31, 1905	29	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Maria and James Meriwether. Senie or Sena Meriwether was born on April 5, 1877. In 1880, she lived with her parents and siblings at 295 Thomas Street. According to the 1904 City Directory, she worked as a washerwoman and lived at 26 Rock Spring Street. At 29 years old, she died from unknown causes on April 8, 1906.
Dallas	Elzia	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1965		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Elzia Duck Dallas, who resided at 742 Madison Avenue, died from unknown causes in August 1966. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave is unmarked.
Boland	Mary	Female	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1922	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Jones	Louvenia	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1919	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jones	Ida	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1888	December 31, 1948	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Ida Jones was born in 1889. In 1920, she lived with her husband, John Jones, a drayman, and their four children: William, Suise, Bernadett, and David. According to the 1942 City Directory, she lived at 425 Cleveland Avenue. At age 61, she died on June 29, 1949.
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.
Thoma[??]	[??]nno	Unknown	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Smith	Lula	Female	African American	Free	Laundress		December 31, 1919	45	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Ector	Benjiman	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Heard	J.	Unknown	African American	Free		December 31, 1893	December 31, 1893		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to the tombstone, J. T. Heard Jr. was born on July 31, 1894 and died August 30, 1894. It was the sibling of M. L. Heard.
Brown	Mary	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1913	December 31, 1944	31	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Mary Frances Brown was born on 1914. She most likely married Reese Brown, a "helper" at Athens Labor Company, and, according to the 1940 City Directory, the couple lived at 151 Strickland Avenue. At 31 years old, she died from unknown causes on 1945.
Payne	Stella	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1906	December 31, 1907	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Stella Grace Payne was born on January 11, 1907 and died from unknown causes on July 18, 1908. She was 1 year and 6 months old at the time of death.
Marshall	Nannie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1919	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Lyons	C.H.S.	Male	African American	Free	Academic	December 31, 1880	December 31, 1954	74	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	C. H. S. (or C. M. S.) Lyons Sr. was born on July 25, 1881. He may have worked as a professor or teacher. According to the 1952 City Directory, he was president of the Union Baptist Institute (known Jeruel Academy) and lived at 427 Baxter Street. He died on June 26, 1955.
[Goon?]	[??]	Female	African American	Free				75	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, [??] Sally [Goon?] died during the 1940s at 75 years old.
Whitfield		Unknown	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Teasley	Annie	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1983		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Annie S. Maxwell Teasley was born in 1917. At 67 years old, she died on November 13, 1984. At the time of her death, resided in Fulton County and, according to her obituary, had three sisters and a daughter. [Researched and written by Nicole Powell]
Walker	Fannie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Farmer		December 31, 1920	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Haynes	Rachel	Female	African American	Free	Student	December 31, 1904	December 31, 1920	15	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jackson	Thomas	Male	African American	Free	Doctor	December 31, 1896	December 31, 1930	34	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Sweetie Poline and Thomas Nathaniel Jackson, Thomas N. Jackson was born on June 12, 1897. As a child in 1900, he lived on Barber Street with his family. He graduated from Knox Institute in 1915. At the start of the First World War, he lived at 133 Cleveland Avenue and worked as a grist mill operator. During the war, he was a student at the Army Training Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1930, he worked as a physician in Athens. He died from [??] on November 8, 1931. According to the Death Certificate, he worked as a physician and lived at 133 Cleveland Avenue.
Cleveland	John	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1868	December 31, 1930	62	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	John Cleveland was born between 1865 and 1875. He married Liza Cleveland, a laundress, and the couple had a least one child: Johnnie, Magnolia, and Manda. Unable to read or write, he worked as an oil mill laborer in 1920 and was working as a laborer in 1929. He was not working in 1930 and lived at 168 John Street in Athens. He died from unknown causes on November 27, 1931; he was around 62 years of age at the time of his death.
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.
Payne	Lettia	Female	African American	Enslaved	Domestic		December 31, 1927	85	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Merriweather	W.	Unknown	African American	Free		December 31, 1912	December 31, 1930	17	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to the tombstone, W. G. Merriweather was born on November 26, 1913 and died on July 20, 1931. This individual was only 17 years at the time of their death.
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.
Booke	Ben	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1926	50	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Jones	Margaret	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1920	87	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Jones	Robert	Male	African American	Free	Mason	December 31, 1876	December 31, 1936	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Susan Harris and Robert Jones, Robert L. Jones was born on July 9, 1872 (or 1877). Around 1908, he married Effie Jones and the couple appears not to have had children. He worked as a brick mason in 1910 and as a “Tiel Setter” in 1930. He died from apoplexy on February 12,1937. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a brick mason and lived at 167 Paris Street
Dillard	William	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1907	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	William Dillard was born around 1844 and most likely enslaved. According to the 1870 Census, he worked as Day Laborer. She married Racheal Dillard and they had at least two children: Nannie and Annie. In 1904, he worked as a laborer and lived at 640 Fourth Street. He was one of the founding members of the Gospel Pilgrim Society.

Decedent

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