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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones | Sallie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1859 | December 31, 1884 | 25 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Jennie and Levi Jones, Sallie Jones was born around 1860 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she lived in Watkinsville with her parents. She married Robert Jones, a laborer. In 1880, she worked as a “washer & ironer” and lived with her husband at 377 River Street. She died from unknown causes on July 25, 1885. |
| Holbrooks | Rosa | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Upson | Brinie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1952 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Brynie Upson was born around 1880. She married Neal Upson, a farmer, and the couple lived outside of town on Hull Road. She died from unknown causes on December 21, 1953. According to the 1942 City Directory, he lived at 450 Fourth Street; this was most likely her last known address. | |||
| Ray | Elsie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 79 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Cobb | Minnie | Female | African American | Free | Wife | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1943 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Born around July 14, 1890, Minnie Johnson Cobb married Crawford Cobb, a tailor. According to the 1938 City Directory, he worked as a tailor and they lived at 874 Water Street. In 1940, she did not work and lived with her husband at 874 Hobson Avenue. According to the 1942 City Directory, she lived once again at 874 Water Street. She died from unknown causes on February 12, 1944. |
| Holbrook | Marion | Male | African American | Free | Post Office Clerk | December 31, 1879 | December 31, 1928 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Marion J. Holbrook was born on April 14, 1879 or 1880. He married Carrie Jones Holbrook and the couple had at least two children: Marion and Georgia. He worked various jobs in his early years; he was barber in 1900 and a laborer at “Odd Jobs” in 1910. He started working as a post office clerk in 1911, and remained at that position for the remainder of his life. He intentional shot himself and died from two gunshot wounds on May 6, 1929. At the time of his death, he had been living with his wife at 130 Harris Street. |
| Buedon | Ora | Male | African American | Free | Gardener | December 31, 1920 | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Reid | Fannie | Female | African American | Free | Secretary | December 31, 1889 | December 31, 1983 | 93 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Laura and Lorenza Reid, Fannie J. Reid was born on October 5, 1890. In 1910, she attended school and lived with her parents at 431 Bridge Street. In 1910, she remained at the same address. According to the 1958 City Directory, she worked as a secretary at the Athens High and Industrial School and lived at 243 Bridge Street. She died from unknown causes on February 19, 1984. |
| Malcolm | Henrietta | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1869 | December 31, 1935 | 66 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of William Whiles, Henrietta Malcolm was born around 1870. In 1920, she worked as a laundress and rented a home on Reese Street. On February 7, 1936, she died from cerebral apoplexy and acute [??] nephritis. At the time of her death, she was a domestic living at 1125 W Broad Street. |
| Bacon | Mary | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1916 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Mary Bacon was born on October 17, 1849 and, given her date of birth, sge likely spent her childhood enslaved. According to the 1909 City Directory, she worked as a laundress and lived at 554 E Strong Street. at 68 years old, she died from uknown causes on November 27, 1917. She is most likely either the mother, sister, or wife of Edward Bacon, who was also buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. |
| Lewis | Fannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Teacher | December 31, 1923 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Wymbs | J. | Male | African American | Free | Minister | December 31, 1890 | December 31, 1935 | 45 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Janette and Lewis Wymbs, J. H. Wymbs was born around 1891. He died from an acute infection on August 15, 1936. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a minister and lived at 175 Second Street. |
| Stricklyn | Pearl | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1919 | 21 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Downer | G. | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1860 | December 31, 1914 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, G. T. Dower was born around 1861 and most likely enslaved as a child. At 54 years old, this person died from unknown causes on February 2, 1915. Most likely this person is Gaines Downer, who, according to the 1904 City Directory, worked as a laborer and lived at 658 Morris [St. Av. or Way?]. |
| 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. | ||
| Fortson | Jim | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Foster | Jos. | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | 19 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Smith | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Carpenter | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1924 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Nellie Thomas and Scott Smith, Robert Smith was born around 1889. He married Pearl Smith and served in the 313 Service Battalion during the First World War. He died from being “shot by police in self defense” on December 25, 1925. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as carpenter and lived at 387 Flint Street. |
| 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. |
| Merriweather | Carrie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1921 | 27 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Brown | [Susie?] | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1883 | December 31, 1936 | 53 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Susian Mcintosh and Robert L. Jones, Susie C. Jones Brown was born around 1884 in Oconee County. She worked as laundress during the 1910s and 1920s. She married J. Wilson Brown, a grocery store merchant, and the couple had at least five children: Georgia, Mamie, Caleb, Lila, and Susie. After the death of her husband, she lived at 1353 W Hancock Avenue and worked as a domestic. At 53 years old, she died from apoplexy on December 13, 1937. |
| Howell | Leonard | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1954 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Leonard Howell, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in November 1955. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Williams | Jim | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1921 | 64 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Greene | Ellen | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1976 | 79 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Ellen F. Greene was born around December 1, 1893. In 1910, she attended school and lived on Foundry Street. She graduated from college and moved to Nashville to take a deanship at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. After leaving Athens, she instructed Leo Barnett, an Athens-area resident known for performing cemetery maintenance, “to keep the family plot cleaned and maintained.” In 1977, Ellen died in Nashville. She was interred, in Athens, near her mother, Salemma, and two brothers: Marcus and Augustus, a Sergeant Major who had preceded her in death in 1941. |
| Washington | Hector | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1946 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Mrs. Hector Mary Washington, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in January 1947. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| [Murfrey?] | [??] | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1928 | 36 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, this individual was born around 1893 and died in 1929; they were 36 years old. | |
| Jones | Tena | Unknown | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1847 | December 31, 1887 | 40 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Tena Jones was born in 1848 and most likely enslaved as a child. This individual died from unknown causes on September 23, 1888. Madison Davis was the executor of the will. | |
| Holmes | Geo. | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1923 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Virgil | Emma | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1879 | December 31, 1943 | 64 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Mary and Louis Jackson, Emma Virgil was born around 1880; her parents had been enslaved to John Montgomery in Oconee County. In 1930, she worked as a cook. When interviewed by the WPA in the 1930s, she lived at 1491 W. Broad Street. According to the 1952 City Directory, she lived at 268 Parris Street. At 64 years old, she died from unknown causes on February 14, 1944. |
| Ray | Seymour | Male | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1881 | December 31, 1923 | 41 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Cole | William | Male | African American | Enslaved | Janitor | December 31, 1851 | December 31, 1931 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Betsey Derricotte and Lucius C. Cole, William Cole was born around 1852 and was most likely enslaved as a child. He worked various jobs, including day laborer (1870), farmer (1880), and janitor (1932). He married Mary Cole and, in 1900, the couple had two living children: Hansel Cole and another unnamed child. 80 year-old Cole died from [??] on September 30, 1932. At the time of his death, he lived at 186 John Street. |
| Holsey | [??] | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| Bunkley | Lula | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1925 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Reid | Mattiline | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1893 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Laura and Lorenza Reid, Mattiline I. Reid was born on August 14, 1893 and died on July 30, 1894. She was only 6 months old. In 1897, her father lived at 431 Bridge Street; this is most likely her last known address. | ||
| Martin | Jessie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1877 | December 31, 1923 | 45 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Jessie Martin was born around 1878. She worked as a domestic and died from apoplexy on December 17, 1924. At the time of her death, she was 50 years old and living at 1055 Prince Avenue. |
| Bacon | Edward | Male | African American | Enslaved | Shoemaker | December 31, 1853 | December 31, 1905 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Minerva and Robert Bacon, Edward Bacon was born on December 25, 1854 and, given this date, most likely spent his childhood enslaved. He married Mary Bacon and the couple may or may not have had children. During the 1870s and 1880s, he worked as a shoemaker in Athens. According to the 1897-98 City Directory, he lived at 416 E. Strong Street and remained at this address in 1904 while working as a shoemaker. He died from unknown causes on December 13, 1906; he was 49 years old. |
| Logan | Fanie | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1925 | 28 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Young | Agnes | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1836 | December 31, 1897 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Agnes “Aggie” Crawford Young was born in March 1837. In 1870, she was “keeping house.” She was married James Young in 1864 and they had at least six children: Edward, John, Minnie (Davis), Maria, James, and Young. As a widow in 1880, she lived at the corner of Foundry Street and Connecticut Street and worked as a “Washer & Ironer.” According to the 1889 City Directory, she lived at 438 Bridge Street and worked as a laundress. At he died from unknown causes on January 10, 1898. After her death, she bequeathed her possessions to her daughter, Minnie Davis. |
| Strong | Husey | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1925 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |||
| Drake | Laura | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cake Embosser | December 31, 1861 | December 31, 1904 | 43 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Laura L. T. Drake was born in May 1862 and was most likely enslaved as a child. In 1900, she was married and had four children: Franklin, Laura, Ruby, and Gipsy. She worked as a cake embosser and lived at 11 Billups Street. On May 24, 1905, she died from unknown causes; she was around 43 years old. |
| Johnson | Louise | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1961 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Louise Johnson died from unknown causes in September 1962. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Jameson | Ella | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1909 | 29 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Ella Underwood Jameson was born on July 4, 1881. In 1910, she worked as a cook and lived with her husband, Shoals Jamison, at 193 Pendley Street (193 Finley Street). At 29 years old, she died from unknown causes on June 30, 1910. |
| Foster | Lorenza | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1926 | December 31, 1926 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Smith | Julia | Female | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1939 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Julie E. Smith died on July 11, 1940. She is buried alongside Winnie Moore. | |||
| 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. | ||
| Merriweather | Johnnie | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1921 | 5 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
| Brown | Grapell | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1933 | December 31, 1935 | 2 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Ola Mae and Caleb L. Brown, Grapell O. Brown was born in 1934. The family lived at 1353 W Hancock Avenue. She died from influenza on January 6, 1936, when she was just 2 years and 4 months old. | |
| Howell | Lamar | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1967 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Mrs. Leonard Howell, who resided in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in February 1968. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Williams | Susie | Female | African American | Free | Housewife | December 31, 1899 | December 31, 1919 | 19 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
| Greene | Augustus | Male | African American | Free | Soldier | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1940 | 46 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Salemma Greene and brother of Ellen Greene, Augustus C. Greene was born on August 4, 1895. As a child, he lived with his grandmother, Harriett Stroud, at 508 Foundry Street. He attended school. He served as a Sergeant Major in the 11th Triangle Battalion during the First World War. He died from unknown causes on December 22, 1941. He was only 46 years old at the time of his death. |
| Watson | Victoria | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1973 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Victoria Watson, who resided at 175 Glenhaven Avenue, died from unknown causes in October 1974. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Neely | Helen | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1898 | December 31, 1963 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Helen B. Neely was born on September 10, 1899 and died on March 26, 1964. She was 65 years old. | |
| Jones | Georgia | Female | African American | Enslaved | Merchant | December 31, 1850 | December 31, 1921 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter Caroline Foster and Sam Thomas, Georgia Jones was born on February 7, 1849 (or 1851) and most likely spent her early life enslaved. She married John W. Jones, a cook, around 1881 and the couple had three living children. In 1900, they both worked as cooks and owned a house at 360 Broad Street. In 1910, she worked as a grocery store merchant and they rented a house at 563 Broad Street. After her husband’s death in 1917, she lived with her son-in-law (Marion Holbrook) at 522 Broad Street. Later in life she worked as a dressmaker. According to the 1920 City Directory, she lived at 522 Broad Street. She died from mitral regurgitation and nephritis on December 9, 1922. |
| Holmes | Mattie | Female | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| W | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
| Redding | Bertha | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1919 | 17 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Cole | Robt. | Male | African American | Free | Hackman | December 31, 1868 | December 31, 1915 | 46 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Robert C. Cole was born on December 18, 1869. He married Nona Cole and, in 1910, he worked on the Transfer Line as a hackman. According to the 1909 City Directory, he lived at 343 Hull Street, He died from unknown causes on December 10, 1916. |
| Holt | Caroline | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1838 | December 31, 1901 | 62 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Caroline Holt was born on December 2, 1839 and enslaved. In the 1880s, she worked as a cook for Mrs. Martha Wilson Lumpkin Compton, and was accused of possibly poisoning a member of this white family. The accusation was most likely false, but the lurid story appeared in the local news reports. She died from unknown causes on October 8, 1902. |
| Burnes | Mamie | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1926 | 37 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Reid | Laura | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1893 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Laura and Lorenza Reid, Laura Ella Reid was born on August 14, 1893 and died on July 30, 1894. She was 11 months old. In 1897, her father lived at 431 Bridge Street; this is most likely her last known address. | ||
| 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. |
| Marcellus | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
| Lumpkin | Dan | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1926 | 45 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| [??] | 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. | ||||
| Stroud | Harriet | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1920 | 90 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Drake | Cornelius | Male | African American | Free | Insurance Agent | December 31, 1870 | December 31, 1945 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Cornelius Drake was born on November 25,1871. According to the 1904 City Directory, he worked as a janitor at the State Normal School and lived at 111 Billups Street. He married Virgie C. sometime between 1904 and 1942. According to the 1942 City Directory, he was an agent at the Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company and he lived at 986 Reese Street. At 74 years old, he died from unknown causes on October 17, 1946. |
| Johnson | Ethal | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1975 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Ethel Johnson, who resided at 151 Lyndon Avenue, died from unknown causes in August 1976. She was married to James Johnson and they had at least one child, Blanche Johnson Jones. The funeral was handled by Hurley’s Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| 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. |
| Gant | Ellen | Female | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1919 | 110 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Snelson | A. | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1899 | 2 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | A. O'Luwole Snelson was born on July 29, 1897 and died from unknown causes on March 1, 1900. This child was 2 years and 8 months old at the time of death. | |
| Morton | Amanda | Female | African American | Enslaved | Baker | December 31, 1849 | December 31, 1884 | 35 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Amanda Morton was born between 1850 and 1853 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1880, she lived on Prince Avenue and worked “At Laura McCrays,” which was a bakery in town. She 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. |
| Miller | Lucy | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1922 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Brown | Malcolm | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1858 | December 31, 1886 | 27 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Gabriella and George Brown, Malcolm Brown was born on March 1, 1859 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, he attended school. He died at 27 years old from unknown causes on January 9, 1887. | |
| Johnson | Curtis | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1983 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Curtis Johnson, who resided at 97 Broad Acres, died from unknown causes in September 1984. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Wilson | Jeorge | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1921 | 46 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Greene | Salemma | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1869 | December 31, 1948 | 79 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Salemma Greene was born sometime between 1870 and 1873. She may have married Iyah Stroud. In 1910, she was widowed and living with her mother-in-law, Harriett Stroud, and three children—Ellen, Augustus, and Marcus—at 634 Foundry Street. As a widow in 1940, she worked as a Personal Companion and owned a home at 380 Lyndon Avenue. She died from unknown causes on December 21, 1949. After her death, her daughter Ellen Greene, made sure “ the family plot [was] cleaned and maintained.” |
| Whitield | Mittie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1961 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Mittie Whitfield, who resided at 495 Reese Street, died from unknown causes in December 1962. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Nesbit | John | Male | African American | Enslaved | Mason | December 31, 1853 | December 31, 1895 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Sarah and Charles Nesbit, John Nesbit was born around 1854. In 1870, he lived with his parents and siblings in Athens. He married Ella Virginia Richardson on February 3, 1884 and the couple had six living children, including John, Fannie, Sarah, Julia, and Laura. According to a 1889 editorial on East Athens, “Mr. John Nesbitt has a pretty house that can vie with many of our handsome ones on this side.” According to the 1894 City Directory, he worked as a brickmason and lived at 310 Pearl Street. He died from unknown causes on October 13, 1896. |
| Jones | Florence | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1893 | December 31, 1930 | 37 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Elizabeth Flagg and Milledge A. Shaw, Florence Shaw Jones was born sometime between August 29, 1894 and 1897. She married Stepheny Jones, a laborer and school dish washer, and the couple owned a home at 138 Billups Street. She worked as a laundress during the 1920s and 1930s. She died from mitral regurgitation on January 22, 1931. At the time of her death, she worked as a domestic and lived at 138 Billups Street. |
| Houston | Florence | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1920 | 21 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| W | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
| Reeves | John | Male | African American | Enslaved | Gardener | December 31, 1920 | 86 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Cole | Victoria | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1878 | December 31, 1960 | 82 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Victoria J. Cole was born in 1879. She married Lucius C. Cole, a university janitor, and worked as a laundress. In 1930, the couple lived at 169 Newton Street. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived at 160 Hendrix Street. At 82 years old, she died from unknown causes on August 22, 1961. She was 82 years old. |
| Horton | Susie | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1921 | 37 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Mary Lovinggood, Susie Lovinggood Horton was born around 1885. In 1910, she worked as a “nurse teacher.” She married William J. Horton, a mail carrier, and the couple had at least one child: Ora. In 1920, the family lived at 1327 W Hancock Avenue and she worked as a music teacher. According to the 1921 City Directory, the house address was 1337 W Hancock Street. She died from unknown causes in 1922. |
| Carter | Lillie | Female | African American | Free | Housewife | December 31, 1919 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Reid | Lorenzo | Male | African American | Enslaved | Barber | December 31, 1862 | December 31, 1946 | 84 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lorenzo W. Reid was born around 1863 and most likely enslaved as a child. On October 5, 1884, he married Laura Richardson Reid, a laundress, and the couple had at least ten children: Beulah, L. W., Charlie, Addie, Fannie, Louisa, Ruth, Etta, Mattiline, and Laura Ella. In 1900, the family lived at 431 Bridge Street. He worked as a barber in 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1940. In 1940, he lived at 431 Bridge Street. At 83 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 14, 1947. |
| Martin | Mary | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1829 | December 31, 1902 | 73 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mary Martin was born around 1830 and most likely spend the majority of her life enslaved. She married George Martin and the couple had at least one child: Essen Martin. In 1880, she worked as a “washer and ironer” and the family lived on an “unnamed street near River Street.” According to the 1897 City Directory, she lived at 648 Odd Street, East Athens. She died from unknown causes on April 25, 1903. |
| Banks | Jessie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1912 | December 31, 1961 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Jessie Mae Banks was born in 1913 and died in 1962. She is not listed in the city directories during the 1950s, so her address remains unknown. | |
| Lumpkin | Rosa | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1918 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| 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. | |||||
| Sullivan | Mary | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1919 | 46 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Drake | Franklin | Male | African American | Free | Business | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1914 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Laura and Cornelius Drake, Franklin B. Drake was born on October 24, 1892. In 1900, he lived in Athens and attended school. He graduated from Knox Institute and then worked “in business.” In 1910, he lived with his grandmother and parents at 853 Prince Avenue. He died from unknown causes on July 5, 1915. |
| Johnson | Reese | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1957 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Reese Johnson, who resided at 130 Water Street, died from unknown causes in June 1958. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
| Jarrell | Roxie | Female | African American | Free | Librarian | December 31, 1893 | December 31, 1961 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Savanah and Jackson Jarrell, Roxie Jarrell was born around 1894 and, at the turn of the century, lived with her parents in Madison, Georgia. In 1910, she worked as a Farm Laborer and attended school. She lived with her brother and mother on a farm on Nowhere Road in 1920. According to the 1956 City Directory, she was the librarian at Athens Regional Library Dunbar Branch and she lived at 247 N Chase Street. The Dunbar Branch Library opened on August 16, 1942 in the Knox Institute building and was one of the few libraries in Georgia catering to African Americans. In 1957, the library moved into Athens High and Industrial Collection on Reese Street. Roxie Jarrell was the first library clerk and her salary was paid by the Works Progress Administration. She remained in this position into the late 1950s or early 1960s. At 68, years old she died from unknown causes on September 2, 1962. |
| Garfield | Carrie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housewife | December 31, 1924 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Stach Family | John | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
| 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.” |
| Milner | Sam | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1925 | 51 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
| Brunt | Wakefield | Male | African American | Free | Post Office | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1926 | 33 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Wakefield C. Brunt was born around November 14, 1893 in Salisbury, North Carolina and lived at 660 Hancock Avenue in 1917. During the First World War, he served oversees as a private in the Company M, 304th Stevedore Regiment. He returned to Athens following the war and worked as postman. In 1922, he won a “friendly competition between the Athens [mail] carriers.” According to the 1923 City Directory, he most likely lived at 640 W Hancock Avenue. He died of unknown causes on February 1, 1927. |
| Johnson | James | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1971 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, James Johnson, who resided at 151 Lyndon Avenue, died from unknown causes in October 1972. He was married to Ethel Johnson and they had at least one child, Blanche Johnson Jones. The funeral was handled by Hurley’s Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. |
