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
Thomas	Hamilton	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1909	December 31, 1939	30	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Hamilton Thomas was born around 1910. At 30 years old, he died from unknown causes on December 26, 1940.
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.
Lyons	Hannah	Female	African American	Free	Housework		December 31, 1922	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Simmons	Harett	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1921	95	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Warren	Harrett	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1918	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Johnson	Harrett	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1918	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Williams	Harriet	Female	African American	Free	House Keeper	December 31, 1852	December 31, 1930	76	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The daughter of Harriett Dardey, Harriet Williams was born around October 11, 1853. At 76 years of age, she died from arterio sclerosis on February 24, 1930. According to her Death Certificate, she was a “house keeper” and lived in Atlanta, Georgia.
[Powers?]	Harriet	Female	African American	Enslaved	Seamstress	December 31, 1838	December 31, 1909	72	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Harriet C. Powers was born around 1837-1839 and, as a young woman, enslaved on the plantation of John and Nancy Lester in Madison County, Georgia. At around 18 years old, she married Armstead Powers in 1855. The couple had at least nine children, including Amanda, Leon Joe (Alonzo), Nancy, Lizzie, and Marshall. In 1870 and 1880, she was “Keeping House” and lived with her family near Sandy Creek, Georgia. As skilled seamstress and folk artist, her intricate quilts were displayed at the Clarke County Cotton Fair and were highly sought after. Today, only two of her quilts survive; one hangs American History Museum of the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and the other hangs in the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. According to the 1889 City Directory, her husband lived at 27 Angle [St? Rd?]; she most likely lived at this address as well. She died from unknown causes on January 1, 1910.
Stroud	Harriet	Female	African American	Enslaved	Housework		December 31, 1920	90	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Hill	Harrison	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1930	December 31, 1930	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Harrison Hill was an infant who died on December 4, 1931.
Newsome	Harry	Male	African American	Free	Porter	December 31, 1902	December 31, 1954	52	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Harry C. Newsome was born on September 3, 1903 in Monroe, Georgia. He most likely married Bessie Newsome and, in 1942, they lived at 153 Lyndon Avenue. He worked for Krowe & Knowles, a local furniture store. According to the 1952 City Directory, he worked as porter for "Patrick's Pharm" and lived at 153 Lyndon Avenue. At 52 years old, he died from unknown causes on July 30, 1955.
Hardeman	Harry	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1896	December 31, 1970		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Harry Hardeman born on May 23, 1897. The son of Juliette Cornelius Hardeman, a single mother and Athens washerwoman, Hardeman and his two sisters lived at 425 Pope Street. By all accounts, he appeared to be a mischievous child; he, at least once, was caught “casting pebbles” at another boy. Whereas a white child most likely escaped the attention of law enforcement, a black child in Jim Crow Georgia did not. Twelve-year-old Hardeman—for his harmless, childish antics—found himself before the local police court. As punishment for the ‘crime,’ reported The Weekly Banner, the Athens mayor “assessed the scrapper the sum of one dollar,” but remitted the fine after “one of the older darkeys in the court volunteered to administer the necessary chastisement, in the place of the absent parent.” During the First World War, he served stateside as a sergeant in the 157th Depot Brigade. Retuning to Athens after the war, he worked as a laborer and lived at 171 Church Street in 1920. According to the 1958 City Directory, he worked as a butler and lived at 405 Benning Street. He died on April 10, 1971 from an unknown aliment.
Hiram	Hary	Male	African American	Unknown	Farmer		December 31, 1927		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Harry Hiram most likely lived at 164 Herring Street and worked as a farmer in 1912. According to his tombstone, he died from unknown causes on October 30, 1928.
Jackson	Hattie	Female	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1923	2	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Lay	Hattie	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1899	December 31, 1965	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to her tombstone, Hattie Christopher Lay was born on October 4, 1900 and died from unknown causes on May 3, 1966.
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.
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.
Nesbrit	Hellen	Female	African American	Enslaved	Cook		December 31, 1919	70	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
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.
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.
Lee	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Farm Laborer	December 31, 1878	December 31, 1934	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Ella and John Menifee, Henry L. Lee was born on March 14, 1879. He married Maggie Lee around 1900 and the couple rented a home in Oconee County in 1910. He worked as farm laborer. In 1930, he lived at 45 Rocky Branch Road in Oconee County. He died from unknown causes on December 15, 1935.
Mullins	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Cook	December 31, 1869	December 31, 1930	61	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Henry A. Mullins was born around 1870. He married Georgia Mullins and the couple had at least four children: Owen, Samson, Lumpkins, and Mary. In 1910, he worked as a city cook and owned a house at 236 S Collins Street. He died from unknown causes in 1931.
Credell	Henry	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1924	80	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Benford	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Fireman		December 31, 1922	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Shaw	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Mason		December 31, 1922	36	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Minniefield	Henry	Male	African American	Free	Porter	December 31, 1888	December 31, 1937	49	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Ella Lee and John Minniefield, Henry L. Minniefield was born around 1889. In 1930, he worked as a porter at a pool room and was married Effie L. Minnifield, a seamstress. At 49 years old, he died from bulbar paralysis on April 2, 1938. He worked as porter and lived at 346 Reese Street at the time of his death.
Parrott	Henry	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1918	70	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.
Echols	Hiram	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1923	53	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Aycock	Homer	Male	African American	Free	Decorator	December 31, 1901	December 31, 1959	58	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Homer Aycock Sr. was born around 1902. He married Rosa Aycock, a laundress, and the couple had at least five children: Percy, Eva Lee, Anna C., and Homer Jr., Christine. He worked as an “Interior house Dectorator” in 1930 and 1940. In those same years, the family rented at home at 183 Lyndon Avenue. According to the 1949 City Directory, he still lived at 183 Lyndon Avenue. He died from unknown causes on November 16, 1960.
Pinckney	Hopie	Female	African American	Enslaved	Boarding	December 31, 1811	December 31, 1887	76	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Hopie Pinckey was born on May 18, 1812. She was enslaved to Mr. A. Hull of Athens. In 1860, someone attempted to burn down her dwelling, but she escaped the fire. According to the 1880 Census, she was married, worked as day boarder, and lived alone on Melchior Street. At 76 years of age, she died from unknown causes on July 7, 1888.
Small	Howard	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1908	December 31, 1972	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Howard Small was born April 9, 1909. According to his Second World War Draft Card, he lived in Atlanta, Georgia and his next of kin was Louvenia Guinn, a friend. By 1951, he was living in Seattle, Washington. He died from unknown causes on April 5, 1973.
Johnson	Howard	Male	African American	Free	Janitor	December 31, 1899	December 31, 1967	68	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	According to his tombstone, Howard F. Johnson was born on January 24, 1900. According to the 1856 City Directory, he worked as a janitor in Howell Clark Hall and lived in Hull, Georgia. At 68 years old, he died on February 21, 1968.
Strong	Husey	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1925		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
McClure	Ida	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1915	December 31, 1920	5	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Flag	Ida	Female	African American	Free	Laundress	December 31, 1899	December 31, 1945	56	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Ida J. Flag was born around 1900. Sometime before 1930, she gained and lost a husband. As a widow, in 1930, she worked as laundress and lived with her sister, Emma Virgil, at 1490 W Broad Street. In 1940, her and her sister lived at 268 Parris Street. She died from unknown causes on July 28, 1946. At the time of her death, she was 56 years old.
Pope	Ida	Female	African American	Free		December 31, 1883	December 31, 1964	81	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Ida Ruby Neal Pope was born around March 18, 1884. In 1910, she had property on Vine Street. In 1935, she was married to Simon Pope, a janitor at the University of Gerogia. Accoridng to the 1958 City Directory, she lived alone at 524 Vine Street. At age 81, she died from unknown causes on September 11, 1965.
Hawkins	Ida	Female	African American	Enslaved		December 31, 1860	December 31, 1908	47	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Ida Hawkins was born on May 12, 1861 and most likely spent her early years enslaved. She married Perry Hawkins around 1907. She gave birth to seven children, but only five were living in 1910. On March 11, 1909, she died from unknown causes.
Davis	Ida	Female	African American	Free	Domestic		December 31, 1925	42	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.
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.
Wright	Inez	Female	African American	Free			December 31, 1977		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to her obituary, Inez Flanigan Wright, who resided in Dayton, Ohio, died from unknown causes in March 1978. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked.
Collins	Isaac	Male	African American	Free	Janitor	December 31, 1879	December 31, 1926	47	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Isaac Collins was born on February 10, 1880. Around 1905, He married Lizzie Collins and the couple had at least two children: Mary and Jeffrey. In 1910, he worked as a “Bill Poster” in the “Bulletin Boards” industry. According to the 1920 Census, he worked as a janitor and lived at 195 Billups Street. He died from unknown causes on February 10, 1927.
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.
Owens	Isibella	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laundress		December 31, 1918	65	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
W	J	Unknown	African American	Unknown				77	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Huff	J.	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1923	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Cleveland	J.	Male	African American	Free	Student		December 31, 1925	18	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Williams	J.	Male	African American	Free	Child	December 31, 1918	December 31, 1918	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Anderson	J.	Male	African American	Enslaved	Painter		December 31, 1919	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Richards	J.	Male	African American	Free	Reverend		December 31, 1920		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.
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.
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.
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.
Davis	J.	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1905	December 31, 1906	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	J. W. Davis was the twin son of J. W. and M. C. Davis. He was born on December 5, 1906 and died nine months later, on September 8, 1907. According to the 1904 City Directory, J. W. Daivs worked as a mail carrier and lived at 24 Strong Street. In 1909, he was married to Minnie Davis and they lived at 178 Strong Street. This is most likely their child.
Merritt	J. P.	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1924	51	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Miner	J. T.	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1920	December 31, 1922	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Bowmans	Jack	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1924	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Hurt	James	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1914	December 31, 1956	42	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Nancy Demeritt Hurt, James T. Hurt was born in 1915. At the start of the Second World War, he worked as a farm hand in Athens, Georgia and lived at 1734 E Broad Street. He served as a private Branch Immaterial Warrant Officers at Fort Benning, Georgia. In the middle of the war, he married Emma Lou Campbell on August 15, 1942. According to the 1949 City Directory, he worked at Western Markets and lived at 948 Reese Street. He remained at that address, but worked as a “hlpr Bradley Provision Co.” in 1956. At 42 years old, he died from unknown causes on September 30, 1957.
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.
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.
Williams	Jane	Female	African American	Enslaved	Domestic	December 31, 1836	December 31, 1890	54	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Jane Williams was born around 1837 and most likely enslaved. She married Isaac Williams and the couple had at least one child: Marie Williams. In 1800, she worked as a servant and lived at the corner of Foundry Street and Connecticut Street. At 54 years old, she died from unknown causes on January 13, 1891.
Scott	Jane	Female	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1924	98	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.
Wilson	Jeorge	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1921	46	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
Payne	Jesse	Male	African American	Free	Child		December 31, 1926	1	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
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.
Walker	Jessie	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1954		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Jessie Walker was born in 1890 in Athens, GA. According to the Athens Daily Herald, he was still living in Athens in 1917 and listed among the Clarke County men registered for the First World War draft. He moved to Michigan sometime after this and married Evie Walker with whom he had a daughter named Ora Lee Walker, later Ora Lee Gardner. According to the 1930 US Census, Walker lived with his family and two men who rented rooms in their home at 518 Beaver St. in Lansing, MI. His obituary of September 10, 1955, placed his residence at 131S Case Street in Lansing, and stated that he would be returned to Athens, GA to be buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. [Researched and written by Avery Scott]
Payne	Jessie	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1924	22	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Fortson	Jim	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1919	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Williams	Jim	Male	African American	Enslaved	Farmer		December 31, 1921	64	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Fields	Jno.	Male	African American	Free	Cotton Worker		December 31, 1918	35	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Rhodes	Joe	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1920	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Griggs	Joe	Male	African American	Free			December 31, 1949		Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	According to his obituary, Joe Henry Griggs, who resided at 280 Cain St NE in Atlanta, died from unknown causes in May 1950. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked.
Barnett	Joe	Male	African American	Free	Laborer		December 31, 1919	18	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Walker	Joe	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1864	December 31, 1926	62	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Joe Walker was born around 1865. He may have been arrested and jailed in Texas from 1883 to 1885. According to the 1924 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived with his wife, Mary, at 464 N Foundry Street. At 62 years old, he died from unknown causes on December 10, 1927.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Huff	John	Male	African American	Free	Laborer	December 31, 1884	December 31, 1926	42	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.
Reeves	John	Male	African American	Enslaved	Gardener		December 31, 1920	86	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
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.
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.
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]
Stach Family	John	Male	African American	Unknown					Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	[biographical information unknown]
Cole	John	Male	African American	Free		December 31, 1924	December 31, 1924	0	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	Neomie Cole gave birth to a stillborn infant, John Cole, on May 2, 1925. His mother, Nonie, worked as a farm laborer and lived at 349 Hull Street in 1921. According to the Death Index, the infant died at 186 John Street.
Jones	John	Male	African American	Free	Drayman		December 31, 1919	40	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Newings	John	Male	African American	Free	Soldier	December 31, 1931	December 31, 1955	24	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Mae Katie and Pierce Newing, John Evin Newings was born on July 19, 1932. In 1940, he lived with his parents in Bucks Branch Georgia. He served in the 360th Ord Ammo Company during the Koran War. He died from unknown causes on December 23, 1956. At the time of his death, he most likely lived at 355 Arch Street, which was the offical address of his father, Newings Pierce, in 1958.
Wade	John	Male	African American	Free	Grocer	December 31, 1886	December 31, 1947	60	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Orange Wade, John Wade was born around 1887 (or on February 2, 1886). In 1910, he worked as a “Bartender” at the “Bear Saloon.” According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a market business man and lived on Washington Street. According to the 1947 City Directory, he worked at Wade’s Market and lived with his wife, Leona, at 872 W Broad Street. He died from unknown causes on May 28, 1948.
Norman	John	Male	African American	Enslaved	Laborer		December 31, 1923	68	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Unmarked	Data collected from death certificate.
Strickland	John	Male	African American	Free	Butcher	December 31, 1894	December 31, 1918	24	Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery	Marked	The son of Jennie Wagner and Ed Strickland, John Strickland was born around 1895. In 1910, he lvied with his parents at 475 First Street and worked as a laborer in a cotton mill. During the First World War, he served in the 157 Depot Brigade at Camp Gordon. He died from pulmonary tuberculosis on April 22, 1919. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a butcher and lived at 475 First Street.

Decedent

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