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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Dunfoy | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |||
Thomas | Marion | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1903 | December 31, 1936 | 33 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Marion Clemons Thomas was born around 1904. At 33 years old, he died on December 16, 1937. | |
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. |
Horton | Emily | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1916 | December 31, 1917 | 1 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Emily Horton was the infant of Susie Lovinggood Horton, a music teacher, and William J. Horton, a mail carrier. She was born in 1917 and died in 1918. | |
Mack | Cynthia | Female | African American | Unknown | Housework | December 31, 1921 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
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. |
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] | |||
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. | |
Mason | Mattie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Nurse | December 31, 1853 | December 31, 1941 | 88 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mattie Shaw Mason was born in April 1854 and most likely spend her childhood enslaved. In 1900, she was a wife and nurse living at 1024 Billups Street. Still working as a nurse in 1920, her address was listed as Hancock Avenue. By 1930, she her address was again listed as Billups Street, this time living at 1196 Billups Street. She, then, lived at 1196 Hancock Avenue according to the 1940 Census. At 88 years old, she died from unknown causes on November 16, 1942. |
Walker | [??] | Female | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1924 | December 31, 1924 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
Hawkins | Rebecca | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1926 | 78 | 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. |
Jefferson | Ella | Female | African American | Enslaved | Seamstress | December 31, 1841 | December 31, 1903 | 62 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Salley and Robert Holsey, Ella Baker Jefferson was around 1842 and most likely enslaved as a young woman. She married Edgar Jefferson and the couple had at least two children: Minta and Jackson. In 1870, she was keeping house. In 1880, she worked as a dressmaker and lived with her close and extended family at 81 Broad Street. As a widow in 1900, she lived at 22 E Valley and still worked as a dressmaker. She died from unknown causes on September 4, 1904. |
Patterson | Nellie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1922 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
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. |
Bimett | Mary | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1921 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Sheppard | Anna | Female | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1861 | December 31, 1884 | 22 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Anna M. H. Sheppard was born on August 17, 1862 and most likely enslaved as a child. At 22 years of age, she died from unknown causes on April 25, 1885. | |
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.” |
Jones | Callie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1925 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Ellis | Sarah | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1945 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Sarah Ellis died in November 1946. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
B[??] | Gar[?]le | Unknown | African American | Unknown | 37 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||
Jones | Effie | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1893 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Effie Jones was born between 1890 and 1894.Around 1908, she married Robert Jones, a mason, and the couple appears not to have had children. She worked as a laundress in 1910, 1930, and 1940. In 1930, she lived at 167 Paris Street. As a widow in 1940, she lived at 1353 W Hancock Avenue. She died of unknown causes at an unknown date. | ||
Smith | Betney | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1922 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
Eberhart | Martha | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1918 | 33 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
Horton | Mary | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1916 | December 31, 1918 | 2 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mary Horton was the infant of Susie Lovinggood Horton, a music teacher, and William J. Horton, a mail carrier. She was born in 1917 and died in 1919. | |
Mack | Mollie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1925 | 40 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
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] | |||
Pope | Simon | Male | African American | Free | Janitor | December 31, 1869 | December 31, 1939 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Washington Pope, Simon G Pope was born on July 4, 1870. He married Ida Pope and the couple had at least four children: Edwin, Leroy, Edmund, Celastine, and Simmie. He worked as a day laborer in 1900, gas worker in 1910, oil mill laborer in 1920, and janitor in 1940. He owned a house at 524 Vine Street in 1940. He died at home from a spontaneous hemorrhage and chronic myocarditis on October 31, 1940. At the time of his death, he worked as a janitor for the University of Georgia. |
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. |
Walker | Charlie | Male | African American | Enslaved | Reverend | December 31, 1919 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. |
Hayes | Annie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1921 | December 31, 1922 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Williams | Lula | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1922 | 26 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Roda Calloway and Mark Johnson, Lula Jane Williams was born in August 1897. She married Ed Williams and, in 1920, the couple lived on Lyndon Street. She worked as a cook in 1920. She died from [??] on February 26, 1923. According to her Death Index, she worked as a domestic and lived at 882 Water Street. |
Jefferson | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Tailor | December 31, 1865 | December 31, 1900 | 34 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Ella and Edgar Jefferson, Robert Jefferson was born on May 1, 1866. In 1880, he lived with his parents and attended school. He married Mary L. Jefferson in 1890. In 1900, he worked as a tailor and live with his wife and four children—Robert, Geneva, Ellen, and Julian—at 8 Harris Street. He died from unknown causes on May 10, 1901. |
Payne | Jesse | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1926 | 1 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
Binns | Elizzebeth | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1925 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Simmons | Mitchell | Male | African American | Free | Church Employee | December 31, 1905 | December 31, 1964 | 59 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Anna B. Simmons, Mitchell Simmons was born on November 2, 1906. In 1910, he lived with his mother and grandmother in Madison, Georgia. In 1920, he worked as a theatre porter in Atlanta and lived with his mother in the city. By 1930, he had moved to South Carolina and was married to Thelma Simmons. The couple had at least one child: Mitchell J. Simmons. According to his Second World War draft registration, he worked for Reverend Frank Gantt and lived at 814 Hampton Street in Columbia, South Carolina. He died from unknown causes on February 12, 1965. |
Morton | Tallulah | Female | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1861 | December 31, 1940 | 79 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Tallulah “Lula” Morton was born around 1862 and most likely enslaved as a young child. She was the second wife of Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton and the mother of Monroe, Maude, Ida, and Charlie. She had borne six children, but only four lived to adulthood. In 1910, she lived with her family at 823 Prince Avenue. She did not work outside the home from 1910 to 1930. After the death of her husband in 1919, she remained in the house and lived with her son and daughter in 1930. At 69 years old, she died from unknown causes on August 3, 1941. | |
Jones | John | Male | African American | Free | Drayman | December 31, 1919 | 40 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Evans | Julia | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1961 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Julia Evans, who resided at 360 First Street, died in December 1962. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
B. | W. | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
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. |
Smith | Lizzie | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1922 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. |
Echols | Hiram | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1923 | 53 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Thomas | Tommie | Male | African American | Enslaved | Labroer | December 31, 1863 | December 31, 1939 | 76 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son or Margaret and Hampton Thomas, Tommie Thomas was born on May 15, 1864 and most likely enslaved. In 1870, he lived in Athens with his parents. He still lived with them in 1880, but also worked as butcher in that year. In 1930, he worked as a foreman for the transfer company. He died from chronic nephritis on March 11, 1940. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a laborer and lived at 168 Warsaw Street. |
Houston | Laura | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1854 | December 31, 1925 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Mary White and Henry Brown, Laura Brown Houston was born around 1855 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1915, she was hit by automobile, but survived the accident. As a widow, in 1920, she lived with her brother at 760 Chase Street and worked as a “cartman” “washer.” According to 1920s newspapers reports customers frequently mixed up their ticket items when collecting laundry. She died from Lagrippe on January 27, 1926. According to her Death Certificate, she lived at 768 Chase Street and worked as a domestic. |
Marshall | Nannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1919 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
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] | |||
Porter | Walter | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1889 | December 31, 1960 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Walter Porter was born around 1890. He married Susie Porter and the couple appears not to have had living children. He worked as an insurance agent in 1910, a tailor in 1920, a hotel servant in 1930, and a porter in 1940. At that time, the couple owned a house at 554 Strong Street. According to the 1958 City Directory, he and his wife lived at 554 E Strong Street. At 71 years old, he died from unknown causes on March 6, 1961. |
Matthews | Anderson | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1887 | December 31, 1917 | 29 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Jennie Mathews, Anderson Matthews was born on July 15, 1888. He married Julia Cheney in November 1914. During First World War, he lived on W Hancock Avenue and worked as a chauffeur. According to the 1914 City Directory, he lived at 1423 W Broad Street. At 29 years old, he died from unknown on May 17, 1918. |
Walker | Fannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1920 | 70 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
[Goon?] | [??] | Female | African American | Free | 75 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, [??] Sally [Goon?] died during the 1940s at 75 years old. | |||
Hayes | Magnola | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1922 | 18 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Williams | Willie | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1914 | December 31, 1965 | 51 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Willie Asa Williams was born around 1915. He died from unknown causes on December 6, 1966. | |
Johnson | Tom | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1953 | 59 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Eveline Howard, Tom Johnson was born around 1895 or 1896. He most likely served in the 341 Service Battalion during the First World War. In 1920, he worked as a laborer at a cotton press and he and his mother rented a place at the rear of 789 Thomas Street. He died from unknown causes on April 7, 1954. At the time of his death, he lived at Apt. 188 803 Play Lane. |
Payne | Jessie | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 22 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
Boland | Mary | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1922 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Sims | Minnie | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1874 | December 31, 1930 | 56 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Caroline and D. Charlie Whales, Minnie Whales Sims was born around 1875. She married John H. Sims and the couple had at least four children: Robert, M. C, Susie, and George. She worked as a Laundress in 1910 and a cook in 1930. At 56 years old, she died from [??] on November 4, 1931. At the time of her death, she lived at 499 Madison Avenue and worked as a domestic. |
Morton | Elizabeth | Female | African American | Free | Keeping House | December 31, 1831 | December 31, 1880 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Elizabeth “Lizzie” Morton was born enslaved around 1832. She had at least five children: Monroe, Willie, Albert, Sue, and Emma. In 1870, she was “Keeping House” in Athens. At around 50 years old, she died from unknown causes on January 10, 1881. |
Jones | Louvenia | Female | African American | Enslaved | Housework | December 31, 1919 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Flanigan | Albert | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1880 | December 31, 1967 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Albert Capp Flanigan, who resided at 87 Broad Acres, died from unknown causes in June 1968. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked | ||
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?] | [??]mar | 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. | |
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. |
Ector | Benjiman | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Thomas | Bennie | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1940 | December 31, 1989 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Bennie Thomas was born in 1941. At 49 years old, this individual died from unknown causes. | |
Hudson | Charlie | Male | African American | Enslaved | Merchant | December 31, 1857 | December 31, 1941 | 84 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Charlie Hudson was born around 1858 and most likely enslaved as a child. He married Maggie Hutson, a laundress, around 1904 and the couple lived at 387 Odd Street in 1910. He worked as a retail grocery merchant in 1910 and 1920. He died from unknown causes on October 29, 1942. |
Martin | Amandia | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1919 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Brown | Ella | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1879 | December 31, 1928 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Ella Smith Brown was born on 1880 ans died from unknown causes on 1929. At the time of her death, she was around 49 years old. | |
Teasley | Dottie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1973 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Dottie Susie Teasley, who resided at 275 Fourth Street, died from unknown causes in March 1974. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Porter | Susie | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Susie Bason Porter was born around 1886. She married Walter Porter and the couple appears not to have had living children. In 1930, she worked as a laundress. In 1940, the couple owned a house at 554 Strong Street, according to the 1958 City Directory, they remained at 554 E Strong Street. At 82 years old, she died from unknown causes in 1968. | |||
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. |
Walker | Macauloy | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1920 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Green | Unknown | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1934 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, [??] Green died on [August?] 4, 1935. | ||||
Haynes | Rachel | Female | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1904 | December 31, 1920 | 15 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Williams | Willie | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1940 | December 31, 1962 | 22 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Willie James Williams was born around 1941. He died from unknown causes on 1963. | |
Johnson | William | Male | African American | Unknown | Reverend | December 31, 1841 | December 31, 1908 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | William D. Johnson was born in Maryland on March 19, 1842. In 1879, he married Alice V. Johnson of Georgia. The couple had at least five children. As a clergyman, Johnson could read, write, and owned his own house at 529 Lumpkin Street. He died from unknown causes on April 10, 1909. |
Payne | Lettia | Female | African American | Enslaved | Domestic | December 31, 1927 | 85 | 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. |
Booke | Ben | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1926 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
Morton | Maude | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1986 | 90 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of and Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton and Tallulah Morton, Maude Muller Morton was born on January 5, 1897. In 1910, she attended school and lived with her parents on Prince Avenue. She graduated college and worked as a public school leveler in 1930 and as an elementary school teacher in 1940. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived at 823 Prince Avenue. At 90 years old, she died from unknown causes on October 15, 1987. |
Jones | Margaret | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1920 | 87 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Flanigan | Melvin | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1914 | December 31, 1976 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Melvin Coot Flanigan, who resided at 190 Cleveland Avenue, died from unknown causes in December 1977. The funeral was handled by Hurley Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | ||
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. | ||
Kenney | Charlie | Male | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1964 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Charlie Kenney died on August 16, 1965. | |||
Smith | Peter | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
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. | |
Ector | Carrie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1918 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Thomas | Susie | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1872 | December 31, 1969 | 97 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Hannah and G. Thomas, Susie Lee Thomas was born around 1873. In 1880, she lived with her parents on Richardson Street and attended school. She married Anderson Thomas and the couple had at least two children. She worked as a laundress in 1910, a farm laborer in 1920, and a cook in 1940. She died from unknown causes in July 1970. According to her funeral notice, she lived at 130 Hickman Drive. |