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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hawkins | Lucy | Female | African American | Free | Homemaker | December 31, 1871 | December 31, 1921 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lucy M. Hawkins was born in October 1872. She married David Hawkins, a plasterer, in 1886 and the couple had three children: Peter, Lurean, and Harry. According to the July 21, 1899 edition of The Weekly Banner, she “was . . . called before the mayor. She was changed with scrapping and general disorderly conduct. Not being able to prove her innocence she was fined $2.90.” In 1900, she lived with her husband and children at 732 Oconee Street. According to the 1921 City Directory, she lived at 924 Oconee Street. She died from unknown causes in 1922. |
Hawkins | Katie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Domestic | December 31, 1854 | December 31, 1937 | 85 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Katie B. Hawkins was born around 1853 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1880, she worked as a servant and was married to Perry F. Hawkins, a blaster. The couple had at least five children: Julia, Fred, Will, Robert, and Clifford. As a wife and mother, she no longer worked in 1900 and the family lived at 320 Pearl Street. In 1928, she worked as a cook and was widowed at some point in the early 1900s. For two and a half years she was ill with chronic interstitial nephritis, and she died from cerebral apoplexy on September 9, 1938. At the time of her death, she was domestic and living at 147 Pearl Street (or 143 Pearl Street, According to the 1909 City Directory). |
Hawkins | Perry | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1917 | 69 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Perry F. Hawkins was born around 1849 and most likely enslaved as a young adult. In 1871, he married Katie B. Hawkins, a servant, and the couple had at least five children: Julia, Fred, Will, Robert, and Clifford. In 1881, he was a registered voter. He worked as a blaster in 1880 and a “rock breaker” in 1900. According to the 1909 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived at 143 Pearl Street. In 1911, at the Mayor’s orders, “the old negro, Perry Hawkins, went to the city hall according to promise and there gave his boy the licking on his life.” He died from unknown causes o October 25, 1918. |
Heard | William | Male | African American | Free | Blacksmith | December 31, 1864 | December 31, 1938 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Manerva and Thomas Heard, William Heard was born on February 12,1865 in Elberton, Georgia. Sometime before 1880, the family moved to Athens and he lived with his parents on Market Street. He worked as a “horseler” in 1880 and as a blacksmith in 1900, 1910, and 1920. He married Mattie Heard, a teacher, in 1897 and the couple does not appear to have had living children. He died from acute mitral regurgitation on September 26, 1939. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a blacksmith and lived at 475 Reese Street. |
Heard | Benjamin | Male | African American | Enslaved | Mason | December 31, 1863 | December 31, 1907 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Benjamin Scribben Heard was born around May 10, 1864 and was enslaved as a child. He married Emma F. Heard, a teacher, and the couple had at least one child: Selma G. Heard. In 1889, he worked as a brickmason and lived at 832 Cherry. According to the 1900 Census, he had changed professions and now worked as a merchant, but this is most likely an error, since, according to the 1904 City Directory, he worked as a brickmason and lived at 830 Cherry. He died from unknown causes on May 28, 1908. | |
Heard | Bartlett | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1831 | December 31, 1889 | 58 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Bartlett Heard was born on August 15, 1832 and was most likely enslaved as a child. He married Mary Heard and, in 1880, the couple lived in Buck Branch, Clarke County, Georgia. He died from unknown causes on July 26, 1890. He was 58 years old at the time of his death. |
Heard | Mary | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1844 | December 31, 1927 | 83 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Born around 1845, Mary Heard was most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she worked as a domestic servant for Stevens Thomas and his white family. Sometime before 1880, she married Bartlett Heard a farmer and the couple lived in Buck Branch, Clarke County, Georgia. After his death in June 1890, she worked as a farm laborer. In 1909, she worked as a cook and lived 185 Valley [Road or Street]. She died from unknown causes in 1928. |
Harris | Maggie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1909 | 12 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Ledie and Robert Harris, Maggie L. Harris was born around August 9,1897. As a child, in 1910, she attended school lived with her father and siblings on Flint Street. She died from unknown causes on June 26, 1910. | |
Harris | Mary | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Harris | R | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Ha[??] | Mamie | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Haley | Beverly | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1940 | December 31, 1954 | 14 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Beverly Ann Haley was born in 1941 and died in 1955. | |
Hampton | Amanda | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1874 | December 31, 1928 | 51 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Floyd Newsome, Amanda Newsome Hampton was born on July 17, 1875. She died from a cerebral hemorrhage on December 5, 1929. At the time of her death, she worked as a domestic and lived at 1253 W Broad Street. |
Hardeman | Eugene | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1901 | December 31, 1950 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mary Hardeman, Eugene Hardeman was born on September 2, 1902. According to his First World War Draft Card, he worked as a landscaper and lived at 623 Hull Street. He was still living at the same address in 1928. At 48 years old, he died from unknown causes on July 21, 1951. |
Hardeman | Julia | Female | African American | Free | Homemaker | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1962 | 66 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Julia L. Hardeman was born sometime around 1897. She married Lucas F. Hardeman, a farmer, and the couple had at least six children: Lucas, Garfield, Jerome, Willimena, Hunter, and Martin. In 1930, they lived at 139 Bailey Street. According to the 1949 City Directory, the couple lived at 230 Branch Street. She died from unknown causes on December 30, 1963. |
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. | |
Harden | Edgar | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1953 | 61 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mary Harden, Edgard Harden was born on November 2, 1892. As a 16 year old in 1910, he worked as a “poster” and did not attend school. During the First World War, he served as a corporal in Company D, 346 Service Battalion. He married Cora Harden and, according to the 1952 City Directory, he and his wife lived at 658 Hull Street. He died from unknown causes on June 26, 1954. | |
Huff | Will | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1934 | 40 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Alois Howard and Gib Huff, Will Huff was born on March 12, 1893 in Crawford, Georgia. He died from [??] of heart and nephritis on February 11, 1935. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as laborer and lived at 264 Bridge Street. |
Harris | Marion | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1899 | December 31, 1911 | 11 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Marion O. Harris was born on September 18, 1900 and died on April 16, 1912. He was only 11 years old at the time of his death. | |
Harris | Robert | Mae | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1835 | December 31, 1913 | 76 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Robert Harris was born around 1836 and most likely enslaved as a young man. At 76 years old, he died from unknown causes on August 6, 1914. According to the 1909 City Directory, Robert Harris and Robert Harris Jr. both lived at 226 Flint Street. Robert Harris—a one-legged criminal mastermind with a perchance for jail breaking—appears regularly within the local newspapers; this could be the same man or his son. | |
Harden | Cora | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1975 | 84 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Cora Jones Harden was born around June 15, 1892. According to the 1952 City Directory, she was married to Edgar Harden and they lived at 658 Hull Street. She died on November 26, 1976. She was around 84 years old at the time of her death and lived at 530 W Hancock Avenue. | |
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. | |
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. |
Holsey | [??] | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
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. |
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. | |
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. | |
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. |
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. |
Hunter | Richard | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1868 | December 31, 1928 | 60 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Carolina and Richard Hunter, Richard Hunter was born sometime between 1857 and 1869 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He worked as a laborer on the city streets in 1910 and as a “general worker” in 1920. He married Rachel Hunter and the couple had at least three children: Anna Bell, Nellie Bell, and Christine. He died from pneumonia on March 16, 1929. According to his Death Certificate, he worked as a mechanic and lived at 487 Madison Avenue. |
Hunter | Ed | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | December 31, 1957 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Annie Hunter, Ed Willie Hunter was born around 1919. In 1930, he attended school and lived with his mother on Finley Street. In 1940, he worked as a butler. He married Juanita Gross on January 25, 1943. According to the 1956 City Directory, he worked as yardman and lived at 540 S Finley Street. He died from unknown causes on June 5, 1958. According to his obituary published in The Atlanta Constitution, he lived at 548 Finley Street. |
[Hunter?] | Annie | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Holbrook | Rowena | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1968 | 77 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Anna Hughes and Eugene Shepard, Rowena Antoinette Shepard Holbrook was born around 1892. In 1928, she lived at 1847 Broad Street with her husband, Stephen Holbrook, a carpet layer. According to the 1958 City Directory, the couple lived at 1347 W Broad Street. She died from unknown causes in 1969. | |
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. | ||
Heard | Lizzie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1957 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lizzie Dorsey Heard was born around December 25, 1880 or 1895 (according to the Death Index). She most likely married Hill Heard, a farmer, and, according to the 1926 City Directory, they lived at 275 Field [Rd? St? Av?]. She died from unknown causes July 31, 1958. She was around 63 years old. | |
Heard | M. | Unknown | African American | Free | December 31, 1887 | December 31, 1888 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, this 7 month-old infant was born on October 12, 1888and died from unknown causes on May 14, 1889. | ||
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. | ||
Heard | Mattie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Teacher | December 31, 1862 | December 31, 1942 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mattie I. Heard was born around 1863 and most likely enslaved. She married William Heard, a blacksmith, in 1897 and the couple does not appear to have had living children. She worked as a teacher in 1900, 1910, and 1920 At the time of her husband’s death in 1939, they lived at 475 Reese Street. She died from unknown causes on November 13, 1943. |
Heath | Lula | Female | African American | Free | Boarding House | December 31, 1873 | December 31, 1912 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lula Shaw Heath was born sometime between 1874 and 1878. In 1910, she ran a boarding house and lived with her husband, Charley Heath, their child, Charley, and two borders at 317 Chase Street. She died from unknown causes on September 15, 1913. |
Hicks | Charles | Male | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1840 | December 31, 1915 | 75 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Charles Hicks was born around 1841 and most likely enslaved as a child and young adult. In 1904, he worked as a cook and lived at 21 N Findley Street. He was married to Mary A. Hicks and, according to the 1915 City Directory, they lived at 169 N Findley Street. According to a 1914 newspaper report, he was a contributing member of the Methodist Church. He died from unknown causes on December 8, 1916. |
Hunt | Doll | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1898 | December 31, 1946 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Doll Hunt was born in 1899. In 1930, she lived with her sister, Mollie Clark, on Crawford Avenue and worked as a laundress. She married Dozier Hunt and, according to the 1931 City Directory, the couple lived at 67 Crawford Avenue. According to the 1942 City Directory, she lived at 350 Barber Street and worked as a cook. She died from unknown causes on September 28, 1947. |
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. | |
Hill | Whitman | Male | African American | Free | Janitor | December 31, 1882 | December 31, 1960 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Whitman Hill was born on September 17, 1883. In 1949, he worked as a janitor and lived with his wife, Sara H., at 157 Church Street, According to the 1958 City Directory, he still lived at 157 Church Street. He died on October 1, 1961. He may have worked as a reverend; this title is listed on his tombstone. |
Hill | Valetta | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1878 | December 31, 1954 | 76 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Rosa and Robert Smith, Valetta Smith Hill was born on January 2, 1879. In 1880, she lived with her parents in Athens, Georgia. In 1900, she was married, but still lived with her mother and siblings at 851 Cherry Lane. She died from unknown causes on April 12, 1955. | |
Hill | [??] | Unknown | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1923 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, [??] W. Hill died from unknown causes in 1924. | |||
Derricotte | Ophelia | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1881 | December 31, 1931 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Charlotte L. Derricotte and Edward J. Derricotte, Ophelia Marie Derricotte Lyons was born on September 9, 1882. In 1900, she attended lived with her parents on Chase Street. According to Arthur Bunyan Caldwell’s Georgia, she married Charles Henry Spurgeon Lyons on September 8, 1909, and “she was educated at Athens and at Boston, and assists her husband in his work. Of the children born to them, two are living. They are Lottie Margaret and Charles Henry Spurgeon Lyons, Jr.” In 1920, she worked as a teacher in Athens. She died from cardiovascular renal disease on November 6, 1932. According to her Death Certificate, she worked as a teacher and lived at 427 Baxter Street. |
Drake | Virgie | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1882 | December 31, 1957 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Virgie C. Drake was born on April 8, 1883. She graduated from Hampton Institute in 1903 and later worked as a teacher in Athens. She married Cornelius Drake and, in 1920 and 1940, the couple lived at 986 Reese Street. After his death, she still lived in the house, according to the 1956 City Directory. She died from unknown causes on July 6, 1958. |
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. |
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. |
Dukes | Mary | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1842 | December 31, 1907 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Mary Dukes died at 65 years old on July 10, 1908. Given these dates, she would have been born enslaved around 1843. According to the 1889 City Directory, she worked as a cook and lived at 216 Hancock Avenue. |
Edwards | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
Evans | Will | Male | African American | Free | Rail Road Worker | December 31, 1885 | December 31, 1925 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of William Evans, Will Evans was born around June 25, 1886. He married Julia Evans and, according to his First World War draft card, he supported four children. After the war, he worked on the railroad. On June 8, 1926, he died from [??] and acute endocarditis. The couple had been living at 488 Strong Street. |
Favors | Ada | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1926 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Cynthia and Thomas Favors, Ada B. Favors was born around 1885. At 16 years old, she worked as a laundress and lived with her parents at 609 Lumpkin Street. By 1920, the family had moved to Billups Street. According to the 1926 City Directory, her parents lived at 148 Pearl Street--she most likely lived with her parents at this time. She died from unknown causes in 1927. |
Favors | Tom | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1859 | December 31, 1930 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Fannie Howard and Ben Favors, Tom Favors was born around 1860 and most likely spent his childhood enslaved. He married Cynthia Favors and the couple had a least four children: Lela, Ada, Lillie, and Homer. As a laborer, he spent most of his adult life as a street sweeper or road hand in Athens. In 1913, he was arrested for selling liquor. According to The Athens Banner: “Tom Favors, colored, took it into his head a few days since that he would dish out a little of the ardent, and out at his home on Broad street, he had a crowd of men around that were buying the stuff right along, when the police officials broke into his little game.” Rather than face jail time, he paid a $100 fine. According to the 1926 City Directory, he and his wife lived at 148 Pearl Street. He died from [??] and [??] on December 18, 1931. At the time of his death, he was around 71 years old and had been living at 481 Billups Street. |
Favors | Lillie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1886 | December 31, 1949 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Cynthia and Thomas Favors, Lillie Favors was born between 1886 and 1888. She never married nor did she work. In 1930, she lived with her parents at 481 Billups Street and, in 1940, she lived with her sister-in-law at 170 Dublin Street. Favors died from unknown causes on August 19, 1950. | |
Favors | Cynthia | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1863 | December 31, 1943 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Cynthia Favors as born in July 1864 and most likely spent her first year of life enslaved. She married Tom Favors and the couple had a least four children: Lela, Ada, Lillie, and Homer. In 1930, the couple lived at 481 Billups Street and she worked as a laundress. After the death of her husband, she lived at 170 Dublin Street with her daughter. |
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. |
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?]. |
Deadwyler | Mattie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1851 | December 31, 1938 | 86 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mattie Deadwyler was born around 1852 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she worked as a domestic servant and lived in Elbert, Georgia. She moved to Athens sometime before 1900, and, at that time, lived with her two daughters (Mary and Martha) and a granddaughter (Gertrude) at 410 Reese Street. According to the 1900, 1910, 1920 Census, she worked as a cook. In 1930, she no longer worked and lived at 600 W Broad Street. She remained at this address, according to the 1938 City Directory. She died from unknown causes on January 4, 1939. |
Deadwyler | Mary | Female | African American | Free | Cook | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1962 | 69 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Mattie Deadwyler, Mary Deadwyler was born in 1893. In 1900, she lived with her mother, sister (Martha), and a niece (Gertrude) at 410 Reese Street. She worked as a house maid in 1900, a maid at a hotel in 1910 and as a cook in 1920 and 1930. In 1930, she was a widow living with her mother, sister, and brother-in-law at 600 W Broad Street. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived at 817 Waddell Street. She died from unknown causes on February 12, 1963. |
Derricotte | Annie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1883 | December 31, 1928 | 44 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Lula Lee and Charlie Shaw, Annie Bell Derricotte was born on August 28, 1884. She died from lung pneumonia on December 14, 1929. According to her tombstone, she was the “wife of J.W. Derricotte.” She worked as a domestic and lived at 157 Warsaw Street, according to her Death Certificate. |
Derricotte | Charlotte | Female | African American | Enslaved | Domestic | December 31, 1862 | December 31, 1926 | 64 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Lucy Dodson and Andrew Jackson, Charlotte L. Derricotte was born on May 12, 1863 and most likely enslaved as an infant. In 1882, she married Edward J. Derricotte and the couple had at least four children: Ophelia, Edward Jr., Tom, and Andrew. She worked as a house maid in Athens in 1900 and as a laundress in Massachusetts in 1910. At 64 years old, she died from arteriosclerosis and myocarditis on November 5, 1927. According to the Death Index, she had been living in Everett, Massachusetts and employed as a caterer. |
Derricotte | Mathew | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1899 | December 31, 1943 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mathew “Booby” Derricotte was born around 1890. In 1909, he worked as a laborer and lived at 46 Hull Street. He married Lucy Derricotte and, according to the 1942 City Directory, they lived at 270 Fifth Street. He still worked as laborer. At 54 years old, he died from unknown causes on October 28, 1944. |
Derricotte | Annie | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1882 | December 31, 1963 | 81 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Rosa Smith, Annie Smith Derricotte was born on September 17, 1883. Around 1907, she married Thomas L. Derricotte, a hotel waiter. In 1910, she lived with her mother, husband, and a boarder (Eula Davis) at 293 Cherry Street. She graduated from Atlanta University and she worked as a private school teacher in 1910 and an elementary school teacher in 1940. She lived alone at 389 Dubose Avenue in 1940. According to the 1956, she remained at that address. At 81 years old, she died from unknown causes on October 21, 1964. |
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. |
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. | |
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. |
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. |
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. | |
Foster | Emma | Female | African American | Enslaved | Wife | December 31, 1859 | December 31, 1948 | 88 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Eliza and George Shropshire, Emma Shropshire Foster was born on May 20, 1860 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, she lived with her parents and attended school in Athens. She married Robert Foster and, in 1880, she was “keeping house.” The couple had six children, including William, Robert, and John. In 1920, as a widow, she lived “South Athens Town Athens to Whitehall Road Runing South East.” By 1930, her address was listed as “Milledge Extension.” In 1940, she lived at 195 Milledge Avenue. She died from unknown causes on January 6, 1949. |
Feaster | Annie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1893 | December 31, 1913 | 20 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Annie Ree Feaster was born on February 24, 1894 and died on July 3, 1914. According to a newspaper article published on June 13, 1911, she appeared in court for a criminal or civil case against the state. | |
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. | |
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. |
[Goon?] | [??] | Female | African American | Free | 75 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, [??] Sally [Goon?] died during the 1940s at 75 years old. | |||
Green | Unknown | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1934 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, [??] Green died on [August?] 4, 1935. | ||||
Greene | Marcus | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1901 | December 31, 1934 | 32 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Salemma Greene, Marcus James Greene was born on September 18, 1902. As a child he lived with family on Foundry Street in 1910. He died from unknown causes on August 4, 1935. He was 32 years old at the time of his death. | |
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. |
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. |
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.” |
Grimes | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1951 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Robert Grimes was born around 1890. He served in the First World War and, at its onset, he lived at 285 Fairview Street. According to the 1952 City Directory, he worked as a yardman and lived with his wife (Mattie) at 148 Chase Street. He died from unknown causes in 1952. | ||
H[??] | Olivia | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
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. | |||
G | S | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Freeman | Fannie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Seamstress | December 31, 1963 | December 31, 1930 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Fannie Martin Freeman was born between 1860 and 1864 and was most likely enslaved as a child. In 1883, she married R. S. Freeman. According to the 1910 Census, she was a widow working as a seamstress and living at 564 Fourth Street. In 1930, she lived with a son in Spalding, Georgia. She died from a cerebral hemorrhage on January 10, 1931. According to her Death Certificate, she worked as a cook and lived at 50 Madison Street. |
Fields | Lillie | Female | African American | Free | Nurse | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1956 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lillie Fields was born around June 2, 1889. She married Henry C. Fields, a Cotton Sampler, and she worked as laundress in 1910. She sold her milk cow in 1915 and lost ownership of her property on Fourth Street to sheriff’s sale in 1916. In 1920, the couple lived at the same property at 226 Fourth Street and she worked as cook. In 1940, she worked as a nurse. She died from unknown causes on May 2, 1957. |
Fields | Susie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1858 | December 31, 1926 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Alice Tomas and Jack Shaw, Susie Shaw Fields was born around August 1859 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1880, she worked as a servant. She married Eldon Fields, a teamster, and she worked as a washerwoman in 1900. In 1920, she worked cook and lived at 144 Warsaw Street. She died from [myoclonia?] and nephritis on September 29, 1927. |
Fields | Eldon | Male | African American | Enslaved | Janitor | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1924 | 76 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Eldon Fields was born on September 12, 1849 and most likely spend his childhood enslaved. In 1880, he worked as a carriage driver and lived at 440 Jackson Street. He married Susie Shaw Fields around that time. By 1900, he lived with his wife at 144 Warsaw Street and worked as teamster. He, then, worked as an janitor in an office building in 1920. He died from “paralysis following apoplexy” on January 29, 1925. |
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. |
Foster | Ethel | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1893 | December 31, 1958 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Born around 1894, Ethel Foster was the daughter of Charlotte and Lorenzo Foster, a City Hall Janitor. In 1920, she worked as a cook and lived with her brother, Henry Foster, on Flint Street.According to the 1958 City Directory, she worked as a maid and lived at 373 Flint Street. She died from unknown causes in 1959. |
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. |
H. | H. | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Franklin | R. | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mattie Franklin and Eddie Ted Johnson, Eddie Johnson was born on May 9, 1920 and died on from unknown causes on November 13, 1947. He is buried alongside R. Franklin—who is most likely a sibling. | ||||
Franklin | [?] | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Foster | Robert | Male | African American | Enslaved | Farmer | December 31, 1852 | December 31, 1917 | 65 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Nice and Lee Foster, Robert H. Foster was born around 1853 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, he worked as a farm laborer and lived with his parents. He married Emma Foster and the couple had at least three children: Ella, William, Robert, and John. He worked as a farmer in 1880 and 1910; he lived outside of town near “Allensville and Wherele Hall Road” In 1918, he and his son were accused of “desecrating the United States Flag,” but were both acquitted of the crime. He died from unknown causes on September 3, 1918. |
Foster | [??] | Unknown | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Bunkley | Mildred | Female | African American | Free | Pressing Club Worker | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1940 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Mildred Bunkley was born around 1886 and competed the first year of high school. Sometime after 1920, she married Robert L. Bunkley, a pressing club proprietor, and worked alongside her husband at the pressing club. For most of their life, the couple lived at 449 Reese Street. According to the 1937 City Directory, they lived at 449 Reese Street. On August 21, 1941, she died from unknown causes. She was in her late 40s at the time of her death. |
Bunkley | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Pressing Club Proprietor | December 31, 1894 | December 31, 1938 | 45 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Luna Strickland and Frank Bunkley, Robert L. Bunkley was born on December 12, 1895. As a youth, he was a hack driver (1910) and worked as a pressing club proprietor for much of his adult life. He married Mildred Bunkley sometime after 1920. According to the 1937 City Directory, he owned a billards saloon at the corner of Hull and Washington Streets and lived at 449 Reese Street. On August 7, 1939, he died at St. Mary’s Hospital from a post-operative cerebral embolism, after his right leg had been amputated. He was only 45 years old and had been living at 449 Reese Street at the time of his death. |
Bullock | Fletcher | Male | African American | Free | Janitor | December 31, 1914 | December 31, 1957 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Fletcher Bullock was born around 1915. He married Janie Beatrice Bullock and the couple had at least two children: Fletcher Jr. and Willie. In 1940, he worked as a janitor and lived at 468 First Street. According to the 1956 City Directory, he worked as a construction worker and he and his wife lived at 426 First Street. He died from unknown causes on August 9, 1958. |
[Brydie?] | Eugene | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] |