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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[Pearl?] | Ossie | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1956 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Ossie was born around 1889 and died on March 18, 1957. She was 68 years old at the time of her death. She may have had the last name “Pearl.” | |
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. |
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. |
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. | |||
Whitfield | W. | Male | African American | Free | Blacksmith | December 31, 1864 | December 31, 1938 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | W. M. Whitfield was born on April 18, 1865. According to the 1938 City Directory, he worked as a blacksmith and lived with his wife, Mittie, at 495 Reese Street. At 74 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 13, 1939. |
Terrell | Mannie | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1922 | 23 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Haynes | Rachel | Female | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1904 | December 31, 1920 | 15 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
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. | ||
L. | C. | Unknown | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1890 | 2 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the child’s tombstone, C. H. L. died on October 14, 1891. The child only lived 2 years, 4 months, and 7 days. | |
Shaw | Adeline | Female | African American | Enslaved | Domestic | December 31, 1819 | December 31, 1894 | 75 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Adeline Shaw was born around 1820 and most likely enslaved. In 1880, she worked as a servant and was a widow living near Foundry Street. She died from unknown causes in 1895. |
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?]. |
Morton | Ebb | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1918 | 50 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Booth | Richard | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1920 | 38 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Diggs | Minnie | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1995 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Minnie Diggs died from unknown causes in 1996. A 1922 graduate from Morris Brown College, she was active as an alumni and a local community member. She was remembered as “a very powerful, strong women; not in stature, but in determination.” She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | ||
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. |
Jones | Robert | Male | African American | Free | Railroad Employee | December 31, 1920 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Brown | Eliza | Female | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
Matthews | Margaret | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1877 | December 31, 1977 | 101 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Margaret “Maggie” Matthews born around 1878.She married John T. Matthews, and the couple rented a home at 1095 W Hancock Avenue in 1920 and 1930. She worked as a rural school teacher and public school teacher. According to the 1956 City Directory, she stilled lived at that address. At 101 years old, she died from unknown causes on March 6, 1978. |
Thomas | Katie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1897 | December 31, 1975 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Laura and Eugene Thomas, Katie C. Thomas was born around 1898. In 1910, she attended school and lived with her parents and siblings at 1248 W Broad Street. She did not work in 1920. In 1940, she worked as a maid and lived on Flint Street. According to the 1958City Directory, she lived at 748 N Hull Street. She died from unknown causes in 1976. |
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. | |
Robinson | Vainiga | Female | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1921 | 6 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Ector | M. | Male | African American | Free | Janitor | December 31, 1925 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Johnson | Alice | Female | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1856 | December 31, 1917 | 61 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Thomas Jones and Mary E. Jones, Alice V. Johnson was born on August 27, 1857 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1879, she married William D. Johnson, a Athens clergyman originally hailing from Maryland. Over the course of her life she had six children, but only five of those children survived into adulthood. In 1900, the couple owned a home at 529 Lumpkin Street. Sometime after the death of her husband on April 10, 1909, she moved to 681 W. Lumpkin St. She died of unknown causes on April 4, 1918. | |
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. |
Cobb | Minnie | Female | African American | Free | Wife | December 31, 1891 | December 31, 1943 | 52 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Born around July 14, 1890, Minnie Johnson Cobb married Crawford Cobb, a tailor. According to the 1938 City Directory, he worked as a tailor and they lived at 874 Water Street. In 1940, she did not work and lived with her husband at 874 Hobson Avenue. According to the 1942 City Directory, she lived once again at 874 Water Street. She died from unknown causes on February 12, 1944. |
Morton | Charles | Male | African American | Free | Entertainment Industry | December 31, 1902 | December 31, 1969 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Monroe “Pink” Bowers Morton and Tallulah Morton, Charles Morton was born on February 27, 1903. In 1910 and 1920, he attended school and lived with his parents and siblings on Prince Avenue. In 1930, he worked as a “Machine operator” at the “picture show,” most likely at the Morton Theatre. According to his Second World War draft card, he worked for his family and lived at 823 Prince Avenue. According to the 1958 City Directory, he worked at Twentieth Century Billiards and lived, with Goldiee W., at 659 W Hancock Avenue. At 67 years old, he died from unknown causes on June 20, 1970. |
Terrell | Charles | Male | African American | Unknown | December 31, 1933 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Charles Terrell Jr. was born around 1916. His parents, Charles Terrell and Julia Stuts, were both Athens natives. His father, “Chas” Terrell was noted to be a carpenter before his son was born, being listed along with his wife Julia in a 1912 Athens, GA directory living at 347 First Street. In the 1931 directory, however, “Chas” Terrell is said to be a cook, living on 389 Meigs St. On October 6, 1934, Terrell Jr.’s life was cut short after passing away at a tender age of 18 while he was still a schoolboy. The place of death is recorded to be 376 Odd Street. The cause of death was noted to be an acute dilatation of the heart, or nowadays known as dilated cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), with contributary causes of importance being listed as fever and overexertion. He was buried five days later in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery on October 11, 1934 with his family in attendance. [Researched and written by Bita Jadali] | |||
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. |
Thomas | Alfred | Male | African American | Free | Mechanic | December 31, 1918 | 27 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Hearel | Eddie | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1922 | 37 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Bacon | Mary | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laundress | December 31, 1848 | December 31, 1916 | 68 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Mary Bacon was born on October 17, 1849 and, given her date of birth, sge likely spent her childhood enslaved. According to the 1909 City Directory, she worked as a laundress and lived at 554 E Strong Street. at 68 years old, she died from uknown causes on November 27, 1917. She is most likely either the mother, sister, or wife of Edward Bacon, who was also buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. |
Bacon | Edward | Male | African American | Enslaved | Shoemaker | December 31, 1853 | December 31, 1905 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Minerva and Robert Bacon, Edward Bacon was born on December 25, 1854 and, given this date, most likely spent his childhood enslaved. He married Mary Bacon and the couple may or may not have had children. During the 1870s and 1880s, he worked as a shoemaker in Athens. According to the 1897-98 City Directory, he lived at 416 E. Strong Street and remained at this address in 1904 while working as a shoemaker. He died from unknown causes on December 13, 1906; he was 49 years old. |
Lawrence | Carrie | Female | African American | Enslaved | Domestic | December 31, 1849 | December 31, 1923 | 74 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Wiley and Asbury Lawrance, Carrie Lawrence was born in August 1850 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1880, she worked as a “Washer & Ironer” and lived on Jackson Street. She was a founding member of the Gospel Pilgrim Society. As a widow in 1900, she worked as a “Janitress” and lived at 129 Alley Street. She no longer worked in 1920 and lived in a boarding house on Berry Street. At age 74, she died on December 15, 1924. According to her Death Certificate, she did “housework” and lived at 112 Berry Street. |
Shaw | Charles | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | ||||
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. |
Murden | Dora | Female | African American | Free | Housewife | December 31, 1868 | December 31, 1925 | 56 | 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. | |
Diggs | William | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1972 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, William Diggs, who resided at 357 DuBose Avenue, died from unknown causes on January 27, 1973. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. He was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; his grave may be unmarked. | |||
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. |
Joseph | Anna | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1919 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Brown | [Susie?] | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1883 | December 31, 1936 | 53 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Susian Mcintosh and Robert L. Jones, Susie C. Jones Brown was born around 1884 in Oconee County. She worked as laundress during the 1910s and 1920s. She married J. Wilson Brown, a grocery store merchant, and the couple had at least five children: Georgia, Mamie, Caleb, Lila, and Susie. After the death of her husband, she lived at 1353 W Hancock Avenue and worked as a domestic. At 53 years old, she died from apoplexy on December 13, 1937. |
McCleskey | Edward | Male | African American | Free | Carpenter | December 31, 1864 | December 31, 1931 | 67 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Julia and William McCleskey, Edward McCleskey was born in March 1865. In 1930, he was widowed and owned a home at 220 Harris Street. He worked as a carpenter for much of his life. At age 67, he died from cardiovascular renal disease on September 19, 1932. |
Thomas | Ada | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1902 | December 31, 1965 | 63 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Mary A. Thomas, Ada Kate Thomas was born on September 12, 1903 in Mississippi. In 1910, she attended school and lived with her mother on Water Street. In 1940, she worked as a maid and lived at 187 Third Street. She was still living at that address in 1958. She died from unknown causes on November 4, 1966. |
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. |
Scott | Emmett | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1925 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | ||
Ector | Piety | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1879 | December 31, 1921 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Johnson | Eddie | Male | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1919 | December 31, 1946 | 27 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Mattie Franklin and Eddie Ted Johnson, Eddie Johnson was born on May 9, 1920. He never married. In 1941, he lived in Chicago and worked on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Still living in the city, he was working as a “Bumper Factory Worker” when he died from unknown causes on November 13, 1947. The body was returned to Athens for burial in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. |
Pinkard | Amos | Male | African American | Free | Grocer | December 31, 1888 | December 31, 1961 | 73 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Amos Pinkard was born in 1889. In February 1908, he was charged “for violation of the prohibition law.” He married Nettie Pinkard and, 1940, the couple lived at 264 N Billups Street. According to the 1940 City Directory, he worked as a grocer. He still lived at 264 N Billups Street in 1958. He died from unknown causes on December 16, 1962. |
Cole | William | Male | African American | Enslaved | Janitor | December 31, 1851 | December 31, 1931 | 80 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Betsey Derricotte and Lucius C. Cole, William Cole was born around 1852 and was most likely enslaved as a child. He worked various jobs, including day laborer (1870), farmer (1880), and janitor (1932). He married Mary Cole and, in 1900, the couple had two living children: Hansel Cole and another unnamed child. 80 year-old Cole died from [??] on September 30, 1932. At the time of his death, he lived at 186 John Street. |
Morton | Claud | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1892 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to his tombstone, Claud Morton was born in February 1893 and died in June; he was just over 3 months old. He most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family. | ||
Thomas | Ethal | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1944 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | The daughter of Charles and Fannie Walker, Ethel Walker Thomas was born in May of 1884. As a teenager and young adult, she resided in Sandy Creek with her family, where she worked as a laborer on their farm. She did not attend school, but she was able to read and write. In 1910, she married Lonnie Thomas, and the couple had several children: Edward, Melvin, Azzie, Charles, Elmore, and Alfonza. According to the 1920 census, she lived on Oak Street with her husband and children and worked as a washerwoman. In 1930, she resided at the same address with her family and worked as a maid for a private family. She died from unknown causes on February 1, 1945. [Researched and written by Jake Underwood] | |||
Wilder | Rachel | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1830 | December 31, 1888 | 58 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Rachel Wilder was born around 1831. She married James Wilder, a farm laborer, and they could had at least five children: Dennis, Samuel, Charles, William, and Berry. In 1870, they lived in Madison, Georgia. At 58 years old, she died from unknown causes on October 19, 1889. | |
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. | |
Thomas | Alice | Female | African American | Enslaved | Cook | December 31, 1922 | 75 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Hemphill | Susie | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1926 | 51 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Hill | [??] | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1918 | December 31, 1918 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Marcellus | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | [biographical information unknown] | |||||
Lawrence | Odessia | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1902 | December 31, 1903 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Odessia Lawrence was a 15 month old infant who died from unknown causes on October 6, 1904. | ||
Shaw | Dicy | Female | African American | Free | Domestic | December 31, 1876 | December 31, 1932 | 49 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Clara Griffin and Remus Nesbit, Dicie Nesbit Shaw was born on October 16, 1877. She married Charley Shaw around 1896. According to the 1910 Census she worked as “Husbands Saleslady” in “Retail Groceries.” She died from interstitial nephritis and pulmonary stasis on July 1, 1933. At the time of her death, she worked as a domestic and lived at 428 Flynt Street. |
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. |
Neelia | Peter | Male | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1925 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Boyd | Claura | Female | African American | Free | Laborer | December 31, 1923 | 26 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Dixon | Laura | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1946 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Laura Annie Dixon, who resided at 201 Butler Street in Atlanta, Georgia, died in January 1947. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
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. |
Joseph | George | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1922 | December 31, 1922 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Brown | Grapell | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1933 | December 31, 1935 | 2 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Ola Mae and Caleb L. Brown, Grapell O. Brown was born in 1934. The family lived at 1353 W Hancock Avenue. She died from influenza on January 6, 1936, when she was just 2 years and 4 months old. | |
McCombs | Sarah | Female | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1884 | December 31, 1906 | 21 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Serena and Cisero McCombs, Sarah R. McCombs was born on October 22, 1885. In 1900, she attended school and lived with her parents at 901 Reese Street. At 21 years old, she died from unknown causes. |
Thomas | Violet | Female | African American | Free | Teacher | December 31, 1892 | December 31, 1935 | 42 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Julia Collins and Lucins Thomas, Violet Clyde Thomas was born on July 4, 1893 in Athens Georgia. She moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. She died from a cerebral apoplexy on January 28, 1936. According to her Death Certificate, she worked as a teacher and lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. |
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. |
Scott | Jane | Female | African American | Enslaved | Laborer | December 31, 1924 | 98 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Edwards | Fred | Male | African American | Enslaved | Fireman | December 31, 1922 | 62 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Johnson | Rhoda | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1875 | December 31, 1931 | 55 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Rhoda Ann Johnson was born around 1876. In 1920, she was a widow and worked as a washerwoman. In 1920, she lived with her two daughters (Minnie and Lula) and her mother-in-law (Emma Lee Johnson) at 882 Water Street. According to the 1931 City Directory, she still lived at that same address. At 55 years old, she died from unknown causes on May 29, 1932. |
Pledger | William | Male | African American | Enslaved | Lawyer | December 31, 1849 | December 31, 1903 | 54 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | William A. Pledger was born in 1850 and enslaved as a child. Along with William Henry (Harrison) Heard, he was the co-owner and editor of the Athens Blade, a leading African-American newspaper that was distributed throughout Georgia and in several northeastern cities. As one of the first African-American lawyers in Atlanta, he was active in republican politics and a delegate to each republican convention from 1876 to 1900. According to the 1898 City Directory, he worked as a lawyer and lived at 209 Pearl Street. He died from unknown causes on January 8, 1904. |
Cole | Robt. | Male | African American | Free | Hackman | December 31, 1868 | December 31, 1915 | 46 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Robert C. Cole was born on December 18, 1869. He married Nona Cole and, in 1910, he worked on the Transfer Line as a hackman. According to the 1909 City Directory, he lived at 343 Hull Street, He died from unknown causes on December 10, 1916. |
Morton | Lizzy | Female | African American | Free | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Lizzy C. Morton died around 10 months old. She was the sister of William Morton, who died when he was 10 years old. She most likely lived at 823 Prince Avenue with the other members of the Morton family. | ||||
Thomas | Bennie | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1989 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to his obituary, Bennie Thomas, who resided at 230 Pauldoe Street, died from unknown causes in February 1990. The funeral was handled by Mutual Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
Wilder | Charlie | Male | African American | Unknown | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Rachel Wilder and James Wilder, Charlie Wilder was born around 1860. In 1870, the family lived in Madison, Georgia; this is most likely his last known address. He died from unknown causes on an unknown date. | ||||
Hawkins | S. | Unknown | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1858 | December 31, 1936 | 78 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to the tombstone, S. H. Hawkins was born (most likely enslaved) in 1859 and died in 1937. | |
Thomas | Eluice | Male | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1923 | December 31, 1924 | 1 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Hill | John | Female | African American | Free | Child | December 31, 1918 | December 31, 1918 | 0 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
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. | |
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. | |
Shaw | Willie | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1879 | December 31, 1926 | 39 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Elizabeth Shaw, Willie A. Shaw was born in October 1888. In 1900, he attended school and lived with his mother and grandmother in Athens. In 1915 and 1916, he was arrested and charged with violating prohibition. During the First World War, he served as a cook in the 157th Deport Brigade. After the war, he married Eliza Shaw. He died from [??] on April 5, 1927. At the time of his death, he worked as a chauffeur and, after his death, his wife lived at 330 N. Pope Street. |
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. |
Nesbitt | Sibyl | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1918 | December 31, 1921 | 2 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Bradley | Lena | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1918 | 48 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Edwards | Roberta | Female | African American | Free | December 31, 1948 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | According to her obituary, Roberta Woods Edwards, the wife of Joseph Edward, died in November 1949. The funeral was handled by Mack & Payne Funeral Home. She was interred in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery; her grave may be unmarked. | |||
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. |
Killian | Sarah | Female | African American | Free | Housewife | December 31, 1901 | December 31, 1926 | 24 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. |
Brown | Malcolm | Male | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1858 | December 31, 1886 | 27 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Gabriella and George Brown, Malcolm Brown was born on March 1, 1859 and most likely enslaved as a child. In 1870, he attended school. He died at 27 years old from unknown causes on January 9, 1887. | |
McCray | Laura | Female | African American | Enslaved | Baker | December 31, 1817 | December 31, 1912 | 95 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The daughter of Dolly Billops, Laura McCray was born on June 7, 1818 and enslaved for much of her live. While a slave, she received a letter in 1841. In 1870, she was “keeping house” in Athens. In 1880, she worked at “Confectionery Baking” and lived on Prince Avenue. According to the 1897 City Directory, she worked at a cake shop and lived at 819 Prince Avenue. In 1910, she lived on Prince Avenue and worked as a baker. Indeed, she was famous for her cakes. She died from unknown causes on December 5, 1913. |
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. | |
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.” |
Scott | Magnolia | Female | African American | Free | Student | December 31, 1921 | 17 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Everaton | Mamie | Female | African American | Free | Housework | December 31, 1920 | 17 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Data collected from death certificate. | |
Johnson | Emanuel | Male | African American | Free | Janitor | December 31, 1896 | December 31, 1939 | 43 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | The son of Lulu and George Johnson, Emanuel Johnson was born in May 1897. In 1900, the family lived at 8 Oconee Street. He married Lonie Johnson and, in 1929, they lived at 260 Vine Street. At that time, he worked as a janitor. According to the 1931 City Directory, he worekd as a janitor at the First Baptist Church and lived at 260 Vine Street. He remained at that address, according to the 1940 City Directory. He died from unknown causes on October 2, 1940. He was only 43. |
Pope | Celie | Female | African American | Enslaved | December 31, 1885 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | According to her tombstone, Celie Pope died in 1886 and was most likely enslaved. She may have been born around 1771. | |||
Cole | Victoria | Female | African American | Free | Laundress | December 31, 1878 | December 31, 1960 | 82 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | Victoria J. Cole was born in 1879. She married Lucius C. Cole, a university janitor, and worked as a laundress. In 1930, the couple lived at 169 Newton Street. According to the 1958 City Directory, she lived at 160 Hendrix Street. At 82 years old, she died from unknown causes on August 22, 1961. She was 82 years old. |
Mullins | William | Male | African American | Free | Driver | December 31, 1882 | December 31, 1954 | 71 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Marked | William J. Mullins was born around 1883. In 1910, he lived on Reese Street and worked as an ice wagon driver. According to the 1928 City Directory, he worked as a laborer and lived with his wife, Nancy, at 223 N Church Street. In 1930, he drove truck for the ice company and still worked as a driver in 1940. In 1952, he lived with his wife at 223 N Church Street and worked as a truck driver at Atlantic Company. At 71 years old, he died from unknown causes on August 26, 1955. |
Thomas | Lonnie | Male | African American | Free | December 31, 1962 | Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery | Unmarked | Lonnie Thomas was born on May 6, 1879. He married Ethel Thomas, who worked as a hotel maid. Lonnie and Ethe had at least six children: Edward, Melvin, Hassie (or “Azzie”), Alfonzo, Charlie, and St. Elmore. Census records show that Lonnie owned his house on 160 Water Oak Street in Athens, Georgia. In 1910, Mr. Thomas went to court and won against someone who had wrongfully disposed of his personal property. His draft card for the military in 1918 listed the same address, along with his employer, the Georgia Plow Company, where he worked for many years as a laborer in the factory. He died from unknown causes on January 20, 1963, and was buried in Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. [Researched and written by McKenna Sanville] |