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HISTORY Sandersville?s Old City Cemetery first documented burial in 1831 was that of ?Reuben B. Barney who departed this life 10th of Oct in the 27th year of his age?. For thirty seven years burials continued in the portion of what is still the same cemetery . No wooden headboards survive; however, upright fieldstones or ?domicks? still serve as markers for some graves in the older north-central section of the cemetery. Federal Era Grave Markings The oldest inscribed marker in the cemetery is a broken, dislocated headstone marking the grave of Reuben B. Barney, less than two inches thick which was cut from a poor grade of marble and bears the date 1831. Greek Revival Grave Markings In the center of the cemetery, a Greek Revival mausoleum with Romanesque and Baroque influences is located on lots 79-82. Most Romanesque inspired structures in Victorian Grave Markers Many markers are of Victorian Design ? an eclectic blend of different architectural elements and different styles of monuments. Although Queen Greek Revival There was a return to Classical styling between 1900 and the mid 1920s. With some exceptions, the erection of large monuments ceased in the cemetery by the 1930s. Historical Figures (No other site) Thomas W. Hardwick, Governor of William Rawlings, MD, World Renowned surgeon ( Benjamin James Tarbutton, President, Central of Georgia Railroad (L Rev. J.D. Anthony, saved Sandersville from burning by Gen Coleman R. Pringle, Father of Prohibition in G Confederate Veterans History Significant Civil War activity took place around the site of the Major Henry Hitchcock, a member of General William Tecumseh Sherman?s staff, in Marching with Sherman states: ?Sandersville, Georgia, In Camp, In open field Saturday, November 26, 1864 11th day Left camp by 6 ? AM-Wheeler?s cavalry in our front, undertook to skirmish Slocum?s 1st Brigade advanced skirmishers and before long we heard their firing. General and staff rode forward-road narrow for some distance and through pine woods and across low ground through which ran creek. Road full of troops, wagons, camp followers had to go slow?we entered town passed Church with ?Grecian Front? and from a distance, cross road, saw dead rebel laying on the portico.? The cavalry skirmishing referred to took place in the cemetery and in the short half-block between it and the Courthouse square. Sandersville Herald May 3, 1877 states ??. Alonzo Moore of the Texas cavalry and John P. Brunson of the Tennessee cavalry, both having fallen in a skirmish, in this city, between Gen. Wheeler?s cavalry and Gen. Sherman?s advance, were buried in one grave. Mary C. Brunson, wife of John, wrote from Pulaski, TN that her brother-in-law had returned home and ?It nearly broke my heart when I heard how the Yankees treated his (John?s) body.? ?With artistic skill our fair ladies beautified the ?silent home? of these sleeping braves?? which is believed to be one of the brick cradles Sandersville Herald : November 26, 1896 ?The Ladies Memorial Society has $51 in hand and $100 subscribed which they will give to the Confederate Veterans to erect a monument.? Sandersville Herald: April 22,1897 ?Confederate monument to be unveiled.? |