MAXEY CEMETERY, Itawamba County, Mississippi

Alphabetized list of burials based upon photographs of the grave markers 11-14-09

by Terry Thornton

email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

Maxey Cemetery is located southeast of Fulton on Russell Road, a private road requiring permission to enter. The following map will provide the general location of the cemetery but arrangements must be made in advance to enter the property. Click map for a larger view.

The following names were transcribed from photographs made of the grave markers in November, 2009. The alphabetized index consists of surname, given name(s), year of birth, year of death, name of cemetery, and an image number which is a link to the photograph of the marker. Click the link to view the grave marker.

Researchers are encouraged to view the photographs to obtain more information such as complete date of birth or death, relationships, parents, and/or military service.

Abbreviations used: nd -- no dates; nod -- no other date; img -- image. A question mark (?) is used to indicate a questionable transcription; a blank line (__) indicates that information is missing or unreadable.

BARNES, Katie, 1893, 1901, Maxey, img 3089

JUSTICE, Nathaniel, 1862, 1909, Maxey, img 3210

JUSTICE, Priscella Webb, 1867, 1904, Maxey, img 3210

MAXEY, A.J., 1845, 1895, Maxey, img 3079

MAXEY, H.P., 1870, 1898, Maxey, img 3080

MAXEY, Mary R., 1867, 1910, Maxey, imgs 3081, 3082

McWILLIAMS, William, died 1843, Maxey, img 3094

MOORE, G.W., 1834, 1911, Maxey, img 3103

MOORE, Martha A., 1846, 1880, Maxey, img 3102

MORROW, John, 1823, 19_, Maxey, imgs 3068, 3077

PALMER, Elias Alexander, 1831, 1924, Maxey, img 3057

PALMER, Mary Adelia, 1838, 1921, Maxey, img 3058

PALMER, Minnie May, 1895, 1897, Maxey, img 3075

PALMER, T.F., 1863, 1930, Maxey, img 3059

SHAW, J.R., nd, age 84, Maxey, img 3087

SHAW, Joe, nd, Maxey, img 3085

SHAW, Mary, nd, Maxey, img 3088

SHAW, Ruth, nd, age 84?, Maxey, img 3092

SHAW, Sarah, nd, Maxey, img 3084

SPENCER, Dezzie D., 1888, 1900, Maxey, img 3065

SPENCER, James Wyatt, 1840, 1923, Maxey, imgs 3206, 3208

SPENCER, John P., 1869, 1879, Maxey, img 3107

SPENCER, Kizzie H., 1883, 1901, Maxey, imgs 3063, 3064

SPENCER, M.E., 1853, 1907, Maxey, img 3066

SPENCER, M.F., 1846, 1905, Maxey, img 3209

SPENCER, Mittie Ann, 1872, 1881, Maxey, img 3107

SULLIVAN, W.G., nd, Maxey, img 3060

WALKER, Albert Malachi, 1872, 1873, Maxey, img 3105

WALKER, E.J., 1848, 1898, Maxey, img 3069

WALKER, John H., 1841, __, Maxey, img 3073

WALKER, Mittie Alice, 1868, 1869, Maxey, img 3106

WALKER, W.C., 1870, 1901, Maxey, img 3071

WIYGLE, Rosalee, 1880, 1887, Maxey, img 3062

WIYGLE, Sallie C., 1817, 1892, Maxey, img 3061

The following three photographs were made in Maxey Cemetery, November 14, 2009, on the occasion of the CSA memorial and marker ceremony for James Wyatt Spencer. For a report of that ceremony, click here.

Note: The index to Maxey Cemetery in this article was migrated to Book of the Dead from Hill Country HOGS Blog where it was posted November 15, 2009.

Index and photographs of grave markers copyright © 2009. William T. "Terry" Thornton, Fulton, Mississippi. All Rights Reserved.

CHASTAIN CEMETERY, Itawamba County, Mississippi

Alphabetized list of burials based upon photographs of the grave markers November 7, 2009

by Terry Thornton

email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

Chastain Cemetery is located at the end of a very short Chastain Road which turns off Cotton Gin Road in easternmost central Itawamba County, Mississippi. The two maps below will provide general directions to the cemetery. Click maps for a larger view.

The following names were transcribed from photographs made of the grave markers in November, 2009. The alphabetized index consists of surname, given name(s), year of birth, year of death, name of cemetery, and an image number which is a link to the photograph of the marker. Click the link to view the grave marker.

Researchers are encouraged to view the photographs to obtain more information such as complete date of birth or death, relationships, parents, and/or military service.

Abbreviations used: nd -- no dates; nod -- no other date; img -- image. A question mark (?) is used to indicate a questionable transcription.

CHAFFIN, Elizabeth Denton, 1817, 1902, Chastain, img 2986

CHASTAIN, Algandar, 1850, 1852, Chastain, img 2980

CHASTAIN, Edward Jordon, 1820, 1895, Chastain, img 2978

CHASTAIN, Rainey, 1793, 1889, Chastain, img 2981

CLARK, infant, 1953, nod, Chastain, img 2975

COCKRUM, Charity, 1819, 1912, Chastain, img 2957

COLE, J.C. Sr., 1875, 1964, Chastain, img 3043

COLE, Jennie, 1878, 1956, Chastain, img 3042

FILES, Abner, 1906, 1987, Chastain, img 3038

FILES, J. Manly, 1867, 1948, Chastain, img 3036

FILES, Julia S., 1873, 1948, Chastain, img 3036

FILES, Louise J., 1837, 1925, Chastain, img 3039

FILES, William Chester, 1900, 1979, Chastain, img 3035

FILES, William W., 1837, 1926, Chastain, img 3039

FORRISTER, J.D., 1846, 1924, Chastain, img 3002

FORRISTER, M.A., 1848, 1925, Chastain, img 3002

HAMM, Katie I., 1899, 1982, Chastain, img 3003

HOLLEY, Dessie M., 1890, 1899, Chastain, img 2947

HOLLEY, Pearly M., 1888, 1889, Chastain, img 2948

HOLLEY, R., 1846, 1928, Chastain, img 2960

HOLLEY, Rachael E., 1869, 1870, Chastain, img 2952

HOLLEY, Sarah, 1826, 1885?, Chastain, img 2955

HOLLEY, T.P., 1848, 1909, Chastain, img 2959

HOWELL, Cumy Underwood, 1908, 1996, Chastain, img 3014

HULSEE, Naomi P., 1868, 1946, Chastain, img 3046

JACKSON, Boyce Wayne, 1935, 1936, Chastain, img 2974

JACKSON, Collin K., 1902, 1975, Chastain, img 2973

JACKSON, Dexter R., 1894, 1964, Chastain, img 2972

JACKSON, Ezra G., 1892, 1912, Chastain, img 2968

JACKSON, Hollis E., 1919, 1920, Chastain, img 2970

JACKSON, infant, nd, Chastain, img 2949

JACKSON, Maudie, 1893, 1948, Chastain, ing 2971

JACKSON, Richard A., 1866, 1940, Chastain, img 2967

JACKSON, Sarah E., 1868, 1954, Chastain, img 2966

JUSTICE, Charles "Ben", 1911, 1996, Chastain, img 2996

JUSTICE, E.L., 1869, 1941, Chastain, img 2989

JUSTICE, W.R., 1866, 1938, Chastain, img 2989

KENNEDY, Nancy C. "Kate", 1871, 1946, Chastain, img 2963

KENNEDY, Oscar A., 1871, 1936, Chastain, img 2963

LAVENDER, Mauvileen, 1895, 1983, Chastain, img 2962

MANKER, Inez M., 1916, 1986, Chastain, img 2961

MAULPIN, Yvonne Thorn, 1941, 1992, Chastain, img 3022

MURPHREE, H.M., 1845, 1928, Chastain, img 3000

MURPHREE, J.C., 1835, 1863, Chastain, img 3013

MURPHREE, Joseph C., nd, Chastain, img 3009

MURPHY, Jack, 1877, 1940, Chastain, img 2977

MURPHY, Janie, 1884, 1932, Chastain, img 2976

MURPHY, Susannah, 1848, 1940, Chastain, img 2998

NIX, Charles Allen, 1937, 1937, Chastain, img 3032

NIX, Dorothy Sue, 1938, 1938, Chastain, img 3031

PATTERSON, Ora Ma, 1893, 1931, Chastain, img 3006

REYNOLDS, Jimmie Joe, 1936, 1936, Chastain, img 3004

ROBERTS, Coy L., 1915, 1983, Chastain, img 2997

ROBERTS, Letha, 1921, nod, Chastain, img 2997

ROBINSON, G. Richard, 1907, 1979, Chastain, img 2992

ROBINSON, infant, 1929, 1929, Chastain, img 2991

ROBINSON, Lonie T., 1908, 1995, Chastain, img 2992

SHEFFIELD, Dorothy Davila, 1924, 1985, Chastain, img 3018

SINGLETON, Benny, 1899, 1919, Chastain, img 3034

SINGLETON, infant, 1918, 1918, Chastain, img 3033

THORN, Amanda M., 1890, 1894, Chastain, img 3026

THORN, Athel, 1902, 1941, Chastain, img 3019

THORN, Bell O., 1875, 1942, Chastain, img 3001

THORN, infant, 1926, 1926, Chastain, img 3021

THORN, James A., 1862, 1953, Chastain, img 3028

THORN, Joann, 1947, 1947, Chastain, img 3024

THORN, M.H., 1893, 1934, Chastain, img 3020

THORN, R.V., 1910, 1977, Chastain, img 3025

THORN, Reba S., 1920, 2004, Chastain, img 3025

THORN, S. Froney, 1869, 1959, Chastain, img 3028

THORN, W.H., 1871, 1953, Chastain, img 3001

THORN, Wanda Nell, 1943, 1943, Chastain, img 3023

THORN, Wright A., 1905, 1908, Chastain, img 3027

UNDERWOOD, James Travis, 1926, 1945, Chastain, img 3017

UNDERWOOD, Luther Vernice, 1904, 1936, Chastain, img 3014

UNDERWOOD, Oscar, left arm of, 1924, Chastain, img 2944

WELCH, Maybell, 1905, 1991, Chastain, img 2995

WELCH, Samuel, 1904, 1985, Chastain, img 2995

WILKS, J. Sam, 1889, 1952, Chastain, img 3047

WILKS, James T., 1886, 1934, Chastain, img 3044

WILKS, Minnie, 1890, 1973, Chastain, img 3045

WILSON, Mattie, 1873, 1932, Chastain, img 2946

WILSON, Willie W., 1883, 1968, Chastain, img 2945

Note: The index of Chastain Cemetery in this article was migrated to Book of the Dead from Hill Country HOGS Blog where it was posted November 16, 2009.

Index and photographs of grave markers copyright © 2009. William T. "Terry" Thornton, Fulton, Mississippi. All Rights Reserved.

Files Cemetery, Itawamba County, Mississippi

by Terry Thornton
email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

In the small Itawamba County burial ground known locally as Files Cemetery are two marked graves and several graves marked with brick. Depressions in the ground indicate there are more burials there with no type of marker.

The two markers with readable information are

FILES, James, born 1811, died ___ marker broken, Files, imgs 4850 and 4851

LESLEY, G.G., nd, CSA marker, Files, imgs 4848 and 4849

Click the image links above to view the photographs.

Bob Franks has written two articles about Files Cemetery at Itawamba History Review. The first offers several excellent photographs of the cemetery and provides some background of those buried there. To read the first article, click this link:

http://itawambahistory.blogspot.com/2009/03/old-files-graveyard-near-mantachie.html

The second Franks' article presents the now missing and broken Loyd-style stoneware marker for a third person known to have been buried at Files Cemetery with a formal grave marker, James Files [1769 - 1842]. Mr. Files was one of the early pioneers into Itawamba County which was formed in 1836. Click this link to view that lost marker: http://itawambahistory.blogspot.com/2008/08/old-files-cemetery-on-aberdeen-and.html

Only the base of James Files' marker remains as can be seen in this March 7, 2010, photograph. It is hoped that the other pieces of his marker can be be recovered from the thick layer of leaves which blankets the cemetery.

The early-1970s inventory of Files Cemetery by Burton-Cruber (Cemetery Markings) lists only three marked burials at the cemetery (which Burton-Cruber calls Cemetery # 16). Franks' 1982 photograph of that third marker confirms the Burton-Cruber inventory name and dates.

Local citizens state there were only three marked graves with names in the cemetery over the past fifty or so years.

In April 2005, a memorial service was conducted at the cemetery honoring CSA soldier Garland G. Lesley. The service featured re-enactors from the Lt. John Sallis Camp 1776, Sons of Confederate Veterans of Tremont, Mississippi. The following two photographs were made at that time (photographs courtesy Virble Booth of Itawamba County).

There is a sign at Files Cemetery requesting information. Click the image below for information about how to contact researcher Ken Loden.

The following map shows the location of Files Cemetery. Any help with restoration of the markers and/or information about those buried at Files Cemetery will be most appreciated. Left click the image for a larger view.

Index of burials and grave marker photographs copyright © 2010. William T. "Terry" Thornton, Fulton, Mississippi. All Rights Reserved.

Asbury Cemetery: An Introduction --- Map, General Photos, and a Video

by Terry Thornton

Asbury/Cadamy Cemetery is located in the community of Cadamy, Itawamba County, Mississippi. The cemetery is across the road from Asbury United Methodist Church and lies along Mississippi Highway 23 approximately 3.6 miles south of the Town of Tremont (and about 2.6 miles south of U.S. Highway 78).

Below is a map showing the general area of the church and cemetery (map snippet from official Itawamba County Highway Map available at goMDOT.com). Click for a larger view.



The Asbury United Methodist Church is at the intersection of Horn's Crossing Road and Highway 23; the cemetery, across the road from the church, is bordered by those two roads. Both the church and cemetery are easily found from Highway 23. There is off-road parking accessible from Horn's Crossing Road or parking is available in the church's parking lot.





A short video was made in the cemetery on March 17, 2010. Click the start button below on the screen to view.

For an alphabetized list of names on the grave markers at Asbury Cemetery, click here.

Photographs, video, and index of names from the cemetery, copyright c 2010, William T. "Terry" Thornton, Fulton, Mississippi. All Rights Reserved.

tags: Asbury Cemetery, Cadamy, Asbury/Cadamy Cemetery, Asbury United Methodist Church,

Asbury Cemetery, Itawamba County, Mississippi

Names from grave-markers in the cemetery March 17, 2010

by Terry Thornton
email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

The following index was transcribed from photographs of the grave markers found in Asbury Cemetery, Itawamba County, Mississippi, March 17, 2010. Asbury Cemetery is also known as Asbury/Cadamy Cemetery. It is located in Cadamy across the road from the Asbury United Methodist Church just off Mississippi Highway 23 south of Tremont.

Abbreviations used in the index include nd for "no dates" and nod for "no other date." The alphabetized index includes surname, given name, year of birth, year of death, name of cemetery, and the image number of the photograph of the grave marker. The image number also serves as a link to the photograph; click the link to view the image.

Researchers are advised to view the image to determine accuracy of names, to determine complete dates, and to determine relationships of individuals.

NAMES FROM ASBURY CEMETERY

BENNETT, Buford Sue, 1939, nod, Asbury, img 5166

BENNETT, Ella Jean, 1931, 1998, Asbury, img 5081

BENNETT, John T. "Tom", 1954, 1990, Asbury, img 5084

BENNETT, Joyce Marie, 1956, nod, Asbury, img 5084

BENNETT, Lawrence L., 1927, 1986, Asbury, imgs 5094 and 5095

BENNETT, Mary A., 1933, nod, Asbury, img 5095

BENNETT, R.J., 1925, 1972, Asbury, imgs 5080 and 5081

CANTRELL, Audrey Thorn, 1921, nod, Asbury, img 5101

CANTRELL, Delmus V., 1895, 1970, Asbury, img 5136

CANTRELL, Jimmie R. "Jim", 1943, 1991, Asbury, img 5102

CANTRELL, Kenneth Ray, 1933, 1991, imgs 5133 and 5135

CANTRELL, Leta E., 1898, 1972, Asbury, imgs 5136 and 5138

CANTRELL, Louise A., 1932, 2000, Asbury, imgs 5133 and 5134

CANTRELL, Q.V., 1920, 1998, Asbury, img 5101

CODY, Danny H., 1950, nod, Asbury, img 5183

CODY, Myong Suk "Judy", 1954, nod, Asbury, img 5183

CROUCH, Billy Wayne, 1939, 2006, Asbury, img 5169

CROUCH, Brenda J., 1946, nod, Asbury, img 5158

CROUCH, Carolyn Joan, 1945, nod, Asbury, img 5169

CROUCH, Gary Kevin, 1971, 2008, Asbury, img 5159

CROUCH, Jerry C., 1948, nod, Asbury, img 5158

DAVISON, J.W., 1860, 1943, Asbury, img 5143

DYER, Sara E., 1938, nod, Asbury, img 5147

DYER, William E., 1938, 2001, Asbury, imgs 5147 and 5148

EASTMAN, Teresa Cantrell, 1958, 2008, Asbury, img 5129

EVANS, Arble, 1897, 1988, Asbury, img 5104

EVANS, Bobbie S., 1937, 1992, Asbury, img 5105

EVANS, Cecilia Davidson, 1889, 1979, Asbury, img 5110

EVANS, James, 1922, 1945, Asbury, img 5106

EVANS, Joseph K., 1929, 2008, Asbury, img 5105

EVANS, Mary E., 1868, 1941, Asbury, img 5108

EVANS, Thomas J., 1897, 1965, Asbury, img 5104

EVANS, Thomas J., 1920, 1944, Asbury, img 5103

EVANS, William K., 1889, 1955, Asbury, img 5111

FOSTER, James Carroll, 1940, 2006, Asbury, img 5182

FOSTER, Lila Elaine, 1941, 2006, Asbury, img 5182

GARRISON, Columbus C., 1873, 1952, Asbury, img 5100

GARRISON, Elbert, 1910, 1996, Asbury, imgs 5126 and 5128

GARRISON, Malvera E., 1877, 1957, Asbury, img 5100

GULLICK, Delmer N., 1916, 1999, Asbury, imgs 5088 and 5089

GULLICK, Dewey E., 1913, 1991, Asbury, img 5087

GULLICK, Viola L., 1913, 1987, Asbury, img 5087

GUTH, Gary Allen, 1954, nod, Asbury, img 5092

GUTH, Karen Lynn, 1956, 2009, Asbury, img 5092

HALE, Lavelle, 1938, nod, Asbury, img 5164

HALE, William "W.C.", 1933, nod, Asbury, img 5164

HANDLEY, George J., 1926, 1996, Asbury, imgs 5161 and 5163

HANDLEY, Phyllis M., 1928, 2000, Asbury, img 5161

HARMON, David, 1959, 2010, Asbury, img 5090

HENICKSMAN, Delbert, 1908, 1984, Asbury, img 5124

HENICKSMAN, Loretta Jane, 1921, 1975, Asbury, img 5073

HIDEN, Lula, 1880, 1962, Asbury, img 5149

HIDEN, Thomas O., 1876, 1964, Asbury, img 5149

HORN, Luna Stevens, 1901, 1991, Asbury, img 5122

HORN, Terry Wilson, 1894, 1978, Asbury, imgs 5122 and 5123

HORNE, Clyde P., 1891, 1966, Asbury, imgs 5066, 5065 and 5063

HORNE, Emily Wright, 1976, 2008, Asbury, img 5067

HORNE, Ruby Ballard, 1902, 2004, Asbury, imgs 5063 and 5065

HUMPREY, Ruth Gaither, 1915, nod, Asbury, img 5068

INZER, M.M., 1884, 1963, Asbury, imgs 5113, and 5112

INZER, Ruie D., 1893, 1960, Asbury, imgs 5112 and 5113

JETTON, Armel, 1913, 2004, Asbury, img 5179

JETTON, Carra Hiden, 1907, 1987, Asbury, img 5150

JETTON, E. Quinn, 1906, 1986, Asbury, img 5152

JETTON, Fred G., 1900, 1978, Asbury, img 5179

JETTON, Roseland M. Grist, 1937, 2002, Asbury, img 5177

JETTON, Thomas Marion, 1944, 1944, Asbury, img 5151

KENNEDY, Charles K., 1931, 2007, Asbury, img 5099

KENNEDY, Hamp M., 1890, 1965, Asbury, img 5098

KENNEDY, Jean R., 1930, 2009, Asbury, img 5099

KENNEDY, Velma M., 1892, 1978, Asbury, img 5098

KERR, Johnnie Milton, 1925, 1992, Asbury, imgs 5085 and 5086

KERR, Sarah L., 1935, nod, Asbury, img 5086

LEE, John T., 1880, 1962, Asbury, img 5139

LEE, Rozella, 1884, 1959, Asbury, img 5139

MAYHALL, Terri Sue, 1963, 2003, Asbury, img 5093

MAYHALL, Tommie Lee, 1963, nod, Asbury, img 5093

McCAULEY, J. Henry, 1909, 1941, Asbury, img 5115

McCAULEY, John, 1881, 1964, Asbury, img 5114

McCAULEY, Vertie Stevens, 1886, 1987, Asbury, img 5181

McCORY, Caroline, 1918, nod, Asbury, imgs 7174 and 5176

McCORY, Nancy Kay, 1955, nod, Asbury, imgs 5173 and 5175

McCORY, William Alfred, 1921, 1999, Asbury imgs 5172, 5173, and 5174

McDANIEL, Ouida M., 1915, 1981, Asbury, img 5097

McDANIEL, Walter H., 1915, 2004, Asbury, imgs 5096 and 5097

MILLER, Hoyle Lee, 1937, 1993, Asbury, img 5170

MILLER, Martha Ann, 1945, nod, Asbury, img 5170

PIERCE, Denton O., 1928, 1994, Asbury, imgs 5165 and 5166

RIDENBAUGH, Julia B., 1888, 1974, Asbury, img 5071

ROBERTS, Charles Edward, 1915, 1984, Asbury, img 5184

ROBERTS, Clarice Earline Wood, 1921, nod, Asbury, img 5184

ROBINSON, Easter Horn, 1894, 1986, Asbury, imgs 5146, 5145 and 5144

ROBINSON, Guyle J., 1892, 1966, Asbury, imgs 5145, 5146 and 5144

SANDERS, Ada May, 1869, 1959, Asbury, img 5069

SANDERS, Flint W., 1892, 1937, Asbury, img 5107

SANDERS, Joseph C., 1857, 1945, Asbury, img 5069

SANDERS, Mattie S., 1895, 1983, Asbury, img 5107

SILAS, James C., nd, Asbury, img 5157

SILAS-CROUCH, Carvil, 1916, 2001, Asbury, imgs 5153 and 5154

SILAS-CROUCH, Ozell, 1920, 2000, Asbury, imgs 5153 and 5155

SILAS-CROUCH, Wilbur, 1915, 1960, Asbury, imgs 5153 and 5156

STANFORD, Herbert D., 1933, 2003, Asbury, img 5131

STANFORD, Luceal, 1922, 2004, Asbury, img 5131

STEVENS, Curtis, 1891, 1960, Asbury, img 5118

STEVENS, Jennie, 1896, 1978, Asbury, imgs 5141 and 5142

STEVENS, Lily, 1895, 1978, Asbury, img 5117

STEVENS, Olmus M., 1912, 1973, Asbury, img 5171

STEVENS, Ruby G., 1913, 1997, Asbury, img 5171

STEVENS, William Daley, 1887, 1964, Asbury imgs 5140 and 5142

THORN, David Riley, 1887, 1950, Asbury, img 5074

THORN, Fred H., 1906, 1976, Asbury, imgs 5078 and 5079

THORN, Lucy M., 1888, 1976, Asbury, img 5074

TODD, Alice, 1904, 2000, Asbury, img 5119

TODD, Drayden S., 1884, 1975, Asbury, img 5119

TODD, Susannah, 1875, 1940, Asbury, img 5070

WHEELER, Clem Lee, 1904, 1972, Asbury, img 5120

WHEELER, Nim J., 1907, 1981, Asbury, img 5121

WHEELER, Norene Todd, 1910, 2002, Asbury, img 5120

YOUNG, Ann Sarah, 1915, 2001, Asbury, img 5125

YOUNG, James Kelmer, 1909, 2005, Asbury, img 5125

For a map to the cemetery, general photographs of the cemetery and church and a short video of the cemetery, go to http://itcomsbookofthedead.blogspot.com/2010/03/asbury-cemetery-introduction-map.html

Index and photographs of grave markers copyright © 2010. William T. "Terry" Thornton, Fulton, Mississippi. All Rights Reserved.

An Introduction to Little Cemetery, District 4, Itawamba County, Mississippi

by Terry Thornton
email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

The pioneer cemetery called Little Cemetery in District 4 of Itawamba County, Mississippi, lies abandoned --- but it is not forgotten. The cemetery which has many more unmarked burials than marked ones, once served as the burying ground of a community of some of the earliest and hardiest pioneers who lived in the hills of southeastern Itawamba County.

Located on a high ridge just south of Jims Creek (and just a few yards off modern state highway Mississippi 23), the cemetery was once affiliated with a church long gone.

This general view of the cemetery (above) shows that it covers a considerable surface along the crest of the ridge. When walking the cemetery, however, one cannot miss the large number of rock marked graves, some elaborate with numerous pieces of native sandstone which shows the work of man to shape the rock into rectangular shapes. Many graves, however, were found only by the depressions in the ground; others have simple stones to indicate that a burial is nearby. The following four photographs shows but a sample of the rock marked graves without names in the cemetery.




The cemetery is best accessed on foot as the road leading to it from Highway 23 is badly eroded as can be seen on the picture below.


Within the cemetery visitors are cautioned to watch for stobs and small stumps and vines which may trip the unaware, to watch for fireants and critters, and to avoid stepping on fragile stoneware markers many of which are lying flat within the forest rubble.

In recent years, the Lt. John Sallis Camp 1776, Sons of Conferedate Veterans of Tremont, has untaken some clearing of the cemetery and in more recent times, the nearby Horn family has continued the process of removing much of the underbrush that was making access to the cemetery almost impossible. Thanks to both the SCV Camp 1776 and the Horn family for helping to preserve this important part of our hill country heritage.

The map below shows a general location for Little Cemetery. Left click for a larger view or go to the official Itawamba County highway map available at goMDOT.com.



The names transcribed from the surviving markers and links to the photographs of those markers can be found by clicking here. A short video of the cemetery made on March 17, 2010 --- click here to view the video of Little Cemetery

More research is being done to determine other burials at Little Cemetery. The deep layer of leaves which covers most of the cemetery is proabably hiding several other broken but readable markers. Visitors are encouraged to take pruning snips and rakes and work gloves to help continue the cleanup of Little Cemetery. If you find markers with readable names not included on this list, please share that information --- photos would be most helpful to complete the record of this important early cemetery.

Thanks to Charles and Virble Booth of Itawamba County for their gracious assistance in preparing this report.