Remember the roadside cemetery with the Mrs. Spence and 3 unmarked graves? On this video we continue tracking the history of the Spence family. This video is kind of special... in the way that there is a lot “of behind the scenes” left in. I think it really adds to the feel of the “full adventure” PayPal Tip Jar: www.paypal.me/rwrightphotography Mail: Sidestep Adventures PO BOX 206 Waverly Hall, Georgia 31831 Subscribe to the new Vlog: ru-vid.com/show-UC56vh2L-M0czmoTRLhSMaxg Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/SidestepAdventures My flashlights: olight.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=282
Im wondering if this isn't a part of my family as I am a Spence. My great great grandparents were William and Mary Spence and my Uncle was named George Spence. And we have great relatives Named Elizabeth Spence
I am a Spence and would like to know more about this one. I knew we had family that was from the deep south and I find this very awesome. What would I need to do to contact you all?
In my country ( the Netherlands ) the police caught a man who stole from graveyards/ cemeteries. His house was completely ""decorated "" with all the stolen ornaments & decorative items placed by family.He was stealing for more than 20 years !!!.Now police is trying to find out where the items came from to bring them back to the owners.So sad to see all the items.Hope all go back to the rightful owners.
You know, when you enter the old forgotten cemeteries and clear the stones there is a special reverence in doing that. I think about the play Our Town and imagine those that lie there share a “we’ve got company” and smile from above. You all will be blessed by the care and respect you have for those long ago people and the lives they lived. What stories could be told!
Oh! Maybe you will know. I can not remember the movie, but it was an older film of a play. The people were passed and sitting in chairs underground (on stage) discussing memories and sharing stories, and people alive would come visit. It was heart warming, and i think of what the conversations must be within these families. I wish i could watch that movie again! So frustrating, I've searched and searched! My English Lit teacher had us watch it. Any help appreciated! Wendyswater@gmail.com
Quick Nps search reveals Thomas E. Middlebrooks was a Seargant in the 17 Georgia company H. A hard fought unit ..he saw action at Battles of Malvern Hill, second Manassas, Gettysburg, and the trenches of Petersburg and Appomattox.
Quotes of the day ; “ I have a string in my pocket. “ ( always comes prepared ) and “ I don’t need that finger . “ lol......! Great job R and R and C as usual !
I talked to a cousin the other day and she told me about watching a guy from the south visiting cemeteries on youtube, and I said Sidestep Adventures! And she got excited because apparently her husband teases her all the time that only she would watch videos about cemeteries.
Grampa said, "Always carry string in your pocket". Robert is a whoot! Thanks for bringing us another great video, and remembering those who went before us.
b 13 Mary 1829 in South Carolina, d 1 August 1867 in Harris County, Georgia m Adeline Spence. He was a grocery store keeper in Hamilton, Harris County, Georgia in the 1860 census. His grocery store was burned by Union troops on 18 April 1865.
Hi Robert, Robert & Cody, Younger Robert please tell slightly older Robert that Grandpa always said don't go lifting no heavy stones 😉🤔. That tree that had grown into the fence looked like it was in the shape of a cross which is neat considering where it's situated. Such a peaceful place with only the sounds of nature to disturb the quiet. Thanks for sharing, much love. xx💖
How nice of you to clean and right headstones, fix fences, and care for the little critters on the property. You should qualify for some sort of humanitarian award! Great video, very interesting place, some really nice headstones. Wonder about the two outside the fence though, seems odd. Thanks, Robert, Robert, and. Cody
Oh wow amazing cemetery in the middle of the woods , thank you Robert and Friends for sharing and showing so much respect for long lost family members and the history they have, please be safe out there and God bless you and your family and friends
I can’t get over how many little cemetery’s are found all over the wood and what not. It’s so interesting on how long ago these folks lived. I love this kind of stuff. I also love the sayings and words they wrote in the memory of their loved ones. For how old those sayings are , you get a sense as to how old their words and sayings are and still relevant today. Fascinating. Thanks again Mr. Robert and friends.
You all show so much love, reverence, & compassion when visiting these lost & forgotten cemeteries, not only to the ones buried there, but to the wildlife that makes there home there as well.
That is one beautiful little cemetery. It amazes me the quality of the stones. I will never understand the thinking of people who disturb or vandalize a grave. So happy there are people like you ,Robert and Cody around to document the areas history and bring it back to life. Keep Safe ❤ Keep Well ❤
Thomas Elder Middlebrooks - he was married to Martha E Spence 1843 - 1887, in Sept 1867 (so that's his connection to the Spence family) she is in the same cemetery. His Parents were John A Middlebrooks 1811 - 1905 and Nancy Mahala Hall. 1822 - 1852. Her parents are McAlvin Howell Spence and Elizabeth Spence. It looks like TE and Martha didnt have children...weird he is outside the fence.
Hey Robert Did you notice the tree grown into fence was in the shape of a cross. Very awesome. I wish I knew where you find time to do this, work a job and now taking care of the Byrd house. Thanks for another history lesson.
Dry nicely done exposing the graves so we can all see who is buried there god bless them all.As with nature a lot of leaves can fall in over a100 years take care ps love the farm meadow sorting and rebuild😀😀👍
It's so sad to see abandoned cemeteries and I wonder what happened to the great grand kids and families members to just walk away from them. Maybe because where I came from cemeteries are holy ground and we maintain and clean them faithful with ceremonies. We believe our ancestors are watching and protecting us, so abandoning them is the root of family suffering. Guys your doing a great job and the ancestors are appreciating....
Georgia was severely punished after the Civil War. The economy suffered from Reconstruction and didn't really heal until the 1960s. The Union put the boot heel to GA. Interesting how time changes things. The South is now the powerhouse and the North is dying. Karma? I dunno. Don't start the hate speech about slavery. My GG Grandfather was a Union soldier from IL. My home is N GA. To tie everything into the horrible institute of slavery is a misrepresentation of 90% of the Georgians who fought in the war. Read history...real history. The Christian respect these men show the deceased is beautiful!
It doesn't matter if a cemetery is on someone's property, you always have the right to go to it. I know this because I knew someone that was burried on private property. The land owner tried to stop someone that wanted to visit the grave so police was called. Police read out some code that said land owner can't post grave sites because you don't own where people are burried.
As a courtesy though - you should at least ask. People are held liable for damages & injury on their property that might happen - so you'd be wise NOT to push a situation like that possibility on an owner without at least letting them know what you're doing.
I have a great grandfather ( a Civil War Veteran) and other family that is buried on a private farm and I can never get access to it. The people are total jerks. Called the Sheriff and they refused to get involved. If I had thousands of dollars to spend on lawyers I could fight them but I dont so its pointless. My fear is they will destroy the graves of my ancestors.
@@Karl-Hungus So your family SOLD their land. That's what you're saying. How would you like property that you own being accessed by people that do not own your land? I mean it's not their fault the property was sold. And they would be liable for anything that happens. That's just the way it is. There have been criminals who got injured in the commission of a crime on someone else's property who have actually SUED who they broke in on! If you have absurd laws like that where you live I can see their not wanting to give access. It's sad, but it's the reality.
@@Karl-Hungus, Insist the law get involved. I had ran up on same problem with land owner and the law even told me that if they owned the land then they could keep you out . Not so, I looked and found the law in books that stated that when one buys land with graves on it then those graves can be visited. It even says that if landowner refuses to let you in then he could be charged with a misdemeanor. I will find you the code and let you know it, it's there. The sheriff of Pittsylvania County told me that I had taught them something. He went on to say that it had never been brought to their attention before because they had never had a land owner try to stop anyone from visiting a grave site before.
Robert,. I get more enjoyment from the added scenes, they help convey a greater story to it all. Truly awesome the respect you show all those in your Sidestep Adventures.... THANKS. 🤗👍 🦃
Great video so much history in these old cemeteries. It’s a shame people vandalize. I am in Oklahoma but my many of my ancestors are buried in the southern states.
Thank you for all that you all do. I have so enjoyed all your videos. The maiden names on those headstones sure help genelogiests. I sure hate seeing the vandelisim though.. God bless you and stay healthy.
Robert the graves y found lost in the woods so sad nobody their to put flowers on their resting place anymore.and when do we get to the inside of you’re house. Great work y doing!ask Cody be be in it more how his truck.
Thank you Robert and the crew for the important work you do. It's unfortunate that current generations either don't know or choose not to care about deceased relatives.
Suppose this is true for some but others family has moved away or throughout the generations some family lines die no one left to care for the family cemetery 😢
Great work fellas. If it were me, I'd get a GPS and do a certified location for the future. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing your story with us! ✝️✝️✝️❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The Mary Winchester stone has been down for a lot of years. The inscription and marble is in wonderful shape. Thanks for leaving it face down. It will save it from the freeze/thaw cycle and keep the stone from sugaring. Thanks for all you do to find these gems!!
It speaks well of y'all's integrity, not only documenting these graves and cemeteries, but also fixing the fence, and cleaning up the graves and doing what you can to tidy up the cemetery by moving branches and clearing brush and weeds in some of them. And you are even being kind to little critters. You not only put a lot of work into what you do, but you also put your heart into it. God bless ya'll abundantly. 🙂🙏❤
That was a cool little scorpion you found. I love these cemeteries you keep finding. Also that 5-lined skink you found, and the other Robert moved- he was cool too. Have you guys ever thought of keeping a nice stiff push broom in your vehicle? That would come in handy for those slab stones.
Such beautiful old tombstones, they have such amazing epitaphs on them. I hope someone sees this video, and recognizes that piece of headstone missing, maybe they will bring it back, just a thought. Thank you Robert, Robert, and Cody.
There's something so satisfying about seeing the solid piles of leaves being slid off the stones like a blanket, revealing the historical information underneath. Absolutely fascinating! Cody, you did an A+++ job of recording! You learned from the best! I love the TLC you all put into each discovery! Your gentle voice as you read. Handling the broken pieces (which must weigh a ton!) so carefully. Thank you Robert, Cody, and Robert!
This was such a great video and your trip to the gravesite, it's so nice to see the care that you all put into sharing and how you take care of the graves but cleaning them off and reading their names and when they are born and died. Are there not relatives of these wonderful people who have lived in the 1800's that would not want to know about these grave sites
@@alanatolstad4824 YES it would. I believe these gentlemen are God's gift to loving the dearly departed. Remembering that they lived iñ such a beautiful Land ❤️
Howdy Robert, Robert and Cody, I see you three have "did it again" by finding another batch of "lost souls". I only have one request or suggestion to Cody while filming. Cody, you do a wonderful job of filming. My only suggestion is to stay closer to the "old guys" cause they will yak and they can not be heard clearly. My interpreter can't hear them and it leaves a blank void in my understanding. Please help us deaf/hard of hearing old folks not miss anything. Thanks in advance.
What happened to the contractors? There is no excuse for vandalizing a grave or cemetery. Last is there an organization for the CSA that keeps up with the graves?
Robert, I just love your voice and could listen to it all day. Thank you so much for another amazing explore. I love coming along with you and the other Robert.
Since I am new to this channel, I am watching many videos that you have had posted for months. Hooray for technology that allows the filming, posting, and watching of your adventures. God bless you all and many thanks!
5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. 6 Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. From Ecclesiastes 9. When I read it, I thought of all the forgotten graves you find! So poignant.
Very interesting story... That's American history... Nobody interest to keep it in mind and tradition. The Graves will be forgotten, that is very sad. Thank you for show us all that👍From Germany
My great great grandmother's name was Janie Spence. I know she was from the Georgia area, but not much more is known. This video really caught my eye when I saw this - it's possible she is related in some way. Thanks for the story. It's great.
I think that cleaning the graves like this is so wonderful that you both are people who care and I really respect your filming these grave sites and cleaning the stones from mother nature---thank you
Wow loved this video,really old graves I would love to tidy it all up just so its there for more yrs to come! Love watching all the way from Ireland 🇮🇪 😍
I have Spence in my family tree. I’m also a Williams. I do research every time you find a family name. Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will do.
