On this video, Joy and I travel down a rough dirt road, way back into the woods of Stewart County, Georgia, to visit the old Irena Graveyard. This cemetery dates back to the pioneer days as the burial site for Irena Methodist Church. The church eventually moved to the nearby community of Union, leaving the cemetery to be forgotten and lost in the woods.
Burials:
Rufus Allen, born in Fort Valley, Houston Co, GA May 23, 1833. Died in Milledgeville, GA Mar 30, 1902.
"He giveth His beloved sleep"
Note - This is a slab.
Major Baker, 31 Ga Reg.
Note - The Roster of Civil War Soldiers lists Major Baker as dying in Camp Phillips, GA on Mar 19, 1862.
Susan Colman Gerald, April 17, 1833 - June 13, 1875.
Mary Gillis, born in N.C. Dec 8, 1831. Died Oct 18, 1918.
"She was ever faithful"
Footstone - M. G.
Note - Located next to Dan Gillis.
Capt. Dan Gillis, Apr 2, 1838 - Mar 22, 1924.
"A gallant Confederate soldier and a Mason 42 years, Master of his lodge."
Footstone - D. G.
Note - This stone has the Masonic seal.
Christian Gillis, wife of Angus Gillis. Born in Scotland 1802. Died May 16, 1883.
Footstone - C. G.
Angus Gillis, Born in Scotland, Great Britain Feb 1, 1800. Died Nov 4, 1886.
Neil Gillis Jr., Born Jan 14, 1883. Died May 18, 1884.
Footstone - N. G.
Dr. Neil Gillis, born July 27, 1830. Died Apr 18, 1907.
"Here sleeps an honest man"
Footstone - N. G.
Note - There is a Masonic seal with a PM in the upper right space of the seal on stone.
Mary L. Gillis, wife of N. Gillis, June 2, 1846 - Jan 10, 1922.
"In God we trust"
Footstone - M. G.
Note - There are two graves nearby, marked head and foot in unwritten stone. One is infant-sized.
H.A.A. (This is only a footstone - no headstone could be found.)
W. Harrison, born Aug 19, 1816, died Feb 28, 1889.
Note - This stone is hand chiseled.
Jesse Kimbrough.
Gertrude Lawson, July 1, 1871 - Sept 21, 1873.
"Sleep on sweet babe, and take thy rest. God called thee home. He thought it best."
Note - The inscription is on the back of the stone and there is a slab over the grave.
Lovena Lawson, Nov 23, 1862 - Oct 19, 1869.
"Born from this world, ere sin could stain or sorrow blight the opening flower."
Note - The inscription is on the back of the stone and there is a slab over the grave.
Thaddius Beall Lawson, July 9, 1821 - Mar 24, 1873.
"Thy will be done" (located on top side of stone)
"An amiable father here lies at rest, as ever God with His image blest. The friend of man. The friend of truth. The friend of age. The guide of youth."
Note - The inscription is on the back of the stone.
Christian McKaskill, wife of Angus McCaskill. Born in Scotland Feb 12, 1805. Died Nov 30, 1890.
Note - The spelling difference is not a typo; it reads that way on the stone.
John H. Sherling, son of J.A. & M.S. Sherling. Jan 12, 1893 - Mar 9, 1893.
"At rest."
Footstone - J.H.S.
S. M. Streetman, Ga. Militia.
Mary T. Williams, daughter of T.L. & S.F. Williams, born Aug 8th, 1857. Died Aug 3rd, 1873.
"Weep not for her who meekly led a life of piety and love, whose unassuming virtue shed a hallowed influence from above. The fallen dew drop needs must dry, exhaled into its native sky."
Footstone - M.T.W.
Thomas James Williams, "BUDDIE," second son of R.G. & P.A. Williams. Born June 12th, 1867. Died Oct 6th, 1871.
"Suffer little children to come unto Me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of Heaven."
Footstone - BUDDIE T.J.W.
Thomas L. Williams, born Apr 7th, 1827. Died (broken stone). Aged 60 yrs, 2 mos, and 3 days.
"Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man's peace."
Note: Grave is inside an iron fence.
Sophronia F. Osborne, wife of Thomas L. Williams, born May 9, 1833. Died May 3, 1900.
"Dearest Mother thou hast left us, and our loss we deeply feel. But tis God that bereft us. He can all our sorrow heal."
Note: Grave is inside an iron fence.
30 сен 2024
