OLD BEAR CREEK CEMETERY, MAURY COUNTY 1807-1836, MARSHALL COUNTY Aft. 1836.


The old home place where once they lived. 
They reared their families. Time passed and they grew old. 
As mortals their bodies gave way to decline, and that sad chariot eventually came to visit.
Each of them took that final trip to the family cemetery upon the nearby hill.
A large fieldstone was placed at the head of each of the graves for future reference.
One day news came of the traveling Memorial Caravan
from Memphis and/or St Louis visiting Mooresville or Culleoka.
The sons & maybe daughters went there to meet the expected visitor. 
Together they drew up plans for a grand monument.
Soon the memorial arrived by wagon & a team of mules.
The next generation gathered around one day and the monument was set lovingly in place, 
its purpose to cherish & preserve many memories of the past.
Gods plan of the spawning and passing of the generation prevails, and all is soon forgotten. 
We have today remaining names and words on a stone beautifully inscribed.
So with great awareness of what is, we labor here to preserve a small part of what was,
 knowing that with God's plan there will be a joyous reunion someday. C.W. Austin, 2005


The Old Bear Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building, last regularly used in the 1930s.

Map of Location     Historic Bear Creek Church     Area views of the Cemetery.
Historic Bear Creek Church, A preservation effort by Middle Tennessee State University, circa 1989

Unknown fieldstones that may be marking graves   The bad dog story

BROWN, Dr. G. A., died 2 Feb 1913. Age about 81 yrs.
BROWN, Bettie C., 6 Aug 1833 - 14 Apr 1873. "Wife of G.A. Brown."
BROWN, Josie C., 8 Feb 1836 - 12 Jan 1897. "Wife of G. A. Brown."
BROWN, Oscar L., 10 Jul 1863 - 22 Oct 1864. (Found only footstone in 2008)
CALVERT, Joseph, died 22 Jul 1827. Aged 56-06-16.
CALVERT, Mary, died 11 Jan 1842. Aged 72 yrs. "Consort of Joseph Calvert."
CALVERT, Joseph W., 15 Nov 1800 - 17 Sep 1845. Mason
CALVERT, Catherine N., 18 Aug 1802 - 16 Aug 1825. 'Consort of Joseph W. Calvert."
CALVERT, William, 14 Nov 1806 - 5 Oct 1877. Aged 70 Yrs. 10 Mo 21 Dy. (Tombstone broken, but repaired.)
CALVERT, Emiline B., 3 Feb 1819 - 22 May 1887. (68-03-19.)
CALVERT, Margaret, 13 May 1816 - 17 Feb 1839. "Consort of William Calvert."
CALVERT, Inf. child of William & Margaret, d. 17 Apr 1837.
CANEER, Susie VanCleave, 9 Dec 1876 - 1 Nov 1909. "Wife of J. T. Caneer."
CANEER, John Orvis, 11 Aug 1908 - 20 Jan 1909. "Son of J. T. & Susie Caneer."
CAVNAR, George, 25 May 1804 - 12 Jul 1883.
CAVNAR, Sarah Elizabeth, 22 Apr 1825 - 11 Feb 1866. "Wife of George Cavnar."
CAVNAR, John T., 1850 - 1935.
CAVNAR, Sarah E.(Elizabeth), 1852 - 1921.
CASTEEL, Joe, 1878 - 1923. (Same memorial as: Nannie E. Casteel Conwell.)
CLARK, John M., 15 May 1826 - 6 Sep 1901. "Given by his loving son, B. C. Clark."
CLARK, Harriet P., 30 Apr 1823 - 22 Aug 1869. "Wife of J. M. Clark."
CONWELL, Nannie E. Casteel, 1881 - 1963. (Same memorial as: Joe Casteel.)
CROSS, James Thomas, 29 Nov 1862 - 14 Apr 1886."son of S. S. & N. K. Cross"
CROSS, Evia Blanche, 20 Oct 1884 - 27 Feb 1885.
DICKSON, William, 22 Mar 1786 - 11 Jun 1849. 63-02-20.
FRY, Joseph, 19 Sep 1800 - 31 Oct 1858.
FRY, Mary, 18 Oct 1811 - 21 Jun 1894. "Wife of Joseph Fry." (Tombstone fallen.)
FRY, Eliza A., 18 Nov 1837 - 19 Apr 1854.
FRY, E. R., 8 Jan 1844 - 13 May 1844.
FRY, A. E. T., 6 May 1853 - 30 Aug 1861.
FRY, Josephine D., 26 Jul 1854 - 12 Aug 1854.
GOLDMAN, Florence, 31 Aug 1877 - 1 Jul 1879. "Dau. of J. & M. E. Goldman."
GRIFFIS, Alice Victory, 27 Oct 1853 -9 Oct 1854. 00-11-09.
GUPTON, Joe (Joe P.), 16 Apr 1841 - 14 Jan 1929. (C.S.A., Joseph P. Gupton, Marshall Co. Soldier's Pension #S12946 12th N.C. Inf. Widow's Pension #W10412 by Margaret Gupton.)
GUPTON, Catherine C.
, 28 Feb 1853 - 18 Nov 1899. Wife of Joe P. Gupton."
HARDISON, Annie Narcis, 22 Mar 1887 - Nov 21 1888."Daughter of M. A. & M. L. Hardison."
HARRIS, W. B., 23 Mar 1822 - 25 Mar 1877. (Note engraver's error. s/b Harris)
HARRIS, Emely E., 4 Aug 1850 - 28 Sep 1854, "Dau. of W. B. & S. C. Harriass" (Note engraver's error. s/b Harris)
HARRIS, James T., 21 Oct 1855 - 28 Dec 1873. "Son of W. B. & S. C." (Note engraver's error. s/b Harris)
HENRY, James Newton, 6 Feb 1826 - 28 Mar 1899.
HENRY, Mary Nowlin, 28 Feb 1831 - 16 Dec 1889.
HENRY, Harry D., 16 Mar 1886 - 14 Sep 1887. "Inf. son of J. W. & Emma E. Henry." (Tombstone tumbled.)
HODGE, L. S., 21 Feb 1817 - 9 Aug 1893. Father
HODGE, W. J., 18 May 1814 - 13 Jan 1894. Mother
JETER, T. J. (Thomas J.), 18 Aug 1861 - 26 Oct 1889.
JETER, Lavada, 13 Dec 1873 - 28 Jun 1888. "Dau. of J. R. & E. A. Jeter."
JETER, Monrow, 3 May 1879 - 17 Jul 1883. "Son of J. R.& E. A. Jeter."
JETER, Bessie May, 14 Sep 1882 14 Oct 1883. "Dau. of T. J. & D. A. Jeter."
KENEDA, Elizabeth, 25 Nov 1832 - 13 May 1853. "Consort of J. S. Keneda; dau. J. N. & Sarh Lowrance."
KIRKLAND, John, died 5 Jan 1862. "Age about 25 yrs., In the hope of an immortality."
LOWRANCE, Jacob, 7 Aug 1759 - 31 May 1855. "Revolutionary War Soldier." (Tombstone crumbling badly.)
LOWRANCE, Rebecca, 1766 - 1852. (Badly shaled.)
LOWRANCE, Dr. Josiah N., 19 Nov 1799 - 17 May 1890.
LOWRANCE, Sarah, 1803 - 31 Aug 1848. "Consort of J. N. Lowrance."
LOWRANCE, Jane E., 9 May 1800 - 21 Jan 1878. "Wife of J. N. Lowrance."
LOWRANCE, John H., 2 Dec 1822 - 1 Mar 1847.
LOWRANCE, Martha C., 14 Jan 1826 -7 Dec 1828. (Tombstone embedded in hugh cedar tree.)
LOWRANCE, J. W., 3 Jul 1840 - 8 Feb 1897.
LOWRANCE, Lucy J., 30 Dec 1844 - 4 Mar 1921. "Wife of J. W. Lowrance."
LOWRANCE, Evie A., 29 Dec 1844 - 12 Dec 1874. 'Wife of James Lowrance."
LOWRANCE, Julia C., 26 Jun 1849 - 21 Feb 1885. 'Wife of Jas W. Lowrance."
LOWRY, James B., 8 Aug 1793 - 13 Jul 1864. 70-11-05.
LOWRY, Elizabeth, 22 Feb 1806 - 19 Sep 1869. 'Wife of James Lowry.'
LOWRY, David A., 22 Jul 1836 - 1 Nov 1864. (28-3-9) "Son of Jas. B. & Elizabeth Lowry. He was shot while asleep by a cowardly foe."
LYON, Bettie J., 27 Feb 1843 - 7 Mar 1899. Aged 56 yrs. & 8 d'ys. "Dau. S. K. & M. E. Orr." (dau of Samuel K. & Mary Eliza Orr.)
M....., I. E., Footstone marks a grave. Name unknown. 
MATHIS, James Edward
, 21 Jun 1887 - 12 Aug 1916.
McCONNELL, Sarah Emma A. Z., 21 Apr 1875 - 7 May 1898."Wife of John J. McConnell; dau. of J. T.& S. E. Cavanar.'
McCONNELL, Allie L., 25 Dec 1875 - 17 Sep 1879.
McCONNELL, Infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. O. W. McConnell, 1898.
MOORE, Samuel, 11 May 1763 3 Nov 1852. American Revolutionary War Soldier.
MOORE, Ashley, 19 May 1798 - 5 Mar 1881.
MOORE, Martha, died 28 Aug 1840. 38-05-11. "Consort of Ashley Moore."
MOORE, Levina, 1 Aug 1805 - 18 Aug 1848. 44-00-18. 'Consort of John Moore." (Box tomb, fallen.)
MOORE, Francis H., 3 Mar 1807 - 13 Nov 1863.
MOORE, Thomas M., 13 Oct 1820 - 1 Jan 1843. Age 22 yrs.
MOORE, Elizabeth, died 1838, (Tombstone broken.) (Footstone with initials E. M.)
MOORE, Samuel B., "Sacred to memory of..." (Tombstone broken.)
MOORE, James C., died 13 Oct 1835. Aged 03-08-21.
MOORE, Andrew Jackson, 4 Apr 1842 - 16 Dec 1859. 17-10-12.
MOORE, Virgil B., 18 Jul 1876 - 11 Sep 1879. (Tombstone fallen.)
MOORE, T., (Bottom of Tombstone buried deeply in earth to read.)
MORTON, Isaiah, 5 Apr 1763 - 22 Jun 1844. 81-02-19.
MORTON, Phebe, died 13 Dec 1852. 90-06 23. 'Consort of Isaiah Morton.'
NOWLIN, Captain James Wade, 15 Jan 1830 - 15 Feb 1862, 7th Tex Regiment, C.S.A., Fell while leading charge in the Battle of Ft Donelson, (Tenn.)
NOWLIN, Bentley Jabus, 31 Jan 1855 - 27 Feb 1864. "Son of James Wade Nowlin.'
NOWLIN, William Russell, 27 Oct 1858 - 15 Sep 1862. "Son of James Wade Nowlin." (Large monument also has name of William Leonodas Orr, no dates.)
ORR, James, Esq., 5 Nov 1787 - 13 Nov 1876. 88-11-08."Elder in Bear Creek C. P. Church, 62 yrs."
ORR, Elizabeth, 23 Nov 1787 - 24 Feb 1863. 'Wife of James Orr." (Tombstone broken.)
ORR, Ann, 21 May 1796 - 11 Jul 1876. 80-01-20.
ORR, Ebenezer, b. 1797, d. 1852. Age 55 yrs.
ORR, Thomas, 1 Nov 1797 - 1 Oct 1853. 55-11-00.
ORR, William McGee, 21 Oct 1800 - 7 Aug 1844. 43-09-17. (Box tomb.)
ORR, Mary King, 29 May 1805 - 7 Dec 1870. "Wife of Wm. M. Orr."
ORR, Robert, 21 May 1803 - 17 Oct 1848.
ORR, Mary A., 4 May 1805 - 30 Dec 1877. Stone fallen.
ORR, Samuel K., 4 Apr 1817 - 11 Oct 1900. 83-06-07. Mason.
ORR, Mary Eliza, 13 Apr 1819 - 15 Sep 1899. Mother 80-02-02, "Wife of S. K. Orr., A devoted wife, Christian and mother."
ORR, James P., 4 Apr 1817 - 13 May 1895. Father, Mason.
ORR, Elizabeth J., 9 Jun 1822 - 19 Sep 1898. "Mother, Wife of James P. Orr."
ORR, William Anderson, 1 Feb 1825 - 10 Aug 1648.
ORR, Dewitt C., 24 Aug 1827 - 7 Nov 1891. Father.
ORR, Sarah V., 19 Jan 1837 - 20 Sep 1905. Mother.
ORR, Berthunia P., 6 Sep 1857 - 5 Oct 1861. (child of Sarah V. & Dewitt C Orr.)
ORR, Willie T., 6 Sep 1869 - 13 Sep 1869. (son of Sarah V. & Dewitt C Orr.)
ORR, W. L., 30 Jan 1838 - 8 Oct 1861, "Company E, 4th Texas Regiment, a brave soldier, C.S.A. Loved and served his country and God."
ORR, Agnes A. 4 Feb 1855 - 24 Apr 1900. "Dau. of D. C.& S. V. Orr.'
ORR, Allena R., 14 Jan 1882 - 1 Jun 1882. "Dau. of N. W. & E. G. Orr."
ORR, Mary Ann, 9 Sep 1825 - 16 May 1902. 76 yrs. "Wife of T. W. Orr."
ORR, Emily J., 5 Sep 1838 - 16 Sep 1839.
ORR, Harvy P., 14 Mar 1841 - 31 Jan 1842.
ORR, Rev. Robert J., 25 Dec 1847 - 15 Jan 1894. Mason.
ORR, Wm. Leonodas, no dates. (Same stone with Nowlin family.)
PARKE, Ida I., 19 Feb 1866 - 18 Jul 1902. (Tombstone tumbled.)
PARKE, Inf. son of J. E. B. & I. I. Parke. (Tombstone fallen.)
PARTENHEIMER, J. F., 1834 - 18 Feb 1891.
PERRY, George Henry, 23 Aug 1859 - 7 Aug 1896. (Broken.)
PICKENS, Mattie C., 18 Sep 1860 - 18 Sep 1886. "Dau. of W. A. & S. J. Pickens."
RUSHING, Clarisa J., 27 Apr 1846 - 3 Nov 1848.
RUSHING, Lintfred M., 13 Mar 1825 - 11 Nov 1846.
SIMMONS, Annie Kirkland, 14 Nov 1869 - 24 May 1902. "Wife of Rev. J. W. Simmons; d. Newman, Calif."
STONE, Wilmoth M., 27 Aug 1867 - 17 Jul 1876. "Child of J. W. & N. A. Stone."
STONE, Katie C., 18 Apr 1870 - 27 Dec 1880. "Child of J. W. & N. A. Stone."
SWANSON, C. T., 8 Dec 1832 - 26 May 1896.
SWANSON, Anna B., 3 Apr 1871. Only date given.
SWANSON, Emma C., 14 Oct 1840 - 15 Feb 1875. (Stone fallen.)
TERRY, Mary D., 17 Dec 1840 - 25 Sep 1876. "Wife of T. F. Terry."
VanCLEAVE, James F., 8 Jan 1847 - 17 Oct 1920.
VanCLEAVE, Martha C., 7 Feb 1850 - 13 Aug 1910.
WALKER, L. P., 7 Oct 1834 - 26 Apr 1851. (Tombstone tumbled.)
WILLIAMSON, Sallie L., 6 Nov 1839 - 22 Feb 1879. "Wife of W. J. Williamson."
WILSON, John, 1808 - 1879 (perhaps the inscription is on underside of Fannie's fallen monument.)
WILSON, Fannie K., 4 Sep 1820 - 22 Jan 1897. "Wife of John Wilson.' (Tombstone fallen.)
WILSON, Andrew, 19 Oct 1806 - 2 Feb 1864. 58-08-17.
WILSON, Alice Cynthelie Arrillah, 13 Aug 1871 - 9 Feb 1883.
WILSON, J. W., 8 Feb 1845  - 6 May 1870. 23-02-26.
WILSON, William Boyd, 24 Mar 1845 - 24 Aug 1878.(Tombstone broken.)
WILSON, Annah Malissie Magnolia, 14 Jan 1874 - 18 Sep 1875.

Mr. Hawkins assessment in 1987:
This old cemetery has been abandoned for many years. There is now a fence around it but it is evident that cattle have used the cemetery for a bedding area in years past. Many monuments have been tumbled, broken and dislocated. There were once a number of large cedar trees in the lot but three or four have been struck by lightening and one had fallen over the stones. Fortunately, no monuments were
damaged. 

My assessment in 2008:
The fence is down again and the livestock roam freely among the memorials. Many of the memorials are in serious decay and without a serious effort at restoration will be gone in a few years. I would hope that this site will serve as one more tool to include you in the effort to impede that decline.

Listed in the book: Maury County Tennessee Cemeteries page 812, 10 Dec 1987.
Photographed and transcribed (again) on 26 Feb 2008 by Wayne Austin on a cloudy & somewhat rainy day.