SALEM METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY, (Big Dry Creek Rd) - GILES COUNTY TENNESSEE

Mapping the Location

Photos of this color text & Links are part of the north section and thought to be some if not all African American graves.

Area photos: 6268/6350/6351/6363/6364/6365/6427/6428/6429/6430/6431/6432/6433/6434/6435/6436/6437/6446/6447

Area photos of a area  across the gorge to the north 75 yards and in another area & fronting the road. These are thought to be African American graves but maybe the Moman/Morman family was something else: 6189/6190/6191/6192/6193/6194/6195/6196/6197/6198/6199/6200/6201/6202/6203/6204/6205/6206/6207/6251/6252/6253/6254/6255/6256/6257/6267

BAILEY, William, Co D., 110, U.S. Colored Infantry, No dates given or which war specified  6240
BAKER, Alfred H., 28 Jan 1823 - 3 Jan 1862. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
BAKER, Elizabeth Hays, Born about 1828 - Died before 1850. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
BENTHAL, A. W., 28 Apr 1833 - 22 Jun 1908. (h/o Sarah A. Benthal.) 6341
BENTHALL, Sarah A., (ca 11 Oct 1822) - Died 27 Jan 1897 Aged 75 Yrs, 3 Mon., 16 days, wife of A. W. Benthall. At Rest in Heaven. 6341/Tombstone dug from a rotten log: 6340
CAMERON, Albert A. J., 27 Jul 1868 - 12 Feb 1885. (Stone broken into four pieces) 6218/6219/6220
CARTER, G. W., 16 Nov 1856 - 31 Dec 1940. At Rest  6243
CARTER, Martha, Born 1855 - Died 5 Dec 1905, wife of George Carter. Her end was Peace. 6246/footstone M.C.: 6250
CARTER, Parrish, Born 1834 - Died 1916. 6242/footstone P.C.: 6244
DICKEY, James R., 11 Oct 1869 - 14 Jun 1870. 6423/6424
DICKEY, Mary Hannah, 16 Feb 1829 - 6 Aug 1867, consort of John R. Dickey. 6420
DICKEY, Sallie E., 17 Dec 1833 - 3 Jan 1873. 6422C/6422
DICKEY, William R. F., 12 Jul 1872 - 21 May 1873. 6425
FAUGHT, Mary, 24 Jun 1826 - -- May 1853, consort of M. M. Faught, (granddaughter of J. Parker.) Died in triumph of a living faith. 6395/6396/6397
FAUGHT, Nancy, 12 May 1769 - 10 Jun 1849. 6379
FAUGHT, Nancy, 12 Mar 1849 - 10 Jan 1869. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
FAUGHT, Nancy, d. 16 Sep 1840, Aged 3 M & 4 D. 6386C/6386
FAUGHT, Willie B., Nov 1799 - 20 Dec 1841. Age 42 Yrs, 12 dys.  6384/ 6385
FIELD, Lula May, 5 Jan 1887 - 29 Jun 1913. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
FLAUTT, Delia, 29 Feb 1807 - 17 Aug 1868.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
FLAUTT, James, 29 Dec 1800 - 15 Aug 1882. 6334/6335/6336/6337/6339
FLAUTT, Rufus D., 20 Nov 1829 - 22 May 1871. 6338/6339
GILMORE, Rev. A. J., Born 19 Sep 1819 - Died 9 Jul 1858, Joined Conference 1842. "Beneath this special monument lies the remains of Rev A.J. Gilmore, the able & spotless divine who prema-turely sacrificed his life to the cau-se of God and died at his post. Born 19th of Sep 1819, Joined Conference 1842 and after unceasing toil for 14 years on circuits & in stations his lamp of life went out 9th of July 1858. Farewell dear Kindred  and the church of my choice, How. . ." 6406/6407/6408/6409/6410
HAYS, Gertrue E, 5 Sep 1880 - 19 Oct 1881. daughter of H. C. & L. M. Hays. Suffer little Children to come unto Me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. 6311
HAYS, Grizzy, 11 May 1811 - 31 Aug 1864.  6329/6328/6330
HAYS, James F., 4 May 1850 - 1 May 1854. 6327/6328/6329/6330
HAYS, Jerome, 10 Feb 1841 - 28 Dec 1861. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
HAYS, Kittie Herbert, 25 Sep 1884 - 5 Oct 1884, daughter of H. C. & L. M. Hays. 6310
HAYS, Leonidas M., 27 Aug 1839 - 4 Jan 1865. 6331
HAYS, Nathaniel, 24 Mar 1801 - 3 Sep 1881. Blessed is he that considereth the poor. The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.  6332C/6332/6333
HAYS, Sallie G., 5 May 1879 - 15 Sep 1881, daughter of H. C. & L. M. Hays. Suffer little Children to come unto Me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. 6312/6313
HAYS, Washington C., 4 Mar 1837 - 5 May 1870.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
INMON, James C., 30 May 1821 - 21 Dec 1865. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
INMON, John Wesley, 24 Jan 1848 - 28 Aug 1872, son of J. C. & Frances Inmon. 6380/6381/6382
INMON, Joseph, Died 2 Jan 1866.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
INMON, Elizabeth A., 22 Dec 1824 - 28 Jun 1853, wife of Rev. Joseph C. Inmon. 6401C/6401/6402/6403/6404/6405
INMON, Francis, Died 2 Jan 1855, wife of Joseph Inmon. (No birth date specified) 6375/6376/6377
KEYES, Annie Franklin, Born 1849 - only date listed.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
KIMBRO, Ochie, 14 Feb 1900 - 2 Apr 1929.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
MASON, Ella, 17 Apr 1878 - 16 Nov 1910.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
MOMAN, G. W., Mar 1833 - -- Apr 1911. Faithful to his trust then unto death. Mason. 6241/6190
MOMAN, Vina, Born May 1850 - only date listed. 6241/6190
MORMAN, George, 1834 - 1911. Rest in Peace. 6208/6209
MAYFIELD, Lula, 5 Jan 1887 - 29 Jam 1913. 6238/6239
PARKER, Alfred W., (Born ca 1810) - Died 27 Nov 1886. Aged 76 years 6369C/6369/6370         
PARKER, Delila, 18 Jul 1811 - 18 Mar 1858, consort of A. W. Parker. Professed religion in the year 1840 and lived a devoted member of the Methodist Church until death. 6371/6372
PARKER, Elizabeth, Born 16 Nov 1843 - 17 May 1859, age 15 Years, 6 months & 1 day, daughter of A. (Alfred) W. & Delila P. Parker, professed religion 1855 at Salem, burned to death. 6352/6353/6354/6355
PARKER, Frances, Born 11 Aug 1847 - 18 May 1859, age 11 Years, 9 months & 8 day, daughter of Alfred W. & Delila P. Parker, professed religion 1855, burned to death. She prayed to Jesus to take her to heaven. She lived 28 hours & died in peace. 6352/6353/6354/6355
PARKER, Rebecca C., Born 25 Dec 1852 - 17 May 1859, Age 6 yrs, 4 months & 22 days, daughter of Alfred W. & Delila P. Parker, burned to death. 6352/6353/6354/6355
PARKER, Christeanah, 26 Jul 1789 - 31 Dec 1870. Aged 81 years, 5 mo. 5 days. 6373/6374
PARKER, Emily C., 27 Jun 1818 - 30 Apr 1858, consort of James L. Parker. Died in triumph of a living faith. 6398C/6398/6399
PARKER, J. Milton, 5 Jun 1824 - 1 Dec 1996. At Rest. 6347/6348/6350
PARKER, L. C., 29 Aug 1833 - 13 Mar 1884. married to J. Milton Parker 19 Jun 1854. Aged 50 yrs & 6 Month. A good wife, a kind Mother and loved by all her neighbors, Her prayer was let me live the life of the righteous that my last days may be like theirs. 6345/6346/6349/6350
PARKER, J. Milton, 14 Jun 1854 - 14 Mar 1884. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
PARKER, Jerimiah, 12 Jun 1766 - 15 Jul 1841. 6390C/6390
PARKER, Milly, wife of Jeremiah Parker, 18 Jan 1763 - 25 Apr 1844. Aged 81.3m. 7d. Inscription: Milly Parker wife of Jeremiah Parker. was born 18th Jan 1763, De (departed) this life on Apr 25th 1844.Age 81.3m 7d. she was a mamber of the Methodist  Church 40y.Jesus can make a dying bed feel soft as downy pillows are while on his breast I lan my head & h. .  my life out sweetly. . . .. 6392C/6391/6392/6393/6394
PARKER, Jeremiah, 15 Jul 1841 - 12 Jun 1876.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
PARKER, Jeremiah, 4 May 1849 - 12 Jun 1879, son of A. W. & D. (Delila) P. Parker. 6344
PARKER, John, 30 Nov 1795 - -- Sep 1868, son of Jeremiah & Milky Parker.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
PARKER, John, 4 Mar 1833 - 2 Aug 1833. son of Z. & C. Parker. 6387C/6387
PARKER, James M, Born 1835 - 16 Feb 1838, son of A. W. & Delila Parker. (all these stones are a part of his monument) 6356/6357/6358/6359/6360
PARKER, Infant son of A. W. & Delila Parker, Born 1840, lived (covered by leaf). 6388
PARKER, M . C., 6 Mar 1814 - 15 Jul 1863. (Stone not found Oct 2010)
PARKER, Sarah H., 25 Apr 1826 - 7 Sep 1836, daughter of Z. & C. Parker. 6389C/6389
PARKER, Lilah, B. & D. 14 May 1836, daughter of Z. & C. Parker.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
PARKER, Zachariah, 19 Nov 1784 - 4 Apr 1870.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
PARKER. Zachariah S., 25 Sep 1847 - 27 Jan 1869. 6367/6368        
PURYEAR, Grizzie A., 5 Sep 1864 - 5 Sep 1864. Millions of Infant Souls compose the family above. 6307/6306
PURYEAR, Jerome N., 5 Sep 1864 - 26 Dec 1864. Suffer little Children to come unto Me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. 6308
PURYEAR, Mary, 28 May 1829 - 24 Dec 1866. Lo the prisoner is released Lightn'd of her fleshly load where the weary are at rest she is gathered unto God. 6309
RAY, Edmon, died 4 May 1891 Age 75 Years. 6225/6226/6227
REYNOLDS, Dave, Born 15 Dec 1847 -  death date omitted. 6210
REYNOLDS, Fannie, 10 Apr 1853 - 8 Mar 1914. 6210
REYNOLDS, John, 12 Oct 1876 - 14 Nov 1906. 6249/6248
ROGERS, John, 25 Nov 1825 - 18 Nov 1866. 6316/6317
ROGERS, Joseph, 25 May 1798 - 28 Apr 1845. 6323/6324/6326
ROGERS, Margaret, 11 Feb 1799 - 20 Apr 1873, wife of Joseph Rogers. 6325/6326
ROGERS, Sallie A., 28 May 1828 - 23 May 1898. 6314/6315
STEELE, Leeo, 1 Jan 1889 - 14 Apr 1910. 6211/6212
STORY, James, 2 Jul 1808 - 22 Nov 1891. A husband kind, a father dear, a faithful friend lies buried here.  6413/6414/6415
STORY, Elizabeth B., 30 Oct 1813 - 25 Mar 1891, wife of James Story. 6416/6417
STORY, John, 10 Mar 1801 - 17 May 1877. (Stone broken) Aged 76 yrs, 2 mos & 7 dys. 6411/6412/6414/6415
STORY, Sarah, 2 Oct 1805 - 27 May 1889, wife of John Story. 6418/6419
TRENTHAM, Martha, 9 Apr 1824 - 24 Jul 1840, daughter of M. & R. Trentham.  (Stone not found Oct 2010)
WOODWARD, Henretta J. Rogers, 2 Jun 1851 - 8 Jul 1901, wife of P. F. Woodward. 6319/6320/6321

Graves marked only with a fieldstone: 6318/6322/6342/6343/6361/6362/6366/6400/6426/6438/6442/6443/6444/6445
Unknown bottom part of tombstone no remaining inscription. (Find the top here - somewhere) 6439
Unknown top of tombstone top and inscription crumbled away: 6440/6441
Unknown base of tombstone no information:6378/6383/may be base of footstone:6421
Unknown tombstone - crumbled top - little bit of inscription remains such as word: "triumph" 6444/6445
Across the natural crevice:
Unknown graves w/lots lined with rock and imposing man made concrete tombstone without inscription: 6213/6215
Graves marked only with a fieldstone: 6214/6216/6217/6221/6222/6223/6224/6232/6233/6234/6235/6236/6237/6245/6266
Grave sinks with no stone at the head of the grave: 6228/6229/6230/6231

Photos numbers of a brown color refer to what is at least partially an African-American section and is a separate area of the same cemetery or separate cemetery across a deep gulley divide to the north 75 yards, but still fronting the Big Dry Creek Road. Some of these graves may have been listed among the Salem (black) Cemetery of the book Giles County Cemeteries page 475,others were ommitted. Below is a listing of the 10 names listed. There was no other information:

DOUGLAS, Mary/Hudley  -- LAIRD, Alice/Tom -- MASON, Jim/Mariah -- MAYFIELD, Jenny -- REYNOLDS, Billy/Fannie/Tom.

The other irony in this sprawling grave space which is divided across a deep gorge is that many of the graves with marked stones, even known African-Americans such as William Bailey were included in with th common listing in previous efforts to capture the grave history. Truth be known these two sections may have sprang up because of religious divisions, cultural division, or even neighborhood divisions. The north section is very sprawling and not in orderly rows meaning it was never surveyed, typical of old black cemeteries and some white cemeteries. I have a great-great uncle, a single white man, by the name of Richard Warden (a businessman) that owned a farm across the road, but 1/4 mile south from this place. He was of the Christian Religion and it is said he was buried on his farm in what is now a lost grave. So unorganized lost graves are not of one class or culture.
We are less than privy to the business of determining skin tone by looking at the grave site. If that is necessary for you in understanding your heritage you can get a better feel by researching the census records. I have presented the information as I found it. This is more precise (but non segregated) than previous grave historians. If you can shed light on this subject please write me at:WayneAL1@AOL.COM and we will share your thoughts with the public.

Both of these cemeteries were covered in brush, growing freely and covering the stones, making it hard to find the stones. Fall leaves also may have covered some of the stones that had fallen. That is partially the reason why you see the above note - stones not found. Several of the stones in the south section of the cemetery are inscribed with the message: Member of the Salem Methodist Church, which was evidently the founding reason for the white section & maybe also the black area of this cemetery.

Visited & photographed 16 Oct 2010 6189-6267 (black section) & 20 Oct 2010 6306-6347 (known (white) Salem Methodist Church Cemetery) by C Wayne Austin. Initial typing by Faye Bradford. Added to this site 12 Apr 2012 by C. Wayne Austin. Also published in the book Giles County Cemeteries, Page 2-3 by the Historical Society, 1986 Pages 473-475. Presented on Findagrave.com with 87 listings & 32 of those without photos whereas we left 18 listings without a photo. There are a couple of graves listed there in error, but generally the contributors have done a good job on that cemetery.