Sandersville Old City Cemetery History

It is believed the site for Sandersville Old City Cemetery was first used as a cemetery in the early 19th Century. The cemetery is currently dated from 1831 because this "death" date is the earliest to be found today. There are many unknown and unmarked burials in the North-West section of the cemetery that may date earlier than 1831. Old City Cemetery began as the cemetery of the Methodist-Episcopal Church. Eventually the cemetery expanded to its current 5.5 acres which is surrounded by West Church Street to the South, West Haynes Street to the North, Virginia Avenue to the East, and private property to the West.

The aforementioned documented burial of 1831 is that of Reuben B. Barney whose tombstone marker reads: "Sacred to the Memory of Reuben B. Barney who departed this life 10th Oct 1831 in the 27th year of his age. How short his passage to the peaceful home and unexpected was his earthly doom." The Milledgeville Southern Recorder, a State paper, on July 14, 1831, recorded that Reuben B. Barney gave a toast at a 4th of July celebration in Sandersville. The Federal Union, another Milledgeville paper, reported on October 20, 1831, Mr. Barney died in Sandersville. He appears to have been a person of some prominence. For thirty-seven years burials continued in the portion of what is still the same cemetery.

Besides many unmarked graves, there are markers for Louisa A. Roughton (1853-1855), Dr. William P. Haynes, P.D.G.M. and P.D. G.H.P. (1797-1856), and Mary Green Youngblood (1834-1857.) There is also a marker for David Greer, War of 1812, who died before 1849, but is said to have been buried at his home, Washington Hall, near the Baldwin-Washington County line.

The first church in Sandersville (George White, Statistics of the State of Georgia, 1849) was the Methodist (ME Church), which was built on a knoll adjacent to the original part of the cemetery at least by 1840, if not before. The church was used by all denominations. A new Methodist Church was built in 1859 on the present site a block away and dedicated in 1860. However, the original Methodist Church structure remained in the Cemetery until October 14, 1875, and was used by African-Americans as a school.

The original road to Sandersville from Milledgeville ran through the cemetery by the side of the Methodist Church or its location until 1912. The old roadbed can still be seen. Major Henry Hitchcock, a member of General William Tecumseh Sherman's staff, in Marching with Sherman (Yale University Press, New Haven, 1927) states:

"Sandersville, Georgia In Camp, In open field Saturday, Nov 26, 1864 11th day out Left camp by 6 ½ AM--Wheeler's cavalry in our front, undertook to skirmish. Slocum's 1st Brigade advanced skirmishers and before long we heard their firing. General and staff rode forward--road narrow for some distance and through pine woods and across low ground through which ran creek. Road full of troops, wagons, camp followers, had to go slow. Rode with General and Slocum in ploughed field on right. Road full of advancing troops, in column by the flank. Ahead a quarter mile off at first one brigade deployed and advancing rapidly in line of battle. Ahead of them our skirmishers pressing forward at double quick with loud cheers to and into and through the town, pursuing Wheeler's men, and constant firing by skirmishers. It was not a battle, only skirmish firing, but that pretty rapid and constant for twenty or thirty minutes. We followed them into town, rebs not attempting to make stand. After driving them out of town our men halted there and at same moment 14 entered it by N. road. P 96 Also skirmishing. As we entered town passed Church with "Grecian Front" and from a distance. cross road, saw a dead rebel lying on the portico. Learned after entering town that rebs fired from street corners, from behind houses, and from second story parapet front of brick Court House, which made quite a good fortification. All our loss I could learn was one killed, eleven wounded."

The cavalry skirmishing referred to took place in the cemetery and in the short half-block between it and the Courthouse square. The Union soldier listed as killed was identified in the August 22, 1966, issue of The Central Georgian, the Sandersville paper:

"In an editorial the ladies told of a Rebel soldier buried "under the eaves of the house" (old Methodist Church). His name, left by his brother, was John P. Brunson, 4th Tenn. Cavalry. It was suggested having his grave over built with either brick or stone. There was a letter from his widow of Pulaski, Tenn., written Aug. 9, 1866 ... `I am thankful to the ladies for planting box around his grave, a soldier 400 miles from home. (Signed) Mary C. Brunson.' 1-15-67 Rev. J.D. Anthony reported women plan to brick over soldier grave under the eaves of the church."

This grave is believed to be one of the brick cradles. Major Hitchcock also records that Sherman burned the Courthouse in Sandersville and a few other buildings but no dwellings. Destroyed were early records of Washington County (A Courthouse fire occurred in 1854 and 1855 also.)

In 1866 and 1867 letters written by Rev. Jas. R. Smith to Rev. O.L. Eberhard in Augusta describe the uses of the old Methodist Church remaining on the Cemetery grounds. These letters come from Records of the Superintendent of Education for State of Georgia Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1870, National Archives Microfilm Publications, No 799 (Branch in East Point).

"June 1, 1866 My dear Sir, During my absence of nearly 3 weeks from home on a tour, the enclosed was rec'd and I answer by the 1st mail. The school taught by Mrs. Bivins being small (her residence), it was at my suggestion removed to the African Church, a commodious building of 60 ft. x 40. This building is held by trustees for the white ME Church and is only used now by our colored congregation." J.R. Smith to G.L. Eberhard "Will open freedman school Monday next. I regret that they do not own the building where I will teach. It was for many years the only church building in this place (Sandersville). In 1860 we built the new and larger house of worship. As one of our trustees I opposed and prevented the sale of the old church and have held it for the use of the colored church. The quarterly conference of the circuit has unanimously resolved to hold it for use of the colored society which worships there so long as they remain connected to the M.E. church. Freed people have entire control of the building - legal title in Board of Trustees (I am one) of the M.E. (white) Church."

The Central Georgian in a local column on December 2, 1868, describes additions made to the existing cemetery:

"A NEW CEMETERY - The necessity for a new Cemetery has long been felt by the people of Sandersville. The old Grave Yard was badly located in the first place, and having been used as a burying ground for thirty or forty years, had become so crowded that scarcely a suitable vacant spot could be found for interment. The Town Council, we are glad to know, has purchased the vacant plot of ground adjoining the Parsonage lot, for a cemetery. A substantial fence will soon be erected around the ground, and the place otherwise rendered suitable for the purpose intended. We are also gratified to learn that it is not the intention of the town authorities to leave the old grounds in their present unprotected state; but that a suitable fence will also be placed around this sacred place where so many beloved fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, and friends lie buried."

The area is adjacent to Virginia Avenue (once Cemetery Street) and West Church Street. Also following this purchase are other references:

Central Georgian:

"Willie (boy) Newman, son of Mark and Ann Ainsworth Newman, died March 1869 and was the first person buried in the new part of the cemetery."

"January 5, 1870 We are glad to know that our considerate Town Council has donated to the different churches in Sandersville, a plot of ground in the New Cemetery, to be used as a ministers' burying place. Long may it present an unbroken sod, but be a monument to the generosity and proper consideration of the worthy gentlemen composing the Board of Councilmen."

Sandersville Herald:

"November 26, 1896 The Ladies Memorial Society has $51 in hand and $100 subscribed which they will give to the Confederate Veterans to erect a monument." "April 22, 1897 Confederate monument to be unveiled."

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