Relatives of all ages, exchanging stories and
genealogy data.
Aware that cars cannot handle the old dirt road
behind the church we loaded up into trucks and suvs for our journey deep into
the woods to locate our old family burial grounds. My elders knew exactly
where to lead us.
Charles McClain the son of Elizabeth Broadway
married Lorena in 1908 and he is buried in Dublin Church of Christ Cemetery in
Montgomery County, near Troy, near Warrior Hill Baptist Church. His death
certificate has many errors. His date of birth was 1886 and appears to have been
inverted to 1868
Stepping and raking with extreme caution in a
burial ground behind the church which is surrounded by old rusted barbed wire,
finding some small remains of a few tombstones
From the front parking lot of the church we can
see the public cemetery across the street where many of the descendants have
been buried for the past one hundred years.
John Hill was a witness on this document where
Nancy Jane filed for a widows pension and was obviously the Uncle to the
deceased Peter E Bozeman who was also buried next to R. L.
Hill.
Cousin Dora told me there are many more
tombstones to uncover, at least 50 were seen here several years ago.
Apparently Peter's mother was Martha Hill, sister of John Hill and they all came
from Darlington South Carolina in the 1820s, from fathers who had served in the
American Revolution.
Obviously John Hill started this private family
cemetery, then built the church and giving them land across the highway for
public burials. This family burial ground may hold many other members of
the Hill family and their spouses and children.
On this date in May 2007 Alabama was suffering
severe drought and several acres of beautiful woodlands had burned up very close
to the church.
Nearby would have been the old plantations of
Nathaniel Dillard, Peter Bozeman, Abner Broadway, John Stephens, Benjamin
Stephens, Clopton Gibson, Mr. Money,
and many other old settlers who ventured down
the historical Federal Road through the Creek Nation and down Meriweather Trail
into this beautiful quiet wilderness.
A few old farms still exist with cattle skulls
on their fence posts and tombstones in their yards, but for the most part, there
are not many homes in the area until one drives a coulple of miles further down
the road into Ramer. Ramer is where the train station once existed, and
has the small town library and another cemetery where some of our relatives
rest.
Much appreciation to Elizabeth, and
Jimmy Ray for assisting with the organization, cleaning, photos and their labor
of love.
.
ALABAMA TOMBSTONES
Tombstones found in Montgomery,
Jesse Bozeman born 1793 Darlington South Carolina migrated to
Montgomery County Alabama with his father Peter Bozeman who had served in the
American Revolution. Jesse and his wife Lucy with children plus Jesse's
brothers Peter E., William Henry, Meedy and sister Lucy Bozeman Campbell all
resided upon a huge plantation. Jesse was the only one able to read and
write, so as the Attorney of the family, he handled all legal documents and
estate sales and so far no will has been found for any person of this
lineage.
Jesse's daughter Lacy Jane married Thomas Randolph Carter who also
bought land in this area, and was the grandson of Captain John Carter of the
American Revolution.
Search for Stokes in Montgomery County to read
the article about this very neglected cemetery.
It mentions a Mathew Stokes as a previous owner, and he was married
to Mary Campbell who might have been the daughter of the above mentioned
Lucy.
Also when Jesse Bozeman's brother William died, Thomas Carter
purchased a portion of that land. William's grave is not found.
Peter's grave is not found.
Perhaps they are buried nearby.
Jesse is buried beside one of his two wives and a tree had grown up
between them damaging the stones.
Jesse Bozeman born 1793 Darlington South Carolina migrated to
Montgomery County Alabama with his father Peter Bozeman who had served in the
American Revolution. Jesse and his wife Lucy with children plus Jesse's
brothers Peter E., William Henry, Meedy and sister Lucy Bozeman Campbell all
resided upon a huge plantation. Jesse was the only one able to read and
write, so as the Attorney of the family, he handled all legal documents and
estate sales and so far no will has been found for any person of this
lineage.
Jesse's daughter Lacy Jane married Thomas Randolph Carter who also
bought land in this area, and was the grandson of Captain John Carter of the
American Revolution.
Search for Stokes in Montgomery County to read
the article about this very neglected cemetery.
It mentions a Mathew Stokes as a previous owner, and he was married
to Mary Campbell who might have been the daughter of the above mentioned
Lucy.
Also when Jesse Bozeman's brother William died, Thomas Carter
purchased a portion of that land. William's grave is not found.
Peter's grave is not found.
Perhaps they are buried nearby.
Jesse is buried beside one of his two wives and a tree had grown up
between them damaging the stones.
