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Archiver > WATSON > 2002-07 > 1026263653


From: "Kemis Massey" <>
Subject: [WATSON] Fw: Clapp Cemetery - Muscogee County, Columbus, GA
Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 21:20:20 -0400


Hi,


I know some of you have seen this email before. I have added some more names that I located and sent them this email. Maybe you'll see something new that you didn't read before. . .

The purpose of this email is to attempt to locate any decedents of those buried in Clapp Cemetery in Columbus, GA. We do not know for sure who is there other than what is included in this email. That means if you write and ask me if a specific person is buried there I will not know if they are. What I am hoping is that someone's family history will help identify the persons there. Now for the rest of the story.

In Columbus, GA in the 1800's we had the Clapp Factory on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Close by the Clapp Village was built for the factory
workers. Later a cemetery was placed on the hill over-looking the Chattahoochee. The Clapp Cemetery records seems to be lost.

Known buried:

Mary Catherine Skipper (b. Nov 28, 1825 - d. Sep 10, 1880) daughter of Isaac W. Woods and Eliza/Elizabeth Patterson, wife of Jacob S. Skipper (son of
Silas S. Skipper and Esther/Ester)

John P. Lewis (B. Dec 12, 1812 - D. Feb 10, 1886) Grave of a child, J.F. Cain no dates Other family names rumored to have been buried there:

Hopkins, Miller, Warren, Watson (several years back Ms Watson told other locals she had 14 family members buried in the cemetery) and Bird.

added names:
Mrs. E. Belcher, age 71

Infant of Thomas Brown

Miss Kate Cain, age 51

Miss Mary C. Clegg, age 46

Charlie C. Foster, age 4

Benjamin F. Heath, buried 1856

Louisa J. Helms, age 64, born 1816

Burre Hill, age 1, June 7, 1899

Gladis Martin, ag 49 days, April 17, 1901

Mrs. Bula Miller, age 31, March12, 1899

Evalina Miller, age 14 months, October 6, 1899

Child of Mary Miller, age 3, April 25, 1901

James Newsome, Nov 1897

Mary (Martha) Newsome, wife of above, around 1897-1898

Miss F. Penelope Newsome, age 56, sister of James Newsome, Aug 19, 1890

Edgar Alton Nix, age 1, April 13, 1904

William Page, son of Robert & Sarah Page, Private in Company A, 27th Regt. GA Militia, died 1862, Skedaway Island


There are suppose to be 20 Confederate soldiers from Georgia and Alabama there. Also American Indians and Slaves are buried there.

The land the cemetery is on was purchased in the 1920's by Georgia Power. Georgia Power feels it is not their responsibility to take care of the cemetery and that is a job that the families should be doing. At this point in time, I need to attempt to find as many descendants of the deceased buried in Columbus Georgia's forgotten Cemetery.


Ultimately we would like to have the cemetery cleaned to the point that descendants could actually visit the graves. The cemetery is a jungle. This is a job that will have to be tackled during fall or winter. It is also a monumental undertaking. . . there is no way this would be a day's work. I have already been in touch with several descendants, several local Historic societies, several local historians, Sons of Confederate veterans, Daughters of Confederate Veterans, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts (still have 4H to check with) asking for guidance and help. So far all agree, if it can be done it will be monumental.


I have sent an email to one of the local tv stations and haven't gotten any response. I do have a gentleman who will put the story on his web page http://www.columbusgeorgiaonline.com. It's a start. I've still need to get other media involved with so I can locate more relatives.

But if you look at it as being part of your heritage to take care of your ancestors graves and we all work together, we could make the Clapp Cemetery a true resting place for those buried in a beautiful place so long ago. You are taking to time to find out where you came from. . . we are all story telling of our family history. . . add a chapter as to how you help save a forgotten resting place of loved ones.

Thanks for taking the time to read my email, as it is longer than most. If you know or think you have family members buried in the Clapp Cemetery in Columbus, GA, please let me hear from you.

Happy family hunting,
kemis massey

Researching: Duke, Evans, Hickey, Mays, Rosamond, Songer, and Camp for me
Researching: Brooks, Chambers, Massey, Fountain, and Smith for my hubbie



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