#1 Abernathy Cemetery
#1 Abernathy Cemetery
Readyville Quadrangle Located near a house in front of Kittrell School, Woodbury Pike in Readyville
Susie’s family has cleared and cleaned this cemetery as they have been photographing it for the future!
Thanks so much for clearing and cleaning and for the images. Now they are safe from the elements here.
Photographed by Susie Tate Polman (see Susie’s history and transcriptions at the bottom of the blog for more information on this cemetery)
William Eastwood
08 Feb 1820
09 Mar 1895
Nancy A. Eastwood
18 May 1826
08 Mar 1893
Willis Sanford
23 Dec 1816
12 Aug 1888
H. H. Sanford
14 Oct 1880
11 Sep 1881
Infant of M. W. and M. L. Bowling
Born Oct 1889
Mary L. Bowling
Jan 1862
Apr 1850
Mary L. Bowling
Jan 1862
Apr 1850
Fannie A. Abernathy
22 Dec 1844
18 Jul 1912
Charles O. Abernathy
06 Nov 1843
12 Dec 1917
Thomas E. Tilford
1862
1906
Leila Ivie Tilford
1893
1895
M. J. Jones
Wife of P. G. Jones
Born looks like 1830 (not in cemeteries book)
Alvin Abernathy
Son of C. O. and J. A. Abernathy
29 Oct 1869
23 Jan 1870
Allie Abernathy
Son of C. O. And F. A. Abernathy (cemetery book says J. A.)
L. A. Sanford
18 Nov 1874
08 Aug 1888
Edgar E. Puryear
20 Sep 1869 (cemetery book 1974 says 1864)
15 Jan 1896
Phillip Ray Abernathy
1916
1920
Myrtle Speer Abernathy
1879
1920
Margaret Blackwood
Wife of A. C. Gunn
Ida Lee Puryear
27 Jul 1867
18 Aug 1892
(cemetery book has the same dates as P. M. Puryear below)
26 Nov 1839
30 Nov 1891)
P. M. Puryear Sr.
26 Nov 1839
30 Nov 1891
Infant son of L. D. and Fannie Bowling
28 Jun 1888
Infant Daug of L. D. and Fanie Bowling
01 Jun 1908
Lucinea Eastwood
Wife of J. D. Sanford
04 Sep 1856
22 Jun 1912
J. D. Sanford
29 Dec 1852
11 Feb 1913
Fannie Lucille Abernathy
19 Feb 1905
Feb 13 1914
Marsh Bowling
18 Feb ???
18 Sep 1888
Ella Bowling
23 Dec 1866
29 Aug 1914
ABERNATHY CEMETERY HISTORY
JULY 14,2008 The Abernathy Cemetery began 140 years ago when our Great Grandparents, Charles O. and Fannie A. Abernathy, buried their 3 month old infant son “Allie.” Charles and Fannie constructed a dwelling on their farm property known as “The Big House”. The original house was located to the right of the cemetery. Although it was completely destroyed by fire, one can still see stone remnants where the house once stood. Further research is needed to determine the date of the fire. In 1869, the burial of “M. J. Jones, wife of R.C. Jones” took place. Fannie’s maiden name was “Jones” and “M.J.” was most likely related. The 1880 census lists Fannie’s brother, “David Jones“, as living on the property. Further research is needed to identify M.J. more clearly and why she died at only 31 years old. In 1870, Charles and Fannie buried their 3 month old infant son “Alvan J.” He is buried beside his brother “Allie”. In 1875, “Francis Sullivan” was buried at the age of 44. Further research is needed to determine who Francis was and why he would be interred at our family cemetery. In 1881, “A.C. Gunn” was buried at the age of 76. Further research is needed. In 1882, “J.W. Gunn” was buried at the age of 13 months. Perhaps this is a grandchild of “A.C.” Further research is needed. In 1888, “L.A. Sanford” was buried at the age of 13. The 1880 census lists the Sanford’s as neighbors of the Abernathy’s. In 1888, “Willis Sanford” was buried at the age of 71. In 1888. “Ida Lee Puryear” was buried at the age of 21. The 1880 census lists the Puryear’s as neighbors of the Abernathy’s. In 1889, the infant of M.W. & M.L. Bowling was buried as a newborn. In 1889, “H.H. Sanford” was buried at the age of 8. In 1890, “Mary L. Bowling” was buried at the age of 27. The 1880 census lists the Bowling’s as neighbors of the Abernathy’s. In 1891, “P.M. Puryear” was buried at the age of 52. The 1880 census lists the Puryear’s as neighbors of the Abernathy’s. The census lists P.M. as “Porliuse”. In 1893, “Nancy A. Eastwood” was buried at the age 66. The 1880 census lists the Eastwood’s as neighbors of the Abernathy’s. In 1895, William Eastwood” was buried at the age of 75. In 1895, Leila Ivey Tilford” was buried at the age of 2. Further research is needed. In 1896, “Edgar E. Puryear” was buried at the age of 26. In 1898, the infant son of L.D. and Fannie Bowling was buried as a newborn. 1 In 1906, “Thomas E. Tilford” was buried at the age of 44. In 1908, the infant daughter of L. D. & Fannie Bowling was buried as a newborn. In 1912, “Lucine Eastwood” was buried at the age of 55. In 1912, “Fannie A. Abernathy” was buried at the age of 68. (Our Maternal Great-Great Grandmother.) In 1913, “J. D. Sanford” was buried at the age of 60. In 1914, “Ella Bowling” was buried at the age of 47. The Rutherford Co. TN Death Certificates website lists her name as “Francis Ella Gardner Bowling,” father, “David Gardner” and mother “Minervia Bloodsaw”. In 1914, “Fannie Lucile Abernathy” was buried at the age of 8. (Our Maternal Great Aunt.) In 1917, “Charles O. Abernathy” was buried at the age of 74. (Our Maternal Great-Great Grandfather.) In 1920, “Phillip Ray Abernathy” was buried at the age of 4. (Our Maternal Great Uncle.) Oral tradition states Phillip as being born a “water head”; medical term “Hydrocephalus”. In 1920, “Myrtle Speer Abernathy” was buried at the age of 40. (Our Maternal Great Grandmother.) The Rutherford Co. TN Death Certificates website lists Myrtle as dying the day after her son Phillip. In 1928, “Marsh Bowling” was buried at the age of 63. There is a tombstone for “Margaret Blackwood “that reads “died at age 65”, no dates, and another for “Louis Moore son of L.D. & Fannie Bowling”, dates can’t be read. The Rutherford Co. TN Death Certificates website lists two other bodies interred at Abernathy Cemetery: “Mary Vandergriff Leohen born October 16 1847 and died May 28 1918-daughter of Oheen Vandergriff and Lizzie Vermon. “Joseph Berryman Beahew” born January 18 1849 and died June 13 1918-son of Wm. L. Leahew and Delila Adams. (obvious clerical typing error on last name)…neighbors were “Brashear”…even the 1880 spells the name incorrectly as Brasbear………obvious clerical error. ——————————————————————————————————————– Rutherford County history states that the Civil War occurred 1861-1865; the Battle of Murfreesboro occurred 1862-1863; and Slavery ended in 1865; and a Yellow Fever and Influenza epidemic hit Tennesseans 1888-1889, Spanish/American War was in 1898. Research also concludes that the “Trail of Tears” Indian march, 1837-1838, traveled directly through Readyville, Tennessee on State Route 1 traveling Northwest, according to the Nat’l Park Service, Mr. Nance for the Dept. of the Interior.
Author: Susie Tate Polman 2045 Chesapeake Way Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 Email: Spolman@comcast.net
ABERNATHY CEMETERY ON THE BRANDON FARM PROPERTY, OLD WOODBURY PIKE
ACROSS FROM KITTRELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Ella Bowling born December 23 1866 Marsh Bowling born February 18 1865
(Francis Ella Gardner Bowling) died August 29 1914 died September 19 1928
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Infant daughter of LD & Fannie Bowling June 1 1908
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Infant son of LD & Fannie Bowling June 26 1898
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M. J. Jones wife of RC Jones born August 28 1830 died August 13 1869
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Louis Moore son of LD & Fannie Bowling April 10 1897
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P. M. Puryear, Sr. born November 26 1839 Ida Lee Puryear born July 27 1867
died November 30 1891 died August 18 1888
“A loving husband, a father dear, a faithful friend lies buried here” “Our darling one has gone before to greet us on the golden shore”
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Margaret Blackwood wife of A.C. Gunn
“Age about 65 Years…..she was kind and affectionate wife, a fond mother and a friend to all”
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A. C. Gunn born July 31 1804 died June 13 1881
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J. W. Gunn born July 8 1881 died August 8 1882
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In Memory of Francis Sullivan born May 4th A.D. 1831 died August 2nd 1875
“Age 44 years, 2 months, and 28 days”
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Lucinea Eastwood born September 4, 1856 J. D. Sanford born December 29 1852
died June 27 1912 died April 11 1913
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Edgar E. Puryear born September 20 1869 died Jan 15 1896
“Sleep on brother they work is done. Jesus has come and borne thee home”
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Fannie Lucile Abernathy born February 19 1905 died Feb 13 1914
“A little child shall lead them”
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Phillip Ray Abernathy born January 9 1917 tombstone reads 1916-1920 died March 15 1920
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Myrtle Speer Abernathy born July 30 1878 tombstone reads 1879-1920 died March 16 1920
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Charles O. Abernathy born November 6 1843 Fannie A. Abernathy born December 22 1844
died December 12 1917 died July 18 1912
“For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive”
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Leila Ivie Tilford born 1893 died 1895
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Thomas E. Tilford born 1862 died 1906
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Alvan J. Abernathy born October 29 1869 died January 23 1870
“Son of C.O. and F.A. Abernathy”
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Allie (.) Abernathy born December 23, 1867 died March 29 1868
“Son of C.O. and F.A. Abernathy”
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L. A. Sanford born November 18 1874 died August 9 1888
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Mary L. Bowling born January 1 1862 died April 11 1890
“Remember friends as you pass by, as you are now so once was I, as I am now you soon shall be, prepare for death and follow me”
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H. H. Sanford born October 14 1880 died September 11 1889
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Infant of M.W. and M.L. Bowling October 1889
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William Eastwood born February 8 1820 Nancy A. Eastwood born May 18 1826
died March 9 1895 died March 8 1893
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Willis Sanford born December 23 1816 died August 12 1888
RUTHERFORD CO. TN DEATH CERTIFICATES 1914-1919 A-L :
LISTS THE FOLLOWING TWO PEOPLE AS BEING BURIED AT ABERNATHY CEMETERY
Beahew, Joseph Berryman born January 18 1849 (no tombstone) died June 13 1918
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Leohen (?), Mary Vandergriff born October 16 1847 (no tombstone) died May 28 1918
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There are many unmarked graves and large fieldstones throughout the cemetery. Mr. Brandon is the present landowner and he knows there are several Slaves and at least one Indian buried on the sight. The Indian is said to be buried just outside the back fence beneath a pile of large rocks.
Notes: ABERNATHY CEMETERY IS LOCATED ON A FARM OWNED BY MR. BRANDON AND IS LOCATED ACROSS FROM KITTRELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON OLD WOODBURY PIKE, RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE. EASY ACCESS FROM THE ROAD. TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:
From Nashville- Take Interstate 24 East to exit 81B, Church Street. Turn right at the first traffic light, Rutherford Blvd. Turn right at the fourth traffic light, East Main Street, (the name changes to Woodbury Hwy). Go about 6 miles. Abernathy Cemetery will be on the right.
This list was compiled by descendants of the “Abernathy” family.
Our Maternal Great Grandparents were:
I. “MYRTLE SPEER ABERNATHY” and “JAMES ORVILLE ABERNATHY”.
Myrtle is buried at Abernathy Cemetery and James O. is buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Our Maternal Great -Great Grandparents were:
II. “CHARLES ORVILLE ABERNATHY” and “FANNIE A. ABERNATHY”.
Charles and Fannie are both buried at Abernathy Cemetery”.
Contact information:
Susie Tate Polman – Spolman@comcast.net
12 December 2012
generationsgoneby
