Historic Gravesites of the Coastal Empire

By: Trinity

Bryan Neck Presbyterian Cemetery

The Bryan Neck Presbyterian Cemetery sits on the site of the historic church of the same name. The church was founded by Thomas Savage Clay, Richard James Arnold, and George Washington McAllister. It is the oldest congregation in lower Bryan County, and was certified by the Presbytery of Georgia in 1830. Some gravesites here are date back to the 1800’s, and some are more recent.

Strathy Hall Cemetery

Though surrounded by a bustling neighborhood and nearly buried in kudzu, the Strathy Hall Cemetery still holds historic significance. On its site just off the marshlands of the Ogeechee River, the cemetery was used for slaves at the Strathy Plantation. Many headstones here are crude, and many graves have no stones at all. Instead of being lined up in the traditional fashion, the graves are randomly placed throughout the land. Their locations are marked only by a hand-drawn map that stands in the center of the graveyard.

Burnt Church Cemetery

Still standing at the original site of the Bryan Neck Presbyterian Church, the Burnt Church Cemetery holds the graves of some of the most prominent early families of the Bryan County area, including those of Clay, McAllister, and Maxwell. The original church was damaged by fire in 1882 (which is how the cemetery got its name). The remains of the building were moved to the site discussed previously, where the church was reestablished.

Gravesites atBurnt Church Cemetery

Colonial Park Cemetery

Situated in the center of downtown Savannah, Colonial Park Cemetery holds a rich history. It holds the gravesites of many leaders of the Georgia colony , including Samuel Elbert, a Major General of the Colonial Army. Since many of the headstones are aged and very brittle, they are protected by small wooden fences. The Colonial Park Cemetery was made a historical site in 1896.

Typical Gravesitesin Colonial Park Cemetery

Guarded Headstone

Some headstones are damaged

Tomo-Chi-Chi’s Grave

The Chief of the Yamacraw Indians, Tomo-Chi-Chi is a significant historic figure in Georgia. He was very influentual in bringing the Native Americans and the English settlers together during the early colonial period. He helped the Georgia colony be a success. His grave in Savannah’s Wright Square is marked with a large marble stone and a monument.

CreditsPhotos: Trinity

Transportation: My parents