Gray/Matthews Cemetery
Contributed by : Howard Brooks July 11, 2004
Howard transcribed this cemetery on January 1, 1980
Cemetery Photos
| Laura Gray August 15, 1860 August 14, 1911 (Note: Laura Gray is a daughter of James Madison Gray and Maria Dunlap, J.M.'s third wife). |
Mary E. Miller Wife of J.M. Gray October 6, 1834 September 29, 1906 (Note: Mary Gray is James Madison Gray's fourth wife). |
Margaret A. Daughter of W.S. and S.E. Gray November 5, 1849 December 18, 1849 |
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| A.C. G. (Footstone)(headstone partially destroyed) January 25, 1838 September 25, 1870 |
Noah Cooper Died June 15, 1875 Aged 72 (Note: Noah Cooper may be the father of Emiline Cooper, James Madison Gray's first wife). |
Katie A. Clark Wife of Elijah Melton March 24, 1849 February 19, 1889 |
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| Sallie E. Born July 13, 1870 Died November 6, 1882 Children of Robert and Mary Miller |
James S. Born May 19, 1870 Died December 14, 1878 Children of Robert and Mary Miller |
Oscar J. Cooper *** Born November 16, 1856 Died July 9, 1888 |
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| Robert S. Miller May 14, 1830 March 2, 1904 |
Mary T. Miller
October 3, 1833 Jan 15, 1900 |
J. M. Gray December 14, 1817 April 13, 1880 (Note: James Madison Gray was a son of Jonathan Gray and Pheby Grimes Gray, both of whom are buried on Mt. Sandy.) |
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| Maria L. Wife of J.M. Gray Born Jan 6, 1832 Died May 26, 1862 (Note: This is Maria Dunlap, James Madison Gray's third wife). |
Jonathan Gray Born Jan 6, 1854 Died August 2, 1890 (Jonathan Gray was a son of James Madison Gray and Maria Dunlap; he is named for his grandfather, who is buried on Mt. Sandy, Lawrence Co). |
Mary Dau of J.M. and Maria L. Gray Born February 5, 1862 Died June 29, 1864 |
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| Robert J. Son of J.M. and Mary E. Gray Born January ll, 1864 Died December 31, 1873 |
Joseph J. Son of J.M. and Mary E. Gray Born Jan 20, 1866 Died August 22, 1867 |
Francis C. Wife of Wm. M. Little Born November 19, 1827 Died June 28, 1900 Aged 72 years |
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| Feddie Robert Son of L.D. and E.J. Ray Born July 16, 1883 Died September 9, 1884 Note: Is "Feddie" actually "Freddie?" |
Note: Another grave showed someone who died September ll, 1883, but the name part of the tombstone is destroyed and not readable. |
Note: On maps, this cemetery is called the Matthews
Cemetery, but there are no known Matthews buried here. The
cemetery is located at the eastern end of Second Street, which
comes directly out from Sheffield. When Second Street
ends, one can turn left and go over Wheeler Dam (about four
miles), or turn right and go to Town Creek (about 2-4
miles). Directly to the east, is a little white house, and
the cemetery area is to the right (south) of that little white
house. Howard Brooks ([email protected]) has photographs of
all these graves taken in 1980. Howard Brooks transcribed
the following
gravestone information on January 1, 1980:
*** Brutal Murder
A quiet, peaceable White was shot to death by a brutal negro. The
Murderer at Large.
Near Town Creek, in this county, on Monday of last week, Mr.
Oscar COOPER, a respectable farmer of that neighborhood, had
occasion to reprimand Steven BINFORD, one of his colored
laborers, on account of his not doing work in a satisfactory
manner. Binford did not like the talk of Cooper, and securing a
shot gun, emptied the contents into Cooper's body, killing him
instantly. The negro fled and is still at large. Cooper leaves a
wife and two small children. Great indignation is felt among
Cooper's neighbors, and it is believed that Steven's neck will
grace a halter when caught.
(Moulton Advertiser 19 Jul 1888)
Note 2: Mrs. Goodwin: Please put on Web page, where readers will see it. I would like for you to put the news about the cemetery called Matthew--Gray, it is located on hwy 101, near Town Creek. Located on a Mr. Bracken 's farm. Some one told Howard Brooks where it was located. We was searching for the cemetery where James Madison Gray, my 2nd great grandfather was buried. So it was located with trees surrounding it, the grave markers was not in sight. So several of us ancestors, have went together and cut all the bushes and small trees, so it is now in clear sight. We are putting up some new markers, fence and also going to repair some markers. We found no family by the name of Matthew, but did find some Cooper's which are our grand parents. So we are putting up a new sign, which will be Cooper & Gray. So if any of our ancestors of these two families sees this article, please go by and see it. The ones who are responsible for all the work, expense & research are, a Historian, Roger McNeese, who lives in Muscle Shoal, Al, Several ancestors from Ark. & several other States, traveled to Alabama to restore the cemetery, where their loved ones are at rest. They are Randall Gray, wife Oma, & daug. Mary, Erma Lee Masters, Velva Stephens, Howard Brooks.The list of names who helped with the expense is to many to name, we plan to have a dedication when it is all finished. I know that this will need some corrections, please do so. Erma Lee Masters, at [email protected]