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On 13 November 1996, Governor of Alabama Fob James, Jr. signed the certification designating the cemetery a Historical Site. The document reads,
"This is to certify that the Abner McGehee Burying Ground has been deemed a significant landmark by the Alabama Historical Commission and added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage."
F. Lawrence Oaks, Executive Director, Alabama Historical Commission signed it.
Abner McGehee who owned over 10,000 acres in Montgomery County in 1822 was a devout Christian. On his plantation he built the first Methodist Church about a mile southwest from the present church on Wasden Road placing it near the location known as the Abner McGehee Burying Ground. He named the church the Hope Hull Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of Mr. Hope Hull, a distinguished revivalist. The L&N Railroad named the depot "McGehee's Switch" in honor of Abner McGehee but his name for the church as "Hope Hull" is what the community is called today. These burial grounds were enclosed with an ornamental wrought iron fence. It was filled with flowers that bloomed in the Spring. Families through the years took care of the cemetery by having a cemetery cleaning day in the Spring and Fall. In 1880 two acres each were deeded by a great granddaughter, Sallie McGehee Clark, to the Church and to the cemetery. As the land was passed between descendants and was sold and resold, the cemetery became inaccessible to those who remembered it. RECLAMATION OF A TREASURE After years and years of neglect, the Pintlala Historical Association though the heroic efforts of Ethel Tankersley Todd (not a descendant or related) reclaimed the Abner McGehee Burying Ground. The Industrial Development Board of the City of Montgomery that bought the surrounding property set aside two acres in their deed and surrounded it with a chain link fence. Matching funds were not available at that time to purchase a wrought iron fence. |
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"It is in beautiful condition with blooming flowers and graves kept in order. There are between 30 and 40 graves unmarked with mounds or small unlettered stones at head and foot.” (Information obtained by Miriam Brewer and Frank Richardson March 9, 1936 copied from Archives and History and given to the Pintlala Historical Society by Lula Davidson. Information obtained October 28, 1996 by Lorraine Barnett and Miriam Williams.)
By September 1994, the McGehee Cemetery was in terrible shape: so over grown and covered with trees and brambles it seemed beyond recovery. Through the Pintlala Historical Society and Mrs. Ethel Tankersley Todd who spearheaded the effort to tackle an almost insurmountable task, descendants were contacted to raise funds to reclaim the cemetery. Through her untiring efforts, money was raised to clean the cemetery and erect a chain link fence. The Industrial Park that owns the land deeded four acres to the cemetery, and built an access road.
Commission. On 13 November 1996, Governor of Alabama, Fob James, Jr. signed the certification designating the cemetery an Historical Site which says,
"This is to certify that Abner McGehee Burying Ground has been deemed a significant landmark by the Alabama Historical Commission and added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. Signed by F. Lawrence Oaks, Executive Director Alabama Historical Commission.
On 6 July 1999, Diane L. Brown, Phyllis Armstrong, and Lorena Joyce Marshall Nicoll resurveyed the cemetery and photographed the markers to include in The Montgomery County Heritage Book and to enter the cemetery on the Internet. On 30 July 1999, Phyllis Armstrong again completely checked the cemetery and made pictures.
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Additional comments (markers, unmarked graves, miscellaneous notes)
Chamber
Ferguson, Mary L.
Gardner, Flora E.
Harrison, Frances (Garner)
Jarratt, Martha Ann
Mcgehee, Abner
(A tall marble monument marks his grave in the middle of the Northern part of the cemetery.)
On the side of the monument is: In all relations of life and ensured him great wealth which he distributed cheerfully and with a noble heart liberality for the glory of God and the good of man. A Christian in heart and life, he lived and died in communion of the Methodist Protestant Church. He departed in great peace and comfort of soul and sleeps in Jesus.
McGehee, Abner
McGehee, Lucinda S. E.
Nolley, Lacy L.
Oliver, Mary C. S.
Taylor, William
Markers
Approximately 30 paces to the right of the main part of the cemetery are 4 unmarked small markers/stones and 1 smaller stone marker. Tradition is that these were slave graves.
38 small imbedded stones/brick which lined an edging approximately 36 feet by 16 feet ( L shaped)…a pathway? Or the marking off of a plot?
Six plain unmarked markers, 1 flat marble marker (no name)
Estimate that there are over 40 unmarked graves
Saving Graves
A Website that focuses on saving endangered cemeteries.The Montgomery Genealogical Society
MGS promotes research on families with Montgomery County connections.
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