Big Black Creek Historical Association

There are somewhere around 45 cemeteries, some long forgotten, within a 10 mile radius of Denmark, Tennessee that we know about... so far.

Several of members and volunteers have started clearing these hallowed grounds, photographing the grave markers and  land with the intention of maintaining the brush control going forward.

Clearing these final resting places is  both good exercise and rewarding, volunteers are always welcome as are donations for purchasing weed killer and supplies.

Please contact us if you have questions, are interested in helping or wish to donate.

The following pictures are of old cemeteries in our area that have been cared for or are on our list of forgotten sites we plan to clear in the future.

Alston - Johnson Cemetery outside of Jackson, TN. It's on the BBCHA's list of cemeteries to clear of trees and debris.Pictures taken October 2008

 Alston - Johnson Cemetery

Alston Johnson Cemetery taken October 14, 2012

Currie #1 From the road, it's in Haywood County.

Ornate gate. Part of the iron fencing around 3 Currie graves. This would have been very expensive in the mid 1800's as it would be today.

The rest of the iron fencing. Currie # 1 is on our list of cemeteries to clear when the crops have been harvested.

 Martin Cemetery, located several miles outside of Mercer, TN.It's in fairly good shape.

 Recording names from the tombstones in Miller Cemetery. This little cemetery sits high on a hill about 1 mile from any road. Access is through 3 separate farm fields. The structure in the picture is a deer stand.

Oak Grove Baptist Cemetery. Located about 1/2 mile from McKellar - Sipes Regional Airport outside of Jackson, TN.

Jones Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads, Henderson County, TN.

The Reverend John A. Parker and wife's North to South graves.

The Civil War Battle of Parker's Crossroads was fought on their land December 31, 1862.

The marker below is located at Parker's Crossroads Battlefield and explains the North to South burials. 

Reverend Parker appears to have had a sense of humor.

 Pruitt Cemetery, located 3 miles East of Humbolt, TN. off of RT. 45.

This cemetery is not visible from the highway.

William David Pruitt, Confederate soldier, Company F, 47th. Tenn Infantry. Born 1841 Died 1902. 

This site has 1 tombstone for Sallie Burks. Sallie died in 1812 and is the oldest tombstone that we have encountered.

The burial is in a thicket behind several houses.

Shaw Cemetery, Haywood County, TN.

This cemetery is located in a heavily wooded area about 200 yards from the Louisiana style 2 story Shaw House pictured in our site.

 The final resting place of J.M. Shaw and his first and second wives, Mr. Shaw outlived both of them. I believe Mr. Shaw was 21 when his second wife was born. 

Spring Creek Cemetery. Located in the woods behind houses in Spring Creek, TN.

This site is completely overgrown with many tombstones flat under 6" of Vinca. It also has iron fencing around 2 graves, an expensive purchase in the mid 1800's.

 3 Utley graves in Spring Creek Cemetery.

This is The Uptonville Road Cemetery outside of Mercer, TN.

Chapman / Transou Cemetery has not been cleared yet, it's on the list of cemeteries to be cleared by the BBCHA. This cemetery is located off of route 70 beside a saw mill about 1 mile from route 138.

The Chapman / Transou Cemetery as it was on Jan. 14, 2014 after having been cleared. 

Mary Transou's final resting place in the Caldwell Cemetery..

Deborah Chapman 1791 - 1867

David J. Transou 1841 - 1907

Edward Transou 1881 - 1916

Drake / Norris cemetery is located directly beside Rt. 70 close to Brownsville, TN. in Haywood County.

"Darling Little Bluksy" the stone reads:

"Cry not for me mother dear

I am not dead but sleeping here

I was not yours but Christ's alone

He loved me best and took me home."

Dr. W.J. Drake

The old Union Grove Presbyterian Church Cemetery

 Revolutionary War soldier James Currie Jr.  He was born in the U.S. but his parents came to America from Ireland.

Ebenezer Cemetery is split into two separate parts, this is the first section.

The second Ebenezer section.

The sections are separated by a ravine and trees. 

 Bond Cemetery is a well kept active family cemetery located off of Bond Cemetery Road.

Sunnyside Cemetery is located close to Mercer, TN. on RT. 138

We came across the grave marker for 3 year old Jefferson Davis while on a 4 wheeling day trip on December 26, 2009.

The stone was leaning against a tree in this group.

Also found in the area were 4 additional small stone pieces. This stone was the only other piece with legible lettering.  

Cardwell / Turner Cemetery

Only 2 stones were visible

Elizabeth S. Turner, 8.9.1860  to  8.20.1868.        

T.T. Cardwell, a Mason

b 7.19.1815   d 9.2.1884

Hawkins & Hess Cemetery is located directly beside Wilhite's T/A Truckstop om route 138 outside of Denmark, TN.

The original Doctor Hess house

An old barn across from "The Hess House" as it's still called today.