The Historic Cemetery of Fayetteville, Georgia offers a glimpse into the city’s history through its residents; Mrs. Lizzie Brown (born Elizabeth McEachern, 1891-2003), brothers and Civil War veterans G. S. McGough and his nephew, Captain William Parks Redwine ( 1826-1890), the Dorsey family (including Solomon D. Dorsey and John M. Dorsey) and Professor George C. Looney are just a few of the notable figures remembered within the cemetery. Here amongst their gravestones, visitors can pay tribute to these momentous members of society and find insight into their Alasfter lives and remarkable legacies that remain truly timeless.
Discover the stories of Fayetteville’s historical figures at the Historic Cemetery of Fayetteville, GA. Mrs. Lizzie Brown, born Elizabeth McEachern in 1891, was a former school teacher and daughter of a Confederate soldier who lived to be 111 years old and was the oldest living Georgian until she died in 2003. G. S. McGough and his nephew, both 23, are also remembered here, as well as many other remarkable people from the past.
The Dorsey family, with Fayetteville’s second mayor Solomon D. Dorsey and Civil War veteran John M. Dorsey, were residents of the Holiday-DorseyFife House from 1867 to 1901. The Dorsey sisters Panola and Evie, never married, and cared for their brother in his later years as he suffered a lingering head wound received at the Battle of Gettysburg. Visit the Historic Cemetery of Fayetteville to remember these important figures today.
The Historic Cemetery of Fayetteville commemorates the many important figures who have contributed to the city’s history, such as Captain William Parks Redwine – born in 1826 in Campbell County, who proudly moved to Fayetteville in the 1840s and became the captain of Fayette County’s first company raised for the War Between the States and was elected to the state legislature in 1864. He also served as Fayetteville’s first mayor, until he died in office in 1890. The Dorsey family, with Fayetteville’s second mayor Solomon D. Dorsey and Civil War veteran John M. Dorsey, are also remembered; they were residents of the Holiday-DorseyFife House from 1867 to 1901, and the Dorsey sisters Panola and Evie, never married, cared for their brother in his later years as he suffered a lingering head wound received at the Battle of Gettysburg. Tragically, Sallie Kate Graham, daughter of Joseph Wilbur and Karen Bennett Graham and a niece of Rufus and Sarah Dorsey, was killed in a cyclone that hit Fayetteville on January 5, 1892, at the young age of 8 years old. Lastly, Professor George C. Looney is also fondly remembered. Visit the Historic Cemetery of Fayetteville to pay tribute to these incredible individuals today.
The renowned educator George C. Looney achieved great success from 1836-1927, credited with founding the esteemed “Fayetteville Academy” which was famously featured in Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. Among his students were Annie Fitzgerald and Martha Ann Holliday, relatives of the celebrated author. Furthermore, Robert A. Holliday is interred at the mysterious Seashell or Alligator Grave, a plot so ancient that the information has long since worn away. Decorated with seashells, its “humped” appearance gives the impression of an alligator.
One of the cemetery’s most notable figures is Robert K. Holliday, who lived from 1828 to 1872. He was famously the uncle of “Doc” Holliday and the father of Martha Ann “Mattie” Holliday, who served as the model for Melanie in Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. Furthermore, his marriage to Mary Ann Fitzgerald in 1850 resulted in Margaret Mitchell also being linked to the Holliday family as a cousin. Additionally, some of the earliest graves in the cemetery are located within the wrought iron fence of the McBride’s and McDonald’s graves. Mary McBride passed away in 1843 at the age of 36.
Her mother-in-law, Barbara McDonald, was born in Scotland in 1767 and died in 1859 at the age of 92. Despite surviving to a ripe old age, four of her children died in infancy and are buried here with her. Similarly, Arthur Arnold, who was born to former slaves, lived to be 105 years old and was Fayette County’s last blacksmith. He was also the father of Reverend Arthur Arnold, whose parents, Henry and Nellie (Dorsey) Arnold, are also buried here.
Matt Harris, born in 1840, was a Confederate veteran of Company I, 14th Georgia Infantry, and the only tombstone in this cemetery to have an image of the occupant. His tombstone also proudly displays his Confederate veteran medals.
The Fayetteville Historic Cemetery holds the remains of some remarkable individuals, each with a fascinating story to tell. Guided tours at the Holiday-Dorsey-Fife Museum can provide further insight into these stories and more.
The Historic Cemetery of Fayetteville is much more than just a burial site. It holds the stories of remarkable historical figures who have undoubtedly contributed to the city’s unique and rich history. Visit the cemetery today to learn more about Elizabeth McEachern, G. S. McGough, Solomon D. Dorsey, John M. Dorsey, Panola and Evie Dorsey, Captain William Park Redwine, Sallie Kate Graham, and Professor George C. Looney. All these individuals have left an indelible mark on their community and should be remembered and honored.
