An article entitled “Wonderful Cumming” published in the Forsyth County News on September 14, 1911, concludes with this statement: “...strange to say, all have agreed upon one thing, and that is to let the cemetery grow up in briars, bushes, and weeds, so that visitors to our town cannot see the mounds and monuments and will think it one of the healthiest places on earth.”

Decades later, neglect has given way to respect, for the City of Cumming, through the use of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds, has accorded the burial ground the honor and dignity the city’s first citizens---as well as future generations---deserve. No longer an overgrown jungle, the well-maintained graveyard is encompassed within a stone wall topped by a stately wrought iron fence, and its appearance is further enhanced by the lampposts, whose light proclaims the city’s pride in her past.

To stroll though the cemetery row by row and to record the names and dates on tombstones is to prepare a census of area residents from Cumming’s incorporation as the seat of Forsyth County in 1834 to the present.

With the emergence of the town in the 1830’s came the establishment of houses of worship. The First Baptist Church was erected around 1840 on the west side of the property which later became known as Cumming Cemetery; near the northeast corner of the property the Presbyterian Church existed until it was disbanded in 1856.

From the interment of Moses Whitsett in 1834 near what would later be the Baptist churchyard, the cemetery has grown to include not only the earliest citizens of Cumming, but the modern generation as well. Beginning with individuals born in the 18th century---including Hannah and William Blackstock, Robert Montgomery, Cash and Martha Willingham, William H. Ray, and Rev. John Whitaker McAfee---the denizens of Cumming Cemetery represent Forsyth Countians from all walks of life.

Intermingled with the townsfolk are their leaders who served in various positions, including William H. Ray, Hiram Parks Bell, Haynie S. Brooks, Aulston B. Welborn, Henry Hurt, H.L. Hutchins, E.C. McAfee, Rufus E. Guthrie, George Willingham, Thomas Willingham, Almon Hutchins, A.C. Kennemore, Henry Lowndes Patterson, and others.

George W. Heard, Kirby Kemp, Fannie Harrison, Noah Strong, and Thomas Jefferson Pirkle are but a few Cumming merchants laid to rest only blocks from their businesses around the square. And those who safeguarded the health of others---Dr. Marcus Mashburn, Sr., both Dr. John Hockenhulls, Dr. Samuel S. Bailey, and Dr. Ansel Strickland---lie within the wrought iron fence, as do the religious leaders: Rev. J.J. Bannister, Rev. J.H. Mashburn, Rev. John Whitaker McAfee, Rev. W.H. Warren, Sr., and Rev. Furman T. Williams.

Cumming’s most noted early citizen, Col. Hiram Parks Bell, excelled as a lawyer, author, statesman, orator, Mason, and Civil War soldier. As of July 1, 1998, the newly-created judicial circuit, which removed Forsyth County from the Blue Ridge Circuit, is named in his honor: the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit.

Last, but certainly not least, are those who fought for our freedom. Were they alive today, they would doubtlessly proclaim: “Cumming, we salute your outstanding job in preserving the history of our area through your graveyard restoration and your respect for our American heritage by recognizing those who sacrificed for us all.”

Updated 1999 - By Annette Bramblett

Graves Moved from Cumming Cemetery to Sawnee View Gardens

Permit Issued

Day, Arizone Rose d. 5-30-1985 6-25-92

Poole, Henry Ansel III d. 12-10-1957 6-12-85

Heard, Jimmy d. 5-12-1947 6-12-85

Poole, William J. d. 1959 4-27-76

Grave Moved to Cumming Cemetery from Coal Mountain

Smith, Little Lumpkin d. 6-25-1914 7-10-89

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Buried in Unmarked Graves

HUDSON

Elizabeth C. Moor Jan., 1837 Ca. 1919

John L. July, 1832 11 Feb. 1901

_____________________________________________________________________________________

ALLEN

Infant son of B.J. 27 Aug. 1938 27 Aug. 1938

Edna Louise 18 Sept. 1915 28 Mar. 1920

Emory Hamilton 14 Mar. 1919 13 Mar. 1920

Forest L. (son of S.H.) 20 May 1906 19 Aug. 1917

John Bester 17 Feb. 1885 16 Jan. 1967

Martha Elizabeth (dau. of S.H.) 28 May 1912 8 Sept. 1914

Mary Kathryn 14 May 1951 14 Jan. 1956

Infant of S.H. No date No date

Robert S., Sr. 11 Mar. 1921 18 Jan. 1972

Sallie Tolbert 11 Mar. 1882 10 Sept. 1943

Sarah Addie 30 June 1886 6 May 1964

ATTKISSON

Georgia (dau. of S.C. & Z.S.) 5 Apr. 1866 3 July 1867

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