OLD BELLEFONTAINE CEMETERY

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OLD BELLEFONTAINE CEMETERY

(LOCATION UNKNOWN BELLEFONTAINE MS)

Elmira Hicks Ford, Feb. 14 1815, March 11 1896

Gideon Watson, died May 8 1878 abt. 81 yrs

Penelope Watson died July 18 1859 aged 52 yrs. w/o Gideon Watson

Sarah Ann Watson Bryant, Oct 23 1823, Nov. 5 1850 w/o David Bryant, d/o Gideon & Penelope Watson

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Below are notes that Dr. McCain wrote about this cemetery in his book:

(quote: As far as I can determine, this cemetery was called the Bellefontaine Cemetery. The original Fellowship Baptist Church was not located too far to the north. The old Bellefontaine-Greensboro Rd (later called the Bluff Springs Rd) was only a short distance east of the cemetery. These four remaining tombstones are now recorded. We left the home of James Price Shaw at 1:00 and returned at 1:25. Mrs. James Price Shaw gave me the following letter which has some bearing on the cemetery located on her husband's property and on people in the Bellefontaine area:)

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LETTER THAT WAS GIVEN TO DR. MCCAIN dated October 5 1966:

Dear Mrs. Shaw,

I am writing to you for information on Gore or Few families. In my search for these families in my family history someone told me that there is an old cemetery there in Bellefontaine and it is believed to be on your land. There is supposed to be an Elmira Hicks Hogg buried there.

My husband's great-grandfather was Rev. Richmond Polk Gore. a Methodist minister. He is supposed to have been born in Webster County, probably near Bellefontaine. His parents were Richard B. Gore and Mary C Mccarty Foard Gore. Richard B. Gore left his family, consisting of his wife, Mary C., his son, Rev. Gore, and several daughters, Mary, Miley, and Ellen Rebecca when these children were small. Mary C. stayed there at Bellefontaine and I believe that she had a daughter by a previous marriage to Wyatte Foard, who was Mary Ann Foard McCrory, that also resided there.

This was back between 1835-1900. I have been unable to find any of this family now living or where March C. is buried. If you know anything about this family or any relatives still living there I would appreciate hearing from you.

Also, I would like to know something of this cemetery near you and why these people were buried on private land.

Elmira Hicks Hogg buried there was the divorced wife of a son of Mary C. gore by a previous marriage.

(SEE DR. MCCAIN'S BOOK FOR REST OF LETTER)