Vaiden Cemetery

List of Graves

Vaiden Cemetery Association

P.O. Box 206

Vaiden, Mississippi 39176

662-464-5381

2007 Cemetery Association Committee:

Frances J. "Bud" Welch – President

Frances W. Shivel – Former President

James "Son" Alford

Charles Ellis – Treasurer

Donnie Waller

Helen Claire McEachern Elliott -- Secretary

Ken McDougal

Clarence Pierce

Frank Stanton

The Vaiden Cemetery Association’s Annual Meeting is the last Wednesday in February of each year.

The Vaiden Cemetery Book is available for $10.00 each, plus $2.50 postage.

Donations are Tax-Deductible: Federal Tax Number 62-0682993

Please send your contribution of $35.00 for the upkeep of the cemetery for 2008. It will be appreciated very much.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE VAIDEN CEMETERY IN YOUR WILLS, MEMORIALS, ETC.

Plat of Vaiden Cemetery – Regular View – Detailed View (286k)

In The Arms of God

by Ronnie L. Collins

A Short History of the Vaiden Cemetery

By Frances Jordan Welch

What is now known as the Vaiden Cemetery came into being through the formation and joining of several different cemeteries as the need arose for a new burial ground over the years. The search for the beginning of the oldest cemetery (known as the Shongalo Cemetery and located in the southeastern section) goes back to the earliest marked graves – those of James H. Cain (1813 – 1837) and Eliza Love Pleasants Wells (1818 – 1837). Shongalo, an Indian settlement, was a very short distance southwest of the cemetery. Soon after the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in late 1830, the Shongalo area filled rapidly with white settlers.

Shongalo Presbyterian Church was organized in 1834 and a post office in 1837. Shongalo was located on low sandy soil, but just north lay higher ground of clay. What better place for burials? Sections 14, 15, 22, and 23 of Township 17, Range 5 East, form a corner in the Vaiden Cemetery. Shongalo Cemetery is located almost entirely in Section 23. The original land patent shows Thomas Pleasants receiving land in Section 15 in 1835, Isaac Land in Section 14 in 1833, John McCaskill in Section 22 in 1833, and Section 23 was granted to partners, Platner and Davis.

Eliza Wells was Thomas Pleasants’ daughter. There is no record of any Cains receiving land in this vicinity, although Patrick Cain came with his family to the area in 1836. James H. Cain was not his child, but could certainly have been a close relative. Why would Thomas and Mary Pleasants and the Cains have buried their loved ones on property that did not belong to them if Shongalo Cemetery were not already begun? White people had been in the Shongalo settlement before the 1830s. We can only conclude that Shongalo may be a very old burying ground.

On August 27, 1889, a deed was executed by Gaines Anderson and wife transferring a parcel of land 110 feet by 125 feet to P.H. Cain, J.J. Cain, J.L. Cain, S.M. McClurg, and Y.C. McClurg to be known as the Cain-McClurg Cemetery. The deed book shows a plat of the cemetery and two names already filled in – those of W.H. McClurg (June 23, 1889) and Susan McClurg (July 3, 1889). The cost of the land was $37.50.

On August 25, 1898, the widow of Gaines Anderson, Mrs. A.V. Anderson, deeded land to the Independent Order of Oddfellows Quitman Lodge # 36 for a cemetery. The deed excepts two parcels of land already deeded to T.H., S.P., and Jmv. J. Armstrong for a cemetery. The Oddfellows Cemetery started at the corner of the lot on which stands the Vaiden Colored Baptist Church, then west 13 rods (214 ½ feet) and then south 14 rods (231 feet) and back to the beginning. The Armstrong Cemetery parcels were two blocks of land next to the Cain-McClurg Cemetery and along the easternmost cemetery boundary.

The latest addition to the Vaiden Cemetery is the Wright-Fullilove Section. James G. Fullilove owned land on the northwest side of the cemetery and his sister-in-law, Miss Lovie Wright, owned land on the southwest side. They started selling lots on this land in the 1950s. The first grave here is that of E.B. Holden, a young child who died about 1952.

Tradition has it that Mary Pleasants gave land for the Vaiden Cemetery. She could certainly have given land in Section 15, as she owned practically all that quarter of the section in the 1850s and 1860s.

There is no record of those who cared for the cemetery except in the memory of those still living. The earliest name that can be recalled is that of Mr. Joseph Vaiden Herring, who cared for the then unmarked graves of Civil War Soldiers. Miss Magdalena Armstrong oversaw work for a number of years, and also, Mr. Claude Hatcher. Mr. Hatcher started a ledger with names of those people who sent money to care for individual lots. Some of those who helped with the mowing, cleaning, etc., were Jap Carter, Vassar Welch, Charlie Welch, Briar Cain, Clinton Weeks, Willie Lee Weeks, and James R. Vance.

In 1974, the Vaiden Garden Club erected a chain-link fence to join the old iron fence that is on the east side of the cemetery and the post and wire fence on the west side. Other work done by the Garden Club was the elimination of a tangled wooded area on a sloped hill separating the older part of the cemetery and the Wright-Fullilove section. Also, concrete steps were built on this hill and on the east side of the cemetery. Antique fences around individual family plots were repaired and painted. Here are photos of the old fence: 1 2 3 4 5 6

In 1978, Mr. Hatcher asked Mrs. Frances W. Shivel to take over the cemetery work. After a few years of caring for the cemetery, she became interested in the prospect of making it a perpetual-care cemetery. The Vaiden Cemetery Association was formed in 1983 with two members from each of the four churches in Vaiden. The first members were Eva Mae Word and Rebecca B. Fullilove, from Vaiden Methodist Church; Evelyn J. Ross and Claude Hatcher from Shongalo Presbyterian Church; Hazel A. Fullilove and Joe F. Herring from Vaiden Baptist Church; and Frances W. and Delbert C. Shivel from St. Clement’s Episcopal Church. The first contributors to the Perpetual-Care Fund were Pauline Michie Hill and Hammond Michie. As of January 1, 1989, this fund had grown to $24,774.74. A total of $40,000 is required to be on deposit in order to provide enough interest yearly for general upkeep.

There are many interesting tombstones in the Vaiden Cemetery. One of significance is that of Dr. Cowles Mead Vaiden, for whom the town is named. Another is that of Revolutionary War Drummer Boy John Cain. A large marker in the Shongalo section is that of 32 then-unknown Civil War Soldiers, who were killed in skirmishes in the area. The efforts of Mrs. Mabel Bruce and her supporters made it possible to have this marker erected.

On most any pretty Sunday afternoon you can find someone in the cemetery strolling along the monuments. Some are placing flowers on loved ones’ graves and others may be searching for the burial place of an ancestor. To quote an article in the Greenwood Commonwealth by Richard Rubin, “. . .a few minutes within these gates will go a long way towards telling the multitude of stories that comprise Vaiden’s colorful past and present.”

Volunteers for Marker Photos Needed – CLICK HERE

The Cemetery Gazebo view from the grave of Percy H. Kaigler

The Cemetery Gazebo view from the grave of Dr. C. E. Wright

Past and Present Gazebo Location Comparison

Approximate Area Where Gazebo Was Located

Alphabetical Listing by Last Name

Dates of Death Complete Through December 31, 2007

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Genealogy Age and/or Date Calculator

CLICK HERE to calculate age at death.

VAIDEN CEMETERY BURIAL STATISTICS

Perpetual Calendar: CLICK HERE

Prior to 1582, every year divisible by 4 was a leap year. Since a year contains only 365.242199 days (slightly less than 365.25 days), an error of ten days accumulated over the centuries. To compensate for this error, Pope Gregory XIII (after whom the Gregorian Calendar is named) decreed that the ten days between October 5, 1582 and October 14, 1582 would be eliminated from the calendar. This made October 1582 the shortest month, with only 21 days. After 1582, years divisible by 100 are NOT leap years, unless they are also divisible by 400. Thus, 1900 is not a leap year, but 2000 is. Also, every month that begins with a Sunday, will have a Friday the 13^th.

It's Private

Eternal rest grant them, oh Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Requiem et Kyrie, by Guiseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Many Graves Have No Markers.

Relief of Dr. Cowles Mead Vaiden

For Vaiden Community Cemetery CLICK HERE

NOTE: After each date of death, you will see a series of numbers such as 87-3-13. This denotes the age of the person at the time of death, based on the information from the grave marker or from cemetery records, if no marker is present. Some information and markers do not list a complete date of birth or death. Others show years only (1910-1955) without any month or day listed. In the case of missing data, the space will contain the letter “n” for non-existent.

A

Alexander, Cassius Dent, M.D. – February 8, 1874 – October 17, 1947 – 73-8-9

WWI Base Hospital 57, Paris France

Alexander, James – November 8, 1906 – February 1, 1907 – 0-2-24

Son of C.D. & P.B. Alexander

Alexander, Katherine – October 18, 1902 – March 25, 1905 – 2-5-7

Daughter of C.D. & P.B. Alexander

Alexander, Pearl Bradford – February 21, 1880 – July 20, 1960 – 80-4-29

Wife of Cassius D. Alexander

Alford, Alva Bell Stewart – March 26, 1909 – March 05, 2002 – 92-11-7 -- OBIT

Wife of Wilburn Alford

Alford, Levi Pat – February 22, 1900 – April 18, 1965 – 65-1-27

Alford, Mary – February 17, 1905 – November 17, 1953 – 48-9-0

Alford, Walter – Unmarked Grave – Died Circa 1910 – Age 9 – 9-n-n

Alford, Wilburn – January 26, 1905 – October 13, 1981 – 76-8-17

Allen, Emma Kennedy – 1844 – July 18, 1910 – 66-n-n

Wife of R.S. & W.H. Allen

Allen, Maie Paulk – Died July 25, 1965 – 80-n-n

Aged 80 years (according to information provided by Rootsweb)

Allen, R.S. – February 6, 1843 – November 12, 1899 – 56-9-6

Alley, Job W. – December 29, 1875 – August 26, 1907 – 31-7-28

Amerson, James Thomas – August 8, 1878 – March 1959 – 80-7-n

Anderson, Elma Cain – 1875 – 1944 – 69-n-n

Wife of Gay Milton Anderson

Anderson, Gay Milton – 1874 – 1958 – 84-n-n

Anderson, Hattie Cain – 1863 – 1949 – 86-n-n

Anderson, John Gaines – October 24, 1860 – February 16, 1916 – 55-3-23

Anderson, Margaret Gray – December 01, 1912 – March 21, 2002 – 89-3-20

Wife of Vernon F. Anderson -- OBIT

Anderson, Sarah Frances – February 19, 1832 – March 16, 1900 – 68-0-26

Wife of Joel L. Anderson

Anderson, Vernon Flournoy – January 1, 1899 – March 3, 1985 – 86-2-2

Anderson, Virginia Michie – 1842 – 1920 – 78-n-n

Anderson, Walter Mead – March 12, 1872 – February 17, 1906 – 33-11-5

Lexington Commandery No. 3 K.T.

Anderson, Willie Kennedy – April 26, 1868 – November 6, 1953 – 85-6-11

Applewhite, Jack A. – 1922-1944 – 22-n-n

Applewhite, Mattie Collins – 1904 – 1986 – 82-n-n

Wife of Walter A. Applewhite

Applewhite, Pearl Arnold – December 20, 1877 – October 22, 1953 – 75-10-2

Applewhite, Raymond C. Lt. – March 10, 1892 – February 23, 1945 – 52-11-13

Applewhite, T.I. – December 25, 1868 – October 28, 1948 – 79-10-3

Applewhite, Tom B. – 1898 – 1929 – 31-n-n

Applewhite, Walter Arnold – 1903 – 1940 – 37-n-n

Archer, James M. – October 4, 1859 – June 29, 1915 – 55-8-25

Archer, Myrtle M. – October 22, 1886 – August 30, 1971 – 84-10-8

Army Nurse Corps WW I

Archer, Virginia Ross – July 4, 1861 – March 7, 1947 – 85-8-3

Wife of James M. Archer

Arinder, Thomas Vester “Shorty” – November 24, 1919 – July 2, 1959 – 39-7-8

Armistead, Amos Ackerman – April 6, 1863 – July 16, 1933 – 70-3-10

Armistead, John – August 5, 1858 – February 9, 1924 – 65-6-4

Armistead, Mary Elizabeth Wilson – July 18, 1829 – November 24, 1899 – 60-4-6

Wife of William Armistead

Armistead, May – July 11, 1860 – July 15, 1889 – 29-0-4

Armistead, W.H., M.D. – August 5, 1820 – November 30, 1878 – 58-3-25

Armistead, Willie – 1872 – 1945 – 73-n-n

Armstrong, Abner A. – December 17,1855 -- July 20, 1935 – 79-7-3

Armstrong, Ada B. – November 5, 1852 – August 9, 1929 – 76-9-4

Armstrong, Alvin L. – September 1, 1915 – August 24, 1977 – 61-11-23

Armstrong, Anna Marie – March 10, 1872 – September 10, 1875 – 3-6-0

Daughter of T.H. & A.B. Armstrong

Rootsweb is showing this date of birth as March 1, 1872

Armstrong, Annie G. – July 21, 1885 – August 24, 1981 – 96-1-3

Armstrong, Annie Love – November 10, 1882 – November 18, 1910 – 28-0-8

Daughter of J.M. & Lura Armstrong

Armstrong, Bradford Leroy – September 17, 1916 – August 22, 1945 – 28-11-5

Medical Detachment 323^rd Infantry Army of USA

Armstrong, Cade Lee – 1865 – 1953 – 88-n-n

Armstrong, Cade Lee – October 18, 1909 – September 11, 1911 – 2-0-24

Son of C.L. & Lorine Armstrong

Armstrong, Carrie M. – March 24, 1889 – January 13, 1969 – 79-9-20

Armstrong, Carter Colmery – February 26, 1904 – September 24, 1904 – 0-6-29

Son of C.L. & Lorine Armstrong

Armstrong, Charlie E. – December 14, 1886 – February 1, 1973 – 86-1-18

Armstrong, Edd H. – May 2, 1889 – July 25, 1959 – 70-2-23

Armstrong, Eldridge – March 24, 1885 – April 5, 1943 – 58-0-12

Son of Abner & Mary Armstrong

There is conflicting information concerning this marker. Cemetery records show the birth and death dates listed above, which would make Eldridge Armstrong 58 yrs 0 months 12 days old at the time of his death. Another source (Rootsweb) gives the birth date as Mar. 24, 1895, and a death date of July 13, 1901, which would cause the age to be only 6 yrs, 3 mos and 19 days old at the time of death. The correct information will be added once it has been visually confirmed.

Armstrong, Ethel