A Bit of Local History

With the sun shining brightly, I ventured out to do a little sightseeing right in my own backyard. This new neighborhood is loaded with Pre-Civil War history. Being somewhat of a history buff, I can now cross off my list The Founders Cemetery.
Driving north on Highway 9, just after crossing the Chattahoochee, the history of Roswell, Georgia begins to unfold. The founder, Roswell King, was originally from Windsor, Connecticut before staking his claim to this area. I find reading up on local history to be quite interesting. If you are interested at all, click on the link to Roswell King above.

Click on the photo to enlarge the photo for better reading. I happen to have old eyes and need everything and anything enlarged!

In the lower right portion of the photo, you see graves marked with a mere rock. It was in 1985 that these graves were found during a historic dig. More than likely, these were the unmarked graves of slaves buried with their then owners. Mr. Roswell King owned as many as 90 slaves at one time to build his mill and home.
Being born and raised in Chicago, I never quite fully understood how one person could own another person just because his skin was different. Seeing these grave sites confirmed to me that this, in fact, occurred for many years. We can thank President Abraham Lincoln for ending such a travesty.
This magnificent tree acts as an umbrella, shading the graves of the free and enslaved. In the after life, all men were free.

Comments

Anonymous said…
So interesting. I find myself being more and more interested in history as I get older. That umbrella tree is gorgeous! Looks like a nice trip!
Anonymous said…
Yet another thing you'd see in the south that we just aren't exposed to up in the Pacific Northwest!

That tree is beautiful!
Unknown said…
I love history too. Your photo with the tree is nice!

Everytime I go back to New England, I find myself wandering around cemeteries, reading tombstones. There seem to be several small cemeteries everywhere.
Unknown said…
AMAZING...So many buried and forgotten so quickly...my heart goes out to the families that cannot even trace their roots!
Can you imagine...not knowing how you came to be!
Anonymous said…
My son moved from Chicago to Roswell, GA. Sounds like you all have some things in common!!
Jeannelle said…
Wow, Deb....great post and photos! The descriptions on the cemetery signs give us a glimpse at some very sad and moving dramas in peoples' lives long ago. The stories all lay quietly waiting here in this cemetery.....for someone to take notice....like you did. You have a very special spot here in your town. Thanks for showing us.

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