History in Brief
It is believed the site for Sandersville Old City Cemetery was first used as a cemetery in the early 19^th Century.  The cemetery is currently dated from 1831 because this “death” date is the earliest to be found today, but there are many unknown and unmarked burials in the North – West section that may date earlier.

Cemetery Monuments
No wooden headboards survive. However, upright fieldstones or “domicks” still serves as markers for some graves in the older north central section of the cemetery.

Federal Era Markers: The oldest inscribed marker sill in existence in the cemetery is a broken dislocated headstone making the grave of Reuben B. Barney. The maker is less than two inches think and was cut from poor grade of marble and bears the date 1831.

Victorian Markers: Many maker of Victorian Design are an eclectic blend of different architectural elements and styles of monuments.  Although Queen Victoria ruled from 1819-1901, Victorian architecture had a longer influence in cemeteries.

A particular fine grouping is found on Row 14 Lot 131.

Greek Revival Markers: There was a return to Classical styling between 1900 and the mid 1920s. In the center of the cemetery, a Greek revival mausoleum with Romanesque and Baroque influences sitting on Rows 7-8 Lots 79-82.

Historical Figures

Reverend J.D. Anthony: Saved Sandersville from being burned by General Sherman, Official Methodist Site

Row 1 Lot 42
William Rawlings, MD: World Renowned Surgeon

Row 2 Lot 30
Coleman R. Pringle: Father of Prohibition in Georgia

Rows 7-8 Lots 79-82
Clara Park: One of the first female missionaries

Row 7 Lot 87
Benjamin J. Tarbutton: President, Central of Georgia Railroad from January 1951- July 1954

Row 9 Lot 103
Thomas W. Hardwick: Governor of Georgia 1921 -1923

Row 9 Lot 201

Confederate Years:
Major Civil War activity took place around the site of the Methodist Church, the first church in Sandersville (now marked by a cross), built on a knoll adjacent to the original part of the cemetery.  The original road to Sandersville from Milledgeville, now defined by wooden posts, ran through the cemetery by the side of the church.

Major Henry Hitchcock, a member of General William Tecumesh Sherman’s staff, in Marching with Sherman states:

“Sandersville, Georgia, In Camp, In open field Saturday, November 26, 1864 11^th day: Left camp by 6 ½ AM-Wheeler’s cavalry in our front, undertook to skirmish Slocum’s 1ts Brigade advanced skirmishers and before long we heard their firing. General and staff rode forward-road narrow for some distance and through pinewoods and across low ground through which ran creek. Road full of troops, wagons, camp follows had to go slow…we entered town passed Church wth “Grecian Front” and from a distance, cross road, saw a dead rebel laying on the portico.”

The above referenced cavalry skirmishing took place in the cemetery and in the half-block between it and Courthouse square. Sandersville Herald May 3, 1877 states:

“…. Alonzo Moore of the Texas cavalry and John P. Brunson of the Tennessee cavalry, both having fallen in a skirmish, in the city… were buried in one grave. Mary C. Brunson, wife of John, wrote from Pulaski, TN that her brother in law had returned home and “It nearly broke my heart when I heard how the Yankees treated his body (John’s).” “With artistic skill our fair ladies beautified the ‘silent home’ of these sleeping braves…” which is believed to be one of the brick cradles.

Sandersville Herald: November 26, 1896 states: “The Ladies Memorial Socirty has $51 in hand and $100 subscribed which they will give to the Confederate Veterans to erect a monument.”

Sandersville Herald: April 22, 1897 “Confederate monument to be unveiled.”

Old City Cemetery Committee of The Washington County Historical Society sees the restoration and preservation in cooperation with the City of Sandersville.