Fraterville in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Itinerant Miners' Cemetery

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

1. Itinerant Miners' Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Itinerant miners worked in the Fraterville Mine alongside miners with long-term contracts and strong local ties. Bodies of the itinerant miners were not claimed after the 1902 explosion and were buried adjacent to the railroad spur that led to the mine. Some graves are marked with fieldstones and others are unmarked.

Early Welsh miners to the area had many superstitions, and spirits of the itinerant miners are said to still be calling for family members to identify them. On a clear night when the wind is blowing and the moon is full, listen carefully and you may hear them whispering their names.

Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 36° 12.317′ N, 84° 10.033′ W. Marker is in Fraterville, Tennessee, in Anderson County. It is on Briceville Highway (Tennessee Route 116) near Andy's Ridge Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocky Top TN 37769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in Greater Knoxville. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fraterville Disaster (here, next to this marker); Village of Brothers

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(here, next to this marker); Militia Hill (approx. 0.7 miles away); Breastworks (approx. 0.7 miles away); American Chestnuts (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fire on Coal Creek (approx. 0.7 miles away); State Coal Mine (approx. 0.7 miles away); Siege on Fort (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fraterville.

Also see . . . Fraterville Mine Disaster. (Submitted on April 1, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

2. Itinerant Miners' Cemetery Marker

Marker is in the middle.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 700 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.