Near Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Smyrna Churchyard
Photographed By AGS Media, October 4, 2009
1. Smyrna Churchyard Marker
This burying ground was laid out in 1788 when Sir John Talbot gave two acres of his vast estate for use as a Presbyterian Church and churchyard. Sir John was descended from the Earl of Shrewsbury. His own son, Matthew Talbot, served as a Superior Court judge, President of the Georgia Senate in 1811, 1817-22, and as Governor of Georgia from Oct. 24 to Nov. 5, 1819. Both are buried here.
W. H. T. Walker, Confederate General killed in the Battle of Atlanta, was a descendant of Sir John Talbot.
The Presbyterians moved to a new building in Washington in 1825.
Erected 1953 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 157-7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1866.
Location. 33° 42.895′ N, 82° 39.271′ W. Marker is near Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes
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Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Smyrna Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Smyrna Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant's Meeting House (approx. 2.9 miles away); Wynne-Randall (approx. 4˝ miles away); Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum (approx. 4.7 miles away); Historic Dugas Home (approx. 4.7 miles away); K.A. Wilheit House (approx. 4.7 miles away); Sims-Beggs House (approx. 4.8 miles away); Wisteria Hall (approx. 4.8 miles away); First Presbyterian Ordination in Georgia (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.
More about this marker. Separate marker for the Smyrna Church is located on west side of South Smyrna Church Road.
Regarding Smyrna Churchyard. The Smyrna Churchyard and Smyrna Church (for which there is a separate historical marker) are located in rural Wilkes County and have been home to a Methodist congregation since around 1820. Prior to that, a Presbyterian congregation met here and began use of the churchyard
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
2. Smyrna Churchyard Marker
After more than two centuries, the cemetery remains in use and most of it is well maintained. There are some older graves which are collapsed or otherwise deteriorated. The churchyard is terraced, with a retaining wall and stairs separating the cemetery, which sits at a lower elevation, from the rest of the churchyard.
Also see . . . Smyrna Churchyard - Find-a-grave. (Submitted on November 14, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional keywords. Cemetery
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
3. Smyrna Churchyard Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, October 4, 2009
4. Smyrna Churchyard Cemetery
Photographed By AGS Media, October 4, 2009
5. Smyrna Churchyard Cemetery
This section is among the oldest in the churchyard. The graves shown here date from the early 1800's.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
6. Western (Older) Portion of Smyna Churchyard
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
7. Eastern (Newer) Portion of Smyna Churchyard
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
8. G.F. Florence Plot
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
9. Burdette Family Plot
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
10. Stone Wall Surrounding the Talbot Family Plot
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
11. Talbot Family Plot
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
12. Sir John Williston Talbot (1735-1798)
Col. Va. Militia, Rev. War
Col. Va. Militia, Rev. War
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
13. Thomas Talbot (1767-1853)
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
14. Gov. Matthew Talbot (1795-1855)
While serving as a Georgia state senator (1799, 1801 - 1803, 1808 - 1822), Talbot was the President of the Georgia senate when he filled in as the governor of Georgia following the death of Governor Raburn. Talbot served as governor for less than a month. Talbot County, Georgia is named for him.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
15. Rev. James C. Talbot (1799-1849)
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
16. Henry Augustus Jones, M.D. (1821-1864)
mouth, and iniquity was not
found in his lips; he walked
with me in peace and equity.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
17. Mary Elizabeth Jones (1850-1852)
Daughter of Henry A. & Mary M. Jones
Daughter of Henry A. & Mary M. Jones
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
18. Fannie Bacon Jones (1852-1863)
Daughter of Henry A & Mary M. Jones
Daughter of Henry A & Mary M. Jones
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
19. Henry Jones (1854-1855)
Son of Henry A. & Mary M. Jones
Son of Henry A. & Mary M. Jones
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
20. David Cresswell
Col. Continental Line, Rev. War
Col. Continental Line, Rev. War
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
21. William Triplett (d. 1763)
Capt. Kees NC Co, Rev. War
Capt. Kees NC Co, Rev. War
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
22. Col. William Jones
War of 1812
War of 1812
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
23. Mary L. Talbot (1838-1849)
Daughter of James C. & Sarah A. Talbot
Daughter of James C. & Sarah A. Talbot
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
24. John Owens Colley (1820-1852)
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
25. Owens Colley (1851)
Son of John O. & Sara E. Colley
Son of John O. & Sara E. Colley
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 13, 2015
26. Eliza J. Simpson (d. 1869)
Died in Her Sleep
Died in Her Sleep
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on June 22, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on May 2, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4. submitted on May 2, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 5. submitted on May 4, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. submitted on November 14, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
