Jackson in Madison County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson

Photographed by Ken Smith, November 14, 2008

1. John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson Marker

Inscription. "Sonny Boy" Williamson (1914 - 1948), the music innovator responsible for the acceptance of the harmonica as an authentic blues tool, is buried in old Blair's Chapel CME Cemetery, 5 miles southwest. The most influential blues harmonica player of his day, he made a powerful contribution to American music and is recognized as a master of the blues genre. In his mouth and hands, the harmonica learned to wail and chirp, laugh and cry, in spanking new rhythms and to daring new beats.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4D 44.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists.

Location. 35° 32.802′ N, 88° 49.476′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Tennessee, in Madison County. It is on State Highway 18 0.2 miles south of Caldwell Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jackson TN 38301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bemis United Methodist Parsonage (approx. 1½ miles away); Historic Bemis

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(approx. 2 miles away); Bemis United Methodist Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); Austin Raymond Merry (approx. 3.9 miles away); The Electro Chalybeate Well (approx. 4.1 miles away); Jackson Spoke Here (approx. 4.1 miles away); Christine Chatman (approx. 4.2 miles away); Mabel Louise "Big Maybelle" Smith (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Regarding John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson. Williamson's grave is in Old Blair Chapel Cemetery Blair Chapel Road, Jackson, Tn 38301.
Coordinates: N. 35* 30.610' W. 088* 54.405'

John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ken Smith, January 22, 2012

2. John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson Grave Marker

John Lee Curtis
Sonny Boy>
Williamson
Mar 30, 1914
June 1, 1948
Blues Harmonica Legend

Photographed by Ken Smith, January 22, 2012

3. John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson Grave Marker

Fans leave harmonicas and other tokens in tribute to Williamson.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,526 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 7, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on January 25, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.