Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
McGavock Confederate Cemetery
Labor of Devotion
This is the largest private military cemetery in the United States in terms of the number of burials. John and Carrie McGavock maintained the cemetery for the rest of their lives, largely by themselves. Already well known in their efforts in tending the Confederated wounded at Carnton immediately after the Battle of Franklin, Carrie McGavock became even more famous for attention to the cemetery. In 1890, John L. McEwen Bivouac No. 4, United Confederate Veterans, appointed a committee to maintain the cemetery and raise funds to replace the wooden headboards with the stone markers now in use. In 1911 Mrs. Winder McGavock and the new owner of Carnton, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Shelton deeded the cemetery to the trustees of the chartered McGavock Confederate Cemetery. The United Confederate Veterans authorized the Franklin Chapter 14, United Daughters of the Confederacy, to serve as the trustees beginning in 1926.
(captions)
Battlefield graves - Courtesy Library of Congress
John McGavock Courtesy Carnton Plantation
Carrie McGavock Courtesy Carnton Plandation
McGovock Confederate Cemetery, 1867 - Courtesy Carnton Plantation
Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans, and the Tennessee Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 35° 54.28′ N, 86° 51.707′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. Marker is on Carnton Lane, 0.3 miles south of Brandon Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1345 Carnton Lane, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Cemetery (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named McGavock Confederate Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Tennessee Association, (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnton Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named McGavock Confederate Cemetery (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Long Road to Recovery (about 600 feet away); A Dream Postponed (about 600 feet away); Confederate Reunions at McGavock's Grove (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 774 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 15, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5. submitted on September 14, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 6, 7. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 8. submitted on June 6, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. 9. submitted on December 12, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 10. submitted on June 6, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.