In almost every cemetery, you will find graves of veterans from privates to generals and from many wars. You will see marked and unmarked graves. These are the graves of people who made our communities a place to live, work and die.
They are the fabric of the community, that is continually weaving a legacy for the future.
Take time to revel in Northeast Georgia's past with those who lived in it. Old Clarkesville Cemetary (Clarkesville)
(1831 - 1945)
As you pass through the cemetery, you will see the graves of many prominent and historically interesting people. You will see the graves of veterans from privates to generals and from three different wars. You will see many unmarked and unidentified graves. The graves of those not mentioned here are no less important or deserving of tribute and respect, for they too have their story - perhaps you can reveal it. We appreciate your taking the time to pause for tribute to those who rest beneath these faded and broken stones at the Old Clarkesville Cemetery.
Benjamin Cleveland, along with Benjamine Chestain, donated equal parts of land for the town of Clarkesville
Honorable Judge Jarvis Van Buren came to Clarkesville to take care of the ironworks. Wrought iron fencing made by the Habersham iron Works enclose his family plot. He is the cousin of President Martin Van Buren
Calvin Hanks, one of Clarkesville's first lawyers, was the first to be buried in the cemetery
Mr. Gailey was a carpenter who made most of the coffins for the city of Clarkesville
Honorable Judge C. H. Sutton was Habersham County's first Ordinary. He was admitted to the bar at age 18 and practiced before the Georgia Supreme Court
Col. J. R. Stanford built the house long remembered as the Minis House
Richard Habersham was a member of a famous Revolutionary family. He was a Congressman, a lawyer and the nephew of Revolutionary War hero Col. Joseph Habersham, Postmaster General of the United States
Dr. A. P. Houston, a physician with an office in his home, made up his own prescriptions because there were no pharmacies in Clarkesville
Dr. George D. Phillips is at rest beneath one of the box tombs along with his wife, Elizabeth Patton
Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Fuller, parents of Capt. W. H. Fuller, engineer of "The General". Fuller drove "The Texan" in the famous locomotive chase after the General was kidnapped by Andrews Raiders during the Civil War
Veterans from the following wars lie in the Old Clarkesville Cemetery:
Revolutionary War
War of 1812
War Between the State
Alta Vista Cemetery (Gainesville)
Alta Vista means "high ground" or "high view"
First burial in 1872
Two former Civil War Governors buried there (Allen D Candler and James W Smith)
General James Longstreet, Lee's second in Command during the Civil War
Cornell C.C. Sanders who served with General Longstreet in the Civil War
Former Astronaut, Sonny Carter
1st Private Commercial rocket launcher from Cape Canaveral, Charlie Wallford
Rev. Luther B Bridgers , Methodist and Baptist Songbook, wrote "He Keeps me singing" is buried there
Includes the Brown Family (Browns Bridge was built by this family)Cemetery which was moved from town to Alta Vista so they could build the Wheeler Hotel
(now the Library) in town.
Northeast Georgia Mountains Cemetery Tour
Throughout Northeast Georgia, visitors will find the gravesites of some interesting and famous people.
General James Longstreet
Senator Richard B. Russell
Johnny Mize
Ty Cobb
Loyd Seay
Byron Herbert Reece
