About Jones County Cemeteries
One of the most interesting subjects of this study has been the types of enclosures that we found. In many of the early cemeteries enclosures were erected to prohibit the free ranging livestock from stepping into graves. The first types of enclosures were likely simple field stones which were collected during agricultural practices. These were usually skillfully placed so as to need very little mortar. Very ornate granite enclosures were cut and placed so that they enter locked. These cut granite stones vary in size although on average they are approximately twelve inches square and approx. four to eight feet in length. This would make a much more substantial wall and would have taken considerable effort to move. There are beautiful wrought iron enclosures in many cemeteries although there is also signs of many of these enclosures having been removed. Wrought iron was in high demand during World War II and much of it could have disappeared at that time. Just as often much of the iron has been removed in recent years to make cemetery maintenance more convenient. Diverse social status dictated the types of enclosures that people used. In many cases remnants of old web wire fences with wooden post were found as this was the best that the particular family could afford. The most modern sites have used "Rio-Grand" fences as enclosures.
Of considerable mention in this study would be an individual who had a hand in many of the cemetery sites in Jones County. This individual would be Jacob P. Hutchings. Jacob Hutchings was born a slave in Virginia in March of 1831 and was sold in 1842 to Alfred George in Jones County. Jacob was later owned by R. H. Hutchings and became a skilled stone mason in Clinton, where he worked until emancipated after the War Between the States. (1) Jacob taught himself to read and write and was described as a man who was tall and thin with long arms and lanky build. (2) The area near Clinton where Jacob plied his trade was known as "Jake's Woods". This area is a portion of a ridge that runs through the county that is made up of huge granite outcrop pings. Upon a visit to this site one can still see the holes that Jacob bored into the stone to fracture it and cause it to break. Jacob cut many of the granite cemetery enclosures found around the county. Of these enclosures, some are only large enough for one grave while others are large enough to hold twenty or more graves. His work is very ornate requiring little mortar if any to retain the gigantic blocks in place. He cut much of the stone that is visible today in Clinton as well as the stone that is seen around the grounds of the current Jones County Courthouse. The stone around the Courthouse was originally the county jail which was located in Clinton until it was destroyed during The War Between the States.
Jacob Hutchings became a Republican member of the Georgia Legislature in 1866, being the only black representative in the history of Jones County. He was known to wear a tall silk hat and was a prominent influence in the black political community after the war. Jacob's wife was Emma and he acquired a considerable amount of land before his death on June 6, 1909.
As with enclosures, markers were also very diversified. Graves were found marked with brick, granite, metal signs, marble, concrete, slate, brass, and field stone. On one occasion we found that wooden markers had survived until recently being partially destroyed by a woods fire. The most enduring markers seem to be granite or brass, while marble and concrete are soft and wear poorly due to water and sun. Some markers are simple pillow shape and size with the basic information. Others were found to be complete marble vaults with a full marble slab and inscriptions. The most ornate markers are large bases with tall obelisk. While the more fortunate individuals had ornate obelisk with huge bases and defined inscriptions and verses the less fortunate had only simple field stone.
As you read and use this study please be aware that there are laws to prohibit
the vandalizing, stealing or disturbing of any part of cemeteries. Trespassing
is also prohibited by law and cemeteries are only accessible with the permission
of the land owner. Please help to preserve the graves and cemeteries of our
county so that they may be of benefit to generations to come.
FOOTNOTES:
1. Williams, History of Jones Co., p. 186
2. Hutchings, An Intimate Family History; p.195