20,000 People Buried In Mass Grave Here 166 Years Ago! Smallpox Cemetery

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  • Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
  • In this compelling episode of Adventures into History, Cecil Young and I embark on a search through the dense woods of Macon County, Georgia, seeking the elusive "Smallpox Cemetery." This historic site, located between two railroads near the Flint River, was once a significant burial ground for victims of a devastating smallpox epidemic in the late 1850s. Some sources suggest it was also an Indian burial ground before the arrival of European settlers.
    Our exploration takes us through overgrown terrain as we attempt to locate any remaining traces of the cemetery. The site, which had once played a crucial role in dealing with the epidemic, now shows no visible markers or boundaries. The original three grave markers, which were reported to have been present in the 1970s, are now missing, leaving us with little to guide our search.
    The Smallpox Cemetery was historically known to be the final resting place for many individuals who died during the smallpox outbreak. Notable figures buried here include:
    James 'Jimmie' Williams: A great uncle of C. T. Harden, Williams was known for his kindheartedness and bravery. He helped bury many victims of the epidemic before ultimately succumbing to the disease himself.
    Mary Moody: Daughter of Joel Moody and Ann (Beall) Moody, and wife of Josiah Moody, Sr. She was a mother of several children and grandmother of Mary Bethia Moody English. Mary Moody died during the epidemic in 1858.
    Elizabeth, consort of William Robinson: She died on June 11, 1851, before the major smallpox outbreak, but her burial site was associated with the cemetery due to its use during the epidemic.
    In our search, we also discuss the inaccuracies in historical records. For example, the previous account that Rev. P. L. J. May and his family had succumbed to smallpox at this site has been corrected. Updated information reveals that Rev. May and his family survived the epidemic.
    This video provides a detailed look at our search for the Smallpox Cemetery, reflecting on both the tragic history of the site and the challenges of preserving accurate historical records. Join us as we delve into the stories of those buried here and explore the remnants of a past marked by disease and hardship.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 361

  • @AdventuresIntoHistory
    @AdventuresIntoHistory  Місяць тому +51

    Sad that we didn’t find anything visually, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that there is a cemetery there! Make sure you read the description…
    Tip Jar For Gas: www.paypal.me/rwrightphotography
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    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +2

      You write so beautifully. I just want to say that. You write the descriptions so well.☺️

    • @artcflowers
      @artcflowers Місяць тому +1

      Hey Robert, a trussel is a bundle, archaic. A trestle is what supports the train track for a bridge.😉 you're welcome. Thanks for another interesting adventure.

    • @esterherschkovich6499
      @esterherschkovich6499 Місяць тому

      ​@@cindys.9688Agree.

    • @curtwright4740
      @curtwright4740 Місяць тому +1

      @@AdventuresIntoHistory maybe you guys could contact the local Genealogical Society or Historical Society and see what they say about at least a small sign of concern to those folks unknown who died of the smallpox epidemic.
      If you guys could start the idea and maybe start with a few dollars contribution if they would take it on.
      I could and would contribute if the county H. Soc. Would consider it.
      You guys might email them with the proposal.
      I’m very much an advocate of this kind of endeavor. Thanks! For listening Mr. Robert.

    • @curtwright4740
      @curtwright4740 Місяць тому

      Nothing ventured nothing gained.

  • @FeatheredLife
    @FeatheredLife Місяць тому +175

    Dear Robert and Cecil, smallpoxes was devastating to small communities. My family history was in Michigan Sanilac county. One of the great greats donated a piece of their farm for cemetery during a smallpoxes outbreak 1870's time frame. There were 2 rules if you were going to bury a loved one in that cemetery. First was you must dig another grave for your neighbor as a kindness act. Second was the deceased was buried after dark because the entire county was under strict quarantine. You were not to be outside unless you were doing farm chores. Some were buried in rough boxes, but alot were buried in a rolled up mattress and blankets. For many many years there were no markers 🪦 stones. And the county put together all that they could find from family Bibles and a few records. And there are markers now.

    • @mygrammieis
      @mygrammieis Місяць тому +13

      Thanks for sharing info💯👍

    • @peggyharris3301
      @peggyharris3301 Місяць тому +4

      🥲🥲🥲😢

    • @bonniemcvicar-briggs5770
      @bonniemcvicar-briggs5770 Місяць тому +7

      Thank you for sharing that. My father's families were from Sanilac Co.

    • @mamawb7915
      @mamawb7915 Місяць тому +5

      😢

    • @FeatheredLife
      @FeatheredLife Місяць тому +2

      @@bonniemcvicar-briggs5770 hi it's Tucker cemetery in snover county MI. I'm related to the Bopras, Nichol Bowling, Tucker and Swartz.

  • @mdeysenroth
    @mdeysenroth Місяць тому +63

    2 headstones stolen and one "taken" for its protection and now missing? That sounds an awful lot like stealing to me. No one should ever steal a headstone. Despicable.

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +4

      Yep. I thought the same thing.🙁

    • @RuthShelton-ou4id
      @RuthShelton-ou4id Місяць тому +4

      Folks that are disrespectful -- steal-- ect -- they then wonder when they find that they might have 'spirits' that have followed them HOME.

    • @mdeysenroth
      @mdeysenroth Місяць тому

      @@RuthShelton-ou4id Wow! Good point I hadn't thought of, and I do believe in such things.

    • @norcaligirl8579
      @norcaligirl8579 Місяць тому

      ​@@RuthShelton-ou4idas they should. Stealing from their final earthly home is despicable.

  • @QuakerLady
    @QuakerLady Місяць тому +65

    How heartbreaking. 20,000 people lost to history. Even with Cecil's GPS guidance, there is no definitive "X marks the spot". One of the things I love about your videos, is that you always try to find and read the names of those buried. The names of these 20,000 may never be known.

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +4

      I agree. It's very sad.🙁

  • @tonymiller8826
    @tonymiller8826 Місяць тому +18

    I have one ancestor Timothy Treat Sr. who was lost to small pox during the Rev War. He took his son's place in the Continental Army because his son was physically unable to be a soldier and ended up going on the Quebec campaign. He survived the fighting part but after the campaign failed and they started heading back South small pox went through the camp and killed more than the battle did. They all went in a trench in Canada and the location was forgotten.

  • @carolparrott1994
    @carolparrott1994 Місяць тому +76

    Knowing the horror of a pandemic with our modern medical knowledge, I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been with medicine in the mid-1800’s. And then have to bury your loved ones in a mass grave, only for their identity and resting place to be erased by time, ignorance and vandals. But, you and Cecil told their story today, even if you couldn’t read their names or point out their exact resting place. As always, done with respect and kindness.

    • @peggyharris3301
      @peggyharris3301 Місяць тому +9

      Beautifully said!

    • @Nunyah_Bidness
      @Nunyah_Bidness Місяць тому

      @@carolparrott1994 You may not believe this but the present day, mainstream, popular "medicines" are more dangerous than anything they could fathom back in those days.

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +4

      I agree.❤️

    • @esterherschkovich6499
      @esterherschkovich6499 Місяць тому +4

      Agree with you . Their kindness and respect.

    • @malcontender6319
      @malcontender6319 Місяць тому +5

      "Knowing the horror of a pandemic with our modern medical knowledge,"
      Yeah. People were shockingly quick to call for witchhunts and persecution. Over a .02% casualty rate.

  • @DavidSampson-tk1oz
    @DavidSampson-tk1oz Місяць тому +3

    It's sad, when an old cemetery is forgotten. That's history. At one time, people visited to show their respects to loved ones, or even cut grass and pulled weeds. Now, it's forgotten. Such a shame. Thank you, sir, for making this video.

  • @user-sy3ti6nt2e
    @user-sy3ti6nt2e Місяць тому +16

    So many cemeteries and individual graves from our history are lost to neglect and overgrowth of vegetation. That's so sad. People shouldn't be forgotten like that. Each played a role in our American history - - both native Americans and immigrants.

  • @peggyharris3301
    @peggyharris3301 Місяць тому +27

    Robert I love that someone as young as you loves history and explores the past…thanku!

  • @gingerbread1250
    @gingerbread1250 Місяць тому +9

    Those who lie benath your feet ...may have had no family left to record their passing... thank you
    for trying to keep their memory alive so they are not totally forgotten 💔 😢😢😢😢😢😢

  • @daveh893
    @daveh893 Місяць тому +32

    How ironic that the last marker was removed to keep it from being stolen like the first two, but is itself now missing. If found, it would be a great edition to the local historical society.

    • @ppurgett
      @ppurgett Місяць тому +6

      Headstone may be stepping stone in someone's yard or part of a garden, sad but true, landowners have found them in their property in other locations

  • @dragracer195703
    @dragracer195703 Місяць тому +19

    So sad to forget 20,000 people. During the epidemic times there were so many victims that burials had to be done quickly and people stayed away from the site for fear of catching disease. Would be nice to go,back in the winter and bring someone who can douse for graves snd see what they can do. Looking forward to the next video.

  • @lisacooper3991
    @lisacooper3991 Місяць тому +29

    I read bout this awhile back..a Rev.May was the first to contact it and was buried in that cemetery.. great history story to be remembered and all the lives lost..

  • @Carolbearce
    @Carolbearce Місяць тому +13

    So very sad that there is no remembrance at all for these lost graves. So sad that names weren’t written down anywhere. Thank you to you, Robert and Cecil for trying to locate the area. Sad there was nothing left.

  • @georgiawhitworth811
    @georgiawhitworth811 Місяць тому +40

    My great great grandparents lived in Marion County Georgia and disappeared from census records between 1850 and 1860. Perhaps that is what happened to them.

    • @marypettitt9150
      @marypettitt9150 Місяць тому +9

      You've asked all the elders in the family if they know something? Maybe someone will find an old ledger book that may have a note regarding them. I'm guessing people who lived near but not close and who died of those terrifying diseases may have been brought here. Good luck in your search.

    • @christineberry3076
      @christineberry3076 Місяць тому +3

      Sometimes census records would indicate that. Funny can't grasp ahead of, but not funny...

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +1

      That might be what happened to them. I guess you know more now than you did before the video, and I hope you can find a answers to what happened to them. This video might start a new search. Good luck to you!😁

    • @jackiepierce1467
      @jackiepierce1467 Місяць тому

      We like to think our ancestors lived long, great lives. l hope you find that to be the case, as well.

    • @annabrahamson4320
      @annabrahamson4320 Місяць тому

      They may have died from something else to rgey were only done every 10 years, unless they moved of course! Mine move alot during that time period as they were brand new immagrants.

  • @HeyLisaKay
    @HeyLisaKay Місяць тому +17

    Such a tragedy and even more so that the stones were stolen. I hate that so much. They’re not forgotten. Thanks for documenting ❤️

  • @necessarytrouble
    @necessarytrouble Місяць тому +15

    Even though you didn’t find any physical ruins of the cemetery, I still enjoyed watching you and Cecil exploring the back country of Georgia. Such an interesting area you live in!

  • @cynderella3465
    @cynderella3465 Місяць тому +34

    I hope and pray that Mr. Dan is okay. I miss seeing him in your videos.

    • @YT4Me57
      @YT4Me57 Місяць тому +2

      I believe that he has passed. 😢

    • @tonypike5785
      @tonypike5785 Місяць тому +6

      @@YT4Me57really? I liked Dan the man

    • @nancyholcombe8030
      @nancyholcombe8030 Місяць тому +14

      Mr. Ben is who passed away two weeks ago, not Mr. Dan. Mr. Bem was much older and like Mr. Dan, a fountain of knowledge for all of us. He rests with his family now.

    • @peggyharris3301
      @peggyharris3301 Місяць тому +11

      nancyholcombe- Thanku for saying Dan is ok…Omagosh I love Dan and Robert together!

    • @AdventuresIntoHistory
      @AdventuresIntoHistory  Місяць тому +22

      Dan has just been busy, he’ll be back 😂

  • @user-sz4hz1lj5u
    @user-sz4hz1lj5u Місяць тому +12

    Very, very interesting! Even though no visible evidence remains, knowing that we were in the graveyard as you and Cecil walked around, was worth every second of the trip. Knowing that there had only been 3 headstones to begin with, and knowing that 20,000 people had been buried there tells a lot. Thank you, Robert and Cecil, for showing us this fascinating piece of history. So very interesting.

  • @Lorriann63
    @Lorriann63 Місяць тому +19

    I enjoyed this video but I'm very sad that a cemetery would be erased like that. Why would they do that, unless someone has plans to use that land for something? I'm sorry you couldn't find if your ancestors were there. Hopefully some clue will come along one day. Thank you, Robert and Cecil for all your hard work.

  • @marthakierstead3415
    @marthakierstead3415 Місяць тому +16

    Thank you Robert and Cecil for bringing history to us .

  • @robertbates6057
    @robertbates6057 Місяць тому +21

    How sad. That had to seem like hell on earth for those who survived.

  • @micheleconley5714
    @micheleconley5714 Місяць тому +34

    How very sad. Thank you for bringing us the history in your area. Stealing from the dead is just BAD juju!

  • @marypettitt9150
    @marypettitt9150 Місяць тому +23

    This is most tragic cemetery you've ever shown us. All those people dying of disease then being buried in mass graves, which is understandable. What isn't understandable is the lack of a group marker. And what's with the theft of the three markers? I'm sorry you may have people in this cemetery. I wonder if a list of people could be created from old records. At least listing family names could help. I'm so sorry, Robert.

  • @PokrRat777
    @PokrRat777 Місяць тому +8

    Reminds me of "Skelton Park" in Kingston, ON. The cemetery fell into disrepair in the mid-19th century and many graves were moved soon after, but plenty were forgotten. Around 10,000 irish cholera victims were left in a mass grave. If you visit today, its surrounded on by a residential area, and there's a playground, water park, and paths built over top. If you look carefully, you can still find the outlines of brick tombs. But the untrained eye would never even know.

  • @carylosborn1808
    @carylosborn1808 Місяць тому +27

    You both are brave walking around in those high weeds with no snake boots on!!

    • @jmt7472
      @jmt7472 Місяць тому +6

      And tics

    • @travelerforever8849
      @travelerforever8849 Місяць тому +4

      @@carylosborn1808 and with a short pant again.. I always fear snakes and leecehs so I opt for long pant

  • @brooks5466
    @brooks5466 Місяць тому +15

    My dad was Dr. I remember him telling stories from the 50’s that he would be called out to a farm that had immigrants for farm workers. I guess they were housed in a type of barrack. But he said the immigrants would get small pox. And he said he could walk in the door and smell the small pox. So it must have a odor. Thought that was interesting. 😁👋🏼💞👍🏼🙌🏻

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +2

      Oh dear! That is very interesting! Thanks for sharing.
      I know infections can, and often do, have an odor. Maybe it's similar to that.

  • @brendahogue5487
    @brendahogue5487 Місяць тому +15

    Love and enjoy watching your videos. May the lord bless and protect you and Cecil bringing out the past history

  • @alitathomas2711
    @alitathomas2711 Місяць тому +7

    How heartbreaking to be so sick knowing your families are all suffering with little that could be done back then. Lord have mercy on each and every one. Amen. Leta

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому

      Yes! How hard it must've been to need to take care of someone who is sick yet having to be careful so you don't get sick.
      What a nightmare.

  • @houseoflabs300
    @houseoflabs300 Місяць тому +7

    My husband's great gfather was born in Atlanta in 1859. In 1866, after being warned against touching any clothing left behind by soldiers, tried on a uniform coat and became sick with smallpox. He passed the illness on to his mother and she passed. His father sent him to live with a relative and never had any further contact with him. Times were brutal back then. I cannot find historical documentation of the story, mainly bc there are too many variations of his father's name and the relationship of the person who took him in is in question as to whether it was his brother or uncle. Sad story, but the ancestor did go on to lead a very interesting life and went to medical school when he was 40. He had been recently widowed with a houseful of children, remarried and had newborn twins and somehow found the money to pay for tuition and boarding at medical school 70 miles from his home. I am looking for that "rich uncle" who died and left him money!

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +2

      What a cool story!
      Good luck finding your dear old rich uncle.😉

  • @mercedithcompala8148
    @mercedithcompala8148 Місяць тому +6

    You weren't defeated..thank you Robert and Cecil for taking the time to search and, showing us so much respect and reverence. All those resting here are not forgotten. 🙏👋🪶

  • @sherrilee230
    @sherrilee230 Місяць тому +8

    They used to burn the mattress and sometimes the houses with the people in it. Back on the plains that was a normal thing. And people stayed clear of those places.maybe with more research and when the weeds are gone you can find it. Thank you for sharing boys

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому

      Sad but an interesting fact. Back then it was the norm. They thought of it being one way to irradiacate the disease, I suppose.

  • @anngallegos5515
    @anngallegos5515 Місяць тому +3

    Were all the people from one town or brought in on the trains and buried? It's hard to believe the only tomb stone left, to keep from being stolen, was actually stolen! Good grief......

  • @nancysantamarialatica1141
    @nancysantamarialatica1141 Місяць тому +32

    People need to respect the dead and stop stealing fuckn next things. It’s not cool. I believe in karma. What goes around comes around . Like the great work you fellas do to respect the dead. I bet you guys ( fellas ) are or will gonna receive good Fortune . No I’m not no psychic. I just see good people doing good things for others Thanks again Robert and Cecil.

  • @donnal.oglesby4806
    @donnal.oglesby4806 Місяць тому +4

    WOW, Both of you had to go pretty deep in those woods to find what was left of that mass cemetery, such a shame that one of the headstone, that you mentioned was taken away, and that others were stolen?? So sad to see that 20,000 people meant so less to anyone that their mass graves or any infomation on ANY of them is just gone, like they never mattered, or were not important enough to at least record. I have, along with so many branches of the Cantrell family that go back to Richard Cantrell whom was married to Dorothy Jones, whom came over from England, he as in Endentured servant, and settled in Pennsylvania in the 1660's and you can not find either of their graves. One of the many Genealogy researchers of My Large Cantrell side of the family, stated that they could possibly be buried under a road now, in Pennsylvania, the cemetery long forgotten and just also wiped away. so sad..

  • @cindys.9688
    @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +4

    Well, how sad. It's unfortunate that the graveyard was hiding from you guys. Probably mass graves, and right where you showed.
    Thank you to you and Cecil for going out there. Even tho nothing obvious was found, just you being out there counts for remembering them. Sadly, that much respect wasn't given to the area over the years, but you two did your part and you can be proud.

  • @Court75
    @Court75 Місяць тому +12

    I have heard stories about my family from the 1800s, and life was very hard, just day-to-day survival. I can't imagine how scary an outbreak of any kind would be with the limited medicine and supplies to help contain it. I don't know a lot about smallpox. But, how it could take out almost an entire community like that is so devastating. And that with Indian burial grounds, you know those woods talk at night.
    I hope everyone there is at peace.

    • @gigicostlow4414
      @gigicostlow4414 Місяць тому +1

      I was thinking the same thing. Those woods are very much alive at night.

    • @H_H_____
      @H_H_____ Місяць тому

      Today, we have medicine and vaccines and people refuse to take them. SMH.

  • @bozbad
    @bozbad Місяць тому +6

    It is a shame that place wasn't made a memorial. Thanks for sharing.

    • @annabrahamson4320
      @annabrahamson4320 Місяць тому +1

      Should be a marker ir monument with the dates and such. The dead are gone they don't care about earthly things. You have to know that with all the people who had died there would be no land for the living. From dust you began to dust you shall return, us often said at burials.

  • @nickmara1
    @nickmara1 Місяць тому +6

    So very sad. I have three great uncles who were all under the age of three who died in 1873 of small pox.

  • @user-qg4cf5yg8z
    @user-qg4cf5yg8z Місяць тому +5

    Such a sad time in history, but such a beautiful place to rest in peace. Love Kate from OZ.

  • @matthewhampton2503
    @matthewhampton2503 Місяць тому +9

    Long time viewer here, but first time commenting. This was great, even without the discovery of any physical markers. Keep up the good work!

  • @MelliaBoomBot
    @MelliaBoomBot Місяць тому +1

    I did a postgrad degree 20 years ago now and my thesis was on something called "dark tourism" and I constructed a heritage trail along the east side of Anglesey in north Wales where Im from. It was inspired by remembering the lost dead, of making sure there was some kind of memorialisation to the forgotten souls. it was interesting and I threw myself into it. some might say it was morbid or who would want to create something like that..well your channel and others like it show there IS interest. And yes, it's almost insulting in some cases that these poor souls are lost to time and not recognised in some way. Thank you.

  • @katenickels617
    @katenickels617 Місяць тому +9

    to think the remains of 20,000 people are just gone with no markers or anything is so strange

  • @mrrs8118
    @mrrs8118 Місяць тому +7

    Very sad! 😢. But God knows the name of each one and where every person is buried. What a day that will be when the dead in Christ shall rise! 🙌

    • @gigicostlow4414
      @gigicostlow4414 Місяць тому +2

      Amen! A cemetery where my gr grandparents are buried has signs that say, "Only known to God" on unknown graves that are only marked with a rock. I really love that.

  • @curtwright4740
    @curtwright4740 Місяць тому +7

    Guess a marker could be erected along the closest roadway speaking of the plague.
    I had a smallpox shot and have the scar on my left arm where a hypo- gun was used, most did not look forward to shots. The easiest one was polo on a sugar cube.
    Lot of folks sure list their lives with no immunization in the day.
    Another devastating disease was TB, or old name consumption.
    My Grandfather Wright and his siblings were orphans as a result, most left TN. For Texas, Oklahoma.
    You guys are great at turning over new stones from bygone days.

    • @Waiting_777
      @Waiting_777 Місяць тому

      Read about that tainted sugar cube over 2 M got. Dr. Mary was using monkey organs. Ed the author of the book knew Mary. His dad worked with her. He has an interview on you tube. The last time I tried to do a link it was blocked. I got one of those sugar cubes and so did my aunt (5 yrs older). There’s no history of cancer in our family but she has had cancer twice. Use the key words like Dr., Mary’s, Monkey, Ed. The author to find info.

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +1

      Cool that you share Robert's last name.☺️
      Diseases back then really did turn people's lives upside down. It's nice that you know that much of your family's history.

    • @curtwright4740
      @curtwright4740 Місяць тому

      @@cindys.9688 you can too. Some effort and research would reveal much about your family too. I had wonderful people to back me from 1982 forward. Most people were very open to helping as well.
      Had a very nice Confederate Commemoration Service, in the 1990’s. Held it on the gentleman’s lands, which formerly were my ancestors.
      God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Blessed!
      Thanks Robert Wright! Curt Wright…

    • @curtwright4740
      @curtwright4740 Місяць тому

      @@cindys.9688 proud to be a Wright.

  • @leattaslone1800
    @leattaslone1800 Місяць тому +3

    I'm so sorry you can't find your loved ones graves. My heart breaks for you. I understand your pain. At least God knows where they are. Some day we will all be together again. That's so sad that many people died with the same thing and now all traces of it is gone. God Bless you all.

  • @cladqueen8054
    @cladqueen8054 Місяць тому +10

    That leveled area very suspicious very fresh

    • @tonypike5785
      @tonypike5785 Місяць тому +2

      Wonna bet thats for growing pot ?

    • @ppurgett
      @ppurgett Місяць тому +2

      Robert said it was plowed

  • @anitatucker8812
    @anitatucker8812 Місяць тому +2

    Sad you couldn't find it. Possibly since it's overgrown right now you both could return in the fall and find it? Just a thought. Thanks for sharing.

  • @debracole6587
    @debracole6587 Місяць тому +5

    What a shame that an entire cemetery with that many people has just disappeared.

    • @travelerforever8849
      @travelerforever8849 Місяць тому

      sometimes some want to erase the history... or simply left forgotten

  • @janthomas2896
    @janthomas2896 Місяць тому +24

    I never had a smallpox shot, but my younger siblings did. Grateful there was a vaccine available for my child!!!!

    • @annabrahamson4320
      @annabrahamson4320 Місяць тому +1

      I never had a small pox shot, my OLDER siblings did, my parents were poor and t hat one you had to pay for and they stopped giving them just a few short years later.

    • @RuthShelton-ou4id
      @RuthShelton-ou4id Місяць тому

      It would be very good if you both look into getting SMALLPOX.
      It's better to be safe then sorry.💕🤟

  • @rikspector
    @rikspector Місяць тому +1

    Robert and Cecil,
    Thank you both for remembering this tragedy and thanks to FeatheredLife for
    the History, as well.
    Cheers,
    Rik Spector

  • @dorenedaniels7493
    @dorenedaniels7493 Місяць тому +4

    I have enjoyed this very much and thank you both for caring. I believe or Lord made his blessings and they have gone home 🙏. God bless both of you 🙏❤️

  • @judytaylor4133
    @judytaylor4133 Місяць тому +1

    Thank you Robert and Cecil, for showing us resting community, it's sad that all these people are lost to tragedy and time, maybe someday soon the county will do something to mark that area, maybe with a big marker of all the names of those who are known to be buried there, maybe family or county records will list of some of the people, Robert it breaks my heart to know you may have family there, I'm sorry for your loss and the loss of your family history. (May all who Rest their, Rest In Peace). Thank you both for all that you do to document these cemetery.

  • @debrafricano1486
    @debrafricano1486 Місяць тому +2

    That is so sad that all those people are forgotten.

  • @susanorr7535
    @susanorr7535 Місяць тому +3

    Thank you so much.

  • @wnickels7
    @wnickels7 Місяць тому +5

    Ive never heard of this event before but it seems like a lot of people to die and there to not be a written account and seems that there should definitely be some kind of monument there to mark the place and event!

  • @alanatolstad4824
    @alanatolstad4824 Місяць тому +2

    "They removed the road", can you explain a bit more about that?---And the birdsong, to keep them company through eternity. I'm comforted by that.

  • @kepperMN
    @kepperMN Місяць тому +4

    Thanks!

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +1

      Very nice of you!❤️

  • @gailrockford8914
    @gailrockford8914 Місяць тому +6

    So, so sad!😔

  • @JohnLaRue-zp2uj
    @JohnLaRue-zp2uj Місяць тому +4

    Very well done. Other than GPR, which might be out due to terrain. Or Drone footage that can show locations?, I really hope you locate it. Those folks deserve to be remembered. Thanks guys. Stay Safe.

  • @charskene714
    @charskene714 Місяць тому +4

    Thank you to you and Cecil for sharing g this.

  • @katherineyanagihara2909
    @katherineyanagihara2909 Місяць тому +3

    Aloha 🌺 Thank you Cecil! Unbelievable that so many people are there, but not there. Thank you Gentlemen! 🌺🥰❤️

  • @nancysantamarialatica1141
    @nancysantamarialatica1141 Місяць тому +8

    Hey fellas. Yea I remember getting chickenpox and it was so uncomfortable, Obviously, and hey my ex got it twice crazy.
    So thanks, fellas, Robert and Cecil. I’m sending much 💚.

  • @nadineveitch5837
    @nadineveitch5837 Місяць тому +2

    It is sad how 20.000 people can just disappear into history. what a shame someone didn't do something about it when they could have to get it marked and protected. If anyone could have found it it would be you two! At least they were not forgotten today

  • @pauloakes5718
    @pauloakes5718 Місяць тому +8

    Metal detectors the area and check and see if those trenches are backfill.Also a drone flight could shed some light.Good luck from England.

    • @nancy-katharynmcgraw2669
      @nancy-katharynmcgraw2669 Місяць тому +2

      LIDAR detection may also show bones under the top of the soil... showing as an irregular demarcation in the dirt.

  • @minerran
    @minerran Місяць тому

    Thanks for your honesty in stating that the cemetery was not found! We win some, we lose some, such is life! Thanks for bringing us along. Y'all stay safe(I was concerned about the "hunters" outside of season) and see ya on the next one!

  • @mattbyrne1822
    @mattbyrne1822 Місяць тому +3

    Outstanding video. It's so sad that nothing remains . Keep up the great work guys 👍

  • @trudychartrand3585
    @trudychartrand3585 Місяць тому +2

    It must be very disappointing when you cannot find anything. So sad. I'm sorry that you could not find any thing. Keep up the wonderful work you do Cecil and Robert. Love watching yous try and find cemetery.on this one you had so much information you gave us. That's what I find so interesting.love what you do

  • @danamaddox9886
    @danamaddox9886 Місяць тому +3

    😢that's sad how they are forgotten poor souls.

  •  Місяць тому

    You and Cecil have honored all those lost and let us do the same. There may not be an indicator but not defeated. Bless you both💕

  • @cclyon
    @cclyon Місяць тому +4

    That's a real shame. There should be some sort of monument there. They were really taking bodies quite a way to be buried there. 😮

  • @user-wh6le3nt4y
    @user-wh6le3nt4y Місяць тому +3

    I had requirement by college in Nashville TN to have smallpox vaccine, I did & then few days later got on a bus to travel there. I arrived & immediately had to see the school DR. I had the worst case of cowpox that he had ever seen & asked if couple of his Dr. friends could look at my leg. It was swollen & painful. The 3 agreed worst they had ever seen & they had all been military doctors. I just had to take it easy, had the shot on my leg because looking at people with it on their upper arm about made me sick as the center of the area looks puss filled for a very long time, years on my leg & finally hardly noticeable, can't imagine what that disease was like for those poor families.

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +1

      Oh dear! I'm glad and so thankful that you got better. Sadly, as you know, they didn't have the advanced medicines way back then as they did when you were in college. I bet that was scary! You had the meds to get better - imagine if you didn't.😱

  • @chars1184
    @chars1184 Місяць тому +8

    QUESTIONS: 1) Of the 3 known burials, have their descendants been contacted (if they are still living in the area)?
    2) This cemetery and the three people whose names are known are listed on Find A Grave. Posted in 2011. Has the person who posted this info been contacted?
    3) Who owns that plowed area???

  • @nancysantamarialatica1141
    @nancysantamarialatica1141 Місяць тому +4

    I feel like going over there to your location and help search. It’s OK. You fellas will find it you always do.

  • @pats9055
    @pats9055 Місяць тому

    This was an example of how horrific the times of active smallpox outbreaks were. 20,000 lives lost and now their graves are gone. Kind of takes your breath away. Thank you for sharing this tragedy.

  • @Linney321
    @Linney321 Місяць тому +1

    What a sad story. It must have been very frightening in those times, not knowing then how disease spread and not being able to say goodbye to your loved ones in the ways you were used to.

  • @hrhdianednum7203
    @hrhdianednum7203 Місяць тому +2

    Sometimes you don’t a perfect location when you’re right on it but abundance of trenches to have marked just knowing that they’re there is enough because if you consider all the people buried on trails leading West of the Mississippi you’ve accomplished more than any of them. The thought of why they had to have mass burials and not finding them will just have to be found somewhere in peoples papers or like you mentioned they just dropped off the face of the world they did but the bodies are under ground. It’s just too bad that someone didn’t chronicle most of the deaths but we don’t need to worry God knows right where they are and that’s the only important fact we need! God Bless!

  • @debbiesmith6293
    @debbiesmith6293 Місяць тому +4

    I really enjoyed your all video .

  • @ABeautfulMess
    @ABeautfulMess 27 днів тому

    I can not imagine leaving a family member in a mass grave...heartbreaking RIP

  • @Melissa-pt2ik
    @Melissa-pt2ik Місяць тому +4

    It’s sad that people would just wipe away a cemetery away to never be found or even just a couple of graves or headstones to be found

  • @uoobwatcher
    @uoobwatcher Місяць тому +2

    A lot of my relatives on both sides of my family are from Marion County.

  • @katenickels617
    @katenickels617 Місяць тому +7

    someone should place a historical marker or something

  • @stevemergy6087
    @stevemergy6087 Місяць тому +2

    Why would people steal grave markers? What would you do with them? Blows my mind. 😔
    Another great video! Thank you for all you do! 👍🙏

    • @ppurgett
      @ppurgett Місяць тому +2

      I have read stories of people finding them in their yards being used as stepping stones or garden decor

    • @chriswilford3576
      @chriswilford3576 Місяць тому

      @@ppurgettwhat an awful thing to do 😢

  • @davidroberts5577
    @davidroberts5577 Місяць тому +5

    Well i gotta say, this is so sad.🙏

  • @charskene714
    @charskene714 Місяць тому +4

    How sad there is no way to find these lost graves. How creepy to steal grave stones.

  • @kimberleyannedemong5621
    @kimberleyannedemong5621 Місяць тому +3

    Very interesting but tragic & sad. All those people known only to God.

  • @scottlambert2949
    @scottlambert2949 Місяць тому +4

    That's a very sad story about all those people that passed away from smallpox and thanks for sharing this adventure

  • @robertrockwell7581
    @robertrockwell7581 Місяць тому

    so sad their history has been erased. but thanks to you and Cecil they will not be forgotten.

  • @eringemini7091
    @eringemini7091 Місяць тому +1

    The flooding that you mentioned would have also erased the tell tale indentations in the ground that you often see in individual/unmarked burials. The U.K. has epidemic/pandemic mass grave sites in many parts of the country. In later years, some of those were turned into memorial type public parks. It would be nice if this area too could have just one big Memorial Marker so that the 20, 000 victims would not be forgotten.

  • @karenwright9123
    @karenwright9123 Місяць тому +3

    So the info on line says Oglethorpe had a pop.of 20,000 and a Preacher May was the first sufferer,and all the towns people died? But it said some people left and moved to Americus. The count is off somewhere. No records were kept in that town, and most of it was burned to the ground,obviously with such record deaths and all nothing was accurate. Confusion and chaos got that unfortunate place,that's disturbing. I'm sorry You and Cecil went on that journey.😳What kind of devil's trick?😧😲 I'd never heard this story. I knew smallpox decimated Indian tribes especially in the south, and out west at times,too. They had no immunity. But with this involving Euro settlers and others that left, seems there would be some more to go on. I can't get a grip on this one. Strange and haunting.

    • @mygrammieis
      @mygrammieis Місяць тому

      Thanks for sharing this info🕊️💯👍

  • @RichardTClark396
    @RichardTClark396 Місяць тому +3

    Wow so many people! :(

  • @norm9517
    @norm9517 Місяць тому +3

    how sad 20,000 people and no marker, no trace, just think 20,000. By the way tell Cecil I think he's ok

  • @devapea
    @devapea Місяць тому +1

    Got to wonder if a metal detector would pick up any sign? Interesting as always

  • @stephengraham5099
    @stephengraham5099 Місяць тому +1

    Seesall for Cecil. Over here in UK we say Sessill 😀

  • @chrisw422
    @chrisw422 Місяць тому +3

    The flood of 1994 changed a lot about the Flint river where yall are at, upper Flint was bad enough, but it got worse downstream.

    • @leighannivey6690
      @leighannivey6690 Місяць тому +3

      That’s right! I remember the coffins floating down the river

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому +1

      ​@@leighannivey6690 ~ Oh my gosh!!😱

  • @cherylcampbell7495
    @cherylcampbell7495 Місяць тому

    I’m 75 and got my shot in California in the 1950’s. My great grandmother had a huge scar from her shot. I’ve only had one doctor ask if I had the smallpox injection. So sorry so many people died from it.

  • @kennyrichard2971
    @kennyrichard2971 Місяць тому +1

    Probably fall time would be a better time to revisit the area Summertime everything is all green bloomed hard to find

  • @YT4Me57
    @YT4Me57 Місяць тому +2

    Wondering if that ground can be considered contaminated considering the numbers of smallpox victims buried there. 🤔 I can't imagine the immense grief that community suffered!

    • @MarciaShackelford-st5bt
      @MarciaShackelford-st5bt Місяць тому +2

      After all these years I wouldn't think the ground would be contaminated.

    • @cindys.9688
      @cindys.9688 Місяць тому

      It's a thought, but I doubt it, too. Either the answer is "no" or the answer is "we've never really checked the ground around the smallpox burials".
      I do know that radioactivity stays in a person's body when affected. This is way different, I know. But it's still super creepy to think about.

  • @scott1395
    @scott1395 Місяць тому +3

    Wow, Cecil walking in that tall grass with shorts? Rattlesnake country right there!

  • @chriswilford3576
    @chriswilford3576 Місяць тому +1

    What I find hard to understand is the number, 20,000 seems a very high population for the time!?
    There wouldn’t have been many folks left surely? Maybe they were slaves or had been slaves and little or no money to spend on proper markers and graves. Thank you Robert and Cecil for this article 😊