Fort Jackson Cemeteries, Richland County, South Carolina Genealogy Trails

Eagle Project of Lael H. Hoopes, Compiled 1982
Richland County, South Carolina
South Carolina Genealogy Trails

I want to thank the following for their help in the final presentation of this project: Boy Scout Troop #176, Shirly Wilson & Angela Morrison

USER'S NOTE -
This listing was compiled by a group of volunteers who made every effort to accurately note down exactly what was contained on the gravestones they found in each cemetery. The graves are listed in the order they were found and I have attempted to reproduce the exact words and format that the gravestones contained. To make this guide more useful to the researcher, the gravestone data is preceeded by the deceased's name, family name first. The index following the cemetery listing is alphabetical by family name, then given name and directs the researcher to the page number where the gravestone data is recorded (webmaster note - page number omitted here as links are added)

Fort Jackson became a permanent military post in 1940. The cemeteries in this listing were privately owned property prior to that time. Before Fort Jackson reverted to Federal control, the families of the deceased in the cemeteries within its bounds were contacted. Some graves were moved and in some cases entire cemeteries were moved off post. A report containing information pertaining to this survey should be on file at the following address:

Corps, of Engineers
Attn: Real Estate Division (Audit Section)
P.O. Box 889
Savannah, GA 31402

In a few cases, usually children or wives, family names were inferred from other information on the gravestone (ie. parents' or husband's family name) for the purposes of indexing.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. J. E. Belser

2. Beulah Church Cemetery

3. Viele Chapel Church Cemetery

4. Sweet Home Church Cemetery

5. John Davis Cemetery (Gone)

6. Andrew Patterson Cemetery

7. James Hammond Cemetery

8. N. D. Porter Cemetery

9. C. L. Blease Cemetery - no graves found

10. Andrew Patterson Cemetery - no graves found

11. John T. Duncan Cemetery

12. St. David's Methodist Cemetery

12a. Mrs. H. M. Stoak (Moved off post, location unknown)

13. James M. Jones/R. M. Freeman Cemetery (Gone)

14. St. Wesberry High Hill Cemetery

15. Enon Church Cemetery

15a. No name Cemetery

16. Jones Cemetery

17. W. D. Turner (On Map)/Brawelle Cemetery (At Sight)

18. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery

19. Salem Cemetery

20. W. M. Martin, Emma G. Tuekel, Kendall Co., Inc.

21. R. A. & Harold Boozer Cemetery

22. Mt. Pleasant Baptist {Moved off post, location unknown}

23. Charlie M. Martin Cemetery

24. J. E. Mills (Gone)

24a. No Name (Higgins surnames buried here)

25. B. F. Bowen Cemetery (Romanstine surnames buried here)

26. Dabney Pond Cemetery

"The numbers correspond with the numbers found on the Reservation Map of cemeteries used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The map Is dated 15 April, 1980 and is drawing number 18-02-02, sheet number 5 of 6."

"We were unable to locate the cemeteries listed with the word gone. An effort was made to find them but time has destroyed all sign of these cemeteries."

Fort Jackson Cemeteries
“23 cemeteries provide FJ history, mystery”
By Spc. Carol Cole, Leader Staff
http://www.palmettoroots.org/FtJacksonCem.html

To most people who come through its gates, Fort Jackson has always been a military installation. For those families who have been in Columbia for many generations however, the land that makes up Fort Jackson has a deeper meaning that goes back hundreds of years.

Twenty-three cemeteries dot the landscape of Fort Jackson. Some are located in populated areas of the installation, while others are scattered throughout training areas and range impact areas.

“Most of our cemeteries are family plots, but others were run by church groups or local communities,” said Judy Matteson, curator of the Fort Jackson museum. “They tell a very important part of the post’s history.”

Most of the cemeteries were established before the Army bought the land they were on.

Each belonged to a specific family or a neighborhood church group. Even though the U. S. Army bought the cemeteries, family members may still come to view the stones.

“Those who wish to come view the cemeteries can call the museum to coordinate a visit to post,” said Matteson. “A directory is also available here for anyone researching to find out if they have any family members buried here.”

Even visits to cemeteries located in impact area may be scheduled, but those will be scheduled through the museum at a lower priority to training units, Matteson added.

Over the years, Location of family plots has become more and more difficult. Some cemeteries have been relocated to bigger cemeteries off post, and others have been renamed.

Also limiting access to the cemetery sites is the deterioration of the stones making them untraceable, and the lack of accessibility for upkeep of the land around them.

The Fort Jackson Directorate of Logistics and Engineering, Maintenance Services Division maintains cemeteries closer to the more populated areas of the post.

“General grounds maintenance is accomplished annually and includes such services as grass mowing, trimming of trees and shrubs, and the removal of leaves, limbs, paper and other debris,” said Thomas Peel, real property officer for DLE. “Care is taken to prevent damage to existing structures, and are repaired and replaced as needed.”

Groups such as the Boy Scouts of America or the Sons of the Confederate Veterans also come on post periodically to do maintenance on the cemeteries.

In addition to maintenance of the grounds and stones, DLE is also responsible for processing burial requests.

“Burial on the installation is not considered an automatic right,” said Peel. “Each request is treated on a case-by-case basis. Army policy puts restrictions on who has burial rights, and qualifying families who wish to bury family members must submit special documentation and a formal letter to DLE.”

For more details, contact Peel at 751-7261. With Department of the Army policies for burial so restrictive, permission for burial on an installation is rarely given. To visit any Fort Jackson cemetery, contact the Post Museum at 751-7419. Hours of Operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.