The following are detailed notes about individual graves compiled by Earl Williamson in 2013.

Clay Cemetery Grave Notes

• Shared gravestones are treated as a single unit. For example Florainda and Thomas Parker & Claudia and Earnest Wood have a single location number for the pairs.
• Not all suspected unmarked graves are included, particularly those to the south of the two Clay rows and east, south, and west of the Marston plot.
• Only those visible as obvious graves are included.
• Not all rocks are considered to be memorial rocks. These typically extend outward from rows of traditional stones, occur in patterns, or in headstone/footstone pairs. Those with random placement or location not consistent with traditional stones or obvious memorial rocks were not included.
• A total of 43 conventional gravestones are currently visible, representing 46 individuals.
• All but one stone faces east.
• Weathering on top of conventional gravestones (all marble) is Class III to IV, on vertical surfaces Class II to III.
• More than 25 memorial rocks have been identified. These are not natural to the area (such as pink or rose granite), occur in rows extending out from gravestone rows, and generally have grave spacing or mark obvious graves.
• More than 18 obvious unmarked burial mounds or depressions are present.
• Local obituaries, death notices, State of Georgia death certificates, and Franklin Garret’s Necrology (1931) document 14 individuals buried here with no markers found at present.
• Clay Cemetery now appears to contain at least 100 visible graves. It is estimated that the cemetery may contain between 200 and 240 graves, based on size and history.
• Franklin Garrett, the late Historian Emeritus of Atlanta and Dekalb County, inventoried this cemetery in April, 1931. He identified additional graves which cannot currently be seen. At the time of his inventory there were no markers for Jesse Clay Sr. or Green(berry) Clay. Oral history given him at that time reported their graves here.

201. Unmarked mound at west fence line.

202. Unmarked mound at west fence line.

203. Memorial Rocks.

• 40″ X 85″ X 11″ deep footprint.
• Head rock is speckled pink white blonde granite with peaked shape; 5″ H, 4-6″ irregular base
• Foot rock is speckled pink blonde granite, irregular pyramidal form, flat top; 2.5″ H, 5.5″ D, 5″ W

204. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 4″ X 91″ X 12″ deep footprint.
• Sharply defined vertical surfaces and edges.

205. Memorial Rock.

• Iron stained granite, cubical on edge
• 2.5″ H, 5″ D, 4″ W.
• 29″ X 71″ footprint with slight sinkage.

206. Memorial Rock.

• Sedimentary very dark ferrous rock with some surface “rust” stain.
• Upright rectangular form.
• Some shearing off of layers.
• 6 to 8″ H, 3 to 4″ D, 5.5 to 6″ W.
• 26″ X 85″ X 26″ deep footprint.

 207. Memorial Rock.

• Pink granite with many white speckles, similar to #208.
• Dimensions 4.5″ H, 6″ D, 7.5″ W.
• 41″ X 87″ footprint.

208. Memorial Rocks.

• Two light pink and speckled white granite rocks, one upright, one flat.
• Upright dimensions 6″ H, 2 to 7.5″ D, 7″ W.
• 42″ X 85″ footprint.

209. Robert C. Clay
b. 9/27/1882     d. 6/16/1883

• Rounded white marble tablet, heavily stained with Class III weathering.
• 20″ H, 3.75″ D, 12″ W.
• On tapered base 6″ H, 7.5″ D, 16″ W.
• Incised Roman lettering with underscore beneath dates.
• Three footstone fragments near head.

210. Clifford Clay
b. 2/5/1877       d. 5/29/1878

• Rounded white marble tablet, heavily stained with Class II weathering.
• 20.5″ H, 4″ D, 12″ W.
• On tapered base 6″ H, 7″ D, 16.5″ W.
• Incised Roman lettering with underscore beneath dates.

211. Arthur Clay
b. ?/?/ ?          d. 10/9/1883

• White marble with black striations, shield below pulpit.
• Heavily stained with Class II – III weathering.
• Incised Roman lettering.
• Indistinct symbology, possibly plant images.
• 16″ H, 4″ D, 12″ W.
• On steeply tapered base 3″ H, 7.5″ D, 14.5″ W.
• Footstone 4.5″ H, 2″ D, 5″ W.

212. Floid B. Clay
b. 8/22/1888     d. 7/15/1890

• White marble, heavily stained with lichen and soil, Class II -III weathering.
• Tapered tablet form sloping to front
• Lightly carved leaf (magnolia vs. maple?) surrounding incised Roman text.
• 14.75″ H, 6″ D, 12″ W.
• Barely tapered base ? H, 10″ D, 16″ W.
• Footstone 6.75″ H

213. John F. Hammond
b. 3/26/1854     d. 2/21/1919

“ Come Ye Blessed ”

• Husband of Sallie Hammond, #214.
• Middle name “Frank”
• Pulpit tab in socket on base. Raised Roman lettering with gates opening motif.
• White marble with Class II – III dark weathering and granular disintegration of less vertical surfaces, heavy lichen stain on upper portion.
• 25″ H, 3.5″ D, 10″ W.
• Die 3.75″ H, 8″ D, 13.5″ W.
• Base 5.5″ H, 12.25″ D, 18″ W.
• Footstone 3″ H, 2″ D, 6″ W.
• Heavily sunken grave.

214. Sallie T. Hammond
b. 9/26/1873     d. 2/8/1925

“ Come Ye Blessed ”

• Death certificate: Died of lobar pneumonia and secondary meningitis.
• Wife of John Frank Hammond, #213.
• Pulpit on die on base. Raised Roman lettering with gates opening motif, last name misspelled “Hammono”.
• white marble with Class II – III weathering with granular disintegration on less vertical surfaces, moderate lichen staining.
• 26.5″ H, 4″ D, 10.25″ W.
• Die 3.5″ H, 8″ D, 13″ W.
• Base 4″ H, 10″ D, 18″ W.
• Footstone 8.5″ H, 3″ D, 5″ W.

215. Gravestone, Unknown

• Oldest dated marker in cemetery and the only marker that faces west.
• Badly eroded with “RIP” visible upper row, middle row indecipherable letters, and “1860” lowest line.
• Original shape appears to be crudely rounded tablet with crudely carved text.
• Class VI weathering with significant flaking and erosive loss of material changing contour and form. Very darkly and diffusely stained.
• Incised lettering with only “B” decipherable starting the top row.
• 13″ H, 2.5″ D, 9″ W

216. Ruth Hammond
b. 5/15/1901     d. 8/16/1916

“Come Ye Blessed”

• Pulpit tab in socket on base, all white marble.
• Raised Roman lettering with gates opening motif.
• Lived at 1326 Dekalb Avenue.
• Funeral notice dated 8/19/1915, gravestone appears in error on year.
• Class III weathering with granular disintegration and moderate to heavy lichen staining.
• 24.25″ H, 4″ D, 9″ W.
• Die 3.5″ H, 8″ D, 14″ W.
• Base 6.25″ H, 12″ D, 17.75″ W.
• Sunken grave.

217. Memorial Rock.

• Large trapezoidal, set on edge to create pyramidal form above ground.
• Pink, white, and dark pink granite with quartz flecks.
• 9″ H, 9″ D, 9.5″ W.
• Very small 15″ X 36″ grave footprint, probable infant or small child.

218. Memorial Rock.

• Dark pink-tan color.
• Form approximates tablet, size similar to footstone dimensions.
• 7″ H, 2.5″ D, 5.5″ W.
• Small 21″ X 36″ grave footprint, probable child.

219. Memorial Rock.

• Granite, upright form.
• Red brown left side, pink white right side. black lichen splotches on top.
• 5″ H, 5″ D, 7″ W.
• Grave 42″ X 62″ footprint

220. Memorial Rock.

• Irregular with approximately pyramidal form.
• Granite, dark grey and dark pink.
• 4″ H, 6.5″ D, 8″ W.
• Grave 33″ X 76″ footprint.

221. Florina Clay
b. 11/24/1878   d. 3/16/1879

• Rounded white marble tablet on base.
  Incised Roman text and incised underscore.
• Heavily stained with Class III – IV weathering and granular flaking.
• 20.5″ H, 4″ D, 11.5″ W.
• Base 4.5″ H, 7″ D, 16.25″ W.
• 28″ X 70″ X 5″ deep grave footprint

222. Nancy Clay
b. 4/8/1842     d. 5/7/1903

“Mother” On Pulpit; “wife of Cleveland Clay;” “Home sweet home, there’s no place like home ”

• First wife of Cleveland Clay, #223.
  White marble pulpit on die on base with anchor, dove facing husband’s grave at right, ivy sprigs at top sides, and gate opening with “At Rest” banner.
• Incised Roman lettering all inscriptions except reverse italicized verse at bottom.
• Heavily stained with Class IV – V weathering with granular disintegration & flaking. Moderate to heavy lichen.
• 31.75″ H, 6″ D, 14″ W.
• Die 5.5″ H, 10″ D, 17.75″ W.
• Base 7″ H, 14″ D, 24″ W.
• 24″ X 80″ X 5″ deep grave footprint.
• Found lying buried flat on back.

223. Cleveland Clay
b. 1/9/1836     d. 4/28/1909

“Father” On Pulpit; “Home sweet home, there’s no place like home”

• Buried next to first wife, Nancy, # 222. Second wife, America.
• Survived by three sons and three daughters.
• A “farmer” in 1880 and 1900 Census.
• Civil War veteran of Company D, 42nd Georgia Infantry Regiment, the “Dekalb Rangers”, served at Vicksburg and in the Carolinas (Georgia Civil War Soldier Index, Page 58), surrendering at High Point, N. C., on April 26, 1865.
• White marble pulpit on die on base with anchor, dove facing wife’s grave at left, ivy sprigs at top sides, and gate opening motif.
• Incised Roman lettering all inscriptions except reverse italicized verse at bottom. – Much more deeply carved than wife’s.
• Class II weathering with light granular disintegration and patchy organic stains.
• Tablet found lying buried flat.
• 32″ H, 6.25″ D, 14″ W.
• Die 5.5″ H, 10.25″ D, 18.25″ W.
• Base 7.5″ H, 14.25″ D, 24″ W.
• Founded Bush Arbor Church in 1873 with his wife, father, and three neighbors, meeting initially in his home on Clay Street. The church became Beech Springs Church, later Kirkwood Baptist Church, and is today’s Rainbow Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia.
• A “Messenger” to the Stone Mountain Association of Baptist Churches in 1886, 1889, and 1891.
• He farmed in Kirkwood after the Civil War until age and indebtedness led him to sell his last six acres to his daughter Mattie Burke in 1894. Ill health then limited him to a small “truck farm” and he became increasingly dependent on what “my daughter did for me” until he applied for a Confederate veteran’s pension from the State of Georgia in June, 1904.

224. Alex Clay
b. 10/9/1884     d. 7/23/1886

• White marble modified pulpit on base.
• Incised heart outline around Roman text. Unknown vine like plant carved above heart.
• Granular disintegration with Class IV weathering and Light lichen.
• 17.25″ H. 4″ D, 12″ W.
• Base with 1′” taper and 5″ H, 10″ D, 15.25″ W.

225. Talmadge Clay
b. ?/?/ ?       d. 7/4/1899

• White marble die on base, top tapered forward. Incised Roman lettering.
• Granular disintegration with Class IV weathering and heavy stains.
• Incised scrollwork at top and sides with arch and possible winged image at center.
• 14″ H, 6″ D, 10″ W.
• Base 2.5 ” H, 10.5 “D, 16” W.
• Footstone 3.5″ H, 1.75″ D, 6″ W.

226. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 21″ X 33″ footprint.

227. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 19″ X 49″ footprint
• Footstone 4″ H, 5.5″ D, 7.5″ W. Granite yellow-brown-tan.

228. Unmarked sunken grave.

229. Memorial Rocks.

• 51″ X 89″ footprint.
• Head Pink-yellow-white granite with mica and/or quartz flecks.
• Irregular with approximate pyramidal form.
• 4.5″ H, 4.5″ D, 6″ W.
• Footstone Red, dark pink, white granite.
• Same approximate pyramidal form, ? tilted over.
• 3″ H, 5.5″ W, 3″ D.

230. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 51″ X 89″ footprint

231. Memorial Rocks.

• Flat white marble headstone, horizontal rectangular form, crudely carved.
• 8.5″ H, 3-3.5″ D, 15″ W.
• Flat white marble footstone, horizontal rectangular form, crudely carved.
• 5.5″ H, 2.25″ D, 8.25″ W.
• Small 3-4″ conch shell at approximate midline shoulder height of deceased.
• Clear plastic layered over grave itself and covered by (at most) 1/2″ soil.
• Delineated on both sides by rows of granite rocks.
• 34″ X 80″ grave footprint.

232. Susan Powell
b. ? / ? / ?      d. 9/25/1880 or 1890

• White marble tablet, softly rounded, moderately stained.
• Top row of lettering faintly visible and indecipherable.
• Granular disintegration with Class V weathering.
• Incised Roman text with incised underscore.
• 15.25″ H, 2 ” D, 8″ W.

233. Margaret Hammond Dunn
b. 2/27/1854   d. 8/8/1921

“Gone but not forgotten” Right face; “Wife of Jesse L. Dunn” Front; “In after-time we’ll meet her.” Left face

• Married to Jesse Dunn, #246.
• Lived at 45 Clay Street at the time of her death from double lobar pneumonia.
• White marble with mild black striations, very large, very ornate, multiple piece.
• Total height estimated 7’ 8” with same construction as #234. Ten pieces headstone + four piece cradle.
• Full white marble cradle 28.5″ X 72″ with broken and dismounted French vase at foot.
• Base 15.5″ H with light taper, 27.5″ D, 27.5″ W.
• Die approximately 8″ H with stepwise taper, 20″ D, 20″ W. “DUNN” on face.
• Text Block 18.5″ H, 15″ D, 14.75″ W. Raised Roman text within recessed relief oval. Light scrolling and ivy leaves at block corners.
• Roof 6.5″ H, 17.75″ D, 17.75″ W. Arched raised eave stepping back to main stone dimensions. Incised scrollwork with Crusader’s cross centered under arch of eave.
• Pillars 16.5″ H, 5″ D, 5″ W. Square base tapering to rounded column 4.75″ diameter. Ivy leaf each face of base.
• Cap of a flattened inverted bowl resting on the four pillars with an ornate French styled inverted cup peak on top with, total height 27″. Light incised scrolling along rim.

AA. Little Arthur Banks
b. 9/16/1887     d. 6/29/1888

• Very thin marble square tablet.
• Re-installed after being found buried, located at point where found.
• Documented in Garrett’s 1931 inventory of Clay Cemetery.
• Re-discovered 6/2011.
• Two holes in lower stone, for holding in cutting or carving jig.

234. Gertie Dunn
b. 6/8/1879     d. 1/3/1899

“Dau of J.L. & M. Dunn” Face; “She was the sunshine of our home” Left Side; “Tho lost to sight, to memory dear” Right Side

• Marble, very large, very ornate, multiple piece. Heavy grey black striations.
• Ten pieces, no cradle. Approximate total height 8’.
• Daughter of Jesse Dunn, #246, and Margaret Dunn, #233.
• Footstone: 14.5″ H, 8″ W, 2″ D with capital letters “G.D.”, incised Roman.
• Same construction as #233.
• Mild to moderate lichen stain.
  Stage III weathering with moderate limb damage.
• Base 13-15″ H with light taper, 28.5″ D, 28.5″ W.
• Die 6.5-9.5″ H with stepwise taper, 19.75″ D, 19.75″ W. “DUNN” on front, raised Roman.
• Text Block 18.75″ H, 14.5″ D, 14.5″ W. Raised Roman text within recessed relief oval. Light scrolling and ivy leaves at upper block corners.
• Roof 6.5″ H, 17.75″ D, 17.75″ W. Arched raised eave stepping back to main stone dimensions. Incised scrollwork with Crusader’s cross centered under arch of eave.
• Pillars 16.” H, 5″ D, 5″ W. Square base tapering to rounded column 4.75″ diameter. Ivy leaf and vine each face of pillar base.
• One pillar missing, two broken.
• Cap damaged, assumed to be same dimensions as cap of #233. Light incised scrolling along rim.

BB. Ruth Dunn
b. ?/?/ ?     d. ?/?/ ?

“Dau. of D.O. & Dora Dunn”

• Rounded white marble tablet.
• 14.5″ H at apex, 2″ D, 9.75″ W.
• Displaced stone reinstalled at head of sunken unmarked grave in Dunn section.
• Damage at edges with large chip out at top.
• Coarse white marble with moderately heavy weathering.

235. Ester Hammond
b. ?/?/ ?     d. ?/?/ ?

“In Memory of ”

• Footstone: speckled granite with much quartz.
• Granular disintegration with Class II weathering, near Class III at top.
• 13″ H, 2″ D, 10″ W.
• Rounded shadow tablet within edge.
• Marble tablet, rounded, Incised Roman lettering with sentiment arched.

236. Matilda Hammond
b. ?/?/ ?     d. ?/?/ ?

“Come Ye Blessed ” Top; “Aged 37 yrs ” Bottom

• White marble with grey streaks.
• Pulpit style die on base with open bible and draped robe at top.
• Raised Roman lettering.
• Decoration of heaven’s gate opening with star centered above.
• Base 8.75″ H, 13.75″ D, 20.25″ W with 1″ taper.
• Die 3.5″ H, 10″ D, 16″ W.
• Headstone 23.5″ H, 6″ D, 11.5″ W.
• Footstone 10″ H, 2.25″ D, 6″ W.
• Sunken grave 3′ X 5.5′.
• Granular disintegration with Class III-IV at top to near class III- IV weathering, heavy lichen staining. 

237. Sadie Hammond
b. 7/6/1897     d. 12/25/1900

“Born;” “Died”

• Rounded tablet, white marble.
• Incised Roman lettering.
• 16″ H, 2″ D, 10″ W.
• Class III weathering with moderate granular disintegration, heavy lichen staining.
• Lightly sunken grave.

238. Annie Hammond
b. 6/18/1830     d. 5/18/1908

“Born;” “Died;” “A beckoning hand from the other side of the river”

• Last name misspelled “Hammon”.
• White marble die on base with headstone vaulted roof, two rounded “dormers”.
• Raised Roman lettering with raised border around all text.
• Names and dates upright Roman lettering, “Born” and “Died” reverse slanted, sentiment italic.
• Single rose and 1-2 leaves centered top. Leafy vine across bottom with two loops blossoms.
• Class IV weathering with chips from tree fall, very heavy soil and lichen staining.
• Granular flaking most edges and corners.
• Found partially covered lying face up.
• Base 8.5″ H, 14″ D, 24″ W.
• Die 7.5″ H, 10″ D, 20″ W.
• Headstone 19.5″ H, 5.75″ D, 12″ W.
• Footstone upright rectangular 6″ H, 2″ D, 7″ W.

239. Memorial Rock

• Sedimentary granite like with water smoothed edges, river source?
• Dark grey with black striations, patchy red-orange flecks and rust streaking.
• Possibly fallen over on side.
• 5″ H, 1.75″ to 3″ D, 14″ W.

240. Memorial Rock

• Small tablet form, granite like.
• Grey sedimentary with moderate black flecks, patchy red-orange flecks & patches.
• Size and appearance of footstone.
• 5″ H, 1.5″ D, 6″ W.
• Sunken grave 2.5′ X 4′.

241. Tom Hammond
b. ?/?/1878     d. ?/?/1899

“Come Ye Blessed;” “Born – 1878;” “Aged 21 Yrs”

• Marble pulpit style die on base with open bible and draped cloth at top.
  Raised Roman lettering.
• Decoration of heaven’s gate opening with star centered above.
• Granular disintegration with Class III weathering of text and decoration, Class IV weathering of top.
• Moderate lichen staining.
• Base 10″ H, 14.25″ D, 20.22″ W with taper.
• Headstone 24″ H, 5.75″ D, 12″ W.

242. Lila Lee Marston
b. 9/24/1904     d. 5/29/1905

• White marble with large black streaks in stone. Pulpit form with rearward scrolled top. Die on base.
• Die 17″ H, 8.75″ D, 12″ W.
• Base 2.5″ H, 12″ D, 15″ W.
• Flat marble ledger 16.75″ X 35″.
• Single large lily downward angled with bloom pointed downward to right.
• Class IV weathering with granular flaking.
• Lived at 66 South Delta Place in today’s Inman Park.
• Father was J.H. Marston.
• An obituary of the time reports internment at Hollywood Cemetery in west Atlanta. It is thought that geographic proximity led to her burial here.

243. Dottie Frank Marston
b. 10/12/1904     d. 7/27/1907

• White marble with much black streaking in stone. Class V weathering with heavy granular flaking obscuring much text and details.
• Pulpit form die on base.
• Flat marble ledger 16″ X 36″, edge lightly tapered.
• Single large rose upward angled with off center bloom pointed upward left.
• Class V weathering with heavy granular flaking.
• Die 17″ H, 8.75″ D, 12″ W.
• Base 3.5″ H, 12″ D, 15.5″ W, tapered.

244. Memorial Rocks.

• Grave 25″ X 80″.
• Large stone Pale pink granite with much ? quartz.
• Irregular with vaguely cuboidal shape.
• Sedimentary cracks.
• 7.5″ H. 5″ D, 7″ W.
• Small Stone Dark pink granite with white quartz flecks.
• Sharper, more distinct edges.
•  Root bound, possibly base for large stone.
• Footstone Light pink granite with many quartz flecks
  Pushed onto side by tree.
• Almost identical to headstone material.
• 4″ H, 5″ W, 6″ D.

245. Little Powell Wesley Clay
b. 7/11/1891     d. 6/26/1892

• Marble rounded tablet stone with initialed footstone, “P.W.C”.
• Incised Roman lettering with “born” and “died” in italics.
• Headstone 18″ H, 2″ D, 10″ W.
• Footstone 12″ H, 2.5″ D, 6″ W.
• Vault of very tightly placed fist sized irregular stones, no mortar.
• No vault cover.
• Possibly named after CSA Lt. General A.P. “Little Powell” Hill.
• Class II weathering with granular flaking at top.

246. Jesse L. Dunn
b. ?/?/1851     d. 12/20/1901

“Aged 60 years;” “The paths of glory lead but to the grave”

• Was a “huckster” in 1880 Census.
• Was a “stationary engineer” in 1900 Census.
  Married to Margaret Hammond Dunn, #233.
• Father of Gertie Dunn, # 234.
• Marble with incised Roman lettering except for italicized sentiment at bottom.
• Heavy lichen staining with Class III to IV weathering.
• Footstone: 8.5″ H, 2″ D, 8.5″ W.

247. John Wesley Dunn
b. 8/8/1883     d. 2/11/1912

“My Son” (top banner); “Gone but not forgotten”

• Die on base with rounded and sloped top.
• Marble with heavy black striations, large.
  Headstone: 32″ H, 14″ D, 24″ W.
• Incised Roman lettering with back slanted italic sentiment at bottom.
• Carved fern design above text.
  Class II weathering with granular disintegration towards top.
• Footstone: 6″ H, 2″ D, 7.5″ W. Fragmented decorative edging.
• Reportedly served in the Spanish American War. Company E, Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb Counties (Capt. Amos Baker). Also in Company D, 3rd Georgia Infantry, U.S.V.
• A “tinner”, or tinsmith, in 1900 Census.
• Married Lillie Jewell Porter 3/3/1903. Three sons.
• Lived in Edgewood, Atlanta, and finally Kirkwood.
• A “paper factory laborer” in 1910 Census.

248. Maggie Belle Felton
b. 9/5/1887     d. 1/24/1915

“Wife of J.A. Felton;” “Beneath this stone lie placed in trust. Not the immortal, but the just of one on earth to me most dear. Who learned in youth her God to fear.”

• Marble die, base, and cap pedestal headstone with cross at top.
• Marble bedstead with broken planter at foot, scroll form of sides.
• Pedestal – drape with tassels over top, bundled sheave under arch.
• Raised Roman lettering except for incised reverse italic verse.
• Raised lettering Class I weathering, incised lettering Class III weathering.
• Some lichen stains and limited granular disintegration.
• Total height 95″
• Base 1   13″ H, 24″ D, 24″ W. Black striations.
• Base 2   7″ H, 19″ D, 19″ W. “Felton”
• Base 3   9″ H, 15.5″ D, 15.5″ W. Verse
• Pedestal 66″ H, 11.5″ D, 11.5″ W. Biographical
• Bedstead footprint 22″ Wide X 80″ Long, with 2″ wide rails.

249. Carl Thomas Orr
b. 2/24/1906     d. 4/11/1928

“Husband”

• Died of “Lobar Pneumonia” due to “Chronic tonsilitis with weak heart muscle”.
• Son of J.T. Orr, #257.
• Lived at 24 Clifton Street and worked as a “Mechanic” at the time of his death.
• Marble die, base, and cap with partially rounded top.
• Raised Roman lettering.
• Raised scrollwork arched across top front.
• Class II weathering with lichen stains.
• Granular disintegration at top surface and top edge.
• Loose brick cradle like surround.
• Footstone: “Our Darling”
• White marble.
• Sentiment relief etched on top of stone.
• 6″ to 5″ high tapering to front, 8″ D, 20″ W.

250. Ruth Cox
b. 4/21/1905     d. 4/26/1923

• Box cast cement stone with finger drawn freestyle lettering.
• Daughter of J.T. Orr, #257, and Ethel Dunn. Brother Thomas Orr.
• Married to Walter L. Cox.
• Lived at 40 Clifton Street at the time of her death from endocarditis and secondary sepsis.
• Footstone: Marble piece 10″ H, 5″ W, 2″ D.

251. Memorial Rock.

• Squared tablet form crudely carved with deep vertical cutting marks.
• Granite with heavy black striations almost making it almost all black.
• 10″ H, 1.25 – 1.75″ D, 6″ W.

252. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 70″ High, 40″ Wide, 3″ Deep.

253. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 70″ High, 40″ Wide, 4″ Deep.

254. Dan Dunn
b. 3/13/1873     d. 12/17/1935

• Box cast cement raised top style with finger drawn freestyle lettering.
• 4″ H, 8″ D, 25″ W.
• A “house painter” living in Atlanta-Dekalb in 1910 Census.
• Married to Dora. Had brown eyes and red hair per draft card.
• Worked for Georgia Railroad and Power Company in 1918.
• A “streetcar motorman” living in Kirkwood in 1920 Census.
• A “farmer” living in Smyrna in 1930 Census and worked “General Jobs” at the time of his death.

255. Claudia Elise Wood & Son, Earnest Howard Wood
b. 8/8/1891         d. 1/8/1915            

“Mother;” (On Reverse) “A ray of sunshine she ever was / Though saddened with worldly cares / She’s gone to the mighty maker above / Who shares al our toils and cares.’

b. 1/1/1915                d. 1/1/1915

“Son;” “Born and Died 1/1/1915;” (On Reverse) “A flower plucked from our midst / As it were by God’s omnipotent hand / To grace the mighty throne on high / Of the new Jerusalem.” 

• Shared grave of mother and son who died from childbirth.
• May be Margaret Dunn’s daughter “Elisa” in 1910 Census.
• Married to G.E. Wood. Survived by him and one child.
• Double tablet with bi-convex rounding, bisected by a cross fleury.
• Sides mirror each other with large ferns at bottom and Easter lilies at top.
• Thin marble with incised lettering, front text Roman, rear verse italic.
• Dismounted from marble base of horizontal tree trunk form.
• Headstone 21″ H, 2″ D, 31″ W.
• Base 9″ H, 9″ D, 43″ W.
• Class I to II weathering with heavy lichen staining.

256. Earnest Howard Orr
b. 9/9/1917     d. 12/15/1917

• Marble die without known base.
  Incised Roman lettering with first and second name arched across upper row.
  7″ H, 2″ D, 7″ W.
• Class III weathering with granular flaking.

257. J.T. Orr
b. 4/22/1874     d. 1/4/ 1936

• A “hosiery mill foreman” in 1910 Census.
• Married to Ethel.
• Lived at 32 Clay Street in 1918, at 40 Clifton Street in 1926, and 24 Clifton Street at the time of his death.
• Had grey hair and brown eyes per draft records.
• Father of Ruth Orr Cox, # 250.
• A “cotton mill book keeper” in 1920 Census.
• A “Clerk” with Atlanta Milling Co. in 1926 Atlanta Directory.
• A “railroad shipping clerk” in 1930 Census.
• A “Mill Foreman” at the time of his death.
• Small marble rounded tablet headstone imbedded in concrete base cast along with flat concrete ledger.
• Raised Roman lettering.
• Name also finger written on concrete vault cover, freestyle and uneven.
• Footprint 34.5″ X 96″
• Class II weathering with heavy lichen staining. Cement pitted.

258. Agnes May Orr
b. 2/21/1912     d. 3/18/1912

• Rounded marble tablet headstone.
• 8″ H, 1.75″ D, 6.5″ W.
• Incised Roman lettering with arched first line following stone shape.
• Class IV weathering with granular flaking, chipped edges.

259. CLAY

• Hal Amicus and Maggie West Clay were reportedly exhumed from in front of the “CLAY” gravestone between 1970-1972 and moved to Greenwood Cemetery. He was in a metal coffin, hers had been wood and only hardware and a few bone fragments remained (Source: Clay family oral history – Jean Delores Clay).

259-1. Willie M. Smith
b. 2/1/1910       d. 7/10/1983

• Stone is cast cement temporary type funeral home marker from Stocks Funeral Home, Kirkwood, Atlanta. Embossed lettering. It was found in the empty “CLAY” grave.
• Modern type face, embossed into cement.
• 4″ H, 7.5″ D, 15.5″ W.

259-2. John Allen Clay
b. 5/7/1881       d. 7/5/1937

• Footstone to large “Clay” family headstone. Found slid into open “Clay” grave.
• Same marble material and carved floral details framing text.
• 2″ H, 12″ D, 24″ W.
• Incised Roman lettering.
• Light granular disintegration with Class II weathering.
• Undamaged jar as bud vase found beneath front edge of stone when leveled.

260. Nannie Lou Clay (Howard)
b. 1/19/1896     d. 9/23/1921

“Wife of Ernest Howard;” “She Believed and Sleeps In Jesus”

• Died from “Acute Cardiac Dilatation” related to “Ether Anesthetic”.
• Daughter of J.W. Clay, #261.
• Marble block with some edges rounded. 12″ H, 12″ D, 24″ W.
• Raised modern lettering on top.
• Incised Roman lettering sentiment on front.
• Light granular disintegration with Class I to II weathering.
• Flat cement base found when replaced to original location and re-leveled.

261. John W. Clay
b. 5/4/1861     d. 9/20/1928

“Father”

• A “railroad boss” in 1900 Census.
• Worked for the “electric RR” in 1910 Census.
• Lived at 364 Mason Avenue, possibly in Edgewood.
• Middle name “Warren”
• Died of bronchial pneumonia and uremia (renal failure).
• Wife Jennie Hammond Clay, #262.
• Daughter Nannie Lou Clay Howard, #260.
• Incised Roman lettering on top (‘Father”) and raised Roman lettering on face.
• Decorated with sprigs of ivy and of oak coming from rolled scroll.
• Masonic emblem with “G” in center.
• Marble die on base and cap.
• Die: 43.5″ H, 8″ D, 14″ W.
• Base: 7.5″ H, 12″ D, 18″ W.
• Cap: 3″ H, 16″ D, 22″ W.
• Granular disintegration on horizontal surfaces with Class II weathering.
• Footstone: “Mr. Jno W. CLAY”
• Small tablet 6″ H, 2″ d, 7.75″ W.

262. Jennie Hammond Clay
b. 1/10/1862     d. 4/20/1920

“Mother;” “She hath done what she could and is waiting in glory for you”

• Death certificate “Mattie Jeannette Clay”.
• Death certificate: Lived at 20 Bixby Street at the time of her death from myocarditis, chronic asthma, and bronchitis.
• Wife of John W. Clay, #261.
• Incised Roman lettering on top (‘Father”) and raised Roman lettering on face.
  Decorated with sprigs of ivy and of oak coming from rolled scroll.
• Marble die on base and cap.
• Die: 30″ H, 8″ D, 13.5″ W.
• Base: 7″ H, 11.5″ D, 18″ W.
• Cap: 9″ H, 16.5″ D, 22″ W.
• Granular disintegration on horizontal surfaces with Class II to III weathering.
• Footstone: “Mrs. Jno. W. CLAY”
•  Small tablet 7″ H, 2″ D, 8″ W.
• Found buried and broken off from buried portion, re-installed adjacent to stub.

263. Marked Child’s Grave.
b. ? / ? / ?     d. ? / ? / ?

• Cement ledger, 42″ Long, 22″ Wide, 1″ High.
• Small cement headstone, no inscription.
• Immediately adjacent to the Parker’s grave, assumed to be their child.

264. Thomas and Florainda Parker
Wife   b. 5/2/1849     d. 10/9/1909
Husband   b. 4/30/1845     d. 3/27/1921

“Their toils are past, their work is done. They fought the fight-the victory won”

• Shared vault with footstones reversed from headstone name placement.
• Footstones initialed “T.C.P.” and “F.P.” and are reversed from headstone.
• Vault cover is four triangular pieces of concrete forming a shallowly peaked roof 99.5″ Long, 86.5″ Wide, 4″ High.
• He is a “blacksmith” in the 1880 Census.
• Marble peaked die (27.5″ H, 8″ D, 30″ W) on base (13″ H, 12″ D, 34″ W).
• Ivy leaves over mother’s side, oak leaves over father’s side. Space between individual names and dates has Grecian vase with jonquils in it and maple leaves around vase base.
• Base has “Mother” and “Father” in raised Roman lettering, as are names and dates. Sentiment is in incised italics.
• Granular disintegration horizontally with Class II weathering.
• A crudely made cement sidewalk leads from the cemetery’s centerline to the Parker graves.

 265. Unmarked sunken grave.

• Exhumed.
• Cement headstone socket remains nearby.

 266. Unmarked sunken grave.

• Exhumed.
• Cement headstone socket remains nearby.

 267. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 81″ High, 42″ Wide, 4-6″ Deep.

268. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 86″ High, 42″ Wide.

269. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 84″ High, 42″ Wide, 4-6″ Deep.

270. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 85″ High, 38″ Wide.

 271. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 84″ High, 38″ Wide.

272. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 83″ High, 51″ Wide.
• Paired with 273.

273. Unmarked sunken grave.

• 78″ High, 51″ Wide.
• Paired with 272.

Clay Surround

• Surround dimensions east 25′, north 20′ 4″, west 25.5′, south 20′ 2″.
• Made of cast cement.
• Each corner has pedestal with raised Roman “C” on horizontal surface.
• Contains large “Clay” family stone and markers for John Allen Clay, Nannie Lou Clay, Willie M. Smith, John W. Clay, and Jennie Hammond Clay.

274. S.E. Corner.

• Faces east.

275. N.E. Corner.

• Faces east.

276. N.W. Corner.

• Faces east.

277. S.W. Corner.

• Faces west, only one not facing east.

Marston Surround

• Surround dimensions east 20′ 5″, north 13′ 1″, west 20′ 1″, south 13′ 5″.
• Each corner has pedestal with raised Roman “M” on horizontal surface.
• East and west sides have unmarked marble pedestal at approximate midpoint.
• Only two graves, Lila Lee and Ruthie Frank Marston (both young children), are in the northern portion of the plot. Possible gravestone fragments are entrapped within a tree trunk within the plot.
• Informal rock fragments outline sides of plot containing graves.
• Several possible gravestone fragments at base of large tree in plot’s SE corner.

278. S.E. Corner.

• Faces south, only one that doesn’t face east.

 

279. N.E. Corner.

• Faces east.

280. N.W. Corner.

• Faces east.

281. S.W. Corner.

• Faces east.

Documented Burials Without Gravestones

Based on local newspaper obituaries and death notices, State of Georgia death certificates, and Franklin Garret’s Necrology (1931) which give the place of burial as “Clay Cemetery” or “Clay Burial Grounds” in Kirkwood.

James C. Burke
1/4/1914

• Clay Street residence
• Funeral at Church of Immaculate Conception

Anna Clay
2/16/1910

• Aged 53 years.
• Married to John Clay, resided at 158 Wylie Street.
• Also survived by three sisters.

Florid B. Clay
8/22/1888 – 7/15/1890

Green B. Clay
1820 – 5/21/1886

Ida Clay
2/17/1915

• Age 33

Infant Clay
3/19/1912

• Parents Mr. & Mrs. G.F. Clay

Jesse Clay, Sr.
1792 – 2/1/1871

Maggie West Clay
4/1/1920

• Age 31 at the time of her death from pulmonary tuberculosis.
• For unknown reasons Maggie Clay had two death certificates.
• Lived on Cleveland, married to H.A. Clay.

Margaret E. Clay
10/17/1848 – 2/13/1924

• Lived in Haralson County at the time of her death from mitral insufficiency.

Susannah M. Clay
6/1/1923

• Widow of Jesse W. Clay Jr. (Cleveland Clay’s brother) who died serving at the battle of Vicksburg during the Civil War.
• Lived in nearby Panthersville

W.D. Clay
4/3/1922

• Age 17

Will D. Clay
4/20/1914

• Age 32
• 374 State Street.
• Died in private sanitarium some time after injuries received in a 2-3 story fall working at Butler Street, near Grady Hospital.
• Survived by his wife, five children, and a sister

William E. Pylant
4/2/1883 – 9/8/1912

Eliza Webb
12/23/1860 – 1/7/1924

• Died at Grady Hospital of 2nd and 3rd degree burns after her dress caught fire from a match dropped on the floor.
• A housewife.

 REFERENCES

1. Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events (1954)
   Franklin Miller Garrett
   University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia
2. Atlanta City Directories (1887, 1888, 1889, 1918, 1923, 1926)
   Various Publishers
   Dekalb History Center, Dekalb County, Georgia
3. Atlanta City Survey (1928)
   City of Atlanta Mapping Division
   Georgia State University Library, Atlanta, Georgia
4. Atlanta Journal Constitution
   (1905, 1909, 1910, 1914, 1915, 1920, 1921, 1923)
   Death Notices & Obituaries
   Online Archives
5. Clay Cemetery Master Document
   (2013 – Unpublished)
   Clay Cemetery Committee, Kirkwood Neighbors Organization, Atlanta, Georgia
6. Clay Cemetery Necrology (4/28/1931)
   Franklin Miller Garrett
   Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, Georgia
7. State of Georgia Death Certificates (Various)
   State of Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records
   Georgia Archives, University of Georgia: Virtual Vault Website
8. Dekalb County Survey (1860)
   Walter P. McCurdy, J.D.
   Dekalb History Center, Dekalb County, Georgia
9. Deposition of Cleveland Clay (12/1/1896)
   Abstract of Property of J.H. Pearce
   Cleveland Clay (Son of Jesse Clay)
   Dekalb County, Georgia: Courthouse Records
10. Georgia Civil War Soldier Index
    Georgia Archives, University of Georgia: Virtual Vault Website
    http://cdm.georgiaarchives.org:2011/cdm/
11. Green Clay Estate Plat & Subdivision Map (1891)
    Dekalb County, Georgia: Courthouse Records
12. History of the 42nd Regiment, Georgia Volunteers, Confederate States Army, Infantry (1900)
    William Lowndes Calhoun, Sisson Print
    Digital Copy, University of California Library
    http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b61817;view=1up;seq=5
13. Jesse Clay Estate Plat & Subdivision Map (1871)
    Dekalb County, Georgia: Courthouse Records
14. Jesse Clay Sr. Geneology
    2008 (Unpublished)
    Will Johnson
15. Kirkwood Clay Family Geneology
    (2013 – Unpublished)
    Clay Cemetery Committee, Kirkwood Neighbors Organization, Atlanta, Georgia
16. Kirkwood City Maps (1915)
    City of Kirkwood
    Private Collection
17. Preservation Assessment of the Clay Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia (2011)
    Chicora Research Contribution 536
    Chicora Foundation, Columbia, South Carolina
18. Siege of Atlanta, Ga. (8/26/1864)
    Engineer Bureau, War Department, Capt. C.W. Poe
    Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
19. South Kirkwood Property Map (1892)
    Atlanta Suburban Land Company
    Dekalb County, Georgia: Courthouse Records
20. United States Census
    (1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930)
    United States Bureau of Census
    Online Archives
21. United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, Atlanta & Environs (1930)
    United States Coast and Geodetic Survey and City of Atlanta Mapping Division
    Emory University: MARBL Historic Map Collection
22. The Upland South Folk Cemetery Complex: Some Suggestions of Origin
    Jeane, D. Gregory
23. Cemeteries and Gravemarkers: Voices of American Culture (1989)
    Ed. Richard E. Meyer. Ann Arbor: UMI Research Press
24. White Flight in the Kirkwood Neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia (2002)
    Chad Hoge
    Unpublished Paper, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia