Zion Hill Colored Baptist Church and Cemetery
Zion Hill Cemetery is a cemetery located in Monroe, Georgia on Alcovy Street. The cemetery was created as a “colored cemetery” for the Zion Hill Colored Baptist Church. Church records indicate in 1868, a log cabin was built by George Selman for use as the “Colored People Church.” George Selman was a member of the First Baptist Church of Monr
oe. Slaves had formerly been seated on a rear wall balcony. While George Selman helped to establish the church, the land itself was in his father-law’s name. Deeds indicate Waters Briscoe sold a larger tract of land to a trustee of Zion Hill Colored Baptist Church in 1870. The land was sold to a “colored” man, and his name is noted on several deeds as Cyrus Briscoe. Cyrus in turn sold one-fourth of an acre to the Zion Hill Colored Baptist Church, as well as tracts to Violet and Duncan McCoy, Emma Murray, and Etta Hawkins. (Emma Murray sold her tract to Etta Hawkins before she passed.) In 1870, a wooden structure was built next to the log cabin. The church changed its name to Zion Hill Colored Baptist Church. Church records indicate after a few months about 20 people pulled away and formed the “Tabernacle Baptist Church.”
Church records indicate that in 1949, Zion Hill Church reunited with the Tabernacle Baptist Church under the name the First African Baptist Church. The church divided in 1953, and the First African Baptist Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church moved to new locations. The cemetery has remained virtually untouched since the move. The cemetery is located at a short walk to downtown Monroe. Boundary demarcations are indicated by an asphalt parking lot for the surrounding offices, as well as the structure of the old B&B Engine building. (The B&B Engine Building actually rests upon a footstone, which is currently painted blue. We have found fifteen probable burials beneath the pavement.) Deer are often seen grazing amid the graves. Zion Hill Cemetery remains distinguished because of a mix of traditional gravestones and rock markers. Etched markers include an Odd Fellows (three links stone,) an acorns and oak leaves stone, many ivy leaves stones, and others. We have not been able to see all the graves yet… and the latest burial we have found has been 1968. Landscape Type and Significance
The cultural landscape type is a combination of a vernacular site, a historic site, and an ethnographic site. The site demonstrates burial practices of African American people. The site is of local historic value because the land once belonged to Waters Briscoe and George Selman, both significant contributors to Walton County’s growth. It is also significant to note the following: African American women are buried in the cemetery who owned several tracts of land. Emma Murray was born in 1862. She purchased land adjacent to the church, and she purchased multiple tracts of land in Monroe. Easter Crew was born in 1861. She also purchased multiple tracts of land. In the year 1892 she borrowed $200.00 from a Southern Home Building and Loan Association, initially making payments of $1.20 a month, and increasing to $2.00 a month. Easter Crew made a gift of the plot of land she owned on Wayne street to the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Easter owned a boarding house in town. Secondary Significance
A memorial stone placed recently for Mae Murray Dorsey, a victim of the 1946 lynching, rests in a corner of the property. Mae Murray Dorsey is a significant presence, and a secondary period of significance is established because of the event’s impact on the Civil Rights movement. Vegetation and View
Landscape characteristics include native vegetation of magnolia, pine, water oak, and holly. Scuppernongs grow amid the graves and produce an abundance of fruit each year. A county extension agent met us at the site and looked at the trees. Except for one, they are healthy. Because of the damage removal could cause on the gravesites and stones, we are choosing to leave the trees in place. A few lilies are growing on the graves. Heritage cemetery plants include mahonia and yucca. White wooden crosses are a more recent memorial, and many of them show signs of decay. (Note: The crosses do not accurately designate burial locations in many cases. The rocks, however, are more accurate designations.) Friends of Zion Hill Cemetery hopes to place granite markers on all unmarked graves eventually, with the help of grant assistance. A Ground Penetrating Radar survey began in with Phase 1 2021 to accurately assess burial locations for the restoration project. GPR will continue with Phase 2 was completed in 2022. GPS coordinates of probable burials are being mapped. Heritage
Though often denied property rights, the cultural relationship developed with the land allow African Americans to retain a unique identity, a heritage. The GA Code § 36-72-1 protects such a heritage in a determined, fixed manner. The assurance is of a final, finite resting place, and this is the Peace that is granted to all in Georgia. Stewardship
Discussions with the record keeper of the church and cemetery, Deacon Johnny Smith, and several city administrators have inspired a Walton County team interested in preserving the cemetery. Many rural cemeteries are overlooked because they are marked with rocks and bear few gravestones. Gravestones that exist are often difficult to read and are unkempt. The tax assessor shows no address for Zion Hill Cemetery. Because of encroaching Mill District and Downtown developments, immediate action is needed to preserve the historic cemetery. Friends of Zion Hill has organized a stewardship group and created a page, Friends of Zion Hill Cemetery Monroe, Georgia. Currently, we hold two clean-up days a month. Many of the graves are unmarked or marked with rocks. Friends of Zion Hill Cemetery will continue to engage the community in stewardship efforts, preparing the area for the city’s ultimate ownership. Scheduled tasks include the continuous removal of invasive species, the cleaning of gravestones with D/2 solution, and scheduling an archaeologist from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to assess sunken graves (after the site is cleared.) . Broken markers will be documented and repaired. We have seen people from all backgrounds in the community working together… pulling w**ds… discussing dinner plans… discussing traffic… discussing God… discussing history. If we wish to unite our community, we must work together to overcome the obstacles we see in our streets. We may take many cultural divides and create a bridge that unites our community through preservation and stewardship. Stewards are the example. We are the leaders of today and tomorrow. (Elizabeth Jones, College of Environment and Design / Historic Preservation / University of Georgia)
