The Freedmen's Mission Historic Cemetery, at the corner of Booker and College, is a historic African-American burial ground on the campus of Knoxville College in Tennessee, United States.[1] The Freedmen's Mission Historic Cemetery is the burial place of several notable black Knoxvillians including "Caslers, Becks, Greens," teachers, the town's first black doctors, and several people who were formerly enslaved by Andrew Johnson, the 17th U.S. President.[2] The cemetery, which has about 190 known graves, was previously known as Knoxville College Cemetery, College Street Cemetery, and First United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.[3][4][5]
| Freedmen's Mission Historic Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Established | Between 1877 and 1900 |
| Location | Knoxville College in Tennessee |
It is unknown when the cemetery was established but presumed to be between 1877 and 1900.[5] The oldest grave with a marked headstone dates to 1904.[5] The Knoxville College Cemetery Association was organized in 1900 to maintain the site.[1] However, as descendants of the dead left Knoxville over the decades, by the early 21st century the cemetery was suffering badly as a result of neglect and vandalism.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "Cemetery Group Slates Cleanup". The Knoxville Journal. 1956-05-26. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ Brown, Fred (2023-06-24). "Significance of this date recorded mainly in hearts; Researchers seek more (Part 1 of 1)". Local section, Appalachian Journal column. The Knoxville News-Sentinel. p. B1. Page image 22. Retrieved 2023-06-24 – via Newspapers.com. & "Journal (Part 2 of 2)". 2003-08-10. p. B2.
- ^ Staff (2014-07-20). "Knoxville's Freedmen's Mission Historic Cemetery topic of Tuesday lecture". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ "KGIS Gazetteer: Cemeteries Graveyards of Knoxville and Knox County, TN" (PDF). 2022.
- ^ a b c d The Knoxville News-Sentinel, February 26, 2003, Page N1 Neighbors section. via Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-knoxville-co/127977135/ : accessed July 10, 2023), clip page for Knoxville College Cemetery in sad state