PALM TREE M. E. CHURCH CEMETERY

A Short Sketch of Palm Tree Church

The Palm Tree M. E. Church South is a rural church situated in No. 9
Township, Cleveland County, N.C. one mile southwest of Lawndale and nine
miles northwest of Shelby on the northwest side of Lawndale-Polkville
Highway. The elevation is high and in plain view of the South
Mountains. It is surrounded by a grove of twenty-two oaks and seven
pines with beautiful shrubbery on either side. Palm Tree Church was
first built in 1795; rebuilt in 1844 with a balcony for slaves; re built
1875; rebuilt in 1891 and rebuilt in 1928. The present building is of
brick. There is a flight of six steps extending across the entire front
about fifty feet in length with three large oak-panel entrance doors.
Including the Sunday School Department at the rear, the building is
about eighty-five feet long. The back part of the church is thirty by
fifty feet, three stories high, and is used for the Sunday School. It
is equipped with steam heat, water and lights. In the main auditorium
there are two twos of electric chandeliers, a total of eight. It has
two rows of nice wooden pews, fourteen in a row, with an elevated choir
of twenty-four seats. The windows are of stained glass, nine of which
are memorial windows containing the names of the following persons:
Mrs. M. S. Wallace; Mr. & Mrs. B. Y. McMurry; Frederick Grigg, founder
of First Methodist Church, 1795; Mr. & Mrs. E. P. Shuford; Mr. & Mrs. G.
f. Lee; Mr. & Mrs. D. W. Jones; Mr. & Mrs. Henry Schenck; Mr. & Mrs. W.
H. Williams; and Rev. C. R. Canipe. According to the bulletin board,
the Sunday School enrollment on May 4th, 1939 was 206. The offering
$8.79, with an attendance of 113.

-- A. G. Melton, worker - Date of survey: May 9, 1939

Inscriptions:

Willis, Cecil Mercurson, son of
 J. R. & J. J. Willis
D. Nov. 2, 1902
Aged: 3 years, 6 months, 8 days

Crowder, Julia A., wife of
 J. W. Crowder
D. April 18, 1876
Aged: 57 years

Crowder, John W.
Co. F. 56 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
B. Oct. 29, 1827
D. Aug. 22, 1911

Beaty, Robert W.
N.C. - Cook, 90 Coast Art. Corps
May 31, 1917
(Govt. Marker)

Justice, Mary Jane, wife of
 J. T. Justice
B. Dec. 19, 1841
D. Aug. 8, 1913
Aged: 71 years, 7 months, 19 days

Shuford, C. Ella, wife of
 J. M. Shuford
B. Dec. 1, 1866
D. Feb. 4, 1900
Aged: 33 years, 2 months, 3 days

Williams, W. H.
B. Jan. 25, 1842
D. May 20 or 29, 1923 [Typed over;
 Illegible.]
(C.S.A.) on an Iron Cross

Williams, Dovie Smith, wife of
 W. H. Williams
B. Feb. 5, 1851
D. June 29, 1926

Blanton, Ethel Carr, daughter of
 E. W. & F. E. Blanton
D. May 10, 1899
Aged: 1 year, 8 months, 15 days

Ward, M. Williams
B. June 22, 1889
D. Feb. 27, 1917

Heffner, Anna E.
B. April 14, 1869
D. June 18, 1921

Cloniger, Fred A.
B. Oct. 6, 1906
D. July 8, 1907

Killmeryer, Edward [per text]
B. April 22, 1844
[No other data.]

Killmeyer, Rosa C.
B. Aug. 8, 1866
D. Sept. 2, 1932

Richard, Clara Lee, daughter of
 H. G. & D. C. Richard
D. May 12, 1912
Aged: 1 year, 4 months, 1 day

Carter, Martha Elvena, daughter of
 J. F. & M. M. Carter
B. Oct. 18, 1908
D. Oct. 1909
Aged: 11 months, 14 days

Carter, Laura Burtan, daughter of
 J. F. & M. M. Carter
B. April 4, 1917
D. Oct. 31, 1918

Hicks, Francis Gold, wife of
 Durham [Hicks]
B. 1836
D. 1917

McMurry, Bartlett Y.
Co. F. 56 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
B. Sept. 21, 1829
D. Oct. 4, 1907

Duncan, Charlie Preston, son of
 P. P. & S. B. Duncan
D. June 16, 1884
Aged: 6 months, 25 days

Duncan, P. P.
B. Mar. 7, 1850
D. Feb. 10, 1929

Duncan, Sallie Swezzy [Sweezy ?],
 wife of P. P. Duncan
B. Mar 30, 1851
D. Mar. 28, 1931

Williams, Osborn
D. Jan. 28, 1888
Aged: 69 years

Grigg, Mary L., wife of
 P. D. Grigg
B. Aug. 17, 1846
D. June 15, 1890
Aged: 43 years, 9 months, 27 days

McMurry, Mary Lou Ella, daughter of
 C. K. & S. L. McMurry
D. Dec. 19, 1896
Aged: 1 year, 2 months, 14 days

McMurry, Zulia A., daughter of
 B. Y. & M. N. McMurry
B. July 27, 1879
D . July 27, 1896
Aged: 19 years, 4 months, 17 days

Ford, Maggie J., wife of
 O. E. Ford
D. Sept. 16, 1887
Aged: 18 years, 6 months, 17 days

Peeler, James
Co. C. I. N.C. Art. C.S.A.
D. Aug. 17, 1914
Aged: 69 years, 6 months, 29 days

Peeler, John
B. Dec.6, 1805
D. June 9, 1893
Aged: 87 years, 6 months, 3 days

Peeler, Sarah
B. Oct. 6, 1836
D. Nov. 15, 1915

Hicks, Susanah Wilson, wife of
 Francis Y. Hicks
B. Sept. 21, 1839
D. Dec. 18, 1906

Hicks, Francis Y.
2nd Lieut. Co. B. 49 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
B. Mar. 25, 1838
D. July 12, 1912

Jones, Mary Susan, wife of
 H. F. Jones
B. Feb. 9, 1870
D. July 28, 1900
Aged: 30 years, 4 months, 19 days

Ford, Sallie M., wife of
 O. E. Ford
B. July 24, 1857
D. May 1, 1910

Lee, Robert Hugh, son of
 T. M. & Amanda Lee
D. Dec. 3, 1911
Aged: 1 year, 4 months, 23 days

Peeler, Clarance A., son of
 J. W. & Anna Peeler
B. Oct. 30, 1905
D. Oct. 31, 1909

Jones, H. F.
Co. E. 12 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
B. Nov. 19, 1849
D. Oct. 28, 1924

Hoyle, Mary Waters, daughter of
 D. R. & M. D. Hoyle
B. Dec. 20, 1875
D. Mar. 12, 1898
Aged: 22 years, 2 months, 22 days

Philbeck, N. Martha, wife of
 J. P. Philbeck
B. Mar. 29, 1844
D. July 8, 1909
Aged: 65 years, 3 months, 9 days

Grigg, Mary E.
B. Nov. 2, 1858
D. Nov. 27, 1902

London, Laura F.
B. July 2, 1847
D. Mar. 28, 1901
Aged: 53 years, 8 months, 26 days

Grigg, Spencer M.
B. Dec. 20, 1811
D. Mar. 16, 1894
Aged: 82 years, 2 months, 27 days

Shuford, Rosanna Jane, wife of
 E. P. Shuford
B. Mar. 28, 1835
D. Dec. 30, 1910

Shuford, Elip. [Eli P. ?]
Co. F. 56 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
B. April 21, 1826
D. May 27, 1899
Aged: 73 years, 1 month, 6 days

Wilson, Dargan
B. Nov. 11, 1878
D. July 17, 1913
Aged: 34 years, 8 months, 6 days
"Dargan was true to all and will never
 be forgotten by his loved ones."

McMurry, John J.
B. Nov. 13, 1882
D. Mar. 4, 1907
Aged: 24 years, 3 months, 21 days

McMurry, Saml.
B. Jan. 30, 1862
D. July 15, 1898

Crowder, Col. J. W.
B. Aug. 18, 1846
D. June 12, 1901
Aged: 54 years, 9 months, 24 days

Crowder, Jerrel J.
D. Sept. 17, 1849
Aged: 33 years, 4 months, 7 days

Crowder, Anne, wife of
 J. J. Crowder
D. Aug. 25, 1849
Aged: 30 years, 6 months

Jones, Maggie C., wife of
 H. P. Jones
B. Oct. 21, 1856
D. April 16, 1894
Aged: 37 years, 5 months, 25 days

Richards, B. Frank, son of
 T. B. & R. B. Richards
D. Dec. 19, 1898
Aged: 2 years, 4 months, 9 days

Rollins, Rev. V. C.
D. 1890
Aged: 34 years, 11 months, 16 days

Rollins, Clarence P., son of
 O.D. & T. C. Rollins
D. July 22, 1900
Aged: 14 years, 8 months, 22 days

Rollins, O.
B. June 26, 1859
D. Dec. 9, 1901
Aged: 42 years, 5 months, 13 days

Lackey, Ruth L., daughter of
 . F. & D. F. Lackey
B. Jan. 28, 1910
D. April 17, 1910

Rollins, Sue Curtis, daughter of
 O. O. & F. C. Rollins
B. Feb. 11, 1900
D. June 22, 1902

Eaker, Clarence Loyal, son of
 J. F. & J. P. Eaker
B. Sept. 16, 1902
D. Nov. 20, 1907

Peeler, John
B. Jan. 19, 1828
D. Dec. 29, 1896

Rollins, G. L.
(No dates)

Propst, Rachel Rebecca, wife of
 J. D. Propst [John Henry Propst]
[Full name Elizabeth Rachel
 Rebecca Sisk Propst]
B. May 4, 1844
D. Jan. 9, 1899
Aged: 54 years, 8 months, 2 days

Propst, Johnie Hellen, daughter of
 J. H. & R. R. Propst
D. Mar. 20, 1894
Aged: 15 years, 10 months, 25 days

Waters, Matilda
D. Sept. 28, 1853
Aged: 27 years, 9 months, 3 days

Waters, Mary
B. Dec. 25, 1796
D. June 20, 1876
Aged: 79 years, 5 months, 25 days

Waters, Elvary
B. Dec. 16, 1825
D. Jan. 23, 1900
Aged: 74 years, 1 month, 7 days

Waters, Nancy
B. Feb. 8, 1821
D. Mar. 18, 1910

Waters, Capt. A. G.
"Who fell on the Battle of J_____
 Mill near Richmond, Va.
June, 27, 1862."

Copeland, Willis A.
D. May 9, 1893
Aged: 17 years, 10 months, 21 days

Copeland, Carrie Louise, daughter of
 O. O. & L. L. Copeland
B. Nov. 23, 1908
D. Aug. 18, 1916

Copeland, Susan L., wife of
  J. T. Copeland
D. Dec. 2, 1924
Aged: 24 years

Crowder, P. D., wife of
 W. N. Crowder
B. Dec. 30, 1832
D. Dec. 27, 1909

Dycus, Eliza R., daughter of
 W. E. & N. J. Dycus
B. Mar. 7, 1887
D. May 24, 1888

Digh, Infant son of
 Jas. & Margaret Digh
D. July 2, 1900
Aged: 8 days

Digh, Infant daughter of
 Jas. & Margaret Digh
D. Aug. 1882

Toilley, Mrs. Anna (Broken), wife of
 G. R. Toilley
D. Oct. 1852
Aged: 33 years, 2 months, 18 days

Johnson, Elizabeth, wife of
 Rev. David Johnson
D. May 5, 1848
Aged: 41 years

McShela, Mar. Mary
D. June 18, 1841
[No other data.]

"S.R.W.P.I.S.R.T. 1832"
(On native rock, worker, Forest Williams.)

Lee, Charlie L., son of
 C. F. & S. L. Lee
D. Sept. 24, 1892
Aged: 1 yr., 6 mos., 1 day

Lee, Infant
D. Mar. 19, 1893
Aged: 13 days

Lee, Infant son of
 G. F. & S. E. Lee
D. June 13, 1894
Aged: 20 days

Carter, Lester Z., son of
 H. R. & N. A. Carter
B. Jan. 7, 1892
D. July 13, 1892

London, Mary Jane
B. 1836
D. Dec. 24, 1910
Aged: 74 years

London, A. J.
B. April 22, 1831
D. Aug. 3, 1906
Aged: 75 years, 3 months, 11 days

Jones, Mary Lizzie, daughter of
 D. W. & M. Jones
B. July 21, 1886
D. Nov. 7, 1900

Jones, D. W.
B. Aug. 7, 1852
D. July 28, 1916

Jones, Sallie Hoyle, wife of
 C. D. Jones
B. Mar. 13, 1868
D. Jan. 23, 1910
Aged: 41 years, 10 months, 10 days

Jones, C. D.
D. Dec. 16, 1860
Aged: 33 years, 1 month, 3 days

Ford, Florence Sue, daughter of
 O. E. & M. ford
B. July 8, 1891
D. July 1, 1891
(Dates reversed)

Jones, Robert, Father
B. Feb. 1818
D. Feb. 1889

Jones, Jane, Mother
B. Jan. 20, 1820
D. Feb. 11, 1907

Warlock, Absalom
"Grandpa & Grandma" on one marker
B. May 1785
D. Feb. 1873
 /
Warlick, Sallie
B. Sept. 1783
D. Sept. 1856

Warlick, Matilda
D. Nov. 27, 1844
Aged: 32 years, 14 days

Warlick, Lawson D.
D. Dec. 15, 1844
Aged: 21 years, 7 months, 4 days

Warlick, Franklin D.
D. Dec. 15, 1844
Aged: 28 years

Magness, Samuel
B. July 8, 1836
D. July 23, 1880

Magness, Esther
B. Dec.19, 1810
D. Oct. 4, 1894

London, Elizabeth
D. Nov. 1878 (Indistinct)

London, Uncle Johnny
D. 1894
Aged: 82 years

London, Mahala Jane, wife of
 D. D. London
B. May 25, 1836
D. July 5, 1895

Covington, Sarah E., wife of
 R. G. Covington
B. Sept. 20, 1857
D. April 4, 1901
Aged: 43 years, 6 months, 14 days

Grigg, Sarah Jane
B. Mar.14, 1829
D. Sept. 27, 1883

Grigg, T. C.
Co. F. 56 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
(Govt. marker & no dates)

Grigg, Thomas Goode
B. Dec. 7, 1822
D. May 1, 1900

Canipe, Mrs. M. A.
D. Jan. 18, 1939
Aged: 78 years, 10 months 11 days
(Funeral marker)

Canipe, Margaret A., wife of
 M. A. Canipe
B. Feb. 5, 1852
D. Aug. 10, 1905

Canipe, Mary E., wife of
 M. A. Canipe
B. Mar. 7, 1843
D. Feb.19, 1894

Canipe, Rev. C. R.
B. Feb. 9, 1877
D. July 15, 1919

Reed, Susannah
D. Feb. 5, 1845
Aged: 32 years, 1 month, 15 days

Reed, William W.
D. June 28, 1855
[No other data.]

Grigg, Rachel Ann, wife of
 C. I. Grigg
B. Feb. 22, 1866
D. April 5, 1897

Grigg, Susan, wife of
 G. I. Grigg
B. Aug. 26, 1873
D. Sept. 13, 1906

Grigg, Martha Jane
B. Oct. 21, 1844
D. July 25, 1909

Grigg, Alfred G.
B. Feb. 1847
D. Mar. 1887

Lee, Robert O.
B. Feb. 28, 1863
D. Nov. 16, 1889
Aged: 21 years, 8 months, 18 days

Lee, Hester R. daughter of
 W. C. & M. L. Lee
D. Sept. 28, 1887
Aged: 18 years, 18 days

Lee, George
B. June 29, 1866
Ed. July 18, 1890

Lee, Mary L., wife of
 W. C. Lee
B. Aug. 15, 1837
D. Mar. 28, 1905

Crowder, Barbara
B. May 5, 1828
D. May 5, 1906
Aged: 78 years, 6 months

Crowder, Eunice J.
B. Aug. 13, 1829
D. July 10, 1876

Crowder, R. W.
"Killed in battle of Manassas-
 grave unknown."
Aug. 27, 1862
 /
Crowder, Robert W.
Sgt. Co. F. 34 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
(Govt. Marker)
[Are these two listings the
 same individual?]

London, D. D.
Co. F. 24 N.C. Inf. C.S.A.
(Govt. Marker)
B. May 25, 1856
D. July 10, 1917

Queen, Infant daughters of
 C. & M. J. Queen
B. & D. April 25, 1888__
 & Mar. 12, 1892 (Literal)

Oats, J. M.
B. May 30, 1871
D. June 1, 1899
Aged: 28 years, 1 day

Barber, John L., Father
B. April 20, 1846
D. June 7, 1900

Barber, Martha A., Mother
B. April 29, 1851
D. Dec. 15, 1924

Evans, Eunice E.
D. June 10, 1900
Aged: 2 years, 9 months, 15 days

Evans, Infant son of
 J. M. & L. E. Evans
D. Aug. 28, 1899
Aged: 1 year, 9 days

Evans, Ocy Alberta
D. July 13, 1902
Aged: 9 years, 4 months, 28 days

White, Thelma
D. June 30, 1933
(Funeral marker)

Reinhardt, L. F.
B. Nov.6, 1850
D. Oct. 4, 1926

Reinhardt, Artie, son of
 L. E. & M. C. Reinhardt
D. Dec. 27, 1897
Aged: ___ months

Reinhardt, Logan E.
B. Oct. 8, 1882
D. April 15,1934

Smart, Cora Elsie
B. June 4, 1898
Aged: 1 year, 6 months, 1 day

Blackburn, W. M. D.
B. Oct.12, 1834
D. June 11, 1916

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This cemetery is among the many Cleveland cemeteries included on the Cleveland Count WPA Cemeteries CD,
copyrighted 2008, by Ann K. Propst and Derick S. Hartshorn.
All listings and cemeteries listings were made prior to 1940 and represent the conditions of that time.
All information has been donated to the NCGenWeb Project but authors retain copyright protection under law.
It may be referenced and briefly exerpted under the universal fair use doctrine.
For a copy of the complete Cleveland County WPA Cemetery Survey CD, see http://www.hartshorn.us/CWPA.htm