History Of Cemetery Island

History of Cemetery Island

The site was part of the Jarrett Burch Sr. family farm. He was one of the original settlers of Towns County, dying in 1856 and was buried on his own home place as was the custom in that day (little family cemeteries). The cemetery grew with additions of family members and neighboring residents until there were more than 300 graves in 1941.

With the coming of Lake Chatuge, it was determined that the lake elevation would isolate the cemetery. Hasty preparations were made for relocation and the cemetery was relocated to its present location on Sunnyside (Highway 288) with the exception of about 2 dozen graves whose families denied permission for removal. A few graves were moved to other locations, but the vast majority was relocated to the present-day Burch Cemetery. If a grave had no family members to approve or disapprove, it was automatically moved by "permission of the cemetery trustees."

More on Jarrett Burch Sr. and his wife Milly Pinson who were married on June 19, 1805 in Pendleton District South Carolina by the Rev. Isaiah Stephens, Pastor of Shoal Creek Church. Milly Pinson, born in 1787 in Spartanburg County South Carolina, was a daughter of war veteran Rev. Joseph Pinson and his wife, Margery, a granddaughter of the Rev. Aaron and Elizabeth Pinson who died in Laurens County SC during her late teen-age years. Jarrett Burch Sr., born in 1782 in NC, was a son of Henry and Susannah Burch of Rockingham County, NC and Pendleton County SC and grew up in a household devoted to civic affairs.

An interesting story about the relocation of the cemetery is that when the remains were being exhumed, Mr. Worth Hooper’s body was found petrified from the waist up. Another interesting story is that Mr. Canary McConnell, who had lost a leg in a sawmill accident, had had his leg buried in the cemetery. Upon relocation of the cemetery, he went to the authorities to sign the permission form for removal, giving his relationship to the deceased as “owner.”

Polly Simpson, Vice President

Towns County Historical Society

www.townshistory.org

Cemetery Island Clean Report

The clean up of the island was a great success, we had 17 volunteers and a pontoon boat, we spent all day clean the areas around the graves and headstone. The firemen brought chainsaws and removed fallen trees and trees that endangered the headstones. We placed a new stone for Martha Bruch Holmes and repaired several others. We located 9 unmarked graves. Thanks to Shanna with Blairsville Grill furnished sandwiches and fruit for lunch and Pat at Service Masters Sponsored the lunch for us. The following people helpled planned, prepared and were present at the Cemetery Island Clean Up Day November 8, 2008. Thank you for helping perserve this site.

1. Lynne Marshall
2. Polly Simpson
3. Brenda Hunt
4. Joan Crothers
5. Ina Kozesky
6. Dan Simpson
7. Tyler Stephens
8. Brian Roy
9. Kevin Holcomb
10. Cory Ledford
11. Cody Allen
12. John Burch
13. Buford Burch
14. Maryann Bigger
15. Sandra Bradshaw Green
16. Molly Turkal
17. Bill Turkal

Next Monthly Meeting on Nov.10

is at 5:30PM at the Senior Center next to the Courthouse

Cemetery Island Annual Clean Up Nov. 8

It's time for the annual fall boat trip to Cemetery Island, Saturday, November 8, 2008, sponsored by the Towns County Historical Society. This is a working group of Historical Society members and interested members of the public who clear brush from the grave sites still left on the island. We will meet at Boundary Waters dock on Sunnyside at 9:30 a.m., Saturday November 8, 2008 to work for several hours and then go back to the boat to eat lunch and return to the dock. Please bring water and tools (loppers, a shovel, rake, hand saw, whatever you may have), wear heavy shoes or boots, old clothes, and a jacket. Call Ina at 706-896-2995 to make your reservation to join us. Mark your calendar and join us Saturday, November 8 at 9:30 AM

Click here to Join Our Mailing List! P.O. Box 932 Hiawassee, Ga 30546 706-896-1060