I love going to cemeteries! Even if I don't have any family members buried in a particular cemetery, I still love to wander through and read the names, dates and epitaphs on the stones of those who have gone before us. I prefer it when the cemetery is well kept, without the stickers, tall grass and occasional snake that sometimes we find in the more remote cemeteries.
One cemetery that was especially interesting to visit was the McLean Family Cemetery in Lawrence County, Tennessee. I have written a little about this cemetery before, https://regnirpsstories.blogspot.com/2019/04/out-of-place-margaret-rebecca-mclean.html.
As part of our trip in 1991, my mom and I visited Lawrence County and went to the McLean cemetery. The directions we received were basically,
So, I climbed through the barbed wire fence into the pasture and proceeded, with caution, toward the cemetery. I was not sure about the cows, and the way they were looking at me, I guess they weren't sure what to make of me, either! Once I was inside the gate, I felt a little more comfortable, since I knew they couldn't get any closer than the fence. I looked around and saw some beautiful old markers.
So I went a little closer.
These were the markers for my 4th great grandparents, Samuel McLean, and his wife, Elizabeth (Irvine) McLean. They were beautiful stones and read:
I am grateful for the efforts that have been made to preserve the information, photos and the actual grave sites and stones for my extended family all over the country. I find it extremely rewarding to find these remembrances of my ancestors and especially fulfilling to visit and pause for a moment of reflection at their graves.
'Til Next Time!
#52Ancestors
One cemetery that was especially interesting to visit was the McLean Family Cemetery in Lawrence County, Tennessee. I have written a little about this cemetery before, https://regnirpsstories.blogspot.com/2019/04/out-of-place-margaret-rebecca-mclean.html.
As part of our trip in 1991, my mom and I visited Lawrence County and went to the McLean cemetery. The directions we received were basically,
From Lawrenceburg, take Highway 64E to Gimlet Road. Turn left onto this road and go around a curve. Just past the curve there is a house on the left side of the road. Turn by this house, which will be the first road to your left (Beuerlein Lane). Cross the creek and follow the road between two houses and up a hill. The cemetery is on your right on a little rise in the middle of a pasture...
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| https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/15495/mclean-cemetery#view-photo=6572375 |
We found the cemetery and, as promised, it was up on a small hill, surrounded by a cow pasture and several cows!
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| Personal Photo 1991 |
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| Personal Photo 1991 |
So, I climbed through the barbed wire fence into the pasture and proceeded, with caution, toward the cemetery. I was not sure about the cows, and the way they were looking at me, I guess they weren't sure what to make of me, either! Once I was inside the gate, I felt a little more comfortable, since I knew they couldn't get any closer than the fence. I looked around and saw some beautiful old markers.
So I went a little closer.
These were the markers for my 4th great grandparents, Samuel McLean, and his wife, Elizabeth (Irvine) McLean. They were beautiful stones and read:
In Memory of Samuel McLean, Born Jany 27th, 1775. Departed this Life April 10th 1859, Aged 75 years, 2 months and 14 days.
In Memory of Elizabeth McLean, Consort of Samuel McLean, Born Sept 28th 1778, Departed this Life July 28th 1846. Aged 67 years and 10 months.
And, according to the description of the cemetery, I was also standing on the property and home place of Samuel and Elizabeth. It was an awesome feeling!
Along with many other children, Samuel and Elizabeth had a daughter, Margaret Rebecca McLean, who had married Stephanes Busby on December 18, 1839. You can read more about her in the first link above. She had moved out west with her children after her parents and husband had died. I found the grave of her husband here, with her parents.
It read:
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| Personal Photo 1991 |
In Memory of Stephanes Busby, Born Feby 12, 1812, Died March 13, 1875.
This was the marker for my 3rd great grandfather!
There are several other markers, and some unmarked graves.
There are several other markers, and some unmarked graves.
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| Personal Photos 1991 |
Most were aunts, uncles and cousins of the McLean family. The Find-a-Grave site has more photos of graves https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/15495/mclean-cemetery. You can also visit this site, http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/lawcotncemeteries5/, for additional information, directions and photos of various stones. There is also a printed list of burials in this family cemetery here: http://home.lorettotel.net/~lcarchives/mcleancem1.htm.
After visiting, remembering, taking photos and trying to stay out of the highest weeds, I went back through the cow pasture toward my car. The cows were still gathered around the stock tank, trying to stay cool and were not bothered in the least by my presence. I guess I was not the first, or will be the last, to invade their feeding ground to pay respects to long lost loved ones.
After visiting, remembering, taking photos and trying to stay out of the highest weeds, I went back through the cow pasture toward my car. The cows were still gathered around the stock tank, trying to stay cool and were not bothered in the least by my presence. I guess I was not the first, or will be the last, to invade their feeding ground to pay respects to long lost loved ones.
I am grateful for the efforts that have been made to preserve the information, photos and the actual grave sites and stones for my extended family all over the country. I find it extremely rewarding to find these remembrances of my ancestors and especially fulfilling to visit and pause for a moment of reflection at their graves.
'Til Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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