Cemetery

        I could write a book or two on all the cemeteries I have visited over the last 10 years, but for this week’s blog I am going to concentrate on two cemeteries in Tennessee that I try to visit every time I make it down there. Why do I keep going back to these two? I get that question a lot. The main reason is it’s just the feeling I get when I set foot there. They are both so peaceful and beautiful, and they just feel comfortable and known to me. 

I first visited these two cemeteries in early August, 2016 with my brother Jim. I had done some research beforehand, and he graciously agreed to accompany me. Both cemeteries are in the picturesque Sequatchie Valley in central Tennessee.

Sequatchie Valley view from Parham Chapel

The Tollett Cemetery is where my Hinch 3rd great grandparents are buried. Their names are John Hinch and Anna Parham. John was born around 1804 in Adair Co. Kentucky, and Anna was born in 1801 in Elbert Co. Georgia. 

Tollett Cemetery sign over the shelter

I don’t know when John moved to Tennessee, but it was before 1824, as he and Anna were married in Bledsoe Co. Tennessee in 1824. Anna moved to Bledsoe Co. TN with her family when she was a child. John bought land there, and farmed for a living. They had 8 children together, and their first born was William Hinch (1826-1909), my 2x great-grandfather,  who is buried in the Hinch Cemetery. 

A view from the Tollett Cemetery

John and Anny’s (or Anna) grave markers in the Tollett Cemetery are so simple and touching, They are in the older section of the cemetery, under a beautiful large tree, and the location looks out onto the peaceful valley below. I honestly could take in that scene for quite a while. If you ever manage to visit there, I know you would appreciate it. The entire cemetery is so pastoral and serene.

my brother Jim standing with headstones of Anny and John Hinch

John Hinch headstone

        His headstone says: John Hinch, was bornd January 4 1804, Dec July 25, 1862, age 58 ys, 7 Mo 29 dy

Anny Hinch headstone

        Her headstone says: Anny Hinch was bornd July the 10, 1801 AD, Dec Mr 1 1852, age 58 yr, 7 mo, 21 days
        (credit Gordon Reed for these two photos. I couldn't get a clear photo)

I wish I had more information on John’s ancestors. The trail is difficult to verify. I have information from sources given to me many years ago, but I would like to do more investigating before I put it out there. I’ll talk about Anna’s ancestors in the next section, the Parham Cemetery.

The Parham Cemetery is just a few miles away from the Tollett Cemetery, and it also has an impressive view of the valley. By the way, the last name is pronounced “pair-um”. In this cemetery rests Anna Parham’s parents, my Parham 4th great grandparents. John (Jack) Parham and Mary (Molly) Shemwell.

Parham Cemetery sign from the road

Parham Cemetery view of the valley below

The first time I saw the memorial grave marker that their descendants had erected in 1968, I know I got pretty misty-eyed. It creates quite an impression, and you really feel that they truly were “Pioneers” to this land. The marker is so long, and with so much information, that it is impossible to get a photo of it in order to read all the detail. So I will show you the photo we took in 2016, and then transcribe some of the information. 

John and Mary Parham memorial marker

  THE PARHAM PIONEERS

    (Jack and Molly)

Father  - John 1764 - 18 Oct 1846. 

Mother - Mary nee Shemwell 1760s - 1840s

Married 4 Sept 1792 in Granville Co. NC

Moved to Elbert Co. GA 1800

  Moved to Bledsoe. Co., now Cumberland Co, TN between 1805 - 1813

(this goes on to list all 6 of their children, the year they were born, they year and who they married. )

Their daughter, my direct ancestor, is shown as follows: Anna b. 1801. m. John Hinch

As with the Tollett Cemetery, we have many other Hinch and other ancestors buried here too. There is so much history and family in this place. In addition to the cemetery, there is also the Parham Chapel a few miles up the road. It was a Methodist church, built in 1907, and even though they don’t hold services there any longer, the building is now used for weddings and other events. In 1906 a descendent of Jack and Molly Parham, William Parham, donated the land to be used for a church, and it was built the following year. 

The Parham Chapel, built in 1907

To conclude, you would think that the Hinch Cemetery, on the slopes of Hinch Mountain would be my favorite, and it certainly is one, but it is becoming much less accessible as time goes on as the road conditions deteriorate. It is still possible to get there, but you would need good weather and a heavy duty vehicle. And, anytime any of my relatives want to see these places, I am up for it. You would really find it worthwhile, I think.