--photo by Leroy Blair, 2001

Nelson Cemetery

(Old Nigger Hill Cemetery)

Georgetown, Arkansas

The first settlement in White County dates from 1789 with the Spanish Grant #2416 to Francis Francure at Georgetown, early known as Nigger Hill, containing 1,361 arpens at the mouth of the Little Red River. This was the second settlement in the state following Arkansas Post. Cloie and Leister E. Presley of the White County Historical Society prepared a listing of the cemetery in 1967. Fifteen years later, Sam and Pauline Cleaver and Pearl Johnson of Georgetown updated the information, then the Cleavers updated again in June 1999 in cooperation with the White County Historical Society. Nelson Cemetery is located a mile and a half west of Georgetown on Highway 36.

"Nelson Cemetery (the land) was given to the people by the Nelsons," Pauline Cleaver said in 1999. "The Georgetown Cemetery was used when the town was cut off by floods between Nelson Cemetery and Georgetown. I do believe the Georgetown Cemetery is the oldest because of the Gosnell dates… Pearl Johnson for years was a midwife and the only ‘doctor’ as they called it for the town most of the time, so she knew people and a lot of history. Our cemeteries are beautiful! Kept up. Come and see them."

Leroy and Ellen Blair of the White County Historical Society visited Nelson Cemetery March 2, 2001. They found 11 tombstones that were not on the last list. They also made a few minor adjustments in the list. "Due to the depressions and mounds and how the graves are scattered, I would guess that are hundreds of unmarked graves in this cemetery," Leroy Blair reported. "The dates on markers do not reflect Georgetown’s age, nor do the ones in Georgetown Cemetery."

(See Oldest Existing Community in Arkansas for more information.)

Where known, maiden names are listed in parenthesis.

If you have corrections or additions to this list or other information on this cemetery, contact the White County Historical Society, P.O. Box 537, Searcy, AR 72145

Abbet, Grandpa - no dates – concrete

Acree, Orpha Neoma (Clements) – July 5, 1930 – August 16, 1991

Acree, J. Arthur – September 8, 1881 – June 14, 1947

Acree, James R. – April 19, 1921 – January 9, 1963 – Indiana S1 U.S. Navy WWII

Acree, Johnny – no dates – concrete

Acree, Steve D. – 1918 – 1988 – 70 years old – funeral home marker

Acree, Willie Lee – concrete broken – no dates – wife of S.D. Acree

Adamson, Rosalee – August 6, 1916 – August 26, 1931 – concrete

Adamson, William – February 16, 1878 –December 29, 1918 – Woodman

Akers, Bessie (Thomas) – November 19, 1909 – November 9, 1998 – on double stone with Lee Akers

Akers, Birtha – October 30, 1903 – November 9, 1903

Akers, B. Dora – January 22, 1877 – November 2, 1907

Akers, George W. – October 10, 1872 – January 19, 1941

Akers, Infant son of Lee & Bessie Akers – September 22, 1934

Akers, Lee – September 27, 1898 – February 10, 1986 – on double stone with Bessie Akers

Akers, Jean Marie – February 16, 1934 – February 1, 1997

Akers, Mary (Little) – February 1, 1893 – July 11, 1970

Baker, James D. – December 7, 1906 – July 23, 1970

Barnes, Carthel – September 25, 1925 – April 8, 1978

Barnes, Lena (Heathscott) – July 4, 1902 – July 8, 1929

Barnes, W.C. – February 16, 1879 – August 11, 1914 – Woodman

Beauchamp, Jahiles S. – February 5, 1875 – January 12, 1915 – Woodman

Bell, George G. – May 13, 1886 – December 17, 1961 – Father – concrete

Bell, Hazane Elizabeth – January 4, 1898 – May 20, 1965 – Mother – concrete

Bell, Johnnie Odean – October 12, 1934 – July 19, 1935

Bell, Mrs. Brinnie – November 25, 1897 - September 14, 1941

Bell, Ois Edmon – no dates – concrete

Bell, Ruth – no dates – concrete

Berryman, Effie E. (Daughter) – November 21, 1894 – September 30, 1930 – on double stone with "Father" James C. Shinaberry

Betts, Allen R. – April 15, 1839 – February 22, 1917 – Co. A. 34 Regt. Ala. Inf. CSA

Bradley, Alex – November 6, 1879 – 1908 – Alex, Betty, Elizzie and Martha Bradley are all on the same stone; originally, concrete markers

Bradley, Betty – 1856 - 1889

Bradley, Bonnie Ruth – January 8, 1940 – June 15, 2001

Bradley, Elizabeth "Elizzie" (Clifton) – April 18, 1878 – 1911

Bradley, George Newton – 1928 – 1928 – original list said "1927 – 60 days old"

Bradley, Infant daughter of Pete & Zelma Bradley – November 5, 1922

Bradley, Martha (England) – 1842 – March 17, 1887

Bradley, Mildred – November 5, 1922 – daughter of Pete and Zelma Bradley

Bradley, Rachel Lance – November 6, 1907 – June 1, 1996

Bradley, Zelma – March 29, 1899 – September 23, 1988

Bridger, John – December 11, 1852 – November 8, 1933

Byerley, Frances – 1923 - 1924 – concrete

Chambers, Alice G. – July 31, 1921 – blank – on double stone with William C. Chambers

Chambers, Alvin Boyd – December 2, 1906 – October 11, 1985

Chambers, Baby – no date – concrete – child of Rosie Chambers

Chambers, Jessie Lucille – May 26, 1914 – June 3, 1992

Chambers, Rosie – November 28, 1888 - August 14, 1928

Chambers, William C. – January 13, 1878 – December 25, 1931

Chambers, William C. – October 4, 1917 – February 24, 1999 – on double stone with Alice G. Chambers

Cheek, Neoma – no dates – concrete

Clay, G.W. – March 10, 1846 – December 19, 1903

Clay, Hannah H. – December 17, 1856 – January 16, 1916

Cleaver, Arthur – September 9, 1884 – February 1, 1972 – on double stone with Julia (Beard) Cleaver

Cleaver, Grover C. – November 8, 1925 – October 5, 1926

Cleaver, James – about 1931 – only date – son of Arthur and Julia Cleaver

Cleaver, Julia (Beard) – November 11, 1899 – May 10, 1971 – on double stone with Arthur Cleaver

Cleaver, Leland - about 1918 – only date – son of Arthur and Julia Cleaver

Cleaver, Theodore R. – March 24, 1931 – November 25, 1931

Clemmer, Burton M. – no dates – concrete

Clemmer, Delilah B. – no dates – concrete

Cooper, Earl Ray – February 9, 1937 – April 7, 1997 – Sgt. U.S. Army, Korea

Cross, Alta – 1910 - 1930 – concrete – Leroy Blair could not find the dates on the concrete in 2001 survey

Denise, Rhonda – September 27, 1979 – one day old

Farris, Marvin – October 8, 1899 – October 27, 1914 – son of I.S. & C. Farris – stone is lying on ground

Ferran, Elizabeth "Lissie" (Clay) – September 5, 1882 – January 13, 1955 – funeral marker lying on ground

Gentry, Anna (Heathscott) – October 19, 1900 – February 18, 1928

Gillespie, Tom – January 9, 1878 – February 22, 1930 – concrete – surveyor unable to find dates on concrete in 2001 survey

Good, George W. – February 22, 1914 – March 21, 1982

Goods, Maggie – September 2, 1878 – September 11, 1948

Green, Edith M. – June 29, 1925 – November 19, 1999

Green, George – no dates – concrete

Green, Paul – March 26, 1919 – March 11, 1985

Griffin, Samuel – August 10, 1888 – January 25, 1910 – son of S.J. & M.F. Griffin – stone is lying on ground

Halliburton, Jim – 1867 – August 28, 1918 – on cement block

Harding – one name only – no dates – concrete

Harris, William V. – January 4, 1875 – January 2, 1915 – Woodman

Heathscott, baby – no dates – child of John and Wilma Heathscott

Heathscott, Hubert – March 19, 1912 – January 28, 2000 – funeral home marker

Heathscott, John – 1913 – 1985 – S1 US Navy WWII – on double stone with Wilma B. Heathscott

Heathscott, John Parker – November 8, 1934 – blank – on double stone with Mary Kathryn (Kay) Heathscott

Heathscott, Mary Kathryn "Kay" – October 9, 1930 – blank – on double stone with John Parker Heathscott

Heathscott, Pearl – April 14, 1883 – March 25, 1931 – on double stone with W.W. Heathscott – Pearl also has a single stone about 25 feet from the double stone

Heathscott, Walter W. – August 26, 1877 – January 29, 1968 – double stone

Heathscott, Wilma B. (Self) – June 21, 1905 – November 10, 1991 – on double stone with John Heathscott

Height, Jesse – 1911 – 1940 – concrete marker

Height, Stella Jossie – October 25, 1911 – May 28, 1940 – funeral home marker

Hill, Rufus B. – March 3, 1935 – only date – Ark. Pvt. 50 Inf. 20 Div.

Hunter, Edward – December 8, 1867 – June 3, 1932 – concrete

Jenkins, George E. – September 10, 1899 – November 29, 1899 – son of I.W. & B.E. Jenkins

Jenkins, I.N. – November 12, 1850 – October 12, 1924

Johnson, Alan – December 7, 1920 – December 9, 1920

Johnson, Aaron Francis – 1858 – July 4, 1910 – husband of Elizabeth

Johnson, Baby – 1926 – concrete

Johnson, Elizabeth (Pruitt) – 1863 – 1915

Kidd, William Ray "W.R." – May 27, 1935 – about two years old

Lance, Algie Lee – August 24, 1924 – December 1, 1987 – U.S. Navy WWII

Lance, Earl Leon – September 29, 1933 – July 6, 1934

Lance, Thomas Edward – December 8, 1900 – May 20, 1985

Lance, Tom Jr. – January 28, 1927 – October 22, 1939

Lane, George – December 11, 1881 – March 7, 1966

Long, Cleaveland – January 7, 1887 – January 1, 1945 – Mason

Long, Nellie Fern – August 17, 1898 – June 22, 1981

Lucas, Baby – no dates – concrete

Lucas, Doris – no dates - infant daughter of Jossie Lucas

Lucas, Mary – December 29, 1905 – May 19, 1936

Lucas, Silvie Jean – July 11, 1937 – December 11, 1937 – concrete

Manion, J.B. – April 3, 1849 – May 1, 1917

Manion, Mary A. – August 3, 1849 – May 1, 1919 – wife of J.B. Manion

Nimmo, infant – no dates – child of Frank and Mable Nimmo

Noble, Billy W. – August 23, 1930 – January 8, 1993 – U.S. Army, Korea

Noble, Shelia Marie – May 27, 1961 – 5 months – funeral marker

Pankey, Cora Lee – March 31, 1931 – only date

Pankey, Louise – no dates – concrete

Pankey, Orville L. – August 10, 1909 – April 29, 1997

Pankey, Suddie Mae – January 9, 1909 – November 13, 1986

Phillips, Hershel – September 19, 1933 – April 5, 1994

Pipkin, Marion J. – August 31, 1918 – October 28, 1944

Roberson, Erba – June 24, 1937 – December 26, 1937

Roberson, Eunice – September 2, 1913 – October 16, 1917

Roberson, Nancy Ruth – May 20, 1904 – October 15, 1915

Roberson, Wesley – March 6, 1874 – July 27, 1940

Roberson, Willie – August 8, 1923 – June 4, 1965

Sebourn, Hazel (Cleaver) – January 25, 1935 – July 9, 1974

Self, William S. – 1874 – 1935

Shelton, Carolyn Auneene – October 20, 1939 – October 20, 1939

Shinaberry, James C. – December 25, 1866 – July 13, 1937 - (Father) – double stone with Delilah J.

Shinaberry, Delilah J. – August 25, 1873 – May 20, 1949 – on double stone with James C. Shinaberry

Sims, Wanda (Bradley) – February 17, 1926 – May 19, 1998 – on double stone with William Sims

Sims, William – January 31, 1919 – December 19, 1991 – on double stone with Wanda Sims

Smith, Pearlie (Heathscott) – February 25, 1910 – April 7, 1969

Snelling, Laura Ann Davis – August 20, 1881 – August 19, 1918

Starkey, baby – no dates

Starkey, Arizona – no dates – child of W.L. and Emma Starkey

Starks, Hannah L. – September 11, 1880 – September 7, 1929

Starks, Oscar – December 5, 1883 – November 12, 1965

Surratt, Georgdon – April 12, 1913 – May 7, 1913

Surratt, Infant – July 31, 1931 – daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H.F. Surratt

Surratt, Lawrence – May 18, 1899 – March 20, 1962

Surratt, Leona – April 18, 1864 – August 29, 1942

Surratt, May – January 21, 1909 – October 3, 1914

Surratt, May – September 5, 1892 – July 12, 1926

Surratt, William Jeff – November 9, 1861 – June 25, 1931 – Woodman

Surratt. Tossaco - April 14, 1883 – July 4, 1940

Surrett, T.S. – April 14, 1883 – July 4, 1940

Taylor, Willard – July 17, 1882 – November 23, 1918 – Woodman

Varble, Betty Jean – February 17, 1932 – stillborn

Vincen, Jess – no dates – concrete

Wade, Audie – January 19, 1927 – May 12, 1994 – U.S. Army WWII

Walter, George Muldrow – October 1878 – November 13, 1939 – husband of Katie M. then Cora Miesen – son of George Cathey Walter and Susie E. Walter

Walter, Susan Eveline (Bishop) – July c1840 – c1909 – wife of George Cathey Walter of Ivey, MS – daughter of Permelia Day and Alfred Bishop of Lawrence County, TN

Warnell, Ruby Lee (Baker) – March 6, 1931 – June 24, 1972

White, Alfred Howard – September 10, 1929 - February 24, 2003 – husband of Ercie Green White

White, Charles H. – September 28, 1889 – October 12, 1913 – Woodman

White, Ercie E. – February 17, 1930 – August 23, 1998

Williams, Burt – 1878 – August, 1938

Wilson, Mary E. – November 6, 1896 – January 12, 1915

Wright, George T. – January 5, 1880 – March 8, 1900 – son of J.B. & Rilda Wright

Wright, Murilda (Dunn) – January 6, 1858 – August 3, 1927 - wife of J.B. Wright

SIXTY ONE GRAVES MARKED WITH ROCKS – NO INFORMATION