Utoy Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery

I received an email today inquiring  about the Utoy  Primitive  Baptist Church Cemetery.  I'd had checking out that old and overgrown cemetery,which is the final resting place of at least two revolutionary war soldiers, on my todo list for quite some time.  Below are some facts about the church I pulled from Atlanta and Environs, Volume I, by the late Franklin Garrett (who's buried about two miles from me in Oakland Cemetery).

Utoy Primitive Baptist Church was founded in 1824, making it the third church built on the land which until 1821 had been Creek Indian land.  It was originally about a half mile west of the site of the cemetery, and was moved in 1828.  The first elders were John Landers and James Hale.

Like many nineteenth century churches, the discipline was often harsh by today's standards, and members were expelled for a variety of offenses.  According to Franklin Garrett one member was excluded for "moving into the Indian country" (which wasn't difficult since the church was near the Chattahoochee, and the  west side of that river was still Cherokee territory).

One of the more notable residents of the cemetery is Dr. Joshua Gilbert, the first physician in the future city of Atlanta.

The plaque at the site reads as follows:

HISTORIC UTOY CHURCHUtoy Primitive Baptist Church,         the oldest Baptist Church in present Fulton County, was constituted         August 15, 1824, in a log house just west of here. The church         was moved to its present location in the summer of 1828.In 1864 the church was used as         a Confederate hospital. July 22, Col. James S. Boynton, 30th         Georgia, was wounded and brought to Utoy Church for medical care.         Boynton later became President of the Georgia Senate and on March         5, 1883, the day after the death of Governor Alexander H. Stephens,         he became of Governor of Georgia, to serve until a special election         could be held.In the cemetery at Utoy Church         lies buried Dr. Joshua Gilbert, Atlanta's first doctor. Born         in 1815 in South Carolina, Dr. Gilbert was graduated from old         Augusta Medical College in 1845 and came to Atlanta. At that         time Atlanta was called Marthasville and was located in DeKalb         County. Here he practiced medicine until his death in 1889.060-192 GEORGIA HISTORICAL         COMMISSION 1961

                               

Click here to go to the photos I've posted.  Clicking on the images enlarges them.

Comments

[Rocky Rothrock]

You may want to stop by the Utoy cemetary. Three Masonic Lodges sponsored a clean up in the months of April and May. We removed trees and brush,now you can see the stones and walk through the cemetary. Several Masons are buried in this cemetary. As well as the family of our member Joe Suttles. We still have work to do, but we are making the upkeep of Utoy a Lodge project. Lodges involved are, Union City# 600, Campbellton#76, Turin# 337, as well as the SCV.

[JC]

Great article. Thank you, I discovered Dr. Gilbert on an old civil war map. It listed his home site on what is now cascade road and also the School House, which must have also been the church due north on the south side of a small Creek. Listed as Gilberts S.H. also about a mile east of Judge Wilsons residence during that time period.

[Judy Lynch]

I am a DAR member soing research on my ancestors, one of whom is Silliam Suttles 1731-1839. He was born in King Geore Co. VA and fought in the 10th VA Regiment. He received a GA Land Grant in DeKalb Co in 1832. Married Margaret Harbin who died in DeKalb Co GA in 1820.

I have reason to believe William may be buried in your cemetery. If you can confirm this for me I would be very grateful.

My DAR Chapter would like to place e memorial plague at his grave site.

Thanks and look forward to your reply.

Judy Lynch

[T.J. (Terry) White]

Would greatly appreciate it if both Rocky Rothrock and Judy Lynch would contact me at tjwhite1963@gmail.com. I am a descendant of William Settles (Suttles) and of William Wilson White, and a blood relative of Dr. Joshua Gilbert, and just about every other person buried in that cemetery. I am also a cousin and old acquaintance of Joe Suttles, and a past member of the Utoy Cemetery Association, Inc., which should still hold the title to the cemetery. I would like (among other things) to find out what the legal status and ownership of the place is now. I saw it in April, and was very impressed. Thanks VERY much! I would be okay with the idea of the several lodges taking joint ownership of the cemetery. Better that than the City of Atlanta! Please contact me, both of you.

[Edith Ladipo]

I am trying to find the address of the Utoy Cemetary Association.We are trying to maintain the Cemetery as a community project.

Please email me as Iam concerned about potential vandalism.
Could you

[Julian Hall]

I am looking for info on the "Pope Burial Ground" identified in a 1934 publication as being located on the Clayton County farm in land lot 42 of the 13th district, the site of Pope's gin as shown on gen. Sherman's map of the Atlanta Campaign. Separately in the same publication the location is given as two miles south of Hapeville on Lee's Mill Road

[Dee Gazdik]

Hi,
I am related to William Suttles and Margaret Harbin. They are my 4th great grandparetns. How fantastic that the church and grave yard have been restored. I hope to visit there in the near future.

[Imalene W Ballew]

I have relatives buried in Utoy. My father-Clifford E. White; my gfather-Oscar Marion White; ggfather-William Marion White; gggfather-Daniel P. White. I am interested in contacting anyone doing research on this line of White's

[Terry White]

"Restored" is a very loose term, as maintenance of the graveyard is a constant, never-ending task. After every single past "restoration," the brush and wilderness have always managed to re-conquer the place. As far as contacting the Utoy Cemetery Association, you would need to look up Joe Suttles, the most recent president of the group that I know of. His phone no. has always been listed in the Atlanta directories (Joseph P. Suttles). He lives on Fairburn Rd. in Atlanta. Tell him Terry White sent you to him (he knows my name quite well). I spent a Sunday in church with him & his wife recently. He is now over 80 years old, and is my distant kinsman. The Cemetery Association has almost completely gone defunct in recent years (alas), so hopefully, this renewed interest in the place may breathe new life into it. Please never hesitate to contact me regarding this! My e-mail (again) is tjwhite1963@gmail.com. And to Imalene Ballew--please contact me also, as I am the unofficial "historian" of your White family (mine also). I have a huge tree on Ancestry.com devoted to this and related families. You will be astounded how much information and photos I have. Please contact me at the above e-mail address. By the way, I happen to have in my possession an original deed of the cemetery to the Utoy Cemetery Association. To my knowledge, it is one of only two originals.

[Terry White]

To Edith Ladipo-- Many thanks for your interest in our beloved cemetery! Alas, I am unable to contact you, because no e-mail address showed up with your name, but you are most welcome to contact me, at tjwhite1963@gmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks, Terry White

[Kee-Kee Holloway]

Hi, Mr.WHite,

I am the resident that has lived next door to this historic landmark that is in dire need of maintaince. With the recent storms in Atlanta, trees have fallen the weed are covering the graves and it seems as if no one cares about this landmark. I am hoping to get a response and help in maintaining this property. Please feel free to contact me in regards to this matter. I will continue to search for help with this matter because the area looks really bad and forgotten.

[Edith Ladipo]

Hello Mr. White

I have established an historic preservation society for the expressed purpose of documenting the history of Utoy Creek. I would like to find out how we could secure the management and maintenance and ownership of this property as suggested by Franklin Garrett during our meeting prior to his death. I would appreciate any help you could provide. You may reach me at 404-755-2481.

[Utoy Cemetery Association]

Hello All:

The Utoy Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Atlanta (Former Dekalb County).

Union Civil war soldiers who were treated at the hospital at the Church and who died of wounds from the Battle of Utoy Creek, GA Aug 1-7, 1864 in Cascade Heights were removed to the National cemetery in 1866.

For information about a family member buried at the Historic Utoy Primitive Baptist Church cemetery please contact us at The Utoy Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 42383, Herring Road, SW Atlanta, GA 30311 or via e-mail at utoy.church@yahoo.com thanks for your interest.
Special thanks to the Ben Hill, Campbellton and Fairburn Lodges for their assistance in the cleanup in 2008. The are our volunteer organizations for 2008. We have made great progress this year in restoring the cemetery back to its original state and the Bowing family for their dedicated assistance thus far this year.

Regards,

Perry Bennett
President/Historian
Utoy Cemetery Association
P. O. Box 42383
Herring Road SW
Atlanta, GA 30311-5515
“Volunteer and Family Involvement keeps us going to preserve the past!”

[Dennis Dyer]

My name is Dennis Dyer. I live near the Utoy Cemetary and would like to Volunteer for helping keep the maintance of it up, you can reach me at 404-838-3072 or dyrdnns@yahoo.com

[Dave McDonald]

Did another church take over the Utoy church building ?

[Perry Bennett]

The Utoy Cemetery Association and Friends of Utoy will meet on Monday 12 July, 2010 at the Picadilly Restaurant at Greenbriar Mall, SW Atlanta at 0600 for dinner at 0700 for our meeting. Our Guest Speaker will be Elder Joseph Hildreth former paster of the Utoy Primitive Baptist Church from 1958-1972. Call 404-909-0131 for information or go to utoycemeteryassociation.com

Regards,

Perry Bennett
President
Utoy Cemetery Association/Friends of Utoy

[Elizabeth Ivie]

Would like to know how to get a list of the names of the people buried there...I live in Utah and would visit if I lived closer, one name in particular is James V. WHITE...we have been told he resides there...can you help

[Suzanne Bowen]

I am a g-g-granddaughter of Joshua Gilbert and am interested to know if there is a "Plot Marker" of all the graves in Utoy. If not, I would be willing to help in establishing one.

[Leasa McKay]

Recently visited the cemetery to visit the burial place for William and Margaret Suttlles... my grandparents from several generations ago. My Tom-Tom took me right there and I found the atmosphere to be very peaceful.

Are there any abstracts about the history of Utoy Primitive Baptist Church? It's my understanding that Margaret was a founding member. I would like to read more about Utoy's beginnings. Thanks!

[Geraldine White Meacham]

Have recently found out that my ggg(? dob't know how many) grandfather, Jacob White is buried at Utoy Cemetery. Is it possible for you to confirm this? I appreciate this so much and all of your efforts to "restore" the cemetery. Wish I could help.

[Winstrol]

I suppose that they don't bury there anyone already

[Terry White]

There is a new history of Utoy Primitive Baptist Church at http://www.scribd.com/doc/53140777/Utoy-Primitive-Baptist-Church . It is written by T. J. (Terry) White. It is not yet finished, but is made available because of the expressed interest in the place.

[Terry White]

To Geraldine White Meacham: Please contact Terry White (your cousin) at tjwhite1963@gmail.com. I too am a direct descendant of Jacob White, who is in fact buried in Utoy Cemetery (albeit in an unmarked grave). I also have a brief history of Jacob White and his ancestry here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/54966459/The-White-Family-of-DeKalb-and-Fulton-Counties-Georgia

[MAJ Perry Bennett, Army Historian]

Larry:

Thanks for mentioning us (Utoy Cemetery) in your article in the AJC about South Bend cemetery. We would like to invite you and all interested parties to our next meeting on 11 July at the Greenbriar, Picadilly Restaurant at 7:00PM Dinner begins at 6:00 PM.

Please come and visit us at the Utoy Cemetery and see the work that has been done. Mr. Malcolm McDuffie is our VP of operations and he coordinates volunteers and our work at the Cemetery.

We are being reviewed by the Ga Departement of National Resources for listing on the National Register of Historic Places on 10 June 2011.

Please RSVP for the meeting at (404)-835-2598

Regards,

Perry Bennett
President
Utoy Cemetery Association, Inc.

"Atlants Oldest Cemetery since 1816"
www.utoycemeteryassociation.com
CELL (864)-906-8970

[Stephen Bryant]

Regarding Utoy cemetary, My mother Julia Bryant and other relatives are buried here. I have some of the church pamphlets from the 1960's. My mothers burial was when I was 6 months old and was snowing that day.

[Robert H. Landrum]

I am Robert H. Landrum. My great grandparents, James & Avy Jane Landrum are there. His son Francis C. Landrum and several grandchildren also there. He was born in 1823, and a Confederate veteran. I have pictures of several of the gravestones.