Category Archives: Uncategorized

You could say W.W. Law (1923-2002) did many things, but if we had to sum it up into one line we would say that he set a standard for dignified treatment. He set the standard of how Laurel Grove South Cemetery, which had fallen into disrepair, should be treated by making the moves to restoreContinue reading “W.W. Law”

It would be hard to talk about Savannah history without mentioning the First African Baptist Church. It started before America was a nation, and the people who formed it fought for the freedom of religious expression under great duress and possible punishment/death. The First African Baptist Church website details the church’s long history: First AfricanContinue reading “First African Baptist Church”

Anthony (1831-1892) and his son Edward (1868-1915) DesVerney made up one of the richer and more prominent families of Savannah, but their family history is not without great scandal. Anthony Kirk DesVerney was born in Charleston on Oct 11th, 1831 to Peter Prioleau DesVerney, the once-slave who was known for his role as a traitorContinue reading “Anthony K. DesVerney”

If you’ve ever happened upon a headstone that looked to be made by hand, there is an interesting article on the subject by The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training that you can read here. An excerpt: We discovered that these markers were constructed from a variety of materials, including concrete, wood and metal.Continue reading “Handmade Headstones”

Rosa Lou (Lulu) Barnes (1868-abt 1918) was featured in The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, Volume 1, and it’s not hard to understand why. She embodied the American dream in all she did. Born in Alabama, Rosa graduated from the Huntsville Normal Industrial Institute before moving to Savannah. She started out owning a groceryContinue reading “Rosa Lou Barnes”

James Merilus Simms’s place in Savannah history was huge. He was a member of the House of Representatives. According to Documenting the American South: James M. Simms was born into slavery in Savannah, Georgia in 1823. Simms was a carpenter by trade, and using money he earned from additional work, he was able to buyContinue reading “James M. Simms”

The Sengstacke/Abbot legacy is about family, resiliency, using your power for good. John H.H. Sengstacke’s (1848-1904) story is really a collective one because his life centered around his family and community. His parents were a married interracial couple during the era of slavery, something extremely uncommon in the deep South. And his wife, Flora AbbottContinue reading “John H.H. Sengstacke”

This is the largest headstone in Laurel Grove South Cemetery, so you might think it is it is owned by one of the doctors buried here or maybe one of the land tycoons or big business owners.  This gorgeous marble headstone was carved by a famed German sculptor who moved to Savannah, John Walz. He’sContinue reading “Old Fashioned Love Story”

There are so many notable people in Laurel Grove South Cemetery that there will often already be articles and stories written about that person. When someone has written it better than we ever could, we will give you a short summary and then link to the original history for you to read in full. ThereContinue reading “John H. DeVeaux”

There are so many notable people in Laurel Grove South Cemetery that there will often already be articles and stories written about that person. When someone has written it better than we ever could, we will give you a short summary and then link to the original history for you to read in full. ThereContinue reading “Rachel Brownfield”