Savannah - Part 3 - Colonial Park Cemetery.

The Colonial Park Cemetery was the final resting place since 1789 for Savannah Citizens including Declaration of Independence Signer , Button Gwinnett.  It is also the resting place for some 770 victims of the Yellow fever epidemic of 1820.  

This is the Graham Vault.  For 114 years the remains of MAJ, GEN. Nathanael Greene rested here.  Subsequently his son George upon his death was interred here.  They are now located under the monument in Johnson Square in the city.

 A view of the grounds.

It was also the last resting place of many citizens during the tragic period of the Dueling era.  The first death occurred in 1740 and the final shot was in 1750.

This is a Duelers grave.

By the time of the Civil War ended, the cemetery was closed.  There are no Confererate  soldiers buried here.  However, during the war Federal soldiers took over this ground.  It has been said that Union soldiers looted and desecrated many of the graves.  They changed the names and dates on many of these grave stones.  Very sad to know that countrymen can be so cruel.

Cheers,

Beverley and Ross