Savannah’s Colonial Park Cemetery is one of the most historic burial grounds in the United States of America and its drooping Spanish moss and well-built brick vaults make it one of the most scenic too! Although it is no longer active today, Colonial Park Cemetery remains one of the most popular destinations for locals and visitors alike. Next time you’re in Savannah, take a stroll amidst the ancient tombstones and you will see why!
History
Colonial Park Cemetery was established in 1750 as a burial ground for Christ Church Parish of Savannah, Georgia Colony. Over the next four decades, it continued to expand until it comprised of six acres and by 1789, it allowed those of all denominations. Throughout the early 1800s, the cemetery continued to be the primary burial ground for the citizens of Savannah and maintained a central location in town. When a yellow fever epidemic swept through Savannah in 1820, nearly 700 victims were interred within Colonial Park Cemetery.
In 1853, the cemetery stopped accepting burials and a few short laters, it earned another interesting use. During the American Civil War (December 1864), Union troops under command of General William Tecumseh Sherman occupied Savannah, Georgia, following their famous “March to the Sea.” During this occupation, Union soldiers camped out in Colonial Park Cemetery. It is said that some shot at and defaced some grave markers and some even hid out inside the vaults!
Over the following decades, the cemetery remained a central icon within Savannah, largely due to the many famous people who are buried there. These burials include numerous patriots from the American Revolution (to include senior officers), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, well known artists, duellists, and everyone in between. As the city of Savannah grew around Colonial Park Cemetery, its dimensions changed and some headstones were moved and misplaced.
In 1913, the Savannah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a stone archway to mark the entrance of Colonial Park Cemetery, which was built “in memory of Patriots of war American Revolution, 1775 – 1783, resting in Colonial Cemetery.”
Today, this beautiful piece of architecture remains as a prominent reminder of all those who came before us. While Colonial Park Cemetery is no longer accepting burials, it remains a fascinating place for locals and visitors alike to stroll about and learn about some of the amazing men and women from our history. The cemetery is open to the public from 8AM – 5PM from November – March, and 8AM – 8PM from March to November.
Interesting Facts
- When Colonial Park Cemetery opened in 1750, it was only the second burial ground in colonial Savannah
- It is said that over 9,000 people are buried in Colonial Park Cemetery. Remarkably, it closed to burials in 1853 (which means there are no Confederate soldiers buried there)
- Other names for Colonial Park Cemetery include: Old Cemetery, Old Brick Graveyard, South Broad Street Cemetery, and Christ Church Cemetery
- During the Union Army’s occupation of Savannah during the American Civil War, Union troops camped out in Colonial Park Cemetery
Notable Burials
Buried in the various vaults and plots in Colonial Park Cemetery are some of the most famous people of the colonial American south. While I’d love to discuss them all, thats simply not realistic. Thus, we highlight 10 graves and burial sites in Colonial Park Cemetery and provide a list of interesting facts for each:
1 – Edward Greene Malbone
2 – The Duellist’s Grave
3 – Major John Berrien
4 – Joseph Clay
5 – John, Joseph, & James Habersham
6 – General Nathanael Greene & Lieutenant Colonel John Maitland
7 – General Samuel Elbert
8 – General Lachlan McIntosh & Colonel James McIntosh
9 – Captain Denis N. Cottineau
10 – Button Gwinnett
Edward Green Malbone (1777 – May 7, 1807)
- Well-known early American painter, who specialized in miniatures
- Born in Newport, RI and began his career in nearby Providence at the age of 17
- He had poor health and sought relief in Jamaica. While in Savannah, he died of tuberculosis at a very young age
Duellist’s Grave
- Gravesite for army Lieutenant James Wilde, who was shot in the heart and killed during a duel with Captain Roswell P. Johnson (both men were officers in the 8th Regiment, U.S. Infantry)
- The duel took place on January 16, 1815, on the Carolina side of the Savannah River. The fatal shot took place during the fourth exchange of fire
- The reason for the duel is unknown to this day
Major John Berrien (August 23, 1781 – January 1, 1856)
- Came to Georgia from New Jersey in 1775 and was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the first Georgia Continental Brigade in 1776 at the age of 17
- A staunch supporter of General Lachlan McIntosh, who killed declaration signer Button Gwinnett in a duel. Berrien remained in support of General McIntosh when they proceeded north to join the Continental Army during its winter at Valley Forge (Berrien served as brigade major of the North Carolina troops there)
- Berrien served the state of Georgia following the war, to include as Collector of Customs at Savannah, alderman, and state treasurer
Joseph Clay (October 16, 1741 – November 15, 1804)
- A native of Yorkshire, who settled in Savannah at the age of 19 and quickly became a successful merchant and rice planter
- During the American Revolution, he served on the Council of Safety and in the Provincial Congress. He also partook in the 1775 raid on the Royal powder magazine in Savannah
- Served as a deputy paymaster general in the Continental Army in the south. His wife, Ann, helped treat wounded American soldiers in the wake of the Battle of Camden
- Served as state treasurer and judge of the inferior court after the war. Additionally, he was one of the first trustees for the state college (today’s University of Georgia)
Joseph, John, and James Habersham
- Gravesite for the three patriotic Habersham brothers: Joseph (1751-1815), John (1754-1799), and James Jr. (1745-1799). They all rest alongside their father, James Habersham Sr.
- Joseph Habersham served as a member of the Council of Safety, participated in the 1775 raid of the Royal powder magazine, and even arrested Georgia’s Royal Governor in 1776. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Georgia Continental Line, as Speaker of the General Assembly, Mayor of Savannah (1792-1793), and Postmaster General of the United States from 1795-1801
- John Habersham served as a major in the First Georgia Continental Regiment and remarkably, was twice taken prisoner during the war. In 1785, he served in the Continental Congress and went on to serve as the first Collector of Customs for Savannah
- James Habersham was a successful merchant in Savannah prior to the American Revolution. In 1782 and 1784, he was the Speaker of the General Assembly. He and his brother John served on the board of trustees in 1785 to establish the University of Georgia.
General Nathanael Greene & Lieutenant Colonel John Maitland
- The Graham Vault (named for the Royalist Lt. Governor, John Graham) was once the resting place for Continental Major General Nathanael Greene and British Lieutenant Colonel John Maitland
- Lt. Colonel John Maitland was a native of Scotland and served the British Army during the American Revolution. He died at Savannah on October 26, 1779, and was buried in this vault; however, at some point thereafter, his remains were removed and re-interred elsewhere
- A native of Rhode Island, General Nathanael Greene was one of the most distinguished officers in the Continental Army. He was one of George Washington’s most trusted officers and for good reason: Greene served brilliantly as quartermaster and then during his exploits in the southern theater of the war. Greene died of sunstroke on June 19, 1786, at his Mulberry Grove Plantation. He was also buried in the Graham Vault; however, in November 1902, his remains were moved and placed under a monument dedicated in his honor in Savannah’s Johnson Square
General Samuel Elbert (1740 – November 1, 1788)
- Originally from South Carolina, the orphaned Elbert found success in the mercantile business in Georgia (he is often referred to as an Indian trader)
- Served on the Council fo Safety and in the first Provincial Congress of Georgia in 1775. In 1776, he was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the locally-raised First Battalion and participated in two Florida expeditions. He was captured by the British in the Battle of Briar Creek in 1779, but was exchanged in 1779 and went on to partake in the siege (and victory) at Yorktown in 1781. In 1783, he was promoted to brigadier general
- Served as Governor of Georgia for a one-year term in 1785
General Lachlan McIntosh (March 17, 1725 – February 20, 1806) & Colonel Samuel McIntosh (1784 – 1847)
- Lachlan McIntosh was one of the most successful planters near Darien, Georgia, prior to the American Revolution. He was commissioned colonel in the Continental Army at the outset of the war and served with distinction. Perhaps his most famous fight was a duel with Button Gwinnett, one of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence (McIntosh shot and killed Gwinett). He served at Valley Forge following the duel, returned to Georgia in 1779 just in time for the siege of Savannah, and was captured in 1780 when Charleston, South Carolina, fell. In 1784, he was rightfully promoted to major general by Congress
- James McIntosh was the great nephew of Lachlan McIntosh and heroically served during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. In fact, he was mortally wounded while storming El Molino del Rey on September 8, 1847. In 1848, the state of Georgia had his remains brought to the United States and re-interred here at Colonial Park Cemetery. His son, James McQueen McIntosh, served as a general in the Confederate Army and was killed during the war. Another son, John Baillie McIntosh, served in the Union Army
Captain Denis N. Cottineau (1745 – 1808)
- Commissioned as an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolution. He commanded the Pallas and on September 23, 1779, earned a decisive victory against the HMS Countess of Scarborough.
- Was wounded in a duel with another naval officer, Pierre Landais
- In later years, he settled in the French West Indies, but fled back to the United States during a slave insurrection in Santo Domingo. He ended up in Pennsylvania, but he suffered from illness and ultimately came to Savannah in 1808, where he died
Button Gwinnett (March 3, 1735 – May 19, 1777)
- Originally from England, he came to the colonies in 1762 and settled in Savannah in 1765. In 1769, he was elected to the Commons House of Assembly
- One of three signers of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia (he was one of only eight foreign-born signers)
- In March 1777, he became the President (Governor) of Georgia when Archibald Bulloch died
- A rivalry with ranking Georgia officer, General Lachlan McIntosh, reached a fever-pitch after Gwinnett had McIntosh’s brother arrested and charged with treason. A flurry of words followed and after he felt that his honor was publicly tarnished by McIntosh, Gwinnett challenged his to a duel. On May 16, 1777, Gwinnett and McIntosh met at a local plantation in Savannah to duel. Both were wounded, but Gwinnett’s proved to be fatal and he died on May 19th (McIntosh was never charged in the killing of Gwinnett)
