The Alex and Gracy Williamson cemetery lies adjacent to the Hardy H. Williamson cemetery off N.C. Highway 42 in Spring Hill township. Hardy H. Williamson (1807-1858) was a white farmer who owned property in parts of Johnston and Nash County that became Wilson County after 1855.

A view of the Alex Williamson cemetery from the western edge of the Hardy Williamson cemetery.

• Alex Williamson

Alex Williamson died May 6, 1921 age 84

On 9 September 1869, Alex Williamson, son of Samuel Bass and Silvy Williams[on], married Grace Shaw, daughter of Thomas Narron and Katty Williamson, at Thomas Shaw‘s in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ellic Williamson, 33; wife Gracy, 24; and children Ellic, 4, and Eugenia, 1.

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Elic Williamson, 44; wife Gracy, 29; and children John, 14, Lugen, 11, Joseph, 9, Jennie, 7, Mary, 6, Clem, 4, Sarah J., 2, and Pall, 1.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Alex Williamson, 63; wife Gracy, 50; children Genny Whitley, 26, and Sarah, 22, Paul, 21, Daniel, 19, Henietta, 15, Edna, 15, and Katie Williamson, 12; and grandchildren Nancy, 8, Della, 5, and Pearle Whitley, 4.

On 23 November 1904, Paul Williamson, 25, son of Alex and Grace Williamson of Springhill township, married Mary Hinnant, 23, daughter of Joe and Rhoda Hinnant of Spring Hill township. W.H. Horton of the Christian denomination performed the ceremony at Thom Hinnant‘s house in the presence of  J.T. Hinnant, L.H. Horton and W.H. Shaw.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Wilson and Smithfield Branch Road, farmer Alexander Williamson, 72; wife Gracy, 62; widowed daughter Jennie Williamson, 38; daughters Sarah, 20, and Henrietta, 26; and grandchildren Nancy, 18, Della, 17, Hattie, 15, and Pearle Whitley, 14.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Old Clayton and Wilson Road, farmer Alexandria Williamson, 83; divorced daughter Janie W. Williamson, 37; granddaughter Dezell Bailey, 4; and stepson [son-in-law?] McKinley Bailey, 28, house carpenter.

Alexander Williamson died 6 April 1921 in Springhill township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1837 in Wilson County; was the widower of Gracy Williamson; was a farmer; and was buried in the Williamson graveyard.

• Gracy Shaw Williamson

Gracy wife of Alex Williamson born  Jan 19, 1850 died June 28, 1912.

• Mary Williamson

Mary Williamson Feb 21 1874 Sept 2 1899 Resting till the resurrection morn.

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Elic Williamson, 44; wife Gracy, 29; and children John, 14, Lugen, 11, Joseph, 9, Jennie, 7, Mary, 6, Clem, 4, Sarah J., 2, and Pall, 1.

• Henrietta Williamson Kent

Henrietta Kent wife George S. Kent Born Sep. 4 1883 Died Sep. 14 1912 She fought the good fight she kept the faith and is safe in the arms of Jesus.

The Masonic emblem suggests that this stone was originally intended for a male decedent.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Alex Williamson, 63; wife Gracy, 50; children Genny Whitley, 26, and Sarah, 22, Paul, 21, Daniel, 19, Henietta, 15, Edna, 15, and Katie Williamson, 12; and grandchildren Nancy, 8, Della, 5, and Pearle Whitley, 4.

On 6 April 1911, George Kent, 28, of Nash County, married Henrietta Williamson, 27, of Spring Hill township. Missionary Baptist William H. Mitchiner performed the ceremony at the bride’s father’s house in the presence of J.T. Hinnant of Spring Hill, Paul Williamson of Lucama and Sallie M. Barbour of Wilson. (George Samuel Kent was a son of Ned and Lydia Barnes Kent.)

• Bettie Boykin

Bettie dau. of J.R. & Mary Boykin Born Oct 5, 1876 Died Apr 25, 1913 Weep not, she is not dead but sleeping.

In the 1880 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer John Boykin, 42; wife Mary, 29; and children Dock, 19, Dick, 15, Turner, 7, Troy, 5, Betty, 3, and John, 1.

• Edna Williamson Barnes

Edna wife of J. H. Barnes born Jan. 19, 1885 died June 13, 1914.

In the 1900 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Alex Williamson, 63; wife Gracy, 50; children Genny Whitley, 26, and Sarah, 22, Paul, 21, Daniel, 19, Henietta, 15, Edna, 15, and Katie Williamson, 12; and grandchildren Nancy, 8, Della, 5, and Pearle Whitley, 4.

On 18 November 1906, James H. Barnes, 25, of Spring Hill township, son of Joe and Chaney Barnes, married Edna Williamson, 22, of Spring Hill, daughter of Alex and Grace Williamson.

In the 1910 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: on Wilson & Smithfield Branch Road, James H. Barnes, 28, and wife Edna, 25.

Edna Barnes died 10 June 1914 in Spring Hill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 32 March 1884 to Elex Williamson and Gracie Bailey in Wilson County and was married. James Barnes of Lucama was informant.

• Katie Williamson

Katie Williamson Aug 10 1887 Just when we began to love her God called her back

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Alex Williamson, 63; wife Gracy, 50; children Genny Whitley, 26, and Sarah, 22, Paul, 21, Daniel, 19, Henietta, 15, Edna, 15, and Katie Williamson, 12; and grandchildren Nancy, 8, Della, 5, and Pearle Whitley, 4.

• Annie Williamson

Annie Williamson Aug. 8, 1886 Oct. __, 1886 Our loved one is gone to be an angel

• Mary Kent Renfrow

Mary Wife of I. Renfrow Born June 30, 1868 Died Sept. 30, 1914

In the 1870 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farm laborer Elbert Kent, 25, wife Rebecca, 23; and daughter Mary, 1.

In the 1880 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: Elbert Kent, 36, farmer; wife Rebeca, 29; and children Mary, 10, Rufus, 9, Saraha, 7, Flournes J., 6, Martha M., 4, and Pharrow, 1.

On 8 August 1886, Isaac Renfrow, 25, married Mary Kent, 20, at Buck Horn, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Rentfrow, 38; wife Mary E., 29; and children John M., 11, Hettie B., 9, and Qweenie V., 2.

In the 1910 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Rentfrow, 48; wife Mary, 40; and children Victoria, 12, and Isaac, 9, plus Rebecca, 14, Joseph, 12, Lutory, 6, and Joseph Barnes, 2.

Mary Renfrow died 30 August 1914 in Spring Hill township. Per her death certificate, she was born 30 June 1868 to Elbert Kent and Mary Barnes and was a farmer’s wife. Isaac Renfrow was informant.

Detail of the exquisite three-dimensional carving on Mary Renfrow’s headstone. The hand pointed upward symbolized the hope of Heaven. The veined stone is unusual in Wilson County markers.

• Isaac Renfrow

Isaac Renfrow Born July 5, 1862 Died Mar. 5, 1915

In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Penelope Renfrow, 29, and sons Jacob, 16, Esaw, 13, and Isaac, 10.

On 8 August 1886, Isaac Renfrow, 25, married Mary Kent, 20, at Buck Horn, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Rentfrow, 38; wife Mary E., 29; and children John M., 11, Hettie B., 9, and Qweenie V., 2.

In the 1910 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Rentfrow, 48; wife Mary, 40; and children Victoria, 12, and Isaac, 9, plus Rebecca, 14, Joseph, 12, Lutory, 6, and Joseph Barnes, 2.

Isaac Renfrow died 6 March 1915 in Spring Hill township. [Six months after his wife’s death.] Per his death certificate, he was born 1861 to Harry and Pennie Renfrow of Wilson County; was married; and was a farmer. Johnnie Renfrow was informant.

• Abbie and Lidia Barnes

Abbie dau of J & C Barnes 1886 1909 At rest

Lidia dau of J & C Barnes 1880 1910 At rest

In the 1900 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Barnes, 48; wife Chana, 44; and children Lydia, 20, James H., 18, Edgar F., 16, Abbey A., 14, Minnie, 12, Lula, 9, Eliza, 6, Joseph, 2, and Sarah, 2 months.

On 29 October 1905, Lydia Barnes, 26, of Spring Hill, daughter of Joe and Chanie Barnes, married Thomas Hinnant, 26, of Spring Hill, son of Tom and Martha Hinnant, in Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Thomas Hinnant, 32; wife Liddie, 37; and children Claude, 9, Alonzo, 7, Viola, 4, and Chana, 2; plus sister Louzetta Hinnant, 39.

• Sallie Powell

Sallie Powell Dau of K Freeman Age 22 At rest

• Lorenzo Freeman

Husband Loranzie Freeman 1849-1895 At rest

On 25 September 1885, Lourenza Freeman, 28, married Katey Deans, 26, at Meeksville, Wilson County.

• Anonymous grave

Hand-hewn natural rock markers were placed at the head and foot of this grave.

• Williamson grave

This small, badly weathered stone was also hand-cut. The name Williamson is barely visible among the hand-cut letters on its face.

• Rachell Roberson

Mother Rachall Roberson 1837-1925 At rest

In the 1870 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farm laborer Guilford Robinson, 35; wife Rachel, 34; and children Katy, 15, Henry, 14, and Lucy, 12.

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Gilford Robinson, 53; wife Rachal, 36; and children William, 9, and Sally, 8.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Guilford Roberson, 69, and wife Rachel, 57.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Wilson & Raleigh Road, farmer Rachael Robertson, 71, widow, and daughter Katie Freeman, 52.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Old Raleigh Road, farmer Rachael Robertson, 80, widow, and daughter Katie Freeman, 61, widow.

Rachal Robinson died 19 July 1925 in Spring Hill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 98 years old; was a widow; worked on a farm; was born in Wilson County to Mary Dawson and an unknown father. W.R. Robinson of Simms was informant.

• Phillip Allen

Phillip Allen North Carolina Pvt Co D 333 Svc Bn OMC World War I April 11 1894 October 20 1962

On 14 March 1920, Phillip Allen, 26, of Spring Hill, married Daisy Creech, 22, of Spring Hill, in Old Fields township.

Phillip Allen died 20 October 1962 in Lucama, Spring Hill township. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 October 1894 in Wilson County to William Allen and Charlotte (last name not given); was married; and was a laborer. Daisy Allen was informant.

• Martha Field Creech

Mother Martha F. Creech June 15 1879 Sept 10 1961

Martha Field Creech died 10 September 1961 in Lucama, Crossroads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 February 1888 in Wilson County to Wash Field and an unknown mother and was widowed. Daisy Allen was informant.

Remnants of fencepost and wire fence around the cemetery.

I’ve driven up and down Highway 42 a half-dozen times looking for this cemetery. Many thanks to Brian Grawburg for the tip that lead me straight there.