I checked. Wilson County Register of Deeds office holds a volume, labeled “Grave Removals,” that contains records of every registered disinterment and/or reinterment in the county for the past 50 or so years. The volume contains no record of the removal of the graves of Julia Bailey, Andrew Terrell, or the 16-18 unknown others whose disinterment was publicized in 1998 ahead of the expansion of Buckhorn reservoir. As the headstones of Bailey and Terrell attest, the graves now lie at the edge or under the lake.
Here’s a detail from a 1974 plat map showing two tracts of Manuel and Sudie Boykin Sullivan’s land, a section of which held the cemetery. The map also shows the projected borders of the reservoir.
Detail from Plat Book 13, page 73.
A current aerial view reveals the striking accuracy of the projected edges of the lake.
This aerial shows the proximity of New Vester Missionary Baptist Church, to which the Baileys and Terrells belonged, to the approximate location of the drowned cemetery. Despite this, the notice of disinterment published in the Daily Times stated the graves would be moved to Bailey Cemetery in Nash County. As we see, this was never done.
Aerial images courtesy of Google Maps.
I’m sure there are other such cases, black and white, that await the serendipitous discovery of a heretofore hidden headstone. I’m glad Al and Guy included me in their find so Julia would be uncovered (no pun intended).
I agree. Moving twenty 75-100 year-old graves would have been incredibly time-consuming (though, presumably, the city was footing the bill), and I’m not surprised that those involved cut corners if they thought they could get away with it. The first clue that the family was not involved in the discussion was the determination that Bailey Cemetery was an appropriate site for reinterment. My thanks to Al, Guy, and you for bringing Julia Bailey’s grave marker to light. May she, Andrew Terrell, and the unknown others rest in peace wherever they may lie.
Your bring the story of Julia Boyette Bailey brings amazing insight to my family’s history for she was my great-great grandmother. This find of her headstone and the proof she lived and endured slavery and self educated and taught her children to read and write makes me and my family more than proud. Thank you Lisa for your willingness to bring black people of Wilson County’s history to the forefront.
Moses Parker
Thank you for reaching out! I’m glad you found this post helpful — Julia Bailey seems like a remarkable woman!
I would encourage you to find out why her grave has not been moved and will be forever buried in the woods only 50 ft from the lake. I can take you to her grave. Randy M 252-230-5419.