Elder-Linch Cemetery

Turin, Georgia

Back in the peaceful Georgia piney woods is a quaint little family cemetery. This is the final resting-place for two of the areas pioneer families, the Elder's and the Linch's. This cemetery is remarkably beautiful in it's simplicity and solitude.

Vandals and the forces of nature have wrecked havoc on this special place, Most of the grave markers are destroyed. The beautiful, tall wrought iron fence that surrounded the cemetery was stolen years ago.

The parents of Elijah and William David, David Linch and Mary Beam Linch were the first Linch's to be buried there. Years ago, a tree fell on their gravesite and destroyed the grave and the markers are lying on the ground.

Elijah and Jeanette Linch are buried there as well as Giles Fitzhugh Linch (son of Elijah ), C. Montmorenci Linch ( son of Elijah ),  Isaac P T Gay ( baby  son of Thomas and Harriet Gay ), Harriet Gay ( Linch - sister of Elijah ) - died December 11,  1856; she was only 19 years old, Rebecca May Linch ( baby daughter of William David Linch ), David E.O. Green ( son of Mary Elizabeth Linch, a sister of Elijah, and Joseph Green ), Rebecca Linch ( sister of Elijah ), Mary Eleanor Linch Gray (daughter of Elijah ), Henrietta Linch (daughter of Elijah).

Off in the woods, 50 yards or so,  away from the cemetery are quite a few un-named slave graves. The trees are growing among the graves. Near many of the markers, Jonquils are profusely growing. It's a shame that these poor people are laid to rest in un-named graves, their stories never to be told. At least they had the privilege to be laid to rest in such a peaceful place.

This tranquil little cemetery is located down a dirt road not far from the intersection of Elder Mill Road and Hall Road in Turin, Georgia.

NOTE: Early on 2000, I heard news that someone has purchased the land of the cemetery and the surrounding area and that he planned to develop the area. It was also stated that he planned to preserve the cemetery. Further, in April, 2000, I got word that the developer had cleared the land surrounding the cemetery ( including the old barn ), but the cemetery was untouched with some of the trees surrounding it left intact. Damn progress... Further, in May of 2000, I visited the cemetery to place the CSA marker on my Great grandfather's grave, I noticed that the land was indeed cleared, however, not for development, but for pasture. The owner left intact the old barn as well as an adequate buffer zone of trees around the cemetery.

2004: The entire property is fenced and the gate is locked. The owner does respond to open the gat for a visit.

2005: A Tornado passed through the area and knocked down numerous huge pine trees resulting in damage to many of the graves.

Elijah's grave and his Confederate service marker can be seen.

Those buried in this cemetery are as follows:

Linch, Mary Beam  - 2/11/1805 - 7/16/1891, born Fairfield District, SC, died Coweta Co, GA, she married David Linch in Fairfield District, SC on 12/16/1832

Linch, David - 2/14/1807 - 7/18/1862

Gay, Isac P T - died 9/23/1856  age 1 year 5 months and 15 days, son of Thomas and Harriet Gay

Gay, Harriet ( Linch ) -  died 12/11/1856 age 19 years 11 months 8 days

Green, David E O - 5/25/1860-3/10/1863  son of J O and M E Green ( Linch )

Linch, Rebecca May - 6/15/1871-9/20/1874

Linch, Rebecca - died 5/7/1880  in the 39th year of her life

Gray, Mary Eleanor Linch - 6/2/1869-1/3/1895  beloved wife of F H Gray, daughter of E O and J H Linch  mother of Frances Gray

Linch, Jeanette H - 10/23/1849-no death date on grave

Linch, Elijah O - 8/10/1835-6/24/1907  CSA Marker

Linch, Giles Fitzhugh - 1/4/1878-10/11/1919

Linch, C Montmorenci - 121/6/1875-3/17/1950

J H L footstone -  Jeanette H Linch

Elder. William H - 11/12/1920-11/4/1891 born in Clarke Co, GA

Elder, Elizabeth - 7/23/1825-6/27/1854  born in Tolbert Co, GA  ,arried WQ H Elder 12/9/1841  d/o Harrison Smith   she was a constant member of the Methodist Church

Elder, Martha E Dent - "she was my wife"  11/11/1822-34-4/22/1870  w/o S J Elder

Elder, Sterling James - 8/26/1818-12/7/1889  born Clarke Co, GA  died Coweta Co, GA

Elder, Rebecca P Hering - died 5/31/1866  age abt 84   Relict of Howell Elder

Persons, Rebecca Jane ( Elder ) - 12/30/1822-3/5/1892  w/o Thomas R Persons

Travis, Lizzie Persons - 4/10/1849-7/25/1890  w/o J S Travis

Persons, W H - "in memory of" 4/17/1841-3/1/1896

M E P footstone

W B P footstone

child box grave

adult box grave

NOTE: there is another cemetery adjoining ( actually separated by a strip of trees ) that is a blacl cemetery.