O’Neal AME Church Cemetery

Aug 17

Written By Sarajane Smith

Site Brief:

Founded: 1810-1820

Location: Hampton, GA

Additional name(s): Old Neal Cemetery

Affiliate group(s):

Ruben Gay Place
Honor Thy Roots Cemetery Preservation Inc.
Freedmen Nation

History:

The O’Neal A.M.E. Church Cemetery in Hampton, Henry County, Georgia, is a historically significant burial ground representing generations of Black American, Native American, and mixed-ancestry families whose histories span multiple eras, from Indigenous presence before European colonization through slavery, the Civil War, Emancipation, Reconstruction, segregation, and the modern era. Historical and genealogical records identify members of these families using classifications such as “Black”, “Negro”, “Colored”, and “Mulatto”, reflecting terminology used during different historical periods. The cemetery represents individuals and families who experienced enslavement before Emancipation, as well as Freedmen and Freedwomen who established families, churches, educational institutions, and communities after slavery. Research has identified educators and professors, Freemasons, military veterans, church leaders, community leaders, and working families among those buried or historically connected to O’Neal. Their stories represent generations of survival, education, military service, faith, leadership, and achievement before and after the Civil War.

The cemetery’s association with the historic O’Neal A.M.E. Church reflects the important role of the Black church in worship, education, mutual aid, family life, and community development following Emancipation. Descendants remain connected to individuals buried here, with family relationships extending into other historic cemeteries and communities throughout the region. Today, Honor Thy Roots Cemetery Preservation Inc. is researching, documenting, and advocating for the protection of O’Neal as development and infrastructure activity occurs around the burial ground. Preserving O’Neal means protecting the graves, identities, and stories of enslaved ancestors, Freedmen and Freedwomen, Black American and Native American families, people historically classified as Mulatto, educators, Freemasons, veterans, and community leaders and ensuring that this history of ancestry, survival, freedom, faith, service, and achievement is preserved for future generations.