PLEASANT POINT CEMETERY

FOUNDED: Early 1800s

ADDITONAL NAMES: Woodlawn Cemetery

AFFILIATION(S): N/A

HISTORY:

Pleasant Point Cemetery (also known as Woodlawn Cemetery) is located approximately 50 miles southwest of Jacksonville Florida in Green Cove Springs, Florida. It rests just off of County Rd 209 about a half a mile north of Magnolia Cemetery. Magnolia is recognized as an Historic Civil War Cemetery, it sits on the west side of the road across from the Saint Johns River. Pleasant Point’s coordinates are 30.16592 N, 81.699639 W. It is currently severely overgrown and only a few grave monuments are still visible above ground. Find a Grave lists 15 confirmed individuals buried at Pleasant Point. Other documentation suggests that there are most likely 50 or more graves sites at this cemetery. It is referred to as a “Negro Cemetery” in historical documents and is listed as such in the manuscript, “They Are Here” Cemeteries of Clay County, Florida” by Elizabeth R. Spencer. Based on current information Pleasant Point appears to have been used from the early 1800s up until the 1930s.

BCN Contact Information:

Steve Griffith

ussgriffy@gmail.com

FAIRVIEW CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1858

ADDITONAL NAMES: New Hope Cemetery (an expansion of Fairview Cemetery)

AFFILIATION(S):

• Clay County African American Legacy

HISTORY:

In 1858, the city of Liberty established Fairview Cemetery. As was common at the time, a “less desirable” area of the cemetery was designated for the burial of those of African descent. In this 6 acre plot of land, there are over 750 confirmed Black people buried but it is estimated that there are over 1,000. Most persons went from cradle to grave in segregation, with the injustice following them into their burial. The cemetery is on a piece of land that slopes from west to east and the segregated burial ground is at the bottom of the incline, backing right up to a creek. Because of this, the land continues to suffer from flooding and erosion, and the secluded area made it a prime target for grave robbing and vandalism. Persons who were enslaved, domestic staff, day laborers, housewives, infants and children, businessmen, war veterans, and more are buried in this hallowed ground. There are some headstones scattered throughout, but most are for more recent burials. While it is likely temporary place markers were left at the time of burial, the majority of the graves are without a headstone. The Black members of the community were essential to building the town of Liberty, and during segregation, they established their own businesses, churches, and the only school in the area available for children of African descent. These individuals are buried in mostly unmarked graves and we are working together as a community to honor them in their final resting place.

BCN Contact Information:

Jaclyn Kaiser

info@libertylegacymemorial.org

www.libertylegacymemorial.org