Burford Cemetery Independance MS

Burford's cemetery is the oldest known graveyard in the Southern part of DeSoto County, Mississippi. This cemetery is now located in Tate County, Mississippi. This territory, known as DeSoto County, Mississippi, was opened up in 1836 for settlers to buy land. This brought many families to DeSoto County, Mississippi. Among them were Stephen Nowlen, Solomon Burford and their families who arrived in DeSoto County in the year 1836. They had come from Giles and Lincoln County, Tennessee.

Stephen Nowlen bought a section of land known a Section 34, Township 4 and Range 6 on May 30, 1836, and on December 9, 1836 Solomon Burford bought a section of land known as Section 35, Township 3, Range 6 in DeSoto County.

Solomon Burford died unexpectedly on February 27, 1836 in Marshall County, Mississippi. Due to the fact that this territory was just recently opened there were no established cemeteries. His sons brought him to DeSoto County, (now Tate County), and buried him on his friend, Steven Nowlen's property. A grave marker was erected which bears record for being the oldest known tombstone in this County. Stephen was the brother of Solomon's daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Nowlen, the wife of his son Alexander Mitchell Burford; Elizabeth died after giving birth, to their first child, Lucy Amanda Burford.

After the death of his father, Alexander Mitchell Burford purchased on July 11, 1838, 480 acres of land from Stephen Nowlen, which included the cemetery where Solomon was buried; this became known as Burford Cemetery. From this day on Burford decedents have been buried here. The cemetery is located in the Old Georgia Ridge Community on the north side of Old Georgia Ridge Road, (know now as Peyton Road), 6 miles east of Coldwater, Mississippi in Tate County.

The first known document of proof we have of Burford Cemetery, (located in the South Center of Section 34, Township 4, Range 6, containing 3 acres of land), appears in the Tax Book for the "Assessments of Land in County of Tate for The Fiscal Year 1888 on Page 22, Line 19." On February 22, 1890, Alexander Mitchell Burford died at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 27 days. He is buried in Burford Cemetery.

The executors of the estate of Alexander Mitchell were his sons, namely K.L. Burford, T. F. Burford and L. J. Burford. When the estate was settled, they set aside a two-acre tract of land for the use and benefit of Solomon Burford's heirs and friends.

Even though the land has changed hands many times since the estate settlement, the Burford Cemetery has remained in tact.

In 1978 the 4H Club members of Poagville put in many hours of work cleaning off the Cemetery. Members of this group were Gregg Blair, Renee Thomas, Margaret Thomas, David Stevens, Frances Bourdelle, Susanna Thomas and Donna Scruggs. After this time the property was partially cleaned every year by Betty Burford and other family members.

In 1989 Dr. Alexander Mitchell Burford, Jr. started a trust fund for the Burford Cemetery. We now have a Burford Cemetery Association which is located in Tate County, Mississippi. The trustees are Dr. Alexander Mitchell Burford, Jr. of Florence, Alabama, Mr. Cecil W. Burford of Tate County, Mississippi and Mrs. Betty Arnold Loftiss of Tate County, Mississippi; all are direct descendants of Solomon Burford.

Listings in Red have not been verified, but are listed in Mrs. Betty Loftis's book The Elder Danial Burford His ancestors & Decendants of America (1684-1996) and are suspected to have been buried in the cemetery.

Listings in Blue come from another web sites which I can not find now, and have not been able to verify.

The headstone pictures were taken over the July 4th weekend 2002 by my wife Liz. Click on the headstone to see a larger picture of the stone.

1. Solomon Burford buried 1837 in Georgia Ridge

2. Lucy Hillard Burford Died 5/26/1847 Buried Burford Cemetery (Consort of D. Burford)

3. Dr. Woodard H. Burford Buried 13 Dec 1901 Burford Cemetery

4. Daniel Washington Burford Buried 20 June 1848 Burford Cemetery

5. Leonard Payton Clements Burford Buried 21 September 1863 Burford Cemetery

6. Son Burford Died Dec 23 1832 Buried Burford Cemetery

7. Elizabeth J. Burford Sept 11, 1841 Buried 1842 Burford Cemetery

8. Rebecca P. Burford Buried December 1856 Burford Cemetery

9. Mary F. Burford Buried Sept 17,1848-1848 Burford Cemetery

10. Alexander F. Burford Sept 12, 1852 Buried 1856 Burford Cemetery

11. Alexander Mitchell Burford buried 26 Feb 1890 Burford Cemetery

Father (Jane, Pittman, & A M Burford recorded on one stone written on back side of stone In Loving Memory Of Our Dead Father and Mother)

Note: Another grand and good old brother passed away. He was 83 years of age. He was a member of the Antioch church, Tate County, Miss. I have known him about thirty six years. He was a member of the church of Christ when I first knew him, but don't know when he first became a member. I can say one thing, I don't know that I ever knew a more consistent member in all my life. He raised a large family and one that any father could be proud of. He was kind, liberal and prompt. He leaves a wife and many relations and a host of friends to mourn his departure. But we have this consolation, he fulfilled his mission upon earth and has only passed over to take his final rest where we can again unite with him. I hope the relations and friends will imitate our departed brother, A. M. Burford. (W. N. McCain, March 3, 1890)

Source: The Gospel Advocate, March 19, 1890

12. Jane Lewter Burford Buried Burford Cemetery 30 July 1879

Jane Burford, Oct 11, 1816-Jul 29, 1879, Mother

Note: It is my painful duty to announce the death of our beloved sister Jane Burford. She departed this life on Monday the 21st of July 1879. She leaves 6 sons and 5 daughters and an aged companion and many friends to mourn her loss. Her sickness was cancer of the mouth. She was born in North Carolina, North Hampton County, on the 11th day of October 1816, moved to Tennessee in 1830; was married to A. M Burford in 1833; joined the church of Christ in 1841 and lived a consistent member of that body up to the time of her death. I became acquainted with sister Burford the 15th of March 1858 and have been very intimate with the family as neighbor and physician and always found her kind and affectionate. But we should not grieve after her as one that had no hope. She remarked to brother Burford before she died that she had no fears and she bore her afflictions, though they lasted twelve months, with all the patience that could be expected of anyone. Brother Burford, hold out a few more days, or years at most and you will be united with sister Burford in the better land where there will be no more parting and shedding of tears. But all will be peace and joy; may all her Children imitate her Christian example.

W. N McCain, Coldwater Depot, Mississippi

Source: The Gospel Advocate, 1879

13. Thomas L. P. Burford buried November 1858 Burford Cemetery

14. Peter E. Pitman Burford Buried 30 March 1890 Burford Cemetery

ACCIDENTAL DEATH: Last Friday afternoon, Mr. Pit Burford, who was blind, living at the old Doellman place, walked out of the house into the back yard, and stepped in a deep cistern filled with water. Assistance was rendered as soon as possible, but it came too late, and he died Saturday. His remains were taken up to Coldwater Sunday morning, whence they were carried out to Independence for interment. Peace to his ashes.

Source: Southern Reporter, Panola Co, MS March 14, 1890

15. Solomon Marion Burford Buried 8 Feb 1877 Burford Cemetery ?

16. Julia E. M. Burford died an infant 27 Nov 1855 Burford Cemetery ?

17. Leonard Lynn Burford died an infant 7 Mar 1861 Burford Cemetery ?

18. Rebekah Jane Wright died an infant 2 Nov 1848 buried Burford Cemetery.

19. Harvey C. Burford Dec. 2, 1811 Died 30 Jan 1846 buried Burford Cemetery.

20. Daniel C. Burford Died 22 Aug 1857 buried Burford Cemetery.

21. Tahpenious Burford Newman Aub 25, 1837 died 19 Oct 1856 buried Burford Cemetery. Married Howard Neewman in 1855/

22. Martha G. Burford died 9 July 1846 buried Burford Cemetery.

23. Rebecca F. Young Sept 16, 1844 died in childhood 1 April 1847 buried Burford Cemetery.

24. Martha W. Young wife of John B. Young died in Desoto County and buried Burford Cemetery.

25. William Clack Burford died 19 Oct 1863 buried Burford Cemetery

26. Elizabeth C. Flewellen Burford (Wife of William C. Burford) died 22 Sept 1856 buried Burford Cemetery.

27. Leonard Payton Burford Jul 23, 1843 died in childhood 20 Oct 1853 buried Burford Cemetery.

28. Rebecca Ann Burford Jan7, 1846-Jun 28, 1846 dau of WC & EC Flewellen Burford

29. Lucy Texannah Burford died in childhood 18 September 1851 buried Burford Cemetery.

30. Martha Jane Lafayette Burford Dec 29, 1840 died in childhood 15 September 1851 buried Burford Cemetery.

31. James Shardrack Burford buried Burford Cemetery?

32. John Herron Burford Dec 26, 1854 died an infant 3 Jan 1855 buried Burford Cemetery.

33. William Philemon Burford Jan 7, 1856 died in childhood 13 Aug. 1860 buried Burford Cemetery.

34. Thomas Anderson Burford Mar 6, 1859 died in infancy 22 Dec. 1860 buried Burford Cemetery.

35. William Clack Burford died in childhood 5 Sept 1864 buried Burford Cemetery.

36. Daniel Lafayette Burford buried 11 Nov. 1880 Burford Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM: It is with deep regret we chronicle the death of our true and tried friend, Dan'l L. Burford, who died at his residence 2 1/2 miles south of Independence, Tate County, Mississippi, on the 10th day of November 1880. He suffered much and long and bore his affliction with a great deal of fortitude and ? . He was an old and institutional mason and he proved it by his works. He made a profession of religion in the year 1833? and in 1853 he united with the Baptist Church, the one of his choice and lived a ? and Christian until his death. he proved his Christianity by his liberality to the church, to the poor, and to the suffering, honestly and ? in a word he was really ? a helping hand of his monumental charity to all who was in distress. Ever working in Jesus when his place on earth would be ? in a ? and would pass the glittering ? of righteous prepared for the ? faithful. Rose of Sheron at the head of his grave neither would look as beautiful to the eye as his robe of righteousness which he put on while in the flesh. Or when he ? die he might be transfigured from this world of trouble, sorrow and affirmatives into the garden of immortality where there is joy, peace and happiness forever and ever. When we witness the last changes we can but say. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, yes henceforth sayeth the Spirit they shall rest from their labor and their works do follow them." He leaves a wife and two children and many relatives besides a host of friends to mourn after him. We can only say our loss is his gain.

A Friend

Source: Tate County Record, Dec 18, 1880

37. Barsheba Ann Ellis Burford buried 9 Feb. 1930.

38. Philemon H. Burford died an infant 15 July 1856 buried Burford Cemetery.

39. Barsheba L. Burford died an infant 3 June 1857 buried Burford Cemetery.

40. Lucy Amanda Burford buried 12 April 1906 buried Burford Cemetery.

Mrs. L A Walker died Wed at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W H Ray. Her remains were laid to rest Thursday at Burford Cemetery in the presence of a large concourse of weeping friends and relatives. Funeral services by A G Perry of Coldwater. Mrs. Walker has been an invalid for sometime. She leaves 10 children, and a host of Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. She was about 75 years old and had been a member of the Baptist Church from her youth. We greatly sympathize with the bereaved ones.

Source: The Tate County Democrat, April 1906, Bowman Article

41. Jeptha Vinon Walker (Husband of Lucy Amanda Burford) died 27 Nov. 1884 buried Burford Cemetery.

"Gov" Walker was a native of Georgia; was born August 11, 1813; died Nov 22, 1884 aged 74 years, 3 months and 5 days. He had been the husband of two wives and father of eighteen children. He served in the Florida War, fighting the Indians in 1836, also served one year in the late rebellion. He was two years in our State Legislature, and Supervised our County two years in its formation. He was a safe advisor, a good legislator, as his record will show. He was true to the principle that he espoused--both to his religions and political tenants. He bid farewell to his friends and relatives and asked them to meet him in the "Sweet Beyond," and died in the Christian Faith. D Source: The Tate County Record, December 19, 1884.

42. Tolbert Finnin Burford buried 18 Sept. 1905 in Burford Cemetery.

43. Margaret M. J. Gillespie (Wife of Tolbert F. Burford) died 9 June 1870 buried Burford Cemetery?

44. Lucy Ann Langston Burford (Wife of Tolbert F. Burford) died 1933 buried in Burford Cemetery.

45. J. B. Burford died 27 Sept 1889 buried Burford Cemetery?

46. Infant Key, Twins (child of Regecca Ann Burford) died an infant 20 Aug 1867 buried Burford Cemetery?

47. Winfield Scott Burford buried 24 Nov. 1935 Burford Cemetery.

48. Rebecca Clack Burford Brister died 25 June 1932 buried Burford Cemetery

49. Jefferson Davis Brister (Husband of Rebecca Clack Burford) died Feb 9, 1910 buried Burford Cemetery.

50. George Brister (son of Rebecca Clack Burford) died an infant 22 Dec. 1903 buried Burford Cemetery.

51. Mary Mahala Burford Wallace buried 7 April 1887 Burford Cemetery with no stone.

Note: It is with sadness that we chronicle the death of Mrs. Mahala Wallace, who died yesterday at 6 a.m., and was buried the same day in the Burford Graveyard. She was a devoted Christian and leaves many friends to mourn her departure. (April 4, 1887 is the date of the article)

Source: Tate County Record, April 7, 1887

52. Lafayette J. Walker died in childhood 11 Oct. 1885 buried Burford Cemetery.

53. Izora Josephine Burford buried 12 November Burford Cemetery.

54. C. A. Burford, 1876 - 1951

55. Corrine Burford, Aug 11,1882 - Dec 9,1882, dau of WC & LV Burford

56. Orena Jones, Feb 27,1873 - Dec. 10,1898 daughter of ME & VL (Burford) Jones

57. William Miller, Co. E. 5Ga. Inf C.S.A. (no Dates) Died Sept 2, 1870.

Note: Death date taken from CSA Pension Application of Mrs. M. L (S?) Miller

58. Mary L (Granny) Miller, 1827-1911 (No Stone)

Note: Mrs. S E Miller known as Grannie Miller, died at the home of her son R M Miller Sunday afternoon at 2:00. She was in her 84th year. She was buried at Burford Cemetery Monday at 3 p.m. Rev A N Billingsley held the funeral services. She leaves two children and a host of friends to mourn her loss.

Source: Tate County Democrat April 27, 1911

59. Mary E. Martin, May 8, 1850 - Sept 19, 1920, wife of JP Martin Mother

60. James P. Martin, Dec. 8, 1844 - Feb 14, 1905

61. Henry Richardson, June 1, 1829 - Feb. 10,1875

62. Wm. S. Richardson, Mar. 22,1857 - July 16, 1863

63. Charles Edwin Richardson, Jul 2, 1854-Oct 31, 1887

64. Foot stones: AEB,

65. Jessie M. Allen, Dec. 22,1880 - Aug. 27, 1882, daughter of HO & ML Allen

66. James M. Wall, June 1,1840 - July 21,1896

67. Ella May Ellis, Sept. 30,1899 - Nov. 4, 1901, daughter of GR & AM Ellis, age 2 years

68. B. Jane Burford, Sept 9, 1836 - Feb. 8, 1930, wife of D. L. Burford

69. Martha W. Young, Feb 18,1815 - July 9,1846, wife of J.W.Young

70. Sina L. Wilkerson, Sept 23,1885 - Oct. 22, 1885, daughter of W. T. Wilkerson and Mollie E. Wilkerson (her parents are buried in the Crockett Cemetery)

71. Valentine Wolfe, June 2, 1803 - May 1, 1871

72. Hawkins, no names or dates ( this is a big stone)

73. W.R.J. Kingsbery, July 3,1872 - Feb.4, 1884, son of WL & EJ Kingsbery

74. R.H.R. Kingsbery, Mar. 23,1876 - Sept. 6, 1876, son of WL & EJ Kingsbery

75. W. B. Roberts, Co. C. 20 Ark. Inf. C.S. A. (no dates) (William Basil Roberts from Georgia)

76. Eveline Dillard Roberts, wife of W. B. Roberts (new stone)

77. J. N. Walker, died July 1935, husband of Cora buried with no stone (new stone)

Note: J N Walker of Memphis was buried at Burford Cemetery Sunday in the presence of a large congregation of friends and relatives. In a addition to his wife he leaves two brothers, W J Walker, of Independence, and Rev Jep Walker of Oklahoma; one sister, Mrs. W H Ray of Coldwater, Mr. Walker has been in the hospital for some time. He died of cancer.

Source: The Tate County Democrat, July 11, 1935

78. Cora Walker, Oct 1, 1859-Jun 24, 1916, wife of J. N. Walker

79. Hezekiah Lipsey, 5-1795 - 1880, (no stone born Georgia and died in Coldwater, Mississippi Lipsey records say buried in Burford Cemetery)

80. Infant son of LPC & Rebecca C. Burford, B&D Dec 23, 1837

Burford Cemetery is located 6 miles East of Coldwater, Mississippi, (at the corner of highway 306 and highway 305 turn South and go 1 mile, then turn West and go 1 mile) Burford Cemetery is on the right.

81. Mary J. Francis, born May 23, 1850 – Died Jun 28, 1859

82. Sarah J. L. Francis, Born July 1, 1832 – Died Dec 5, 1856

83. Wm. W. Francis, Born Mar 19, 1824 – Died Jan 24, 1854

84. Huel Maxi Blair, Aug 12, 1917 – Jun26, 1992 (New Stone)

Huel M Blair, 74, retired carpenter, died Friday, June 26 at St Joseph Hospital in Memphis. Services were at 2 p.m. June 28, at Mt Zion Baptist Church, where he was a member, with burial in Burford Cemetery. Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch has charge. Mr. Blair, the husband of Bessie Stacks Blair, also leaves a daughter, Sharon Whitworth of Independence, three sons, Stanley Blair and Gregg Blair, both of Independence, and Wayne Blair of Wyatte; two sisters, Helen Posey of Independence and Joyce Clark of Corinth, nine grandchildren and five Great-Grandchildren. Active pallbearers were Ellis Blount, Retus Blair, Vinon Ferguson, Archie Powers, Maise Ferguson, and Sammy Harris.

The Cemetery tombstone inscriptions were read and copied on March 13, 1977, by Mrs John R. Craft and Mr. Anse McKinnon.

The Cemetery tombstone inscriptions were read and copied in April 1984, by Mrs. Evelyn Arnold Plyler and Mrs Betty Arnold Loftiss

The information from newspaper's, Bible records, and Lipsey records were added by Mrs Betty Arnold Loftiss.

Cemetery recorded by Syble Embrey April 6, 2000

Notes researched and compiled by Syble Embrey

Web files compiled by Roger M. Burford