The Colonial Park Cemetery is full of the history of many of Georgia’s first accomplished members of society. Many were immigrants, most were men, many died young. The location of the park is perfect for a cemetery, it’s shaded with Spanish Moss and cool, yet the sun shines brightly on the home of the dead. I’ve heard many say this cemetery is haunted, I didn’t feel the presence of bad energy, but I did feel like I needed to move quickly. Yes I know many don’t enjoy spending a few hours at a cemetery, but it really does give you a picture of what is cherished and who is celebrated in society. Colonial Park is home to many of the patriots of war during The American Revolution. Isn’t the entrance enchanting?
Unnerved Travel Tip~Park along the side gates as shown in the photograph below, have coins if possible, the machine was a bit testy with bills and cards for some reason. You will also see a few horse drawn carriages pass by, not sure about you but that seemed like a fun way to explore the city up close and personal. As the moss hangs low in many sections, if you are afraid of small mites or bugs, you might want to avoid it.
Imagine my surprise reading that young Edward Greene Malbone took refuge in Jamaica in an attempt to “recover his health”, proves what we all know, the islands of the Caribbean heal! I’m always amazed at the amount of international travels in the 17 and 1800’s , nothing about those voyages across the ocean excite me, but would I have felt the same had I lived during that time period? Probably not because I most likely would have been lighting sugar cane fields ablaze in rebellion on one of the islands of my ancestors as a field wench. And if I wasn’t enslaved, I’m sure that seeing the condition of those who survived transatlantic voyages would have quickly changed my mind about traveling for pleasure!
Edward Greene Malbone (1777-1807)
Hugh McCall (1767-1823)
Not a native of Georgia, but credited with the title of being the author of the first written history of early Georgia. I can only wonder as I have not read his work, how much of the history included the natives found in Savannah when the colonists began to arrive on the banks of the river and on the coastal shores? Did he document the perilous lives of the many slaves that built the city, or were they simply disrespected and recorded as cargo?
Joseph Vallence Bevan (1798-1830)
Noted as the first official historian, I wonder how much the work of Bevan and McCall was shared in documenting the early days of Georgia history?
William Scarborough (1776-1838)
Promoter of The First Transatlantic Steamship, I cant help but wonder if this invention aided in increasing the frequency of ships filled with human cargo, if it did, do you think it would have been documented by the historians of Georgia history mentioned above? Progress always comes with a price, I think its important to document everything, how does a one sided view of history inform the younger generation?
As I continued to enjoy the many “firsts” of men in the Colonial Park Cemetery, I wonder how many firsts also involved women? Let’s face it, those waters weren’t crossed alone, and we all know our charms to seek husbands, slinging pots and bearing children weren’t the only talents of women. I wonder if there was a cemetery dedicated to the firsts of women only, if it would be so well maintained and celebrated? If you have found one, please let me know in the comments, I would love to take a visit.
Duellist’s Grave
Nothing better than a good fight, but dueling seems absolutely psychotic to me, definitely something men created, because why else would we agree to walk face first into the barrel of a gun? Looking for a good duel scene, watch the season of Poldark, nobody better to give you an example of how to duel than that sexy Ross Poldark! For those who sleep on PBS and British Literature, your life is lacking substance!
Yellow Fever Epidemic 1820
I found it very interesting that a marking was left for those 700 lives lost during the Yellow Fever epidemic, would have liked to see small stones showing who they were and their ages. And are they scattered all over or resting in a mass grave? I cant even imagine how many lives will be lost at the end of the current pandemic, and what have we learned? Or will the past continue to repeat itself and we continue to operate in a space of self versus having care and compassion for our fellow sisters and brothers we share space with on this earth?
Unnerved Travel Tip~This is a great location for photography, you will encounter many with cameras and they will respect your space while seeking the perfect shot, please do the same. All of the photographers I encountered were very friendly and openly chatty, yes I know tensions are a bit high in 2020, but most humans are trying to find some form of normalcy same as you. As I am sure you know the best light is during the golden hour, but if the sun isn’t directly above you, you will get some beautiful midday shots. Most importantly a cemetery is full of life, be creative and capture the story you desire to tell.
As with any location, it is impossible to capture everything that a reader might enjoy. A cemetery lover and history buff could spend the day roaming and reading, a teacher might connect those buried with curriculum standards, a traveler might simply stop and enjoy the view. Whatever your reasoning, there is lots to learn and as much to see, you decide. If you are heat sensitive, go early in the morning or late afternoon, yes its shaded, but the Georgia sun on any day can be brutal. Please don’t stand on graves and take selfies, its disrespectful, think about your family members, would you want me on their grave doing it for “the gram”, I highly doubt it, so have please be respectful. Hope you enjoyed my best shots of the day at Colonial Park, if you are ever in Savannah, I encourage you to check it out.
Much love from the brown girl, traveling the world, currently moving states, without much technology, or a full time job, figuring out next steps and trying to make something beautiful.
Let’s connect on social media, find me on Facebook at Unnerved Traveler and The Unnerved Traveler, on Instagram at Unnervedtraveler and on Twitter at IUnnerved.
Ny Unnerved
The Unnerved Traveler 