Re: Helena cemetery overlooks River - name??
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In reply to:
Re: Helena cemetery overlooks River - name??
Kathlyn Davis 9/13/02
Per Descendant of Someone Buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas:
I have not been to to the Confederate cemetery in Helena, but it is my understanding from relatives that have visited it, is that the Confederate Cemetery is a set-apart section of Maple Hill, which is the public cemetery.Here is some information that I have found on the internet:The Confederate Cemetery in Helena (there is an actual sign designating it as "Confederate Cemetery") is located on a high hill in the sothwest corner of Maple Hill Cemetery.It was started through the efforts of the Phillips Co. Memorial Association, organized in 1869.The Association arrange for the interment of Confederate soldiers buried in the local area after the Battle of Helena and some who were buried at more distant places.Of the latter, General Patrick R Cleburne's remains were brought from St. John's Cmetery, Ashwood, Maury, Co. Tennssee n 1870.Major Sam Corley's remains were also brought fom his original burial place at Little Rock in 1870.As the years passed, many old soldiers elected to be buried there. The one posting you see of mine (on your original memorial) is Abner Hamilton Beard Sr.(my G-G-Grandfather).He was the plantation/cotton gin owner from Gill, in Lee Co. Abner is also the one who built the road (now State Hwy. 261) from Gill to Palestine.Abner Sr. was in his late 40's at the start of the Civil War.He believed very strongly in the southern cause and in support, sent 100 of his slaves to work in the munitions factory in Arkadelphia.After he lost his son at Antietam, Jefferson Davis gave him an appointment as Captain in the Home Guard, protecting St. Francis and Phillips Co.''sfrom looting by marauders dispite his age.In that capacity, he took part in the Battle of Helena.Abner lost everything during the war.He survived the war, living in the Gill and Palestine areas.He died of pneumonia in 1872 and was buried in Hopewell Cemerery in Gill (many Beard relations are buried in this cemetery).Years later, Abner's son-in-law, Judge E.D. Robertson (married to Abner's daughter, Ethel Abner [Beard] Robertson) of Wynne, along with his son-- Abner's grandson (also named Abner)--had the Captain's body moved to the Confederate Cemetery in Helena.I would appreciate the transfer of this FindAGrave Memorial to me.Thanks for your information on James Nelson Beard--Abner's son.I will contact the site to see if they can locate James Nelson's grave.If there is anything you need for your site, let me know and I'll see if I can help.Again--thanks.
Ed Beard