There are several old, unmarked and unknown gravesites in the cemetery of First Baptist Church of Gowensville. There are also unmarked gravesites of individuals who died in recent years.

The First Baptist Church of Gowensville is working toward identifying and marking all of their gravesites.

One of particular interest is a small child’s grave. For many years flowers would occasionally be left on the gravesite. The caretakers of the cemetery left a note on the grave asking for any identification of the child. There was no response and no one has left flowers or cared for the gravesite in recent years. As seen in the photograph, only field rocks were placed at the grave. In recent years, bricks were laid by an unknown person to outline the position of the site. The church would like to have any information on this child’s gravesite in order to provide a marker.

In addition, there is a gravesite that is of historical interest. During the Civil War, a young Union soldier fell from his horse and was killed near the Gibson property in Gowensville. As the story goes, the men of the community would not bury the young man. Several women in the community buried the man because they felt that even though he was a Union soldier, he was still some mother’s son and deserved a decent burial. This story is confirmed in county records. As of this writing this yong man has never been identified.

The church would also like information about a gravesite marked only W.M. McConnell.

The First Baptist Church of Gowensville cemetery is located on Hwy. 14 near the intersection of Highways 14 and 11.

For information concerning marking any known gravesite or on any of the above information, call the church office at 864-468-4408 or email fbcgowensville1@windstream.net.

–article submitted by First Baptist Church of Gowensville