The Bonham Cemetery

Charity and Louisa Bonham lie at the base of a huge oak. There is one stone commemorating both the baby, Louisa, who died as she approached her second birthday, and Charity, age 53. Charity died on Dec. 14, 1865 and Louisa a couple of weeks later on Jan. 4, 1866. The record of the family continues in Fannin County - Louisa’s parents are buried in Smyrna Cemetery, a brother, John, in Moores Chapel, and other family members in Willow Wild Cemetery. Why are these two family members lying here?

The disinterment of the Cemetery has revealed a total of 23 graves where only 2 were marked. The appearance of Louisa and Charity lying alone and isolated deep in the woods is, as it turns out, deceiving, but the question no less mystifying. Who are these people that have all but vanished from history and how did they come to rest here?

Click here to walk the historic burial sites of the Wilks and Bonham Cemeteries with us.