Two Dollars Fall/ Winter 1988-89 THE HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE QUARTERLY of Local Architecture and Preservation THE HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE QUARTERLY of Local Architecture and Preservation Vol. XV, No. 1 & 2 Fall/Winter 1988-89 Contents 3 Maple Hill Cemetery by Joberta Wasson 22 The Huntsville Powder House 24 Contract for the First Courthouse In Lincoln County Tennessee 26 Huntsville Becomes A Town - From Wilderness Log Cabins To Sturdy Brick Buildings THE HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE QUARTERLY is published four times a year by the Historic Huntsville Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 786, H u n t s v i l l e , Alabama 35804. Editor: Micky Maroney. Staff Researcher-Writer: Joberta Wasson. Subscriptions are mailed free to all Foundation members. I COVER: Architect George Steele designed the first mausoleum erected in Maple Hill Cemetery - that of Mary Chambers Bibb (1816— 1835). She was a young bride who died three months after her marriage to William D. Bibb, son of Governor Thomas Bibb. The Greek Revival mausoleum is sealed on all four sides, and the legend persists that she was entombed sitting in a rocking chair. PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS: Micky Maroney: Cover; pp. 4, 6-14, 18, 19. From the brochure of Maple Hill Cemetery, published by the Twickenham Woman's Club; artwork and research by Louise Marsh and Minnie Marie Hedden, with map drafting assistance from Linda Bayer: pp. 2, 16, 17. From the Montesanon 1925, (yearbook of Huntsville College/ Wills-Taylor School): p. 22. 2 Maple Hill Cemetery by Joberta Wasson On September 3, 1818, gypsy tribe was encamped in the City of Huntsville paid Huntsville many years ago. LeRoy Pope $75.00 for a two Curious onlookers say that acre plot of land to be used the funeral rites lasted far as a community burial ground. into the night. Mourners So began Maple Hill Cemetery danced and sang around her on what is now its northwest grave, alternately pouring corner. It has grown to wine on it and imbibing, encompass over one hundred themselves. acres. Then, if we walk north An eerie and enthralling along the west wall to a historical tour awaits those tombstone in the shape of a who browse among its towering cross, we will see - literal­ trees and along its carriage ly - another gypsy. Her por­ lanes. Here lie five gover­ trait is on her marker; hand­ nors of Alabama, business and some, dark-eyed Lena Mit­ professional leaders, mili­ chell's (1906-1959) face fits tary men, and many other in­ her profession - that of a dividuals who, though ob­ fortune teller. scure, led fascinating lives. Maple Hill was registered by A few feet northeast a the Alabama Historical Asso­ small stone between two tall ciation in 1962. shafts designates the grave of Jeremiah Clemens (1814- A civic group, the 1865), Mark Twain's cousin. Twickenham Woman's Club, has A Huntsville native, he was made it easy to locate many something of a writer him­ points of interest in Maple self, being the author of Hill. Talented members have four romantic novels. But drawn a map which pinpoints primarily, Jeremiah was a man them and gives short descrip­ of action. A hero of the tive material. (The map, in Mexican War, he was elected brochure form, is available Brigadier General of the Ala­ at the cemetery office.) bama militia when Alabama seceded form the Union. This The best place to start honor displeased him, how­ a historic tour is at an ever, because he was opposed unmarked grave on the north to secession. He resigned side of the main gate. Here and bravely endured the shame lies a gypsy queen.2 She fell of being called an "arch ill and died while while the traitor." He died of pneumo- 3 The inscription on an ornate monument of twin fluted columns topped by urns hints at an intriguing story: "The Sisters" - "Mary E. Wright, wife of J.M. Wright; born in Nelson County, Va., Dec. 6, 1822; died at her sister's in Huntsville, June 7, 1 855;" and "Margaret C. Moore, wife of Wm. H. Moore; born in Nelson County, Va., April 27, 1825; died at Oakwood, Hunts­ ville, April 12,1859." The two obelisks in the background offer another brief his­ tory: "To the memory of Mary E., wife of Egbert J. Jones, who was born in Huntsville, Jan. 15, 1832, was married June 8, 1854, and died April 7, 1855;" and "Egbert J. Jones; an hon­ ored member of the Ala. Bar. Col. of the 4th Ala. Regiment; died at Orange Court House, Va. Sept. 1, 1861 of wounds re­ ceived July 21, 1861 in First Battle of Manassas." 4 nia, a comparatively young this boy long ago. She was man. (His home still stands convinced that she had once at the corner of Clinton been a nurse at Shiloah in a Avenue and Gallatin Street, previous incarnation and had now owned by Huntsville Util­ tended the fatally wounded ities and used as offices.) boy. Now she felt he wanted her to beautify the neglected Nearby is the grave of family plot. For more than a Anne Bradshaw Clopton (1878- year she came, almost every 1956). As a little girl, she sunny day, to plant, tend, read about a German artist and water. She has gone now who painted on cobwebs. If but has left a legacy of he could do that, so can I, beauty. she told herself. She did indeed master the art and Across the lane from the became famous. One of her Patton plot rests infamous works hangs in the Smithso­ Governor David Peter Lewis nian Institution. The Burritt (1820-1884), in office during Museum here in Huntsville has the carpetbag regime. He is many more. said to have been greedy and devious. The story is told To find Governor Robert of how he sent out pleas for Patton's (1809-1885) grave- help for victims of a flood. site, we must go to the first Many kind souls sent food, carriage lane leading north. clothing and money, but - An enlightened statesman, he there was no flood. served during some difficult years, Just before and imme­ Continuing our stroll, diately following the Civil we see the tall red granite War. He was ousted by the cross which marks the grave Reconstruction Act. of Governor Reuben Chapman (1799-1882). He was a state The Patton family plot legislator and United States has a singular beauty. In the congressman as well as gover- spring tulips and daffodils cor (1847-1849). In the Chap­ nod brightly among the con­ man family plot one headstone federate violets and forget- bears only the name "Mammy." me-nots which grow wild all The family had refused to over the cemetery. Blooming obey an ordinance forbidding almost year-round are shrubs the interment of Negroes in which were planted fairly Maple Hill.3 "She was our recently. It seems that a beloved nurse and one of our few years ago an attractive family and she stays with young lady, a newcomer to us." (Governor Chapman's home Huntsville, visited this is located at 2404 Gaboury plot. She saw there the Lane.) grave of one of the Gover­ nor's sons who had been a Just northeast of the soldier of the Confederacy. Chapman plot, a Celtic cross As his marker attests, he had marks the grave of LeRoy Pope been killed at the battle of Walker (1817-1884). Walker, Shiloah. The young lady, as Confederate Secretary of reading the inscription, was War under Jefferson Davis, overcome with a powerful triggered the start of the feeling that she had known Civil War by ordering Fort 5 The tombstone of LeRoy Pope Walker (1817-1884). He was a lawyer, state legislator, and first Secretary of War of the Confederate States of America. His grandfather was LeRoy Pope. Sumpter in South Carolina to especially on rainy evenings, be fired upon. (Walker's home a black hearse pulled by six is located at 413 McClung black horses can be seen Avenue.) along the carriage lane, Gov­ ernor Bibb seated within. An imposing monument d e s i g n a t e s the grave of (Governor Bibb built a Thomas Bibb (1782-1839), Ala­ splendid Greek Revival home bama's second governor. He in Huntsville for his daugh­ was president of the first ter Adeline Bibb Bradley. state senate, among other This home is at 300 Williams accomplishments. Governor Avenue.) Bibb has become the subJect of one of the ghost stories A handsome monument top­ in which all cemeteries seem ped by an urn memorializes to abound. He had passed Dr. David Moore (1787-1845). away at the family home, He was a true Renaissance Belle Mina in Limestone Coun­ man - planter, state legisla­ ty, and was laid to r ,e s t tor, friend, and personal there. Some twenty years physician to Andrew Jackson. later the body was exhumed He served on Jackson's medi­ and reinterred in Maple Hill. cal staff during the Creek It is said that the governor Indian Wars. And "he found tries unceasingly to find his the golden fleece hanging way back home. At dusk, from the cotton stalk," ac­ 6 The marker of Dr. David Moore (1787-1845), who was a physi­ cian, planter, state legislator, friend and personal physician to Andrew Jackson. In 1815 Dr. Moore was one of the town trustees to whom LeRoy Pope deeded thirty acres for the town of Huntsville. cording to a local newspaper, His greatest contribution, the Weekly Democrat. He died however, was as a physician.