Grave sites at
Some of their descendants, like Scott Martin, now help manage the private resting place.
"If you're interested in genealogy of the history of the area, you would find many of our founding families are buried here and there's just a lot of history to be found here at Union Hill. They were early settlers to shades valley and the
“Besides the genealogical or historical significance, we have many unique tomb stones. There are many above ground vaults. There are some particularly interesting children’s' graves and we have many Confederate veterans buried here," Martin said.
At one time a church cared for the cemetery grounds, but that was back near the turn of the last century. Today, the grounds are maintained by the volunteer group led by Martin. Before they started in the 1980s, the private cemetery had been neglected on and off for decades.
“We have a desire to maintain the cemetery. We do all of the upkeep and maintenance ourselves," Martin said.
But upkeep of is getting harder. Bushes, ivy and weeds cover many tomb stones on the sprawling grounds. Volunteers say fewer and fewer people are turning out to monthly clean-up days.
“Naturally, we are all getting older and it's getting harder to get younger individuals interested in the cemetery. Consequently it's getting harder and harder to maintain proper upkeep. I think that's one of the unique things about Union Hill. Not only do we preserve the actual upkeep of the cemetery; we preserve the history of these people buried here in this cemetery," Martin said.
That's why the group hopes for new volunteers to help maintain Union Hill, to learn and keep re-telling the stories of so many people who helped shape this area.
Families and Friends of Union Hill Cemetery meet on the first Saturday each month through summer and fall to care for the graves. Membership is open to anyone. Martha & Larry Kilgore are contacts, at (205) 956-4738. Email: lkilgore@bellsouth.net.
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