Date: 7/8/00
Cemetery Name: Lee Cemetery
Street:
City: Gallant
County: Etowah
State: AL
Nation: USA
Zip: 35752
Land Type: Private
Status: Abandoned
Graves within: 25 +/-
Oldest grave: 1884 or earlier
Records: No
Inventory: No
Owner: Mr. (William P?) Golden
Problem's
Property Encroachment
Overgrown-trees
Overgrown-ground cover
Broken Headstones
Disintegrating Headstones
Fallen Headstones
General Neglect
Records location
Cemetery description
Near the Conn Cemetery, near Clear Creek, in Etowah County,
Alabama, in the woods at the top of the driveway on Mr. Golden's
private property. Cemetery is overgrown and out of sight of the road
and not clearly marked or fenced. Only a few of the older residents
know the cemetery exits to my knowledge. There are several marked
graves, some damaged or weathered. There are many more graves marked
with rocks in place of markers, and probably more not clearly marked
in any manner. There are multiple family names here, though they are
all probably related to the Lees in some manner. The oldest known
(marked) grave (to my knowledge) is that of Col. William Carroll Lee,
who fought in the War of 1812 and was promoted to Colonel in the
Indian wars. Many of the graves are his children and grandchildren.
The cemetery may have been his private family cemetery at one time.
Another grave is that of Polk Dallas Lee, once sheriff of Etowah
County. Polk's wife is also buried there.
Other Problems
It is on private property, however, since it is of historical
value, the property needs to be properly maintained, and clearly
identified as a historical site or something of that nature. Since
there are two key historical figures buried there, Col William Carroll
Lee, being a veteran of multiple wars, and his son, Polk Dallas Lee,
being a prominent figure of Etowah County history; the cemetery needs
to be marked as such.
Previous Contacts
In 1994, after purchasing an Etowah County map which listed the
cemeteries, I noted the Lee Cemetery was missing. I wrote a letter to
the Alabama Department of Transportation to correct the situation.
They sent state surveyors out to locate the land. The state records
were altered to reflect the cemetery. I was told the cemetery would be
printed on all future maps as a result, and I was sent a copy of their
corrected copy of the state department's map. I have not been to the
cemetery since, or managed to buy a newer version of the map. Even if
noted by the Department of Transportation, I am afraid the cemetery
will remain on private property and not be properly maintained or
marked as historical.
Current Status
Unknown.
Submitted by / Contact for additional Information:
name: Briana Smith Felch
Email: briana5555@aol.com
