Rabun County is home to a rich history that dates back generations since its incorporation in 1819. Historic cemeteries tell important stories of those family legacies.
Located in downtown Clayton on South Church Street is the Clayton Cemetery. It is owned by the nonprofit Clayton Cemetery, Inc., and is a historic cemetery that dates back to 1850.
The cemetery is supported solely by gifts so contributions are welcome and encouraged, said Greg James, chairman of the board for the Clayton Cemetery, Inc. Although it is in close proximity to Clayton Baptist Church, it is neither part of nor maintained by the church and is a separate entity.
James said the upkeep of the cemetery is handled solely by volunteers so donations are needed to continue maintaining the cemetery in a clean, neat and attractive condition with grass cutting and other upkeep.
Anyone interested in donating can mail checks to:
Clayton Cemetery, Inc.
Attn: Treasurer Jay Green
P.O. Box 342
Toccoa, GA 30577
Because the cemetery is historic, honoring the families of those buried there is extremely important. Every donation, in any amount, helps.
History of the Cemetery
The Clayton Cemetery was first incorporated on Oct. 12, 1966, by Grace S. Green, Ernest Norton, Leon M. Bleckley, J.H. Cannon and Marjorie Green Smith, according to the July 22, 2003, revised edition of the report on the Clayton Cemetery, Inc. by Michael A. Cannon, who was with the Rabun Genealogical Services at the time.
The property had previously been donated by Thomas Kelly to Rabun County Inferior Court by Warranty Deed on Sept. 13, 1850. The deed stated the land was given for a public burial ground and a meeting house for the Baptist church.
“The earliest marked grave is that of James Hunnicutt, who died in 1854. He was a pioneer schoolteacher that died from a rattlesnake bite,” according to the 2003 report. “There is no doubt that there are older graves than this one, but they are marked only with field stones.”
A deed found in 2003 transferred the ownership of the cemetery from Rabun County to the Clayton Cemetery, Inc., according to the 2003 report.
A portion of the tract of land donated by Kelly was conveyed to the Trustees of the Clayton Baptist Church for worship services.
The Clayton Cemetery, Inc. is in possession of the remaining parcel and it is being used as a burial place for the dead.
The deed that conveys the cemetery land to Clayton Cemetery, Inc., was between Rabun County and the Clayton Cemetery, Inc., in February 1973. Commissioners who signed the deed were Chairman J. Coleman Jarrard, Hershel Grist and G.D. Long.
Clayton Cemetery, Inc., continues today as a nonprofit and is maintained by volunteers.
Contact James at 706-490-1954 for more information about how to contribute to Clayton Cemetery efforts.