Location: Where Iron Bottom Lane runs into Ralston Creek Street
GPS Coordinates: 32°52’22” N 79°53’49” W
TEXT OF ALSTON CEMETERY HISTORIC MARKER:
Sign Script: (written by Lee Ann Bain, Daniel Island Historical Society, Board Member – Community Outreach, and historical review by Michael K. Dahlman, Daniel Island Historical Society – Co-founder and Board Member, co-author of the book, Daniel Island.)
“Alston Cemetery’s name is a derivative of Ralston Plantation, which was located on this site in the 1820s. There are approximately 25-30 individuals interred here, and the documented burials span from 1898-1958. Several have similar last names, and the assumption is that they are related. In the Gullah culture, it is very important that family members be buried in the same cemetery no matter how far from “home” they are.
In African American cemeteries, you will find the graves are randomly situated on the land, but most coffins are positioned so the person faces to the east. Although African American cemeteries may look neglected, especially when burials are no longer taking place, that is not so. There is a belief that “letting it be” will allow the dead to remain undisturbed. ”
MORE ON ALSTON CEMETERY:
In viewing a traditional African American Cemetery, you will observe noticeable differences from what you would see in a traditional Euro-American cemetery. Some of these differences can be attributed to religious beliefs, others to a person’s lot in life.
According to African Americans traditions, there is always room for one more person. It is very important that family members be buried in the same cemetery. They do not have to be interred next to each as in the Euro- American family plots, but it is essential for them to be laid to rest in the same area of land as their relatives. You will find that usually the graves are randomly situated on the land, where as in Euro-American cemeteries, you typically find symmetry in the placement of the grave markers. Even though the graves are sporadically placed, most coffins are positioned so the person faces to the east. This comes from the concept that the world is orientated east to west following the sun. Others have suggested they were buried facing Africa.
The location of the African American cemeteries in the past are often found in “marginal areas.” The master would designate land that was not going to be used for other purposes as the burial ground. These spots were hidden away in remote areas among the trees and underbrush. Even the appearance of the burial area is different. Euro- American cemeteries appear more like a manicured park, African American cemeteries may look as if neglected or abandoned.
To an outsider the graves might look like they are covered with random stuff…household items and trinkets. These are grave goods and are “offerings.” This ritual can be traced back to African mortuary practices. (See Grove Cemetery marker for more details)
Black cemeteries were seldom documented. It was not important to the plantation owner to record the location of “slave burial grounds.” But these sacred spots are well-known by the generations of families that continued to bury their family members within those places.
Preservation and protection of all types of cemeteries is crucial. It is up to all of us to make sure that these spaces are not erased and that they will be there for future generations to help them understand their heritage.
Here’s a partial list of who is buried in Alston Cemetery (this is a work in progress). Many of these entries have links to photos of the grave stones or markers.
ALSTON CEMETERY
BENJAMIN DENNIS
1910 (estimate) – June 10, 1952
Stone inscription: Age 42 (metal marker)
Photo of stone/marker:
BENNIE DENNIS
April 17, 1905 – June 12, 1952
Stone inscription: None
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903786/bennie-dennis
JAMES DENIS
1868 – October 5, 1931
Stone inscription: None (note that James is spouse of Sarah Denis, also buried in cemetery)
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903407/james-denis
JAMES DENNIS
April 2, 1904 – August 22, 1958
Stone inscription: None
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903914/james-dennis
SARAH DENIS
June 9, 1877 – February 1, 1936
Stone inscription: None
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903639/sarah-denis
IDA DOCTOR
August 5, 1906 – March 15, 1953
Stone inscription: None
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903159/ida-doctor
SUSIE DRAYTON
December 15, 1865 – May 19, 1898
Stone inscription: None
Photo of stone/marker:
LOUSA GETHERS
1860 -1937
Stone inscription: None
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903261/lousa-gethers
LEON JENKINS
August 15, 1912 – July 17, 1952
Stone inscription:
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903887/leon-jenkins
MARY O. O. JEFFERSON
July 15, 1896 – January 22, 1941
Stone inscription: None (note that Mary is the daughter of Cyrus Wise & Hager Cooxum, both born on Daniel Island, and wife of Isaac Jefferson. Name listed on Findagrave as Mary Oswald Wise Jefferson.)
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63902854/mary-oswald-jefferson
PRISCILLA JENKINS
1831 – February 14, 1923
Stone inscription: None or unknown
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63902463/priscilla-jenkins
ADOLPHUS MCCALL
1866 (estimate) – December 24, 1914
Stone inscription: 48 years
Photo of stone/marker:
SARAH SIMMONS
1870 – 1943
Stone inscription: None (note, Sarah is believed to be the wife of William Simmons, who is buried in Grove Cemetery and helped her raise their grandson, Master Blacksmith Philip Simmons).
Photo of stone/marker: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63903295/sarah-simmons
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CHECK OUT OUR “DANIEL ISLAND CEMETERIES” PAGE…. CLICK HERE