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The Mayes Family Farm

 

William Mayes purchased 175 acres in northern Sumner County, Tennessee on August 30, 1815. He purchased the land at a cost of $600 from Benjamin Hudson. The State of Tennessee had first granted the property to Captain Moses Wimberly of North Carolina "in consideration of military service performed" (Warrant no. 4224) on December 12, 1796. Captain Wimberly assigned the property to Benjamin Hudson, as was a common practice at the time. 

William Mayes left his farm to his two youngest children Frances M. and Texanner. The property is believed to have belonged to the Mayes family at the time of George Mayes's death in 1932. Snider Perry was the last known owner of the "Mayes" farm as of June 2006.  The Frank Mayes cabin remains as part of a present home on the property. Much of the original hand crafted woodwork remains intact. The Mayes Cemetery is located there, directly in front of the home.

 

 

 

The Mayes Family Cemetery

 

The Mayes family cemetery is located in northern Sumner County, Tennessee south of Franklin, Kentucky, on the Snider Perry farm at 245 Snider Perry Road, Portland Tennessee. Mr. Perry is recently deceased. Directions are as follows: From Interstate 65 at Franklin, Kentucky, take Highway 100 west (Exit 6).  Go west one mile to Highway 73.  Go south (left) 7.6 miles to Snider Perry (Lear) Road.  Turn left (east) to dead end.  The road dead ends at the Snider Perry Home (old Mayes cabin).  The cemetery is about 100 yards due east of the house. 

In this cemetery lies the oldest known members of the Mayes family, which include the following:

MAYES, William                  Oct. 31, 1776 - Nov. 18, 1861

STEWART, E. E.                 Sep. 20, 1874 - May 18, 1896

BOYD, Nobie                      Mar. 6, 1884 -   Jan. 25, 1903

MAYES, Virtie                     Dec. 26, 1902 - Jan. 14, 1904

STEPHENS, Edgar B.          Sep. 13, 1891 - May 21, 1907

MAYES, Nancy                    Oct. 11, 1813 - Nov. 1, 1907

MAYES, Odie                      Sep. 1, 1900 - Mar. 25, 1917

MAYES, Bessie I.                Mar. 16, 1885 - Mar. 16, 1920

MAYES, James Rufus          Sep. 3, 1884 - May 24, 1921

MAYES, Frank M.              Sep. 16, 1850 - Jan. 15, 1924

MAYES, Emily                    Apr. 17, 1853 - Feb. 5, 1927

MAYES, Virgil Goodman    Apr.5, 1876 - Mar. 2, 1931     (no marker)

MAYES, George                 Oct. 17, 1877 - Dec. 19, 1932

STEPHENS, James             Oct. 29, 1886 - ? Dec. ?

Note: The cemetery also includes two unmarked stones, and most likely other bodies unknown.                  

 

 

Mayes Cemetery (June 2000)

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Folklore of the Mayes Cemetery

  

The founders of the Mayes Cemetery observed common traditions of the times. These traditions were preserved by subsequent generations, but have all but disappeared from modern society. It is important that we understand, respect, and preserve the folklore that was established by our Mayes ancestors, and which they literally expected to last an eternity.

 

Cedars of Lebanon:

The Mayes Cemetery rests in the shade of a huge old cedar tree, still growing in the southeast corner.  In pre-Christian tradition, the cedar was known as the abode of death, a tradition derived from the Osiris legend. Osiris' coffin was hidden in a cedar of Lebanon, where mother goddess Isis discovered it. However, the cedar tradition was more likely derived from the prominent reverence for the cedars of Lebanon as reflected in the Bible. The King James version of the Holy Bible includes no less than seventy-one references to the cedar. In each case, the cedar exemplifies the greatest of integrity and grandeur. Pioneers frequently selected a grove of cedars as an ideal location for a family cemetery. The immense size of the Mayes Cemetery cedars suggests that our Mayes pioneers chose to spend eternity in the shade of these very cedars, one of which we enjoy even today.

 

Preparation for the Second Coming:

All souls who rest in the Mayes Cemetery were buried on an east/west axis. Their heads are to the west, and their feet are to the east. Each headstone faces the west, with the body buried behind, or east of the stone. Our family pioneers held firmly to the Christian belief that upon the day of resurrection, the dead will rise from the grave to meet Christ as he comes upon the clouds of morning. According to Matthew 24:27…"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even upon the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

 

Periwinkle Ground Cover:

Like so many of the other old family cemeteries, the ground of the Mayes Cemetery is covered by a thriving spread of periwinkle, also known as vinca or myrtle. Most likely selected fro its practicality, endurance and beauty, periwinkle has long been a tradition of small family cemeteries. Periwinkle is a vine like plant that grows close to the ground with its glossy green leaves and brightly colored blossoms. Periwinkle is an excellent bedding plant for hot, sunny areas. It is frequently used to help control the growth of other unwanted plants. The periwinkle that now grows in the Mayes Cemetery has most likely adorned and protected these graves since their creation.