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Submitted: 4/28/09 • Approved: 12/18/16 • Last Updated: 12/21/16 • R184837-G0-S3
ca. June 1860 - Sept. 30, 1867
Son of William Buford and Esther C. McAlister Parsons.
"First Grave In Oakland Cemetery"
As is true with many small country churches, a cemetery soon was established around the log building at Oakland. The story of the first burial in the cemetery is a poignant rendition of the circumstances faced by early pioneer families. It starts with the arrival of a family from Jefferson County, Alabama, to the area. Joseph Kirby Parsons (c 1800-1874) and his wife Sarah (Nabors) Parsons (c1799-1877) moved to the Holland area in 1866 with a large extended family, settling about one-half mile north of Oakland Chapel. Parsons, like James Ford, was a licensed Class Leader in the Methodist church and served Oakland in that capacity for a time before his death. Within a year of their arrival, several members of the family had joined the congregation at Oakland. One afternoon in August 1867, Joseph Kirby Parsons' son, William Buford Parsons (c 1821-1872) and William's youngest son Marion (1860-1867) went for a walk around the church yard. After passing a particular spot, Marion told his father that was where he would like to be buried. By coincidence, little Marion came down with a case of the chills at the end of September, dying within six hours of becoming sick. Remembering what his son had asked, William had him buried at Oakland. Marion Parsons has since been recorded as the first person to be buried in Oakland Cemetery. When his father died in June 1872 he was buried by Marion's side.
by Charles D. Parsons
Contributed on 4/28/09 by mountain_veteran
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Record #: 184837