Baptist Cemetery
Feb 06, 03:01 PM
The Murphy First Baptist Church was chartered in 1845 and built its first church adjacent to this site in 1846. The original church was probably a log structure. This is the earliest cemetery for the Baptist pioneers in Murphy.
In 1927, the church built a beautiful Greek style building with huge white pillars, sculptured marble and stained glass on Peachtree Street, where the PNC Bank is now located.
This building served the church well for more than 50 years until the growth of the congregation made it apparent that another move was needed. In 1971, the church moved to its present location on Hiwassee Street.
Notice the new large headstone for David Taylor and his wife Mary Ann Bigby Taylor. Even though David Taylor was of European descent, his land was lost in the New Echota Treaty of 1835 because his wife was part Cherokee (about 3/8). The US government later paid him for this land in 1852. The couple also had six sons that fought in Thomas's Confederate Legion, a fearsome troop comprised of Cherokee men and men of European descent. This troop was also known as Thomas' Legion of Cherokee Indians and Highlanders. They were famous for their skill and persistence in tracking escapees and bushwhackers.
In 1927, the church built a beautiful Greek style building with huge white pillars, sculptured marble and stained glass on Peachtree Street, where the PNC Bank is now located.
This building served the church well for more than 50 years until the growth of the congregation made it apparent that another move was needed. In 1971, the church moved to its present location on Hiwassee Street.
Notice the new large headstone for David Taylor and his wife Mary Ann Bigby Taylor. Even though David Taylor was of European descent, his land was lost in the New Echota Treaty of 1835 because his wife was part Cherokee (about 3/8). The US government later paid him for this land in 1852. The couple also had six sons that fought in Thomas's Confederate Legion, a fearsome troop comprised of Cherokee men and men of European descent. This troop was also known as Thomas' Legion of Cherokee Indians and Highlanders. They were famous for their skill and persistence in tracking escapees and bushwhackers.