A SKETCH ~ TENT GRAVES ~ GOOLSBERRY

- July 19, 2014

GOOLSBERRY 'GOOLSBY' KEY

Birth November 9, 1826 in Overton, Tennessee

Death June 12, 1909 in Bushing, Overton, Tennessee

Wife of Goolsberry

Elizabeth Finley

Birth July 4, 1831 in Fentress County, Tennessee

Death August 27, 1901 in Overton County, Tennessee

The pair married on May 22, 1849 in Fentress County, Tennessee.

They had at least 11 children.

Goolsberry is not any 'blood' kin!

However, getting led to him through the twists and turns

of family research, was worth all the twists and turns.

My 2nd great grand uncle (Lafayette 'Fate' Baldwin) married Armilda Key

who was one of the daughters of Goolsberry and Elizabeth.

SKETCH of Goolsberry 'Goolsby' Key

I have not come upon many drawings/sketches of my ancestors. I find the hat quite unusual ...would love to know the title of the small book (or whatever it is) that he is holding. Elizabeth's appears to be a photograph. He lived about 8 years after she died. I wonder if he sat for this drawing...or was it a photograph and then sketched.

I just wonder. Wish I knew. Can't quite get this hat.

Goolsberry is buried in Cedar Chapel Cemetery

in Overton County, Tennessee. His grave is a Tent Grave.

Tent Graves

Located in the Highland Rim and western Cumberland Plateau area of Tennessee is a folk culture type of grave covering called a tent or comb grave.

There are hundreds of these structures from near Albany , KY and across Tennessee mainly in the counties of Fentress, Overton, Putnam, White, Warren , Van Buren and continuing into Coffee County . They are also found in limited numbers in northern Alabama and northern Arkansas .
The principal material is sandstone from the Hartselle Formation which occurs in outcroppings in the area.  Other materials used to a lesser degree are limestone, tin or metal, concrete, and on rare occasions marble.

Variations occur in the construction of the tents over the area of use.   In Overton County the sides are often supported by an iron rod whereas in the White County area they are supported by a triangular end section of stone inserted underneath.   While many are not inscribed others may have a separate grave marker or inscription on side of the slab rock.

Reasons for their construction are often given as protection from animals such as cattle walking on the graves or to protect the grave from the weather.  The date of the tent graves generally is between the middle 1800’s to the mid 1900’s.

PHOTOS OF TENT GRAVES

In Some Of The Areas Mentioned Above

DAVIS Cemetery in White County, TN

FALLING SPRINGS Cemetery in Overton County, TN

FRANCE Cemetery in White County, TN

OLD JERICO Cemetery in White County, TN

BUSHING - OVERTON COUNTY - TENNESSEE

The Keys lived in an area in Overton County, Tennessee,

known as Bushing. Bushing was described in the

Rand McNally Atlas in 1895 as having a

post office and no railroad service. I didn't spend much time

on finding information about Bushing...but I will!

Bushing was located at the red marker on the map. I describe it as 'was' located because I have been unable to find anyone familiar with the name/place.

It appears to have been between present-day Rickman and Hanging Limb (TN)

There is a creek called 'Rushing Creek' -

I wonder if somehow 'Bushing' got changed to 'Rushing'...???