Legacies in Stone: Porter's Creek

We went hiking in the Smoky Mountains in TN this year and found a trail along Porter's Creek that had an old cemetery next to the trail. I noticed walking through this old cemetery that there were many graves of children here, making an already somber walk through the woods feel even heavier.

The cemetery was mostly used by the Ownby Family, I didn't take a photo of each stone, but here is a list of the family members who reside here.

Joel Ownby (April-1836 / 1-2-1909) and his wife Elizabeth M. Clark (1849-1904). Joel was the son of Aaron and Mary Buckner Ownby. Joel was born in a log cabin further up behind this cemetery along the waters of Long Branch.

Bessie Ownby ( 10-22-1925 / 10-25-1925) Child of Fred and Orlena Whaley.

Rosalee Ownby (9-29-1913 / 10-1-1913) Daughter of Samuel and Sarah Whaley Ownby. They lived across the river from this cemetery and was the last cabin up that side of Porters creek.

Roy H. Ownby (3-14-1907 / 9-22-1908) Son of Beecher and Rosann Ownby. Beecher also lived in the Horseshoe Community across the river and was a preacher at Friendship church.

Ruth Ownby (8-12-1908 / 7-12-1910) Another daughter of Fred and Spohia Orlena Whaley.

Lillian Elizabeth Ownby (3-14-1909 / 4-16-1909) Daughter of Robert and Emma Whaley Ownby. Robert lived in cabins on both sides of the river near here.

Civil War soldier David Proffitt (2-11-1847 / 3-29-1909) and his cabin sat in the center of today's loop below the parking areas for this trail. He had a mill along the creek as well. He was married twice (to Mayes) and to Mary Ownby. Served in Co. E 2nd Cav. of East TN.

Mary Whaley (8-11-1909 / 8-11-1909) Child of James A. and Phoebe Whaley.

Hettie E. (Ownby) Martin (4-12-1878 / 12-10-1903) wife of Andrew "Davis" Martin. He also ran a store in the brier with John Whaley where the hotel was later built. He also worked at Elkmont.

Elbert Cantrell has a grand child buried here: C. C. (Claude) Cantrell is the last stone in the back side. (1-1-1914 / 2-14-1914) Son of William Arthur and Minnie Whaley Cantrell from my blog "Love on Porters Creek".

Elbert also has twins buried here but their stones are no longer readable and I don't have the dates. Elbert's home sat right across from that large rock along the trail below the cemetery.