The Lard Bilbrey Cemetery listed in the "Overton County Roll Call" by Norris is located off Spring Creek Road near Rickman, TN. The cemetery is unfenced and located in a cow pasture. Several trees have grown up among the graves. Graves include those of Lawrence Lard Bilbrey and wife, and Barbara Belk Bilbrey Williams and Hansford Williams (my gg-grandparents, included in the unknowns below), and several others as listed by Norris:
Icam Hansford Bilbrey
9/23/1863
8/6/1901
M. J. Bilbrey
3/5/1859
6/20/1890
Etty May Williams
8/19/1883
11/18/1884
Samantha A. Williams
4/22/1863
2/10/1890
M. B. Williams
1/7/1853
10/24/1879
Early Burr Bilbrey
10/13/1879
6/23/1881
Vercel Billbrey
1/12/1882
8/7/1883
Edney Billbrey
12/29/1886
3/15/1887
Bessey Violey Billbrey
10/12/1884
1/18/1891
Georgy Bell Billbrey
2/6/1889
8/21/1893
Edy Billbrey
12/16/1818
10/12/1863
Lard Bilbrey
6/27/1803
7/1/1876
There are about 15 unknowns at this site on the upper part of Spring Creek. The site is in the Netherland area.
Lard
Bilbrey Cemetery (November, 2000)
The cemetery measures about 50'x105'. Exact
dimensions are not clear because of difficulty identifying field
stones from stone grave markers for the unknowns.
Efforts are underway to reclaim the cemetery and prevent further
damage. The trees are currently being cut out, and plans are to
install a fence around the cemetery, install tombstones for Barbara
Belk Bilbrey Williams and Hansford Williams, construct an access
road, erect a sign, and other miscellaneous improvements.
|
Item |
Cost Estimate |
Comments |
|
Clear Trees |
$0 |
Expected expenditures were unnecessary because the tree cutters agreed to do the work for the wood. |
|
Fence (abt 50’ x 150) - chain link fencing 4’ high |
$850 |
|
|
Tombstones – (2) granite about 20” high, 26” wide, 6” thick on 6” base. |
$1000 |
|
|
Access Road- gravel |
To be determined |
We have permission from the land owners to construct an access road to the cemetery. Work is in process to procure gravel. |
|
Sign – to identify the cemetery. |
To be determined |
Inscription: “Lard Bilbrey Cemetery” We may want to include other information such as the date of the reclamation project and those who participated. |
|
Miscellaneous |
$200 |
To date: $50 for gate. |
Donors & Commitments:Richard Williams, Ross Swallows, Ross E. Williams, Jack Gill, Meikel Bilbrey, Bill Buck, Don & Helen Sloan, & Marion & Deltha Williams.
We will need funds, work teams, and other skills to complete this project. Please contact Ross Williams or me if you would like to participate through donations and/or services.