Just thought I'd include a brief description of the old Cunningham cemetery, taken from a compilation I'm working on. The site is located in some woods on the south side of the river and is a pretty neat little place. Check it out!(preferably in the spring or winter months)- directions attached.
This cemetery is located on the south bluffs of the Tennessee River, near the present South Knoxville Bridge. It is reportedly one of the earliest burial grounds in Knox County, with interments dating back to 1799. According to a brief history compiled by the DAR on file at the McClung Collection, this site was originally a burial ground for Native Americans in the area prior to white occupation. The site has alternately been known as the Cunningham, Flenniken and Simpson cemetery, the latter presumably because it is situated on what was once a portion of Jesse Simpson, Jr.’s holdings in the area. (Only one Simpson, the son of Demarcus and Eliza Simpson, is known to be buried here.) A plot of land just beyond the cemetery was reportedly used as a slave cemetery during the early nineteenth century. This contention is supported by the presence of numerous plain field stones on that particular portion of the site.
Interred at this site are Samuel and Rhoda Anderson, my fouth great-grandparents, and the first known members of our Anderson line to reside in Knox County. Samuel died October 9, 1864 at the age of 96 years. Rhoda preceded her husband in death on October 21, 1849. She was 70 at the time she passed away. The Andersons’ youngest known son, Joseph, is also buried here.
Also interred at this site are Samuel and Mary Flenniken, my fifth great grandparents. Samuel, a soldier in the American Revolution and our pioneer ancestor for the Flenniken line, was born July 14, 1746 and died January 7, 1811. Mary was born February 1, 175 and died February 13, 1836. Several other members of the Flenniken family are also interred at this site, as well as at the Flenniken family cemetery off Joe Lewis Road.
Directions to the cemetery:
Drive east on Riverside Drive, just south of downtown Knoxville, and cross the river on the new South Knoxville Boulevard Bridge. (As you cross the bridge, look off to your right up the Tennessee River. The area a hundred yards or so west of the bridge was the location of the ferry maintained by Jesse Simpson, Jr. in the late nineteenth century.) Just after crossing the river, exit onto the Sevier Avenue ramp. There is a stop sign at the top of the ramp; turn left here. Cross the overpass and go straight through the next stop sign. Immediately after proceeding through the intersection, look ahead about fifty yards on the left, and you will notice a small road the doubles back toward the boulevard. Turn left here. This was originally Ford Road, as the property was purchased from Jesse Simpson by J.C. Ford. Proceed to the end of the drive and you will arrive at the old J.C. Ford home. This has been renovated into apartments, and there should be parking available in the front. Walk around to the rear of the building and you will notice a small trail that leads into the woods. This is the path that leads to the cemetery. The Simpson grave is on your left immediately after entering the cemetery. The Flenniken graves are about another hundred feet up the path, and the Anderson graves are about another fifty feet on beyond. Samuel’s headstone is down and broken, so look for Rhoda’s stone, which is still intact and easily visible.
This cemetery is located on the south bluffs of the Tennessee River, near the present South Knoxville Bridge. It is reportedly one of the earliest burial grounds in Knox County, with interments dating back to 1799. According to a brief history compiled by the DAR on file at the McClung Collection, this site was originally a burial ground for Native Americans in the area prior to white occupation. The site has alternately been known as the Cunningham, Flenniken and Simpson cemetery, the latter presumably because it is situated on what was once a portion of Jesse Simpson, Jr.’s holdings in the area. (Only one Simpson, the son of Demarcus and Eliza Simpson, is known to be buried here.) A plot of land just beyond the cemetery was reportedly used as a slave cemetery during the early nineteenth century. This contention is supported by the presence of numerous plain field stones on that particular portion of the site.
Interred at this site are Samuel and Rhoda Anderson, my fouth great-grandparents, and the first known members of our Anderson line to reside in Knox County. Samuel died October 9, 1864 at the age of 96 years. Rhoda preceded her husband in death on October 21, 1849. She was 70 at the time she passed away. The Andersons’ youngest known son, Joseph, is also buried here.
Also interred at this site are Samuel and Mary Flenniken, my fifth great grandparents. Samuel, a soldier in the American Revolution and our pioneer ancestor for the Flenniken line, was born July 14, 1746 and died January 7, 1811. Mary was born February 1, 175 and died February 13, 1836. Several other members of the Flenniken family are also interred at this site, as well as at the Flenniken family cemetery off Joe Lewis Road.
Directions to the cemetery:
Drive east on Riverside Drive, just south of downtown Knoxville, and cross the river on the new South Knoxville Boulevard Bridge. (As you cross the bridge, look off to your right up the Tennessee River. The area a hundred yards or so west of the bridge was the location of the ferry maintained by Jesse Simpson, Jr. in the late nineteenth century.) Just after crossing the river, exit onto the Sevier Avenue ramp. There is a stop sign at the top of the ramp; turn left here. Cross the overpass and go straight through the next stop sign. Immediately after proceeding through the intersection, look ahead about fifty yards on the left, and you will notice a small road the doubles back toward the boulevard. Turn left here. This was originally Ford Road, as the property was purchased from Jesse Simpson by J.C. Ford. Proceed to the end of the drive and you will arrive at the old J.C. Ford home. This has been renovated into apartments, and there should be parking available in the front. Walk around to the rear of the building and you will notice a small trail that leads into the woods. This is the path that leads to the cemetery. The Simpson grave is on your left immediately after entering the cemetery. The Flenniken graves are about another hundred feet up the path, and the Anderson graves are about another fifty feet on beyond. Samuel’s headstone is down and broken, so look for Rhoda’s stone, which is still intact and easily visible.
