One of the functions of the Whigham Family Association is to replace, clean, or repair for headstones of our Whigham relatives that are over 100 years old.
The first gravestone replaced this year was that of Sallie Barnett “Nettie” Whigham, daughter of Thomas Galloway Whigham. Her original headstone was broken and buried in the ground. It was difficult to find and read. The discovery of her grave was the impetus for the cemetery project. She now has a new headstone placed by the Association. This stone is shared by her uncle, Samuel A. Whigham, whose original headstone at Old Batesville, could not be found.
The second cemetery to get work done was Weycott Plantation (Providence Cemetery) in Barbour County, Alabama. There some stones were reset and a new headstone was placed for Sarah Adela Lawson Whigham. She was the wife of Samuel A. Whigham.
The third cemetery to have work done was Providence Cemetery in Milry, Washington County, Alabama. There some stones were fixed and cleaned and a new headstone was placed for Thomas Marcus Whigham. His older stone had been repaired previously, but the repair did not take and the stone broke again.
“Your tombstone stands among the rest;
Neglected and alone.
The name and date are chiseled out
On polished, marbled stone.
It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn.
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse
Entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled
One hundred years ago
Spreads out among the ones you left
Who would have loved you so.
I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot,
And come to visit you.”
Author Unknown