Nestled on a hill on the edge of New Market, Alabama, lies Mount Paran Campground and Cemetery. One of the earliest known Cumberland Presbyterian campgrounds in Madison County, Mount Paran Cemetery is the resting place for many of the county’s pioneer settlers, with the earliest surviving grave stones dated 1826. Originally this six acre site was bequeathed to Mount Paran Presbyterian Church of Ne
w Market in 1842 by Samuel Davis. A division within the congregation in 1906 resulted in the dissolution of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at New Market in 1914, and some of its members joined neighboring congregations. With the decline of its use, Mount Paran Cemetery became known as Graveyard Hill. Today Mount Paran Cemetery comprises 3.77 acres; approximately 400 grave sites may be found. However, only 135 grave sites have markers remaining. Revolutionary War Veterans Samuel Davis, Moses Poor, and Spencer Rice are buried in the cemetery. As many as 20 Veterans of the War of 1812 and Civil War are buried at Mount Paran, including Confederate soldier John Bruce Crutcher who fell at the battle of Nashville on December 16, 1864. The campground was a favorable site for early Cherokees of the area, and the campground was used as a muster ground during the early Mississippi Territorial days of Alabama. Andrew Jackson and his troops are said to have spent much time at the campground during the early days of the Creek War. The campground was also a stagecoach stop and a mail station for the Pony Express. The local rider for the Pony Express was Jesse Edwards. Graveyard Hill is full of New Market’s History. A walk through the cemetery takes you back in time. Historical cemeteries such as Graveyard Hill are irreplaceable landscapes. As you can see, over time Graveyard Hill has become overgrown and somewhat forgotten. Before we lose this historical landscape, we must do what we can to preserve Graveyard Hill. From creating a plan of action to implementation, it will take the effort of UAH, Buckhorn, and the local community to save the cemetery. If steps aren’t taken to preserve Mount Paran, these historical resources will likely be irreparably harmed, and New Market will lose a valuable resource for charting its course into the annals of human history. Please join our ongoing community project to save Graveyard Hill. This page is dedicated to the preservation of Mount Paran Campground and Cemetery. Project Coordinator: Tish Cates
Phone: 256-740-9050
Email: [email protected]
