Upton Family Cemetery - Baldwin, Florida

The Upton Family Cemetery is now in the middle of the Piney Grove Cemetery which was donated to the African American people of Baldwin by the Coleman family many years ago.

To reach the cemetery travel west on I-295 from Jacksonville. Take the I-10 West exit. Take the Baldwin Exit which is Hwy. 301 and turn left at the end of the ramp. Turn right at the end of the street on to U.S. Hwy. 90 and take an immediate left onto Lima Street North.

Drive into the Piney Grove Cemetery and the Upton Cemetery is directly in front of you surrounded by what's left of an iron fence.

This is the site upon arrival on September 19th. In the far left of the frame you can see the debris which had been thrown against the fence including huge wooden 1x4 frames for digging graves, branches, old metal plant stands with the styrofoam and cloth flowers still attached, broken bottles, cans etc. The two stones below were the only ones visible.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
Jeffie Fay
Born Sep. 28, 1876
Died Sep. 6, 1877
There is a land of endless rest
Where all infants in Christ are blessed.

Jordan A. J.
Born May 9, 1868 Died July 7, 1868
Budded on Earth to bloom in heaven.
DAUGHTER & SON OF B.& A.M. UPTON

Stone has rose stem with leaves and rose bud on top of both sides and has Rosebrauch & Sons St. Louis engraved at bottom. Left: Jeffie [sic] Jessie, Right: Jordan.

This is the tombstone of Adaran's sister Margaret who never married but lived with the Uptons and helped care for the Upton children.

Miss M. N. Walden

Born
April 26, 1840

Died
Aug. 22, 1898

The top of the stone slants back and has a carved image of what appears to be an open book, perhaps a bible.

Above the inscription on the face are what appear to be open gates, perhaps the gates of heaven.

This is the plot just three hours later!

When I realized that the stones noticeable in middle and right of frame above were the bases for the stones and NOT the grave stones, excavation began.

There was about 10"-12" of mulch entertwined with roots covering the entire plot.

      The white stone in the top right is GGG Grandfather Benjamin Upton's, and to the left, the base and the pedestal.
      Below that is his daughter Florence McNorell's stone, and to the left of it, the base. Just above Florence's base you can see a small marker, that of her son Benjamin Lafayette McNorell.
      Below Florence's and to the left is a small flat piece of what looks like concrete - the next trip proved this to be the base for daughter Sissy's stone.
      Below this is the base and stone for another daughter Annie L. Upton. For each grave there is a head stone and a foot stone and all the grave stones are facing east.
       In the photo you can also see the once perfect but still beautiful iron fence.

BENJAMIN UPTON
BORN
MAY 26, 1833
DIED
NOV. 19, 1895

Ye living men as you pass by
As you are now so once was I
As I am now you too must be
Prepare for death and eternity

Ben's Stone has a carved out oval with a raised cross at a 45 degree angle.

IN MEMORY
OF
FLORENCE M. wife of
R.C. McNORELL

and daughter of

B. and A.M. UPTON

BORN MAY 1, 1865
DIED OCT. 23, 1887

Dear wife gone from earth
to heavenly realms of love

Faithful friend, daughter dear
may we meet thee above

Florence's stone has carved raised stalks of wheat at the top and a single rose stem at the lower right.

When I first started raking, I found what I thought was a small marker. I started to uncover it and found another piece on top with a little lamb or dog whose head had been knocked off long ago.
I realized that the dates were not on this piece and started clearing around a barely visible stone next to the marker. My photo did not get the entire body of the animal.

BENJAMIN LAFAYETTE

Son of

R.C. and F. M. McNORELL

BORN SEP. 5, 1887
DIED NOV. 12, 1887

Benjamin's name is in carved raised letters.

The stones of Florence M. Upton McNorrell and Benjamin Lafayette McNorrell tell a tragic tale.

Florence gave birth to Benjamin in September of 1887 and she died in October. The baby died in November.

This was the parting shot the first day I encountered the Upton Family Cemetery and my ancestors buried there.

Second Trip to Upton Family Cemetery

Elizabeth Jane Miranda Upton Gravesite

Marietta V. Upton Gravesite

Blanche V. Upton Gravesite

Upton Walden Home Contact Kim