The Historic Oak Grove Cemetery was laid out in 1788 and has tombstones dating back to 1801. It is one Georgias oldest cemeteries
It is located in downtown St Mary’s near the banks of the St Mary’s River. Once I stepped in the gates, I instantly felt like I was in another country. Spanish moss covers the live oaks and the ground has more sand than grass.
The cemetery really reflects St Mary’s history. Soldiers, Statesmen, Plantation Owners, Enslaved African Americans, Acadians, Captains and victims of yellow fever all lie in this peaceful cemetery.
The French Acadians found there way to St Mary’s after leaving Santo Domingo because of a Haitian uprising. The Acadians were originally deported from Nova Scotia and in Santo Domingo many were in rough work camps and made little money.
The cemetery is owned by the city. Well worth a visit for a couple of hours. There is also a history walk in front of the cemetery that has placcards of St Mary’s history
