Joseph Kirby appears on the 1830 census in Laurens County, South Carolina, as J. C. Parsons. He moved his family to Jefferson County, Alabama, from Laurens County, South Carolina in the mid-1830s, appearing on the census in Jefferson County in 1840. He purchased land surrounding Dogwood Grove Cemetery near Adger in 1839 and 1840. His daughter Elizabeth was the first person buried there, according to the late Albert Howton of Adger. Albert related the story that Joseph Kirby, who was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had held a revival meeting in the area when his daughter died. Recent rains prevented him from burying her in another cemetery, so he buried her at Dogwood Grove.
Joseph Kirby moved his family to Arkansas about 1860, first settling at Old Austin, then in Prairie County, later moving to the Holland Community in what is now Faulkner County in 1866. Joseph Kirby served as Class Leader of Oakland Chapel Methodist Church until his death in 1875. His grandson Marion Parsons was the first person buried at Oakland Cemetery in 1867. In 1996, a commemorative plaque was placed in the cemetery by his descendants honoring the founding pioneers of the church and cemetery.
Joseph Kirby appears on the 1830 census in Laurens County, South Carolina, as J. C. Parsons. He moved his family to Jefferson County, Alabama, from Laurens County, South Carolina in the mid-1830s, appearing on the census in Jefferson County in 1840. He purchased land surrounding Dogwood Grove Cemetery near Adger in 1839 and 1840. His daughter Elizabeth was the first person buried there, according to the late Albert Howton of Adger. Albert related the story that Joseph Kirby, who was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had held a revival meeting in the area when his daughter died. Recent rains prevented him from burying her in another cemetery, so he buried her at Dogwood Grove.
Joseph Kirby moved his family to Arkansas about 1860, first settling at Old Austin, then in Prairie County, later moving to the Holland Community in what is now Faulkner County in 1866. Joseph Kirby served as Class Leader of Oakland Chapel Methodist Church until his death in 1875. His grandson Marion Parsons was the first person buried at Oakland Cemetery in 1867. In 1996, a commemorative plaque was placed in the cemetery by his descendants honoring the founding pioneers of the church and cemetery.
Gravesite Details
Joseph Kirby and Sarah's graves are just south of their son William Buford and grandson Marion, under a large cedar tree, marked at this time (2019) by native rocks. Update: Monuments were placed at the graves of Joseph Kirby and Sarah on 1-25-2022.
Family Members
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Dr Samuel Parsons
1795–1887
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Archibald Bryant Parsons
1797–1885
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Pleasant Parsons
1805–1826
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Barnett Parsons
1806–1837
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Alcey "Nellie" Parsons Jones
1809–1891
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Mary "Crooked Polly" Parsons
1812 – unknown
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William "Cane Break Billy" Parsons
1814–1901
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Savanna Parsons
1816 – unknown
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Miles Jasper Parsons
1818–1920
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