The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-11-09
HISTORICAL ESSAY
ON LOCAL CEMETERY.
Association Votes to Build Permanent
Enclosure for ST. MichiePs.

At a recent meeting of the Gene
terry Association, held on the mezza-
nine floor of the San Carlos hotel, il
was voted to build a concrete base,
surmounted by a wrought iron rail-
ing, to make a permanent enclosure
of ST. Michae1's cemetery
At this meeting the request was
made that Mrs. Emma Hnlse Taylor
write an historical essay concerning
this beautiful and historic cemetery.
Through the courtesy Of Mrs. Taylor,
The Journal is permitted to publish
the essay, which follows:
How boastful we are of our fair
city, the oldest in the United States,
which has existed under three mon
arches and one republic.
with pride, mention our public
buildings, the custom house, city hall,
handsome banks, the San Carlos ho-
tel, a well kept, modern structure, ably
catering to its many guests; the spa
cious and expensive public school
buildings. an ornament to the city; the
handsome converts of Mercy and
Perpetual Alteration, Woman's Home,
orphan asylums; the Pensacola hos
pital. beautifully equipped building,
the mecca to which the sick and
weary eagerly trend their steps, to
place themselves under the efficient
care of those angels of mercy, the Sis
tiers OF Charity; our well kept parks
and streets.
while boosting Pensacola, what
can we say of ST. MichaeFs Cemetery?
The only remaining landmark of the
British. French and Spanish occupa
ton of Pensacola, and existing under
three monarchies and one republic?
st. Michaels is a Catholic cemetery
and for many years the only one in
the city, but she generously opened
her gates to all. irrespective of creed.
Hence, we find the names of many
prominent citizens. well known by ira
dition to the older citizens. Colonel
Hunt, U. S. Army, one of the heroes
of the Mexican and Indian wars,
whose handsome masoleum stands on
the division between the old, and new
cemeteries is hidden from view by
vines and underground.
ITO one conversant from childhood
with the names and history of many
distinguished dead. irrespective of
creed St. Michael's is an intensely in
teresting spot,
Here we find monument to Maj
Caldwell, U. S. Marine corps, cited for
bravery on the battlefield of Mexico,
with sword presented by his COM
pany. A monument to Mrs. Dade, an
only child, widow of Major Dade, U. S.
Army, scalped by the Seminoles in the
Indian War; nearby is a modest shaft
in honor of Passed Midshipman Steph-
en- Wilkinson, u. S. Navy, erected by
his widow Mary S. Wilkinson, who
in dying, bequeathed all of, her prop
erty to the Episcopal church for ben
evolent purposes.
within wrought iron enclosure.
near the entrance of old ST. Michaers
one finds the monuments of George
w. Barkley and sons, prominent and
popular II CT chants, whose mercantile
house stood at the corner of Palafox
and zarragossa streets.
Many other familiar names greet
us further on-Brights, Simpsons,
Reese, Campbells. Judge Gordon
Avery, judah. Henry Ingraham, wal
ker, Brosnahan, Sierra and number
less others. OF the British occupa-
ton of the province John Innerarity's
monument bears testimony He was
a junior partner in the influential
house of Messrs. Panton Leslie and
Company. After dissolution of the
company he married Marie Victoria de
VilliereS ard lived in Pensacola until
his death in 1854. His wife was the
oldest daughter of Col Jean Marc
Condor de Villiers, French Royal Ar
tillery, whose widow lies in one of the
quaint old cemented tombs near that
of her second daughter, Marie Guile
marde, widow of Col. Arnold Guile
marde, French Royal Engineer corps
Streets in Pensacola bear the names
of DeVilliers and GuiIlemarde, in their
honor
There are numberless living de-
scendants of prominent dead in old
st. MichaePs who will doubtless be
interested in the result Of a meeting
of the Cemetery Association. held on
the amezzanine floor of the San Carlos
hotel, Dr. Renshaw, chairman 1t was
put to the vote, and a decision made
to build a concrete base, surmounted
by wrought iron railing to make
permanent enclosure for this historic
city of the dead. Bids are to be sub
mitted. Civic pride will appeal to
ALL"