BENJAMIN CLEVELAND PLANTATION FAMILY CEMETERY, Oconee County, SC A.K.A. Wilkerson Plantation A.K.A. Westminster, SC Version 2.0, 17-Apr-2008, C034.TXT, C34 ******************************************************************************** It's believed that the usage of any original work submittals contained within these webpages such as articles, compiling, photographs or graphics, conform to Fair Use Doctrine & Copyright Guidelines. COPYRIGHT NOTE: (1.) Works published before 1923, are considered to be public- domain. (2.) Works published 1923-1977 without a copyright notice, are considered to be public-domain. (3.) Unpublished non-copyrighted works will have Author permission for public-domain. Facts, names, dates, events, places & data can not be copyrighted. Narration, compilations and creative works can be copyrighted. Copyright law in the U.S. does not protect facts or data, just the presentation of this data. REPRODUCING NOTICE: These electronic pages may only be reproduced for personal or 501(c) Not-For-Profit Society use. Use the following names, if, you would like to give any author compiling credit. AUTHORS: Paul M. Kankula-NN8NN & Gary L. Flynn-KE8FD *********************************************************************** 05-01-15 CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ Locate intersection of Highways 123 and 76 in Westminster. Drive west on Highway 123 for 9.0 miles. There is currently a Cleveland Plantation sign on the left side of road. Turn left and drive 0.1 miles on Rivoli Point Road. At bend in road, continue straight on Wilkerson Road. Drive past house on the right for a short distance. Cemetery is surrounded by a log fence on the right side of road. Note: As of Apr-2002, this plantation is currently owned by Michael Tousey, 152 Wilkerson Drive, Westminster, SC 29693, 864-647-5400. This property is posted Private, but cemetery visitors are welcome during normal business hours. Please check-in and sign the Guest Book located at the Plantation Office, which is located on the left side of road, just before the first house on the right. Latitude N34 36.539 x Longitude W83 10.254 CHURCH/CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ Col. Benjamin Cleveland died in 1806 at his home on the Chauga after suffering several years from heart dropsy. He was laid to rest on his farm where others of his family are buried. In later years his descendants and dignitaries gathered for the dedication of a handsome monument bought by the Cleveland's. It was not located at the grave site, but some distance away on the north side of highway 11 and just east of the Old Madison Baptist Church. o----------o Pack 656 #2. Probate Judge Office. Pickens, SC I Benjamin Cleveland be weak in body but of perfect mind and memory. I desire my body decently buried & to pay all my lawful debts. I give to my son Ablasom Cleveland the tract of land whereon I now live (except a part lying below a branch which runs into the river below Chauga) with all the land on either side of Tugalo River adj. each other. With negroes Jim, Lucy, Venus, Bess, Tom with half of all my live stock & half of my ready cash, after my debts are paid. I will to my grandson John Cleveland (son of Absalom) one negro boy named Prime. I will to Betsey Smith dtr of Absalom my cupboard with all furniture with it. I will to Benjamin Cleveland, son of John Cleveland decd. after my death two negroes Tom & Charles with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Charley R. Welborn one negro woman named Charlotte with her children, with one feather bed & furniture. I give to my grandson Absalom Fauche Cleveland son of John Cleveland decd. two negroes boys---- & Joe with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Betsey Cleveland dtr of John Cleveland decd. two negroes viz. Aquilla & Liza with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Patsey Cleveland dtr. of John Cleveland decd. Two negroes viz. Jane & Ned with one feather bed & furniture. I will to Beatey Franklin one negro fellow named Jack. I further give to my son Absalom my smith tools. The residue of my property to be sold and divided among the children of Absalom Cleveland. Except one iron gray stud horse called Talamachirs now in possession of Jesse Coffee, which horse I will to Jesse Coffee he being my friend & relation. My executors may sell old York & Dinah in whatever manner they think best that they may be taken care of. I appoint Absalom Cleveland, Jesse Coffee & Beatey Franklin my executors. Dated this 10 Sept. 1806. Signed Benjamin Cleveland Wit: Wm Hawkins, Daniel Cleveland, Nimrod Leather. Will proved 21 Oct. 1806. Husband of Mary Graves Cleveland dec'd TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife CLEVELAND, Absalom, f. benjamin cleveland, w. pattie harrison cleveland, no tombstone found CLEVELAND, Benjamin (Col), b. 26-may-1738, d. 15-oct-1806, revolutionary war soldier, small tombstone with 1738-1806 dates on it CLEVELAND, Mary Graves, h. benjamin cleveland, no tombstone found CLEVELAND, Pattie Harrison, h. absalom cleveland, no tombstone found Note: There is one above grave made out of slab stones. It appears that it has been opened at some point-in-time.