Springhill Cemetery was established in 1836, with the founding of Desoto County and its seat, Jefferson, now known as Hernando in the newly-taken Chickasaw Cession. It was the public burial ground for residents of the town, free and slave, until churches and other groups established separate cemeteries. By the time of the last major yellow fever outbreak in 1878, there were hundreds of graves, many or most unmarked today. Only 6 monuments date after 1900. During the later part of the 20th century, the old public burial ground became a pasture and woodlot. Today, efforts are being made to conserve the 100-odd 19th century monuments, conduct historic and archaeological investigations, and beautify the site with native vegetation and Victorian ornamentals and make it an historic and recreational asset for all residents.

Many early officials of the city and county, as well as merchants and tradesmen, and their families and servants are buried here. While there are only around 100 grave markers, and these mostly represent the most prosperous families, there are probably 500-1000 burials present on the site. Probably, many graves were marked only with wood boards or posts, plantings, or earthen mounds decorated with the deceased’s cup, bowl, bottle, or other personal effects like conch-shell calling horns. After Emancipation, several prominent Freed men and women had monuments erected to their memory.

Grave of Sarah Roe, surrounded by cast iron fence. In the back ground, two of only 6 20th century monuments, Stewart and his step-son Ferguson

The skull and crossbones reminds us "As you are now, I once was. As I am now, you soon shall be." Monument with Odd Fellows symbols, Wiley Jones, in need of reassembling.

Recognition. Constant Mayer, 1865. Warner Collection of Gulf States Paper Corp., Tuscaloosa. Picturing History: American Painting, 1771-1930. Rizzoli, NY