Cleanup Event For Livingston’s Historic Cash Cemetery

The city of Livingston is seeking volunteers for a Saturday cleanup event at Livingston’s historic Cash Cemetery across from the Clark House.

Downtown Revitalization Chairman Ray Evans said this is a preliminary stage with the end goal of restoring the the almost 200-year-old burial ground.

“The fence rows are all grown up. We think that there are some tombstones within some grown up areas that have not seen the light of day in decades,” Evans said. “And then, we want to follow-up with some more maintenance and restoration.”

Evans said War of 1812 veterans and one of John Sevier’s granddaughters are buried at the location. About forty percent of the graveyard is made of unmarked African American grave sites.

“Weather permitting from eight to four, we will be using chainsaws and loppers and weed eaters, and everything we can get our hands on,” Evans said. “And, just really doing a cleanup of the interior.”

The Envision Livingston Committee planned the event. Evans said member Pat Poston has taken care of the grounds voluntarily for the past five years.

Evans said students needing volunteer hours for the TN Promise can also bring paperwork to count the event.

Overton County’s first female physician, Myrtle Lee Smith, is also buried there. The Cash Cemetery is one of six public cemeteries in Livingston.