Mt Olive RECORDS & Archives
National Register of Historic Places - Official Listing
16 November 2020
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/historic-commission/thc_national-reg_draftsseptember2020/TN_Montgomery%20County_Mt%20Olive%20Cemetery%20Watermarked.pdf
16 November 2020
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/historic-commission/thc_national-reg_draftsseptember2020/TN_Montgomery%20County_Mt%20Olive%20Cemetery%20Watermarked.pdf
The Mt Olive Cemetery Master Records File
The Mt Olive Cemetery Master Records File provides Educational and Historical information on the citizens and Soldiers interred at Mt Olive Cemetery.
This is not a complete list of everyone interred at Mt Olive, however, it does represent the Society's current level of knowledge based on local, State, and National records.
We will update these Records as research efforts expand.
Society Members and visitors can access the Master Records Files at the link below.
Mt Olive Cemetery Records-Master Files - Updated JANUARY 2022

master_records_april_2023.xlsx | |
File Size: | 67 kb |
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Mt Olive Master Records Oct 2022 | |
File Size: | 65 kb |
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Mt Olive Master Records Jan 2022.xlsx | |
File Size: | 56 kb |
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Finding Your Way Around Mt Olive
The Mt Olive Site Plan below will provide you a general orientation to the Cemetery's boundaries, and road networks. The Cemetery has been divided into 8 Zones. These Zones assist the Society and visitors in locating graves and headstones.
The Mt Olive Cemetery Records Master Files identifies the location of each resident using this Zoning convention.
The Mt Olive Site Plan below will provide you a general orientation to the Cemetery's boundaries, and road networks. The Cemetery has been divided into 8 Zones. These Zones assist the Society and visitors in locating graves and headstones.
The Mt Olive Cemetery Records Master Files identifies the location of each resident using this Zoning convention.
Historical Obituaries
The attached file provides a glimpse into our past. Here you will find a collection of obituaries from Clarksville's The Leaf Chronicle and The Nashville Globe. The Society thanks its member Mrs. Brenda Harper for her research on this project.
The attached file provides a glimpse into our past. Here you will find a collection of obituaries from Clarksville's The Leaf Chronicle and The Nashville Globe. The Society thanks its member Mrs. Brenda Harper for her research on this project.

MT Olive Cemetery - Newspaper Obituaries | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Historical News Articles referencing Mt Olive Cemetery

Clarksville Weekly Chronicle July 3rd 1880 | |
File Size: | 117 kb |
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Remembrance of the Month
In support of our Mission Statement, each month the Society reflects on the life of a permanent resident of the Cemetery. These Biographies provide a unique insight on the lives, service and sacrifices of those interred at Mt Olive.
We hope these Biographies provide an opportunity for our community to reconnect with our Nation's history and help the Society to celebrate and honor our fellow citizens' lives.
Biographies are published by the Society's Historian, Phyllis Smith

charity_and_eddie_headspeth_biography.docx | |
File Size: | 22 kb |
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major_benjamin_steele_biography.docx | |
File Size: | 21 kb |
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Stark Anderson Biography | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
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Coleman Norfleet Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 18 kb |
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Kate and Dorsey Thompson Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 162 kb |
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Ellen Pennilton and William Dudley Bbiography.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
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Blondella Dunlap Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
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Egbert Miller Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
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Babe Cross Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
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George and Lucy Vance Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 179 kb |
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Clardy Family Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
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Susan Hite Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 139 kb |
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William Dudley Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
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USCT Stephen and Irene Kimbrough Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 194 kb |
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Barry and Kittie Gupton Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 241 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT Thomas Campbell Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 142 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT Cube Lyle Steele & Mary Eliza Steele Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT Wilson Thomas Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 87 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT Martin & Macie Means Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 156 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT Alexander McNeal Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 163 kb |
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Roderick and Margaret Faulkner Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 147 kb |
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USCT Charles Griffey Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 154 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT CPL Chesterfield Dabney - Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 62 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT Shelby Clark-Biography of a Civil War Veteran.docx | |
File Size: | 173 kb |
File Type: | docx |

Civilian - Jordan Barksdale Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 61 kb |
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Leonard Mabry Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 164 kb |
File Type: | docx |

USCT PVT Isaac Fields Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 149 kb |
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Mary-Ann Carr Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 158 kb |
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USCT Isaac Fields Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 152 kb |
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Violet Allen Adams Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
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Alexander Carr Biography.docx | |
File Size: | 42 kb |
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USCT Moses Parrish Biography-Updated_may_2019.docx | |
File Size: | 67 kb |
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Woodson Wheeler biography.docx | |
File Size: | 93 kb |
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charles_herbert_gray_biography.pdf | |
File Size: | 119 kb |
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ann_and_henry_boyd_biography.pdf | |
File Size: | 108 kb |
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joseph_martin_biography.pdf | |
File Size: | 109 kb |
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charley_and_mansfield_clark_biography.pdf | |
File Size: | 108 kb |
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lacy_family_biography.pdf | |
File Size: | 111 kb |
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bud_mccarter_biography.pdf | |
File Size: | 117 kb |
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wiley_rogers_biography.pdf | |
File Size: | 144 kb |
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Remembrance of the Month (May 2023)
Tisha Dudley Gilbert Biography
Tisha Gilbert Dudley was born in Tennessee in 1874 to Philip Gilbert and Emily Dunkin. Her given name was Lutitia but she was variously listed as Lutitia, Tishey, and Tisha. Tisha was the most common name used.
Tisha’s father Philip was a U. S. Colored Troop veteran who enlisted in the 9th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery in Clarksville, Tennessee on July 4, 1864 when he was 33 years old. Probably because of his age, he was promoted to Sergeant on September 16, 1864 and served as the Quartermaster Sergeant. When he left that position, he was reduced back to the rank of private. There is no evidence of reduction in rank as punishment. Philip was transferred to the 15th U.S. Colored Troop Infantry Regiment on July 24, 1865 and mustered out of the service on April 7, 1866.
By 1870, Philip Gilbert had returned to Clarksville and was living in District 12 (which includes the city of Clarksville, TN). He was listed as aged 35 working as a laborer and living with Emily, aged 30, Amanda, aged 10, and Lucy, aged 5. It is unclear when Philip and Emily married. There is no record of the marriage occurring in Clarksville which may mean that they married in Kentucky where they were originally from or that they married during their enslavement. They had a son, Ben Gilbert, who married Amanda Gilbert in Montgomery County on March 27, 1876.
The 1880 Montgomery County, TN census listed the family living in District 1 between Rossview and Hampton Station. Philip, aged 53, worked as a farm laborer, Emily, aged 39, was keeping house. Amanda had either married or died. Lucy, aged 12, and Lutitia or Tisha was aged 6.
In July 1890, Philip applied successfully for a Civil War pension. This possibly enabled him to purchase the 1 ½ acre plot of land he had been farming. He bought it from his son Ben for $30 on May 20, 1895. Between May 1895 and June 1900, Philip Gilbert died. Emily successfully applied for a widow’s pension in June 1900. Currently, it is unknown where Philip Gilbert was laid to rest.
The 1900 Montgomery County census listed Emily, aged 53, living in a house she owned mortgage free. According to the census, Emily had six children but only four were alive in 1900: Ben, Lucy, Tisha, and Robert. Tisha, aged 29, and Robert, aged 20 were the only two children living with Emily.
On March 24, 1904, Tisha Gilbert married Robert Dudley. The 1910 Montgomery County census showed Bob, aged 58, working as a farm laborer. Tisha, aged 33, was listed as having had one child who died. Chester Dudley, aged 7, from one of Bob’s previous marriages completed the household. The census indicated that Tisha was Bob’s third wife. The family was living in rented property on Hampton Station and Rossview Road.
On February 6, 1918, Tisha died of Brights Disease. Brights Disease is an inflammation of the kidneys and can have a number of different causes. She is listed on the certificate as Teashie Duddle and the information for the certificate was given by her sister Lucy. It is possible that Robert Dudley had preceded his wife in death or that they had separated since Tisha is listed as single on the death certificate. No information has been found on Robert Dudley after 1910. Tisha was buried in Mt Olive by William Keesee on February 8, 1918. To date, no headstone with her name has been found.
Bibliography
Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served with the United States
Colored Troops: Artillery Organizations, Civil War,, Gilbert, Philip, National Archives, Washington
D. C.
Montgomery County, Tennessee Census (1870, 1880, 1900, 1910).
Montgomery County, Tennessee Deed Book 28, page 492.
Montgomery County, Tennessee Marriage Index, 1799-1953.
Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1958; Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, Tennessee.
Tisha Gilbert Dudley was born in Tennessee in 1874 to Philip Gilbert and Emily Dunkin. Her given name was Lutitia but she was variously listed as Lutitia, Tishey, and Tisha. Tisha was the most common name used.
Tisha’s father Philip was a U. S. Colored Troop veteran who enlisted in the 9th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery in Clarksville, Tennessee on July 4, 1864 when he was 33 years old. Probably because of his age, he was promoted to Sergeant on September 16, 1864 and served as the Quartermaster Sergeant. When he left that position, he was reduced back to the rank of private. There is no evidence of reduction in rank as punishment. Philip was transferred to the 15th U.S. Colored Troop Infantry Regiment on July 24, 1865 and mustered out of the service on April 7, 1866.
By 1870, Philip Gilbert had returned to Clarksville and was living in District 12 (which includes the city of Clarksville, TN). He was listed as aged 35 working as a laborer and living with Emily, aged 30, Amanda, aged 10, and Lucy, aged 5. It is unclear when Philip and Emily married. There is no record of the marriage occurring in Clarksville which may mean that they married in Kentucky where they were originally from or that they married during their enslavement. They had a son, Ben Gilbert, who married Amanda Gilbert in Montgomery County on March 27, 1876.
The 1880 Montgomery County, TN census listed the family living in District 1 between Rossview and Hampton Station. Philip, aged 53, worked as a farm laborer, Emily, aged 39, was keeping house. Amanda had either married or died. Lucy, aged 12, and Lutitia or Tisha was aged 6.
In July 1890, Philip applied successfully for a Civil War pension. This possibly enabled him to purchase the 1 ½ acre plot of land he had been farming. He bought it from his son Ben for $30 on May 20, 1895. Between May 1895 and June 1900, Philip Gilbert died. Emily successfully applied for a widow’s pension in June 1900. Currently, it is unknown where Philip Gilbert was laid to rest.
The 1900 Montgomery County census listed Emily, aged 53, living in a house she owned mortgage free. According to the census, Emily had six children but only four were alive in 1900: Ben, Lucy, Tisha, and Robert. Tisha, aged 29, and Robert, aged 20 were the only two children living with Emily.
On March 24, 1904, Tisha Gilbert married Robert Dudley. The 1910 Montgomery County census showed Bob, aged 58, working as a farm laborer. Tisha, aged 33, was listed as having had one child who died. Chester Dudley, aged 7, from one of Bob’s previous marriages completed the household. The census indicated that Tisha was Bob’s third wife. The family was living in rented property on Hampton Station and Rossview Road.
On February 6, 1918, Tisha died of Brights Disease. Brights Disease is an inflammation of the kidneys and can have a number of different causes. She is listed on the certificate as Teashie Duddle and the information for the certificate was given by her sister Lucy. It is possible that Robert Dudley had preceded his wife in death or that they had separated since Tisha is listed as single on the death certificate. No information has been found on Robert Dudley after 1910. Tisha was buried in Mt Olive by William Keesee on February 8, 1918. To date, no headstone with her name has been found.
Bibliography
Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served with the United States
Colored Troops: Artillery Organizations, Civil War,, Gilbert, Philip, National Archives, Washington
D. C.
Montgomery County, Tennessee Census (1870, 1880, 1900, 1910).
Montgomery County, Tennessee Deed Book 28, page 492.
Montgomery County, Tennessee Marriage Index, 1799-1953.
Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1958; Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, Tennessee.
United States Colored Troops (USCT) Tribute
The drawing above was made by one of the officers of Company G, USCT, named Campbell.
Campbell kept a diary and was quite an artist.
Society member Jill Hasting identified the house from the drawing as first built by Robert West Humphries and later became known as the Pettus House. Pettus Park and a parking lot across the street from the park are two possibilities for the site of the house. The house no longer exists.
This home site was in the vicinity of what is now known as APSU's Dunn Center
Campbell kept a diary and was quite an artist.
Society member Jill Hasting identified the house from the drawing as first built by Robert West Humphries and later became known as the Pettus House. Pettus Park and a parking lot across the street from the park are two possibilities for the site of the house. The house no longer exists.
This home site was in the vicinity of what is now known as APSU's Dunn Center
PVT Isaac Fields
The grave site of PVT Isaac Fields was discovered during a Preservation and Restoration Project conducted in July 2017. Up until this time, local records made no mention of his burial at Mt Olive.
Private Fields' grave site and head stone were completely covered by a rich bed of perennial vines that blanket much of the cemetery. It was the hard work and persistence of a regular volunteer, CW4 (Retired US Army) Scott Loose, that made this discovery possible. We are grateful for his commitment to our mission and for his untiring devotion to seeing the restoration of the cemetery completed.
It's unknown just how long it had been since America heard the words "Private Isaac Fields" uttered by a fellow citizen and Army veteran. But on that day of discovery in July, when his name was called-out by Chief Loose, it was truly a moment of celebration for the Society and indeed our nation.
Rest in Peace Isaac Fields
The photos below shows PVT Isaac Fields' headstone and burial site.
The most recent photo of Private Fields' gravesite (below) was taken on December 17, 2021, where he and the other 31 veterans interred at Mt Olive Cemetery were honored and remembered with the laying of wreaths, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day, which has the mission of remembering America's fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching children about the value of freedom.
The grave site of PVT Isaac Fields was discovered during a Preservation and Restoration Project conducted in July 2017. Up until this time, local records made no mention of his burial at Mt Olive.
Private Fields' grave site and head stone were completely covered by a rich bed of perennial vines that blanket much of the cemetery. It was the hard work and persistence of a regular volunteer, CW4 (Retired US Army) Scott Loose, that made this discovery possible. We are grateful for his commitment to our mission and for his untiring devotion to seeing the restoration of the cemetery completed.
It's unknown just how long it had been since America heard the words "Private Isaac Fields" uttered by a fellow citizen and Army veteran. But on that day of discovery in July, when his name was called-out by Chief Loose, it was truly a moment of celebration for the Society and indeed our nation.
Rest in Peace Isaac Fields
The photos below shows PVT Isaac Fields' headstone and burial site.
The most recent photo of Private Fields' gravesite (below) was taken on December 17, 2021, where he and the other 31 veterans interred at Mt Olive Cemetery were honored and remembered with the laying of wreaths, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day, which has the mission of remembering America's fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching children about the value of freedom.