By By Lydia Grimes Feature Reporter
I am taking a little break from the Brewton family this week.
I will get back to it next week. I received a letter from Robert Findley of Cleveland, Texas, and want to pass along the information. There are so many Findley descendants in this area that need to know about this.
He writes, "This letter is intended to inform decendants of Magilbra and Dolly Findley (circa 1796-1884) of South Carolina, Georgia, and Covington-Conecuh-Escambia Counties of Alabama.
Recently, their common graves were re-discovered in a land-locked, abandoned family plot in the Red Level/Loango area of Covington County. A 14-inch tree had grown directly through the graves and nature had totally reclaimed all access to the grave site.
The property had been sold outside the family for several decades and was purchased by a land/timber speculator in 2003. Learning of the graves, he petitioned a Covington Count Court and an order was issued for the removal of both graves and all attachments, and that they be re-interred in a nearby established cemetery, Fairmount, in Red Level, where several Findley descendants are buried.
Magilbra Findley had an impressive military record and fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans (War of 1812). With his wife, Dolly, he fathered the following children: William, Robert, Martin, John, Riley, Celia who married John Franklin, Bluford, George, Mary who m.arried Solomon Jackson, and Martha who married Nick Harwell.
Five of the sons fought for the Confederate States of America (CSA) and all survived except Robert, who was killed. The Sons of Confederate Veterans are assisting in this effort.
All remains of Magilbra and Dolly Findley have been removed from the property and a suitable/proper re-burial is being planned. Tentatively: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2005, at Fairmount Cemetery in Red Level, Ala., both remains will be re-interred with proper and impressive military/civilian pomp and circumstance, including a 21- gun salute.
The general public and especially all descendants of the Findleys are invited and asked to circulate this information. Donations are needed and can be mailed to: P.O. Box 415, Red Level, Alabama 36474.
All excess monies will be used for the repair/maintenance of the listed Findley's graves. Several are in dire need of repair. Some have broken headstones/slabs etc. Make checks payable to Findley Cemetery Fund. Include your address or email and you'll be notified of final plans. For additional info e-mail: mfindley@alaweb.com"
Robert Findley
490 East Fork Dr.
Cleveland, Tx. 77228