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252    GEER CEMETERY [CITY CEMETERY]   -   Surname starts with B

Location - on Colonial Street between McGill Place and Camden Avenue.

Coordinates: 36d 00m 37.0s N; 78d 53m 04.0s W Click here for Online Maps

This cemetery was known by the names Geer Cemetery, City Cemetery, Old City Cemetery, East Durham and Mason Cemetery.

This is an abandoned, overgrown cemetery. There are approximately four acres of graves of African-American people. There are many stone markers present, some very unusual. Many of the markers have been damaged. The earliest known burial was in the 1870's and the last burial occurred in 1944. This is one of the earliest African-American cemeteries in Durham and many black prominent people are buried there.

The cemetery was started in 1876 with the burial of an 11 year old black farm hand of Jesse B. Geer, who was killed accidentally after being dragged by a horse on the Geer plantation. On March 28, 1877 a deed was written selling two acres of land for fifty dollars to three men, the land to be used as a burial ground. The three men were Willie Moore, John Daniel and Nelson Mitchell. The deed was signed by Jesse Geer and his wife Polly. The deed stated that the land was to be used for burials and that the heirs of Moore, Daniel and Mitchell were to be responsible for the property. The cemetery was closed in 1939 after the health department inspected the cemetery and found that the cemetery was overcrowded.

Canvassed by Denise Lawson and the Durham Service Corps in 1992, they listed about 100 markers. In 2003, Carrie McNair and several volunteers extracted burials from the death records located in the Vital Records office. Durham County began issuing death certificates in 1908 and North Carolina law has required death certificates only since 1913. Thus, there were over 35 or more years of additional burials that were unrecorded except for whatever tombstones have survived.

Pictures of gravestones by Allen Dew in 2003, 2004 and 2008. Additional pictures by Jessica T. Eustice in October 2008 and Sarah Cook in October 2012 and Wayne Lee in 2019 & 2020.



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1. Bailey, Alice   (b. 12 Apr 1892 - d. 30 Oct 1921)
Spouse - Calvin Bailey
2. Bailey, Annie L.   (b. 3 Aug 1901 - d. 21 Nov 1904)
Daughter of James Bailey and Laura Allen Bailey. Age 3 years. On same marker with Marion Curtis Bailey. Foot marker.
3. Bailey, Ben   (b. Abt 1860 - d. 10 May 1924)
Age 64 years
4. Bailey, Eliza   (b. Abt 1905 - d. 5 Feb 1910)
Age 5 years
5. Bailey, Gladys Smith   (b. Abt 1911 - d. 1 Oct 1934)
Wife of William Elbert Bailey. Daughter of Frank Smith and Lelia Sellers Smith.
6. Bailey, Henry   (b. Abt 1868 - d. 12 Sep 1911)
Age 43 years
7. Bailey, Lillie   (b. Abt 1883 - d. 25 Feb 1922)
Age 38 years. Wife of Robert Lee Bailey.
8. Bailey, Lula   (b. 1882 - d. 26 Oct 1923)
Age 41 years
9. Bailey, Lumm   (b. Abt 1851 - d. 7 Jan 1919)
Age about 68 years
10. Bailey, Malissa   (b. Abt 1871 - d. 7 Nov 1919)
Age 48 years
11. Bailey, Marion Curtis   (b. 16 Dec 1906 - d. 11 Nov 1929)
Daughter of James Bailey and Laura Allen. Age 23 years. On same marker with Annie L. Bailey.
12. Bailey, Mildred   (b. Abt 1881 - d. 26 Jan 1919)
Age about 38 years. Died from flu.
13. Bailey, Nannie   (b. Abt 1852 - d. 15 Dec 1924)
Age 72 years
14. Bailey, Robert Lee   (b. Abt 1877 - d. 16 Feb 1929)
Son of John and Nancy Bailey. Age 52 years
15. Bailey, Ruby   (b. Abt 1907 - d. 20 Apr 1926)
Age 19 years
16. Bailey, Sallie   (b. 10 Jul 1917 - d. 10 Jul 1917)
Stillborn.
17. Baines, Sarah   (b. Abt 1853 - d. 29 Jan 1923)
Age 70 years
18. Baldwin, Cornelia   (b. Abt 1860 - d. 4 Apr 1930)
Daughter of Peter Markham and Laura Green. Age 70 years
19. Bane, Callie   (b. Abt 1896 - d. 2 Jul 1919)
Age 23 years
20. Bane, Stanon   (b. 28 Apr 1918 - d. 1 Aug 1919)
Age 15 months
21. Banks, Abner B.   (b. May 1825 - d. 26 May 1918)
(his monument has death date May 27, 1918, 33 years)
22. Banks, Emily   (b. Abt 1829 - d. 8 Jan 1922)
Age about 93 years
23. Banks, Fendell   (b. 29 Apr 1856 - d. 24 Jul 1914)
Son of Abner B. and Emily Banks. Stone is lying on its side. Another photo from February 2008.
24. Banks, Grace   (b. 1856 - d. Unknown)
On same marker with James W. and Minnie Banks. Another view.
25. Banks, Harris   (b. Jan 1925 - d. 1 Jun 1925)
Age 4 months 25 days
26. Banks, Harvey   (b. Mar 1925 - d. 12 Jun 1925)
Age 3 months
27. Banks, James   (b. Abt 1890 - d. 9 Apr 1917)
Age 27 years
28. Banks, James W.   (b. 1874 - d. 1918)
On same marker with Minnie and Grace Banks. Another view.
29. Banks, Judy   (b. Abt 1840 - d. 27 Feb 1910)
Age 70 years
30. Banks, Judy   (b. 1810 - d. 1908)
Another view. - Another view.
31. Banks, Lucinda   (b. 9 Feb 1914 - d. 19 Apr 1914)
Age 2 months
32. Banks, Minnie   (b. 1879 - d. 1895)
On same marker with James W. amd Grace Banks. Another view.
33. Banks, Ruthie   (b. Abt 1868 - d. 30 Nov 1924)
Age 56 years
34. Banks, Sylvia   (b. Abt 1810 - d. 1898)
Aged 88 years
35. Banks, Wilson   (b. Abt 1842 - d. 17 Nov 1928)
Son of Juda Banks. Age 86 years
36. Barbee, Claiburn   (b. Oct 1909 - d. 9 Jan 1911)
Age 1 year 3 months
37. Barbee, Elnora   (b. Abt 1907 - d. 4 Nov 1932)
Age 25 years
38. Barbee, Ethel   (b. Abt 1915 - d. 25 Dec 1922)
Age 7 years
39. Barbee, Eugene   (b. Abt 1890 - d. 2 Dec 1920)
Age about 30 years
40. Barbee, Henry, Jr.   (b. Mar 1927 - d. 29 Feb 1928)
Son of Henry Barbee and Melissa Alston. Age 11 months
41. Barbee, Ida   (b. Abt 1875 - d. 25 Mar 1924)
Age 49 years
42. Barbee, Infant   (b. 21 Jan 1929 - d. 21 Jan 1929)
Daughter of George and Plassie Barbee. Stillborn.
43. Barbee, James E.   (b. Abt 1916 - d. 30 May 1917)
Age 1 year
44. Barbee, John   (b. 15 Feb 1913 - d. 17 Mar 1913)
Infant. Age 1 month
45. Barbee, Julius   (b. Abt 1872 - d. 27 Jul 1931)
Son of Joseph Barbee and louisa McCullus. Age 59 years
46. Barbee, Katie   (b. Abt 1921 - d. 6 Jan 1923)
Age 2 years
47. Barbee, Lorenzo   (b. Abt 1919 - d. 24 Dec 1922)
Age 3 years
48. Barbee, Louise   (b. Abt 1860 - d. 21 Feb 1925)
Age 65 years
49. Barbee, Mary   (b. Abt 1917 - d. 25 Dec 1922)
Age 5 years
50. Barbee, Olivia   (b. 5 Oct 1918 - d. 6 Oct 1918)
51. Barbee, Rachel   (b. Abt 1879 - d. 14 Jun 1911)
Daughter of Dollie Herndon.
52. Barbee, Samuel   (b. 15 Mar 1872 - d. 9 May 1928)
Age 56 years. O death where is thy sting. Grave where is thy victory.
53. Barbee, Sidney   (b. Abt 1875 - d. 22 Jul 1916)
Age 39 years
54. Barbee, Viola   (b. Abt 1895 - d. 18 Nov 1913)
Age 18 years
55. Barbee, Will   (b. Abt 1892 - d. 19 Aug 1917)
Age about 25 years
56. Barbee, William   (b. Abt 1866 - d. 17 Mar 1931)
Son of Handy Barbee and Laura Green. Age 65 years
57. Barbee, William   (b. Abt 1880 - d. 29 Dec 1922)
Age 42 years
58. Barker, Jumm   (b. Abt 1874 - d. 5 Nov 1913)
Age 39 years
59. Barnes, Caroline   (b. Abt 1844 - d. 23 Mar 1924)
Age about 80 years
60. Barnes, Infant   (b. 24 Oct 1928 - d. 24 Oct 1928)
Son of Leroy Robinson and Roberta Banks. Stillborn.
61. Barnes, John Daniel   (b. Abt 1877 - d. 14 May 1903)
Age 26 years
62. Barnes, Josyole   (b. Abt 1881 - d. 1 Aug 1917)
Age about 36 years
63. Bass, Clarence   (b. Jul 1930 - d. 7 Sep 1930)
Son of Marion Bass and Viola Heart. Age 1 month 14 days
64. Bass, Infant   (b. 22 May 1930 - d. 22 May 1930)
Son of Percy Bass and Estella Cannady. Stillborn.
65. Bass, Infant   (b. 16 Oct 1930 - d. 16 Oct 1930)
Daughter of Thomas Bass and Olivia Baldwin. Stillborn.
66. Bass, Jeff   (b. 16 Jan 1905 - d. 9 Sep 1923)
Age 18 years. Son of Charles Bass and Sallie Bass. Gone but not forgotten. Died in Goldsboro NC.
67. Bass, Rosena Rogers   (b. Abt 1856 - d. 2 May 1923)
Age 67 years
68. Beasley, Fannie Adora   (b. 18 Nov 1870 - d. 22 Mar 1910)
Age 39 years. Marker has birth in 1871. 'In memoriam of our mother'. Another photo from February 2008.
69. Beasley, Lena   (b. Abt 1870 - d. 25 Apr 1918)
Age about 48 years
70. Beatcher, Walter   (b. Abt 1890 - d. 22 Feb 1912)
Age 22 years
71. Beavers, Richard A.   (b. 9 Aug 1909 - d. 31 May 1910)
Age 9 months
72. Beck, Ben   (b. Abt 1837 - d. 27 Mar 1924)
Age 87 years
73. Beck, Lydia   (b. Abt 1844 - d. 23 Oct 1924)
Age about 80 years
74. Bell, Jettie L.   (b. 20 May 1888 - d. 5 Jul 1908)
Age 2 years
75. Belson, Carrie (Jeffreys)   (b. 24 Jan 1923 - d. 7 Feb 1923)
Age 14 days
76. Bennett, Clarance   (b. Abt 1890 - d. 5 Oct 1915)
Son of Ed Bennett and Ella Parham Bennett.
77. Bennett, Ed   (b. 12 Jul 1911 - d. 12 Jul 1911)
Infant. Stillborn.
78. Bennett, Issum   (b. 1 Sep 1798 - d. 15 Aug 1917)
Age 119 years
79. Bennett, Rosa   (b. Oct 1905 - d. 4 Mar 1910)
Age 4 years
80. Bennett, Susie   (b. Abt 1850 - d. 7 Apr 1920)
Age about 70 years
81. Bess, Ella   (b. Abt 1880 - d. 11 Dec 1926)
Age 46 years
82. Bess, Sherman   (b. Abt 1887 - d. 15 May 1910)
Age 23 years
83. Best, Ed   (b. Abt 1895 - d. 9 Dec 1930)
Age 35 years
84. Best, Lorenza   (b. 19 Dec 1917 - d. 6 Jan 1918)
85. Best, Mabel Deloris   (b. 14 Jun 1933 - d. 17 Jul 1933)
Age 1 mo 3 days. Daughter of Eugene Lloyd and Katie Best.
86. Beverly, Amanda   (b. Abt 1840 - d. 19 Oct 1928)
Age 88 years
87. Biddee, Sam   (b. Abt 1876 - d. 31 Aug 1924)
Age 48 years
88. Biddle, Marie   (b. Abt 1906 - d. 14 Feb 1927)
Age 21 years
89. Bishop, Kennith   (b. Abt 1894 - d. 1 Feb 1923)
Age 29 years
90. Blackly, Annie   (b. Jul 1930 - d. 10 Dec 1930)
Daughter of John Blackly and Elizabeth Moore. Age 5 months
91. Blacknall, Thomas   (b. Abt 1879 - d. 26 Feb 1920)
Age 41 years
92. Blackwell, Adell   (b. Aug 1918 - d. 12 Mar 1919)
Age 7 months
93. Blackwell, Daisy   (b. Abt 1908 - d. 30 Jul 1910)
Age 2 years
94. Blackwell, James   (b. Abt 1867 - d. 16 Dec 1918)
Age about 51 years
95. Blake, Charlie   (b. Abt 1877 - d. 24 Dec 1922)
Age 45 years
96. Blake, Eddie   (b. Nov 1916 - d. 14 May 1917)
Age 6 months
97. Blake, Mammie   (b. Abt 1889 - d. 19 Oct 1926)
Age 37 years
98. Bobbitt, Daniel   (b. Abt 1851 - d. 13 Mar 1910)
Age 59 years
99. Bobbitt, Lena   (b. Abt 1874 - d. 20 Nov 1913)
Age 39 years
100. Boone, Estella   (b. Abt 1910 - d. 16 Nov 1927)
Age 17 years
101. Boone, Infant   (b. 16 Nov 1927 - d. 16 Nov 1927)
Stillborn. Child of Estella Boone.
102. Boothe, Lewis   (b. 22 Aug 1860 - d. 26 Feb 1907)
Closeup of inscription. "Dearest brother thou hast left us. Here thy loss we deeply feel. But tis God that hath bereft us. He can all our sorrows heal.". Another photo from 2004 when the obelisk was on the ground.
103. Borden, Julius   (b. Abt 1887 - d. 8 Aug 1911)
Age 24 years
104. Bowls, Leona   (b. Jan 1919 - d. 14 Jul 1920)
Age 1 years 6 months
105. Boyd, Alberta J.   (b. Abt 1861 - d. 28 Jun 1926)
Age 65 years. Wife of John E. Boyd. 'Honored, beloved and wept. Here mother lies.'. Another photo from February 2008.
106. Boyd, Gertrude Octovia   (b. Abt 1895 - d. 20 Jan 1919)
Age about 24 years
107. Bradford, Katie   (b. Mar 1891 - d. 14 Oct 1909)
Age 18 years
108. Bradley, Elmore   (b. 11 Feb 1913 - d. 21 Apr 1913)
Age 48 days
109. Bradley, Elsie   (b. 11 Feb 1913 - d. 23 Apr 1913)
Age 50 days
110. Bradshaw, Infant   (b. 8 Sep 1928 - d. 10 Sep 1928)
Daughter of Francis Friday and Bernice Bradshaw. Age 48 hours
111. Bradshaw, Ralph   (b. Abt 1898 - d. 22 Jul 1919)
Age 21 years
112. Bradsher, Dora   (b. Abt 1867 - d. 10 Nov 1915)
Widowed. Daughter of Ann Rogers.
113. Brame, Lucile   (b. Abt 1896 - d. 31 Jul 1920)
Age 24 years
114. Brame, William H.   (b. 2 Apr 1919 - d. 25 Feb 1920)
Age 10 months 25 days
115. Branch, Louisa E.   (b. Abt 1861 - d. 6 Mar 1911)
Married. Daughter of Louvenia Woods.
116. Brandham, Smith   (b. Abt 1817 - d. 28 Dec 1915)
Married.
117. Brandon, Cora L.   (b. 13 Sep 1872 - d. 2 Apr 1891)
Aged 18 yrs 6 mos 20 days
118. Brandon, George   (b. Abt 1846 - d. 30 Nov 1909)
Age 63 years
119. Brandon, M. F.   (b. Jun 1909 - d. 5 Jan 1913)
Age 4 years
120. Brandon, Mary   (b. Abt 1852 - d. 19 Jan 1920)
Age 33 years
121. Bratcher, Infant   (b. 4 Feb 1928 - d. 4 Feb 1928)
Son of Thomas Black and Hattie Bratcher. Stillborn.
122. Bratcher, Tigg   (b. Abt 1887 - d. 4 Mar 1910)
Age 23 years
123. Brown, Aggie   (b. Unknown - d. 11 Mar 1920)
Age not given
124. Brown, George   (b. Abt 1888 - d. 3 Apr 1924)
Age 36 years
125. Brown, Infant   (b. 3 Mar 1925 - d. 3 Mar 1925)
Stillborn. Child of Edd Monee and Benia Cooper Brown.
126. Brown, Infant   (b. 1 Jul 1922 - d. 1 Jul 1922)
Child of W.T. Brown. Stillborn.
127. Brown, James   (b. Abt 1910 - d. 31 Jul 1927)
Age 17 years
128. Brown, Jennette O.   (b. 12 May 1910 - d. 4 Jul 1914)
Age 4 years. Daughter of Mr & Mrs Henry Brown. Side by side burials.
129. Brown, John   (b. Abt 1832 - d. 20 Jun 1911)
Age 79 years
130. Brown, Katie Lillian   (b. 12 Oct 1905 - d. 7 Jul 1914)
Age 8 years. Daughter of Mr & Mrs Henry Brown. Side by side burials.
131. Brown, Laura   (b. Abt 1906 - d. 30 Sep 1924)
Age 18 years
132. Brown, Younger C.   (b. Abt 1842 - d. 1 Jan 1921)
Age 69 years
133. Bryan, Matilda   (b. 6 Apr 1912 - d. 6 Apr 1912)
Stillborn.
134. Bryant, Nannie   (b. Abt 1864 - d. 23 Jan 1921)
Age about 57 years
135. Buchanan, Irvin H. (Prof.)   (b. Abt 1875 - d. 19 Mar 1938)
Music teacher. Husband of Lillian Buchanan. Son of Edward Buchanan and Tempie Wommack Buchanan.
136. Buchanan, J. Edward   (b. 1858 - d. 1914)
'Only Sleeping'
137. Buie, Martha   (b. 13 Feb 1923 - d. 16 Feb 1923)
Age 3 days
138. Buie, Mary   (b. Feb 1923 - d. 8 Jun 1923)
Age 4 months
139. Buie, Paul   (b. Feb 1923 - d. 14 Jun 1923)
Age 4 months
140. Bullock, James, Jr.   (b. 16 Sep 1928 - d. 18 Sep 1928)
Son of James Bullock and Willie Noel. Age 2 days
141. Bullock, Lillie (Mrs)   (b. Unknown - d. 1944)
Last known person to be buried in Geer Cemetery. Mother of William Bullock.
142. Bullock, William L.   (b. 18 Jan 1852 - d. 4 Feb 1906)
Age 54 years. Gome but not forgotten.
143. Bumpass, Annie   (b. Sep 1889 - d. 12 Apr 1911)
Single. Daughter of Finch Bumpass and Rozanna Shaw Bumpass.
144. Bumpass, G. F.   (b. Abt 1857 - d. 15 Aug 1912)
Age 55 years
145. Bumpass, W. M. H.   (b. Abt 1881 - d. 21 Mar 1912)
Age 31 years
146. Burch, Charity   (b. Abt 1851 - d. 4 Aug 1928)
Daughter of John Dunnigan. Age 77 years
147. Burden, W. T.   (b. Abt 1872 - d. 30 Nov 1910)
Age 38 years
148. Burnett, Addie   (b. Abt 1892 - d. 7 Feb 1931)
Son of Albert Armstrong and Susan Sparkman. Age 39 years
149. Burnett, Infant   (b. 26 Dec 1925 - d. 26 Dec 1925)
Stillborn.
150. Burnett, Infant   (b. 26 Dec 1925 - d. 26 Dec 1925)
Stillborn.
151. Burnett, Infant   (b. 3 Sep 1923 - d. 3 Sep 1923)
Stillborn.
152. Burnett, John   (b. Abt 1873 - d. 28 Mar 1929)
Son of Cam and Frances Burnett. Age about 56 years.
153. Burnett, Nettie   (b. 22 Jul 1888 - d. 22 Apr 1915)
Wife of John Burnett. Age 26 years. 'At Rest'. Picture of stone in 2004.
154. Burnett, Thomas   (b. 1 Jan 1848 - d. 10 Mar 1918)
Age 69. With Christ in heaven. Masonic emblem.
155. Burt, Edward   (b. Abt 1880 - d. 26 May 1922)
Age about 42 years
156. Burton, C. H.   (b. Abt 1852 - d. 20 Dec 1921)
Age 69 years
157. Burton, Emma   (b. Apr 1877 - d. 23 Oct 1909)
Age 32 years
158. Burton, Eveline   (b. Abt 1861 - d. 28 Aug 1924)
Age 63 years
159. Burton, Margaret   (b. Abt 1850 - d. 30 Nov 1928)
Daughter of George W. Pearson. Age 78 years
160. Bynum, Annie Beatrice   (b. 5 Aug 1893 - d. 8 May 1918)
Age 24 years
161. Bynum, Beatrice   (b. Abt 1895 - d. 7 May 1918)
Age about 23 years
162. Bynum, D. J.   (b. Abt 1864 - d. 21 Nov 1908)
Age 44 years. (marker in 2020)
163. Bynum, Infant   (b. 13 Aug 1918 - d. 13 Aug 1918)
Stillborn.
164. Bynum, John   (b. 1892 - d. 2 Jun 1922)
Age 30 years
165. Bynum, Sarah   (b. Abt 1850 - d. 8 Jan 1919)
Age about 69 years
166. Byrd, Eliza Craig   (b. Abt 1865 - d. 19 May 1936)
Age 70 years. Wife of Amos Byrd. Daughter of John Moore.