Friends of
Cavett Station

Friends of Cavett StationFriends of Cavett StationFriends of Cavett StationFriends of Cavett Station

Friends of
Cavett Station

Friends of Cavett StationFriends of Cavett StationFriends of Cavett Station

Mars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett Station

Mars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett StationMars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett StationMars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett Station

    The History of Cavett's Station and Mars Hill Cemetery

    The history of the Cavett’s Station site dates back to 1790, when Alexander Cavett purchased 640 acres of land on Sinking Creek, in what is now Knox County, TN. On September 25, 1793, Alexander, his family, and two Sullivan County militiamen, were attacked and killed by a force of approximately 1,000 Cherokee and Creek warriors. This event was known as the Cavett's Station Massacre.


    After the massacre, the victims were buried on a hill where Alexander had buried his mother the year before, in 1792. Alexander Cavett's brother, Moses Cavett, along with his wife, Agnes, moved onto Alexander's land, and upon their deaths, were buried in the same area. This burial ground was then referred to as the Cavett Family Cemetery.


    Mars Hill Baptist Church, established in 1855, was built nearby, and soon began to use the cemetery for their church graveyard. The majority of the burials in the cemetery date to the time of the church's use of the land. After the church burned down, and a new one was built up the road, the name of the cemetery became Mars Hill Cemetery, and we still use that name today. 


    A monument dedicated to the memory of the massacre victims was erected in 1921 by the Sons of the American Revolution. It stands proudly in the center of the cemetery. There are many unmarked graves in Mars Hill Cemetery. The headstones that remain in the cemetery are organized into family groupings, primarily at the eastern and western ends of the cemetery. 

    Friends of Cavett Station Luncheon

    Over 70 people joined us for our luncheon on April 12, 2025! FCS President Amy Mays Emert told everyone about the life of Alexander Cavett, and Dr. Magra explained how the massacre paved the way for the creation of the state of Tennessee. Carol Zimmerman has been associated with Mars Hill Cemetery for over 47 years, so she spoke about the changes she has seen in the cemetery over the years. 


    We had good food and fellowship as well! In attendance were plenty of descendants, friends and community members, representatives from the Historic Ramsey House, James White's Fort, and the Knoxville History Project, members of 4 area DAR groups, and current and former Knoxville city council members.


    We are so thankful to everyone who attended the event! Even those who could not attend and wished us well helped in the success of the luncheon. 

    Friends of cavett station luncheon

     


      Events

      09/20/2025

      Cavett Station Day

      10:30 a.m.

      Mars Hill Cemetery

      Event Details

      09/20/2025

      Cavett Station Day

      Please join us for our third annual Cavett Station Day!

      10:30 a.m.

      Mars Hill Cemetery

      12/13/2025

      Wreaths Across America

      3:30 p.m.

      Mars Hill Cemetery

      Event Details

      12/13/2025

      Wreaths Across America

      Please join us as we place wreaths on the graves of our 12 known veterans.

      3:30 p.m.

      Mars Hill Cemetery

      04/18/2026

      Bearden History Fair

      10 a.m.

      -

      4 p.m.

      Central Baptist Bearden

      Event Details

      04/18/2026

      Bearden History Fair

      Please join us as we host the first annual Bearden History Fair! More details to come!

      10 a.m.

      -

      4 p.m.

      Central Baptist Bearden

      Did you know...

      There are three (known) unnamed infants buried in Mars Hill Cemetery. These three babies were the infant daughter of Samuel L. and Catherine Jane Lones Gilson, the infant son of Campbell Harrison and Mary Jane Hardin Walker, and the infant son of Samuel Richard and Gemima Jane Griffith Lones.


      Friends of Cavett Station President, Amy Mays Emert, has affectionately named these three babies Sissy Gilson, Buddy Walker, and Jack Lones. Ask her how she came up with these names, and she will be DELIGHTED to tell you!


      Infant Dau. of 

      S.L. & C.J. GILSON

      BORN SEP. 7, 1866 

      DIED SEP 16, 1866

      Gone, but not forgotten.


      Infant Son of 

      C.H. & MARY WALKER

      DEC. 1, 1867


      Infant Son of 

      S.R. & G.J. LONES

      Born Nov 19 & died Nov. 21, 1869

      veteran spotlight

      Samuel Richard Lones

      Samuel Richard Lones served as a Corporal in Company D of the 6th Tennessee Infantry of the Union Army during the Civil War. He enlisted with his family and friends on April 18, 1862, in Knoxville. Samuel served as a soldier, and also as a teamster during his enlistment. Samuel was discharged from service on April 27, 1865. He served his country for three years and nine days.


      In 1891, Samuel applied for and received a pension for his miltiary service. Upon his death, his widow, Gemima Jane Griffith Lones received a widow's pension for his service in the amount of $12.00 a month. 


      CORPL.

      SAM'L R. LONES

      CO. D.

      6 TENN. INF.

      Wreaths Across America 2024

        Veterans Day 2024

          Cavett Station day - september 21, 2024

            books about mars hill cemetery

             Mars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett's Station: Biographies and Stories of the Men, Women, and Children Interred in Mars Hill Cemetery details the lives of the people known to be buried in the cemetery. It can be purchased on Amazon or from the author (fill out the Contact Us form below to purchase a copy signed by the author). 

             The Veterans of Mars Hill Cemetery discusses the lives and military service of the 12 known veterans buried in the cemetery. Our veterans served in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Philippine-American War. It can be purchased on Amazon or from the author (fill out the Contact Us form below to purchase a copy signed by the author). 

            Massacre at Cavett's Station: Frontier Tennessee during the Cherokee Wars, written by Dr. Charles H. Faulkner, gives insight on the chain of events that led up to the Cavett's Station massacre, as well as its aftermath. Dr. Faulkner also provides an archaeological perspective to Cavett's Station, as well as to Mars Hill Cemetery.  

            Calling All Descendants!

            Friends of Cavett Station is always looking to find descendants of people buried in Mars Hill Cemetery! If you are a descendant, please contact us and let us know who you are related to in the cemetery. We especially would like to know if you are a descendant of:


            James M. Balou

            John and Catherine Stickley Covington

            John Moore

            Thomas and Melvina Geasland Parham

            James and Clara Kidd Roberts

            Joshua and Sarah Bennett Roberts

            Amanda Parham Vanosdal

            Archibald Lafayette Walker

            Isaac and Mary Parsons Wittenbarger

            About Friends of Cavett Station

            Our Mission

            The mission of Friends of Cavett Station is to preserve and maintain Mars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett Station. In addition to providing perpetual care for the cemetery, we also endeavor to provide opportunities for historical events, including heritage, historical, and educational programs about the cemetery and Cavett Station site for current and future generations. 


            Mars Hill Cemetery is located at 438 Broome Road in Knoxville, TN. It is a landlocked cemetery, and is accessible only through the driveways of private residences. If you visit the cemetery, please be respectful of where you park, and do not block driveways or mailboxes. Also, please adhere to the rules of the cemetery, which are posted on signs at the east and west ends of the cemetery. 


            Donations

            Donations are vital to the maintenance and preservation of Mars Hill Cemetery and the Historic Cavett Station site. We appreciate your support! Donations can be made online (by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below) or can be mailed to our P.O. Box. 


            Friends of Cavett Station

            P.O. Box 50241

            Knoxville, TN 37950

            Online Donation

            Mars Hill cemetery rules

            We appreciate everyone who respectfully visits Mars Hill Cemetery, especially when they leave single, small flowers on the headstones of some of our babies (whomever that was, it was sweet). Due to some recent acts of vandalism though, we would like to take this opportunity to post the rules of the cemetery. 


            Do not damage or deface any part of the cemetery (which includes the headstones, the monument, the trees, the old fence posts, etc.).


            Do not put anything on the headstones, including water, soap, cleaners, shaving cream, chemicals, brushes, etc.


            No headstones, markers, monuments, etc. are to be placed in the cemetery.


            No ceremonies or events are to be held in the cemetery without prior permission from Friends of Cavett Station. 

            Contact Us

            Questions? Want more information about events in the cemetery? Contact us and we will be happy to help!

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            Copyright © 2025 Friends of Cavett Station - All Rights Reserved.

             Friends of Cavett Station is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. 

            Amy Mays emert, president



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