FULLER-KEEN CEMETERY
 pages 44-48
The Fuller Keen Cemetery is a small rural cemetery consisting of 15 graves. Only a few are marked but tombstones remaining indicate
burials took place before 1875.  During the construction work, Media General arranged for the removal of burials to a more suitable location.

The Laboratory of Archaeology, University of Georgia, arranged to send observers to take notes on the removal. This brief report is based

on field notes by Mr. Greg Paulk; and the brief skeletal analysis was carried out by Mr. Miles Sheffer.  Since this project was not an actual excavation,

but only observation of cemetery removal, detailed measurements were not possible. All burials were oriented East-west. The distribution of
burials is shown in Figure 18.

Burial 1: an adult of undetermined sex. The grave was not marked. The skeletal remains were encountered at a depth of 2 feet and was
fairly well preserved. According to notes the left M#1 and the right M #1 were absorbed and a filling was in M #2, but the right M#3 was
not fully erupted. The individual was probably male.

Burial 2: unmarked, consisted of several cranial fragments located at a depth of four feet. An age of 6-12 years was estimated based on
a fully erupted first molar and an unerupted second molar.

Burial 3: unmarked burial of an adult female of advanced age located at a depth of approximately 4 ft. The skull showed signs of injury
and subsequent healing. The teeth were well worn.

Burial 4: marked as Henry E. Keen 1843-1856 the son of burial #5, Young Keen (below) the bone was rather poorly preserved but the
second upper molars were not erupted. The casket bottom was located at a depth of five feet. The head was to the east.

Burial 5: was marked as Young Keen 1790-1875. Only a few traces of casket wood were found at a depth of 5 feet.

Burial 6: was identified as Mrs. Keen #1 in the notes. Only the M#3 remained and the alveolar process was almost completely gone
indicating a great age. The burial was in a wood casket and a brick crypt at a depth of 4 ft. The head to the west. Casket ornaments and
a window were excavated. This was the burial of Young Keen's first wife.**

Burial 7: identified by the tombstone as Mrs. Keen #2. Bone preservation was excellent, due to a brick crypt and wooden coffin.
The remains were located at a depth of 4 ft. Mrs. Keen #2 was second wife of Young Keen. All molars were fully erupted and worn, both
femurs were considerably bowed.**

Burial 8: unmarked grave, no wood or bone located but a definite pit confirmed a previous burial.

Burial 9: unmarked pit with no bone preservation.

Burial 10: identified by a full size surface stain but nothing found.

Burial 11: similar to 10 but surface stain was small.

Burial 12: was an unmarked burial of unknown sex located at a depth of 4 ft. The second maxillary molar was erupted, but the third molar
was not, therefore the burial was about 12-22 years old at death. The lack of epiphyseal fusion of several long bones indicates an age
near the younger part of this range.

Burial 13 was that of Mrs. Mary Fuller 1851-1871. Casket was wood and bones located at depth of 4 ½ ft., the complete dentition was
observed and third molars were just erupting. Coffin screws were found. Apparently some kind of fruit was intentionally included in
the casket.

Burial 14: unknown Fuller #1 was defined by an adult casket with glass window and ornamentation. The burial was of advanced age,
based on the alveolar process. A plastic hairpin or comb indicated the burial was female. Porcelin buttons were also found.

Burial 15; unknown Fuller #2 was a child (Molar 1 not erupted) the casket had a glass window and 3 lead and bronze casket ornaments per
side.

A few interesting points can be made. Burials occurred with the head to east or west. There is indication of clothing (buttons ) with one
of the burials and one had an elaborate hair comb. The intentional interment of fruit with one burial was noted. Although this was a
rural area, apparently families went to the trouble and expense of obtaining professionally manufactured caskets. This might further
imply the work of a professional undertaker. Due to the brief time available, no record search was attempted, but historical research
and interviews with descendants known to be in the area could add much to the study of the cemetery.  A note on another excavation said it was

1976 and a hand written note on the placement of graves plat is dated January 1979" This original document is in possession of Mr. McGrath Keen, Sr.
President Farmer's & Merchant Bank, Dublin, Laurens Co. Georgia; Mary E. Fuller #13 was moved to Old Dublin Cemetery at rear of First
Methodist Church.

Transcribed and typed from a copy of the original document by Rose Parks Rt. 1 Box 119-B Avery, Texas 75554
**Notes by Rose Parks, the burial noted as wife #1 of Young Keen is Lydia Dudley born about 1795 and married to Young Keen before 1815.
Four children are attributed to her, Anna Leah and Sinah, daughters never located, and sons Green L. and Young Bright. She died before
April 1827.  Wife # 2 was Rebecca Hester marriage in Laurens Co. 15 April 1827. She was born about 1815 and died soon after birth of daughter
Rebecca in 1833 (probably late in year) She had sons William Riley, John J. and Eli Martin.  Young Keen married 3rd to Margret (Mary Ann) Jones

on 20 April 1834. The tombstone of Henry (above) gives her name as Margret and Demaris Keen Humphries in a sworn statement on

19 Feb. 1945 gives Margret (Margaret) as daughter of Adam Jones and Levicey, and the wife of Young Keen.
Henry and Young's tombstones are matching or very similar and appears they were made at the same time.
Young and Margret had Elizabeth, Malinda Jane, Nancy W., Kindred Lawrence, (my line) Alemeda E., Mary Delilah, Henry and George T.

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