Story by Tony Chiariello

As Leroy Lloyd and his wife Rachel planned their retirement, he never imagined he would be contributing to the history of Effingham, County in such a profound way. Born and raised in North Carolina, Leroy and Rachel relocated to Guyton, GA in 2007. Rachel opened a private practice, specializing in marriage/couple counseling in Rincon.

Rather than retiring, Leroy thrust himself into many projects in the local community. Members of the Effingham County Branch NAACP persuaded him to assume a leadership position and ultimately, he became the President in 2014. Ask members of the local branch and they will acknowledge Leroy’s great work in energizing and giving more visibility to the group.

Leroy is also a deacon and Sunday school teacher of his church, Macedonia Baptist Church in Guyton, an active member of the Master Gardeners of Effingham County and an avid photographer.

One of Leroy Lloyd’s most important contributions to date is his research into “the terrible tragedy that resulted in the loss of over 100 African American women, men and children” at Ebenezer Creek.

According to Leroy, more than 600 freed African American slaves followed Union soldiers across Ebenezer Creek to seek freedom. At the same time, Confederate troops were in pursuit. A temporary pontoon bridge had been constructed by the Union soldiers to allow them to cross Ebenezer Creek, but as the freed slaves crossed the temporary bridge, the span was cut, killing more than 100 African Americans attempting to cross the creek. The 500 left behind were taken back into slavery by the Confederate soldiers.

In his research, Leroy found a possible resting place for some of the lost. “I became aware of an old African-American cemetery in 2009 when I read an article about the erection of a plaque at the burial grounds,” says Leroy. He felt he was being called by his ancestors to visit the cemetery.

The burial site is situated at 2887 Ebenezer Road in Rincon. The property stands next to the Jerusalem Lutheran Cemetery and near the Ebenezer Retreat House. Leroy made it his mission to join the Effingham County Branch NAACP in “commemorating and celebrating the more than 250 nameless and faceless women, men, and children, whose graves are on the perimeters of the Jerusalem Lutheran Cemetery’s property. Some of the 250 graves could be the graves of those who drowned at Ebenezer Creek.

Leroy emphasizes he is not seeking to blame anyone, but rather to keep the memories of those who perished in our social consciousness.

With the full, enthusiastic support of the members of the Effingham County Branch NAACP, Leroy “sought permission from the Ebenezer Lutheran Church as I was led to believe that the Church owned the property.” Permission was granted by the pastor at that time and they are still working with the trustees of the land trust for future plans. Members of the church have helped do work at the site and Leroy explains his gratitude for their contribution.

Since February 2016—as part of Black History Month—Leroy and the members of the Effingham NAACP have hosted an annual wreath-laying ceremony to honor “these brave souls.

Unfortunately, there are no tombstones or any kind of markers to indicate that anyone is buried there. The only indication is a plaque that reads: “Sacred to the Memory of these African-Americans Whose Remains Rest in This Place.”

Leroy and others have great plans to create a more fitting and attractive site for the African American cemetery with a park-like setting, benches and a monument in the center. The organizers continue to seek donations and grants in any amount in order to reach their goals and realize this vision.

The next wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. Leroy invites members of the extended local community to attend.

 Donations to the fund can be directed to:

The Old African-American Cemetery Clean-Up Fund
709 Honey Ridge Road,
Guyton, GA 31312