Salem Church
Salem Church was built in 1889 on the Kinnaird Trail -– an Indian pathway that later became a stagecoach relay station. Martin S. Corbett was born here on 5-12-1840 and married cousin, Leonora Wealtha Pafford on 11-26-1867. Their home was south of the cemetery. He donated materials and 2 acres of land for the church and cemetery and it was built by him, Waver Roberts and other family members.
The pews and benches were built by sons: Wm. Manning and Martin Rayburn. It was used as a church and school -- teachers were the older Corbett children and grandchildren. He lived here all but the last 11 years of life. He later moved into the 1st house in Pearson, Ga. and became it’s 1st Mayor.
Their 11 children
Catherine Imogene b. 09-14-1868 m. Waver Roberts
Mary Ann Miranda b. 03-04-1870 m C.C. Bridges
Newton Rowan b. 10-20-1871 d. 09-05-1872
William Manning b. 10-10-1873 m. Mattie Corbett
Henry Madison b. 10-20-1875 d. 11-03-1875
Martin Rayburn b. 11-06-1876 never married
Frances Lenora b. 07-12-1879 m. 1st-Joe Brown Williams
2nd Bryant Washington Douglas Jr.
Martha Ann Elizabeth b. 07-12-1881 m. 1st Arch Bennett
2nd Henry White 3rd James Kirby
Wealtha Alvina b. 11-23-1884 m. Needham E. Harrell
Rebecca Virginia b. 02-07-1887 m .1st Marvin Corbitt
2nd Charlie Furlong
Levis Jane b. 02-07-1887 m. 1st Timothy Bennett
2nd Rev. M. L. Gilbert
Leonora Wealtha b. 8-26-1847 d. 5-5-1896 is the first person buried in the cemetery
Mr. Corbitt’s 2nd marriage took place on 05-01-1899 to Minnie Frazier Faircloth, to this union were born
Duvon Clough b. 07-04-1901 m. Roberta Day
Frazier Solon b. 10-22-1904 m. Gladys Swan
William J b. 10-10-1906 m. Beatrice F. Coile
Mr. Corbitt died on 07-01-1913 and was buried with full Masonic Rites in the cemetery beside his 1st wife Leonora. Minnie F. Corbitt b. 5-9-1865/d. Sept. 1955 and is buried in Tampa, Fla. beside their son, W. J. Corbitt. Many family members are buried here in the cemetery. Services are held the last Sunday in September each year when the Corbitt descendants “come back home” and pay tribute to the memory of these dear ancestors.
Parents:
Martin S. Corbitt: Newsome & Polly Smith Corbitt
Leonora W. Pafford Corbitt: Hon. Senator Rowan Pafford & Amanda Miranda Guthrie Vickery
Minnie Frazier Faircloth: James & Elizabeth Avriett Faircloth
Marker is on Salem Church Road (County Route 29) ½ mile east of U.S. 221, on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
