Byars-Ezell Cemetery
Chesnee, Cherokee County, South Carolina

Lat: 35° 08' 25"N, Lon: 81° 49' 08"W

Contributed by Dennis W. Lamb, Nov 12, 2006, last edited Nov 20, 2006 [eham1014@aol.com]. Total records = 3.

The Cowpens National Battlefield Park entrance is southeast of the intersection of SC 11 and Hwy 110 about 2 mile southeast of Chesnee, Cherokee Co., South Carolina. Enter the Park and proceed to the Visitor Center Parking lot noting the historic "Green River Road" as you proceed. Park in the Visitor Center and walk back to the Green River Road. Walk NW on the Road about 100 yards to a mowed grass path on the left. A sign marking "private cemetery" is visible at the end of the path.

This old Cemetery is under the care of the National Park Service. In addition to the three legible markers there are several illegible stones, other broken stones, as well as possible grave sites.

The cemetery does not contain dead from the Battle at Cowpens but contains "local notables". Capt John Ezell is thought to be among the illegible markers. Nathan Byars was a subsequent owner of the Battlefield site.

The Park Rangers are not particularly helpful or knowledgeable regarding either the Cemetery or making the original Byars tombstone available for viewing. The first Ranger asked did not know the location of the cemetery, which is not well signed and only found with instructions. Those interested may need persistence.

I visited and read this cemetery on Oct 21, 2006.

- Dennis W. Lamb

Byars, Nathan, b. 1749 d. 1846, Pvt Continental Line Revolutionary War, Replacement stone, original is in Park storage
Ezell, John V., d. Mar 6, 1839, age: 7yr 7 mos 6da, Son of Capt J.H. & A.S. Ezell
Martian, J. B., d. Apr 19, 1869, age: 1yr 6mo