Historic Florida Keys Foundation HFKF

This is the Memorial marker for Joseph Simon & Mary Roberts Bartlum. The symbolism of its design is two people's earthly souls rise and are reunited in heaven. Joseph Bartlum was born in the Bahamas in 1838, his family coming to Key West in 1846. Mary Roberts was born here in 1841 (We believe Roberts is the most common name found in the Cemetery). They wed in 1857 in Manatee County, returned to Key West and would have 8 children. Joseph fought with the Confederate Army in the Civil War. Joseph Bartlum died in 1903 and Mary passed in 1915. Their bloodline continues in Key West today.

Small Group walking tours of the Historic Key West Cemetery are once again available. COVID 19 rules must be observed. We can usually provide them Tuesday or Thursday mornings. To learn about times available, donations, reservations, and any questions, please call us at the Historic Florida Keys Foundation, 305-292-6718.

Many readers are getting to know May Louise Johnson Douglass (1876-1951) from her diary excerpts currently being published in the Key West Citizen. The daughter of pharmacist Dr. Charles S. Johnson and Mary Amanda Watlington, May would marry pharmacist Stephen W. Douglass, USN, and become the first Key West woman to circumnavigate the globe. May and Stephen had a daughter who lived just five years. Following Douglass' successful career in the Navy, they retired here in Key West, and share a plot in the cemetery.

A perfect day to walk through the Historic Key West Cemetery.
Our self guided tour brochure with map is always available by the front door of the sexton's office.

9 a.m. Monday morning May 25th. The US Navy, along with the Navy League Key West, will present Memorial Day Honors at the Maine memorial, Historic Key West Cemetery.

There are three ceremonies in the Lower Keys honoring Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, all while maintaining COVID-19 precautions. If you attend, please maintain 6' distance between others.

🇺🇸Key West Cemetery, USS Maine Memorial: 9 a.m.
Watch live via Navy League Key West Council's page.
Presented by Navy League Key West Council

🇺🇸Veterans Memorial Garden, Bayview Park: 10 a.m.
Presented by Southernmost VFW Post 3911

🇺🇸Southern Keys Cemetery, Big Coppitt Key: 11 a.m.
Presented by American Legion Post 28 Key West, FL

U.S. Navy photo by Danette Baso Silvers

One of the most beautiful statues in the Key West Cemetery is engraved "Gladys." Most anyone spending any time walking or touring the cemetery knows of Gladys. William Lawton Bates, born in Key West to parents from England and the Bahamas married Frances Ann Scheurer whose parents were Swiss and German immigrants here. Their only child Gladys was born in May 1896. In 1901, at age five, Gladys contracted Typhoid Fever and died. Her parents and family memorialized Gladys with the beautiful angel.
((According to our expert the stone for Gladys came from the same quarry in Alabama that provided the material for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.))

Please ask your friends to visit and like this page for the Historic Florida Keys Foundation.
Thank you!

Two of the oldest marked graves in the Historic Key West Cemetery predate the origin of the Cemetery around 1850. How can that be? James Sawyer died in 1829 and John Sawyer died in 1843. Both were buried in Key West's first cemetery near where the Southernmost Point is. That was washed away in the Havana Hurricane of 1846. Their remains were moved to this "new" site thereafter.
John and James were almost certainly mariners. Both of their grave stones tell us they were from Mystic, Connecticut. That seaport along with New London produced fishermen and whalers who were among the first new Americans to take an interest in the Keys fishery. James Sawyer (1797-1829) and John Sawyer (1802-1843) from Mystic remain mysteries to us, and we are searching to learn more about them.

Much of the history of the Florida Keys can be found, indirectly, in the Historic Key West Cemetery. Our Foundation has a partnership with the City of Key West for the purpose of researching, preserving, and restoring grave sites in the cemetery.
We will be presenting some very short stories about the various grave sites and memorials for your interest and education. We hope you will enjoy these brief glimpses into our history.
Please like and share, help us grow this Facebook group page to include more followers. We will appreciate your comments, too. Thank you!

A timely post, shared from our friends at the Key West Maritime Historical Society.

Due to circumstances far beyond our control, the final Cemetery Stroll for 2020, scheduled for Saturday March 21, has been CANCELLED. You can arrange for a personal tour of the Historic Key West Cemetery on most any Tuesday or Thursday morning by calling 305-292-6718.

CANCELLED, THE EVENT IS CANCELLED. SORRY.
The final Cemetery Stroll to be offered at the Historic Key West Cemetery this season will take place on Saturday March 21, 2020. During the stroll, small groups of visitors will be escorted to gravesites where interpreters will tell the stories of the deceased in brief monologues. The groups are scheduled for departures at 9:30, 9:50, and 10:10. Reservations are necessary, and can be made by calling or texting Diane at (305)304-1453. Enjoy the fresh outdoors on Saturday morning, Mar. 21. Several new narratives will be offered for the first time.
[image of Ellen R. Mallory, "the first lady of Key West"]