Oakland Cemetery

Located two blocks from the historic district of Trenton Tennessee was created shortly after the City was established in 1823.  The earliest grave is dated 1832 with the earliest birth date recorded being 1757.

Margaret Daveiss Hess, the first woman to plead a case in a United States Court is buried there along with two colonels and two majors in the Confederate Army.  An attached list compiled by Fred Culp, local historian, details other historically significant persons interred at Oakland Cemetery.

The site of Oakland Cemetery was the site where General Nathan Bedford Forrest placed his artillery during the Battle of Trenton on September 20, 1862.  The Battle of Trenton took place as General Ulysses S. Grant maneuvered his Union forces towards Vicksburg, Mississippi.  General Forrest was successful in capturing the Trenton depot from the Union forces and taking 700 prisoners.  This campaign through west Tennessee continued 15 days and was declared a complete success by Confederate authorities.

This location is included in a self-guided driving tour of the Battle of Trenton available to visitors to the City of Trenton.

Trenton Depot

Oakland Cemetery Gazebo

The centerpiece of Oakland Cemetery is a gazebo that was constructed in 1896.  This hexagonal structure is approximately 20 feet in diameter.  It has been restored and maintained by a dedicated group of concerned citizens and by the City staff.  Historical reenactments and other events are held there on a regular basis.

Oakland Cemetery is the only cemetery in the City of Trenton and serves as a final resting-place for many notable individuals as well as loved family members of the community.  It is a beautifully cared for area with incredible historical significance for the city.  The vintage markers give a visible, viable look into life at all stages of the City.  The old markers are valuable resources for persons studying Civil War history or family history.  It is important to future generations to preserve and protect this source of historical information.

Oakland Cemetery Gazebo

Grounds Keeping & Maintenance

All grounds keeping and maintenance of Oakland Cemetery are under the direct supervision of the Public Works Department. For more information or concerns please contact our Committee Chairman – Betty Poteet.

Oakland Cemetery Committee
a Volunteer Committee

Betty Poteet 

Chairman

(731) 414-8815