Daughters dedicate grave

  • Fannin County Heritage Foundation President Janie Turner addresses the small crowd gathered to honor Confederate Private Joel Y. Allen during a grave marker dedication ceremony, September 21. Among those in support were Mike Pettus, Logan Allen, Hailee Jo Turner, Kelli Bonine, Glenda Wattenbarger, Jane Richards, Dana Richards, Libby Learmont, Beulah Williams, Renee Rimmer, Leo Baker, Mike Davis, Jonathan Davis, and Jere McConnell.
    Fannin County Heritage Foundation President Janie Turner addresses the small crowd gathered to honor Confederate Private Joel Y. Allen during a grave marker dedication ceremony, September 21. Among those in support were Mike Pettus, Logan Allen, Hailee Jo Turner, Kelli Bonine, Glenda Wattenbarger, Jane Richards, Dana Richards, Libby Learmont, Beulah Williams, Renee Rimmer, Leo Baker, Mike Davis, Jonathan Davis, and Jere McConnell.
  • Four confederate soldiers came out to support the grave marker dedication at Crawford Cemetery for Pvt. Joel Younger Allen who fought in Company K with the 22nd North Carolina Infantry CSA. He was born October 18,1845 and died in 1910. Shown are, from left, Leo Baker, Jonathan Davis, Mike Davis and Jere McConnell.
    Four confederate soldiers came out to support the grave marker dedication at Crawford Cemetery for Pvt. Joel Younger Allen who fought in Company K with the 22nd North Carolina Infantry CSA. He was born October 18,1845 and died in 1910. Shown are, from left, Leo Baker, Jonathan Davis, Mike Davis and Jere McConnell.

    The United Daughters of the Confederacy sponsored a grave marker dedication for Private Joel Younger Allen, September 21.

    Tucked among the trees beyond the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge and the Swan Drive-In off Summit Street sits Crawford Cemetery. The clear, sunny day welcomed men dressed as Confederate soldiers, ladies from the Daughters of the Confederacy and community members as they honored the life and death of a soldier with no known descendants.

    Janie Turner, president of the local chapter of the Daughters and the Fannin County Heritage Foundation, led the ceremony saying, “We’re gathered today to honor this gentleman who fought and died for his country – Mr. Joel Younger Allen.” He was born October 18, 1845, she said, and worked at the Blue Ridge Hotel. Allen fought with the Confederates during the Civil War in Company K of the 22nd North Carolina Infantry CSA, and he died in 1910, according to records. 

    “The war between the states, as we call it, was not a pretty war. It was a division among nations, within the United States, among itself, and Mr. Allen gave his time, his freedom. We’re here to honor him and give him a little recognition for what he did in the Confederacy. All veterans deserve recognition regardless of what side they fought on,” she said.