Charley spent the last couple of years, of his too short life, living in Holly Ridge (just a mile north of US 82 between Leland and Indianola). New Jerusalem M.B. Church (above) is where Charley is buried. The church is on the southside of Main St. west of Holly Ridge.

The cemetery for New Jerusalem Church is another 1/4 west along Main St. A (cotton?) gin separate the two. Add to it the grave marker for Charley is in the back corner of the cemetery near the gin, so rumor has it that Charley's remains might be underneath said gin. The tombstone shown above was placed here in 1991, largely financed by John Fogerty (of Clearance Clearwater Revival fame). Reportedly, Charley's old record label, Vocalion Records, had erected a marker for Charley sometime in the past. However no one knows what ever happened to that gravestone (thus Fogerty stepped in years later).(Per Steve Cheseborough)


Links

Dead Blues Guys - Charley Patton

Photos taken in May, 2003

Page created on January 15, 2004

Questions and comments can be sent to Sandor Gulyas

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