The origin of Jones Chapel Cemetery is not known, however, it has a distinct history. The earliest burial that is evident by recovered headstones is 'Mary Ellen Unknown', born 1861 and died 1862. No last name visible. The latest being Edward L. Shores, born 24 July 1898, died 8 Sept 1960. At least 400 more are documented in obits from the Macon newpaper and also the Ards journals in the Washington Library. Also documented in this cemetery are at least 25 Confederate Veterans. Only GOD knows how many others that are not documented or identified are buried there. All of those interred here are pioneer citizens who helped South Macon progress from the wilderness. The Campbell contractors, the Reid brick masons, coroner Hodnett, and the other numerous folks who lived in the area referred to as Windsor Hill, sometimes called Gilesville. The Jones Chapel Methodist Church itself was constructed on the site and dedicated in 1871 by members. On July 12, 1871, the Macon Telegraph and Messenger provided an article which answers the question of the origin of Jones Chapel Church. The following extract from the Telegraph:

"HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE----Immediately after the morning services of Sunday, the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and citizens, met in the new church on Windsor Hill, to take into consideration the propriety of naming the church.
The meeting was organized by calling Rev. B.A. Cain to the chair. The object of the meeting was explained. A committee of seven, to select a name, was appointed composed of Rev H.J. Harvey, J.C.C. Burnett, B.G. Wilder, Jesse Walker, A.P. Simmons, Mrs. N.T. Simmons, Mrs. N.T. Ried (Reid), and Mrs. C.W. Smith.
After a short consultation, the committee unanimously agreed to the following report:
Whereas: Rev. Jas. Jones labored with us with great zeal and earnestness for three years, never deviating from the path of divine rectitude and Christian duty, be it
Resolved: That the new Methodist church on Windsor Hill, Macon Mission, erected under the auspices of Rev. Jas. (Uncle Jimmie) Jones, the former pastor, and being completed by Rev. B.A. Caine, the present much loved pastor, shall be known as "Jones Chapel."
Resolved: That the Telegraph and Messenger and Southern Christian Advocate be requested to publish these proceedings one time. "

From that time forward those interred there are referred in the Telegraph obits as being buried at "Jones Chapel, Jones Chapel Cemetery, Jones Chapel on Windsor hill," or "the South Macon Cemetery". Never was it refered to as Combs Cemetery, until city counsel insisted the name be changed in 1986, solely to get it off the tax records.

Jones Chapel Church was physically moved to Beech Avenue in Macon during 1904 and remains there today. The cemetery is located between 2nd street and CEDAR street and is bordered on the south by WYCHE Street Lane. Bibb County Tax records indicate this cemetery is now called COMBS cemetery, so named after the owner, Talbot Combs who died prior to March 1868. The current property address is 2303 Cedar Street Macon, Georgia.
This cemetery was once recovered from nature in 1980s to 1990s by Walter and Jean Ard. Time always has ways of interferring with someone doing what they know is right and the Ards finally lost out to mother nature. Until May 2009, this cemetery was severly neglected, more properly "abandoned", with trees down, bushes and trash thru-out and was virtually impossible to walk. As of Dec 2010, the recovery from mother nature of this cemetery is nearly complete.

DAR, RER, JCR- Dec 21, 2010