~*~*~UNMARKED GRAVE~*~*~

The Wilemons are known as a pioneer family of Blount County. A probate record, "Inventory of Sale...executed by Peter Wilemon" dated 12th December 1817, indicates that they were early settlers. According to census records, Peter Wilemon was born about 1790 in North Carolina. He moved to South Carolina, Franklin County, Tennessee, and to Alabama. Some researchers believe Elias Wilemon of Salisburg, North Carolina was Peter's father. According to probate records, Jefferson Wilemon was the son of Peter Wilemon. Jefferson signed the bond and was a witness of Pliney and Nancy's marriage. Many believe Harrison, Russell, and Pliney were also Peter's sons. Pliney Wilemon married Nancy Buckner on married March 4, 1841. According to the "Heritage of Blount County", there were 14 families in the Foster Chapel community in 1841. The first church was of small logs or poles. During the first service, Pliney Wilemon led the first song. The church burned in the fall of 1842. Another Foster's Chapel Church was erected. Russell, Peter, and Pliney Wilemon were listed as early attendants or members of the church. On March 31, 1856, Pliney was Justice of the Peace in Precinct 10. When the Foster's Chapel Methodist Church divided over the slave issue, most of the congregation were abolitionists and wanted to remain with the old church. Pliney Wilemon was the leader of this group. When secession occurred, Pliney supported a number of local men who sympathized with the Union. A movement began to avoid military service. Nearly fifty men formed the "Hide-Outs". They left home and lived in the nearby cliffs on the banks of the Little Warrior River. Mary Ann (Polly) Wilemon Hathcock, wife of one of the Hide-Outs, would saddle her pony and ride through the darkness to warn friends that the Home Guards were in the community.The Home Guards stole Pliney's horse and carried it to St. Clair County. The Hide-Outs tried to recapture the horse. In the battle with the Home Guards, Frank Shadwick was killed. Shadwick was buried in the Foster's Chapel Cemetery. Most of the Hide-Outs were captured and impressed into military service, but some escaped. A number of men from Blount and St. Clair Counties joined the Union Army.