While exploring in Twin Rivers State Forest located in Madison County, I found this old cemetery that dates back to the late 1800’s. The cemetery is known as The Stroud Cemetery and there are seventeen listed burials here.

So far the information I have learned is that the Strouds were early settlers in Madison County. The cemetery though contains several family names and it is possible that these families also lived in the area. One name in particular is Sullivan and I found a family relative that told me the Sullivans married into the Stroud family. There was a Stroud-Sullivan homestead as well.

Like other older cemeteries around Florida this one has several infant graves which is always sad to see. You have to understand that life back in those times was harder and many children didn’t survive. I learned that in many cases children wouldn’t even be given a name until they made it past of the age of two. Which is why at some of these gravesites you may see unmarked graves that just read “Infant”. I am not sure of the exact reasons but most likely may have been from disease or sickness.

Today the cemetery seems maintained to a certain degree, sadly many of the tombstones are eroding away or have been damaged. There is a fence and nice sign at the entrance and is a nice reminder of history to see in this forest.

My Videos

Stroud Cemetery in Twin Rivers State Forest

Stroud Homestead Site in Twin Rivers State Forest

Resources

Burial Records

Twin Rivers State Forest

Madison County History Resources