In Fernwood Cemetery, the grave of Miss Nellie Watson stands as a reminder of how easily time can erase the stories carved in stone. Today, Nellie’s marker is almost unreadable, its surface covered in a thick yellowish lichen growth that obscures every letter. At a glance, the monument appears blank, offering no clue to the young woman buried beneath it.
But cemetery records list this plot as belonging to Nellie Watson, daughter of Ben H. Watson, who passed away on November 4, 1899 after a lingering illness. Her obituary in The Gleaner describes her as “a devoted Christian” and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was laid to rest at Fernwood the following morning, surrounded by family and friends who donated floral tributes in her memory.
What makes Nellie’s story especially meaningful today is how modern tools help us reconnect with those whose names have faded. Although her tombstone is now extremely difficult, if not impossible, to read, Find a Grave preserves a much earlier photograph of the marker, taken before the discoloration set in. That older image clearly shows her name and dates, confirming the identity of the monument that weather and time have nearly reclaimed.
Nellie Watson’s grave is a perfect example of how historical records, cemetery mapping, and volunteer-driven resources like Find a Grave work together to keep Henderson’s history alive. Even when the stone can no longer speak, the community can.
