Legacy & Lineage
This sacred burial ground, established circa 1827, holds the stories of enslaved Africans, their descendants, and generations of African Americans who built community, pursued freedom, and left a lasting mark on Harris County, Georgia.
Today, their memory lives through descendants, records, soil, and spirit.
Explore the Pierce Chapel Family Trees
The Hamilton Hood Foundation has built two comprehensive genealogical databases to preserve and share the heritage of Pierce Chapel’s African American community.
FamilySearch Community Tree
Visit the collaborative community tree on FamilySearch.org.
Ancestry.com Archive
Explore photos, records, and family connections on Ancestry.com.
How to Use These Tools
Learn to trace your own connection and contribute to the growing legacy.
Enduring Voices from the Chapel Grounds
Generations Through Time
Follow the major milestones in the story of Pierce Chapel—from land grants and emancipation to community schools and today’s preservation efforts.
1827
First burials begin
1865
Emancipation and new community foundations
1898
Pierce Chapel School & Church documented
1960s
Disuse and obscurity
2020s
Rediscovery, clean-up, conservation, and national recognition
The Work of Remembering
“With support from descendants, volunteers, historians, and grantors, Hamilton Hood Foundation is ensuring that this place becomes not just a memory, but a living classroom.”
Join Us in Telling the Full Story
- 💌 Subscribe to updates
- 💬 Share a family name or story
- 💝 Make a donation to support our preservation efforts
