FROM DEBORAH GILLIAM
WEST ELMORE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Archibald McKeithen, Planter, was born in 1772 in Bladen County, N.C. and died in 1847 at his home “THORNFIELD” near Robinson Springs, Alabama.
He Was the son of Archibald and Katherine Baler McKeithen, who immigrated from Glasgow, Scotland to North Carolina. He was educated in N.C. and in 1818 came to Alabama.
While searching for a site for his home and farm he looked for the highest point in the area. The area which he settled was what was eventually called Robinson Springs. When his house was built shortly after arriving, he started with a small cabin and as the years passed, he added to the home. The home faces West and the back faces East. From the back he could look out over the hill and see far into the East. Still today that view remains.
Archibald was buried in a small family cemetery just north west of the home. The gate reads “McKeithen / Cotton.”
Children: 1. Duncan (died unmarried), 2. Daniel (died unmarried), 3. Alexander (Elizabeth Smith Forman, daughter of Thomas Smith of Prattville, 4. Archibald (died unmarried), 5. Katherine, married John Cotton, 6. Isabel (died unmarried). 7. Sarah Marian, married Buckner Harris.
Sarah and her husband, Buckner Harris, lived and raised their family at Thornfield. Other descendants of the Harris family include: Chiles Harris, teacher at Lanier High School in Montgomery and his daughter May Harris, a published author. Ms. Dorothy Harris was the last descendant to live in Thornfield.
After Several owners, the home is now an Event venue. This home is one of the first four homes built in the area that were constructed in the 1819 and 1820s. The Harris cemetery remains intact on the property.
Alexander and Elizabeth built a stately Antebellum Plantation home not far from Thornfield, (now The Columns Subdivision). Alexander’s home burned to the ground at the beginning to the 1900’s. The only part of the house that remained were the brick columns. The columns remained standing until 1995 when Hurricane Opal passed thru Alabama and caused the aging bricks to fall.
Alexander and his wife, along with other family members, are buried in the Cemetery within The Columns subdivision.
The Cemetery has been vandalized and is in need of repair. Alfa Reality originally bought the property from Mr. Billy Williamson. Upon purchase of the property for development, Alfa agree to protect the Cemetery and preserve it as a historical part of the subdivision. It is unfortunate this has not happened. Keeping the cemetery unmarked within the woods kept it protected for some time. Now homes are encroaching on the cemetery making it vulnerable to vandalism.
The Older cemetery, (McKeithen/Cotton) that is the burial place of one of our founding pioneers, Archibald McKeithen, is on land that is now a part of an estate, with heirs that live out of state. It also has been neglected.
Trees surround the small family plot. Trees have fallen on the beautiful iron fence and broken it, as well as several stones that are damaged and broken. The stones lie flat on the ground and are covered with debris.
Recently a McKeithen descendent and her husband, Katherine and Gerald Nichols, along with Deborah Gilliam, President of The West Elmore County Historical Society, visited the Cemeteries and were saddened by the condition of the burial grounds.
Since these cemeteries are on private property, permission must be obtained to gain access to work / clean the cemeteries. According to State Bill: Code of Alabama of 1975, 18-3-20.
Gilliam is attempting to locate landowners in an attempt to get permission to clean up the cemeteries.
If you interested in helping, or would like more information, please contact Gilliam at gilliam4622@gmail.com.
