Established as a burial ground for the
Congregationalists who settled in the Midway
area in 1752, the cemetery is the final resting
place for individuals who played key roles in
the founding of the United States. Others
served their state in the War of 1812 and Civil
Wars.
In 1778, British forces moved to invade Midway. Despite three to one odds, an American force tried to oppose them at the Battle of Midway Church.
During the Battle Col. James Screven ( the namesake of Screven County ) was mortally wounded. Screven was buried in Midway Cemetery.
The brick wall surrounding the Cemetery was erected before the Civil War and, according to local legend, was built using slave labor. Two of these enslaved laborers had been forced to work late because they wasted time arguing with each other during the day. Another argument ensued and the result was one of them killing the other with a brick. Fearing the murder be discovered, the killer bricked up his victim’s body inside the wall. The remains of which were found years later.
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