Southern AdventuresHolland – Leak

Holland–Leak–Adair Burying Ground
Also called Salem Cemetery
Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina

The Holland–Leak–Adair Burying Ground in March 2026, with gravestones among the remaining trees — The burying ground in March 2026.

This burying ground once stood beside Old Salem Methodist Church. The church building was moved long ago, but the graves remain. It holds three of my direct ancestors: my 5th great-grandfather Jeremiah Leak, Sr., and my 4th great-grandparents Thomas Rutledge Holland, Jr. and Mary Leak Holland.

At a Glance

Where: Clinton, Laurens County, off U.S. Highway 76, near the railroad tracks. The land around it is now an RV park, and the cemetery is on private property inside a chain-link fence.
Also known as: Salem Cemetery; the “Cemetery off 76.”
Oldest known stone: George Leak, 1819.
Recorded here: about 40 burials, many with photographs, plus a row of plain fieldstones outside the old fence line.
For our families: the Leaks of Jeremiah Leak’s will; Thomas R. Holland, Jr., son of Jane Adair Holland; and James S. Adair and his wife Delilah, daughter of William Holland of Holland Cemetery.

The Cemetery Then and Now

For generations the burying ground sat in the woods, enclosed by a fine iron fence and gate set in granite posts. When I photographed it in March 2022 it was overgrown but largely intact.

Iron cemetery fence set in a granite post beside a large tree, 2022 — The iron fence and gate, March 16, 2022.

Iron fence rails and granite post at the old gate, 2022 — The iron fence and gate, March 16, 2022.

Since then the fence and gate have been stolen and carted off for scrap. The only pieces left are the ones the trees had grown around. Hurricane Helene in September 2024 did tremendous damage here, bringing down trees and breaking stones. Trees are not good for cemeteries.

Iron fence remnant caught in a tree trunk beside a granite post — What is left of the fence, March 2026: iron held by the trees, and the granite posts.

Rusted iron fence rails grown into the bark of a tree — What is left of the fence, March 2026: iron held by the trees, and the granite posts.

Recently an RV company bought the surrounding land and cleared everything except the little cemetery, which is now protected by a chain-link fence.

Wateroak RV Living sign at the entrance to the cleared property — The cleared property and the new fence, July 27, 2025.

Cleared red clay field with the fenced cemetery trees beyond — The cleared property and the new fence, July 27, 2025.

Restoration

Video shared with permission from Jason Hanna.

Help support the preservation and restoration of this sacred place: Cemetery off 76 Fundraiser.

The Stones

Inscriptions are given as they appear on the stones. Photos are from March 2022 and March 2026.

Leak

Jeremiah Leak, Sr., 1780 – 27 February 1853

Jeremiah Franklin Leak, Sr. was my 5th great-grandfather. His son of the same name, Jeremiah Franklin Leak, Jr. (born 1831), was my 4th great-granduncle. See his 1851 will. His wife, Jane B. Leak, died 10 May 1862, aged 65.

Jeremiah Leak's box tomb in the woods, 2022 — His box tomb in March 2022.

The broken top slab of Jeremiah Leak's box tomb, 2022 — His box tomb in March 2022.

Collapsed box tomb with its top slab broken open — The same tomb in March 2026.

Lichen-covered top slab of the box tomb — The same tomb in March 2026.

John W. Leak, 18 July 1828 – 16 April 1830

IN
memory of
JOHN W. LEAK,
son of Thomas &
Charlotte Leak, who
was born July 18th
1828, & died April 16th
1830,
aged 1 year 8 months
& 29 days.

Gravestone of John W. Leak — March 2022.

John W. Leak's stone among the leaves — March 2022.

George Leak, about 1766 – 29 October 1819

To the Memory of
George Leak
who departed this life
29 October 1819
Aged 53 years

George Leak's headstone and footstone — Photos contributed by Pam Miller.

Headstone of George Leak — Photos contributed by Pam Miller.

Holland

Thomas Rutledge Holland, Jr., 16 August 1805 – 23 March 1850, and Mary (Leak) Holland, 22 May 1811 – 25 March 1860

My 4th great-grandparents. Thomas was the son of Thomas Holland and Jane Adair Holland, who are buried at Holland Cemetery. Mary was the daughter of Jeremiah Leak.

The gravestones of Thomas and Mary Holland side by side — Mary and Thomas Holland, March 2022.

IN
memory of
THOMAS HOLLAND
who was born
August 16th 1805
and died
March 23rd 1850

Gravestone of Thomas Holland, 2026 — His headstone (2026) and footstone (2022 and 2026).

Footstone marked T.R.H., 2022 — His headstone (2026) and footstone (2022 and 2026).

MARY
wife of
Thomas Holland
May 22, 1811
Mar. 25, 1860
An affectionate wife
and loving Mother

Greenberry Reason Holland, 27 February 1835 – 15 April 1865

A son of Thomas and Mary Holland. He died six days after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

IN
memory of
G. R. HOLLAND
born Feb. 27th
1835
died Apr. 15th
1865

Original gravestone of G. R. Holland with his military marker behind — His original stone and his Confederate marker, March 2026.

Military marker for Pvt. Green Berry Holland, CSA — His original stone and his Confederate marker, March 2026.

William W. Holland, 1853 – 1855

Son of Thomas Rutledge Holland III and Nancy S. Holland. His father died the next year, aged 25.

Adair

James S. Adair, 15 October 1781 – 6 June 1862, and Delilah (Holland) Adair, 29 November 1783 – 18 January 1864

Delilah was the daughter of William Holland, who is believed to be buried at Holland Cemetery. Their daughter Elizabeth is buried there too. Their “Our Father” and “Our Mother” stones stand together.

OUR FATHER
JAMES ADAIR
BORN
Oct. 15, 1781
DIED
June 6, 1862
Aged
80 years 7 months & 25 days

OUR MOTHER
DELILAH ADAIR
wife of
JAMES ADAIR
BORN
Nov. 29, 1783
DIED
Jan. 18, 1864
Aged
80 years 1 month & 19 days

Gravestone of James Adair with a carved pointing hand

James Adair's stone in front of the Adair family plot

Their sons

IN
memory of
WILLIAM W. ADAIR
who was born
Sept. 4th 1812
and died
April 5th 1844

William Adair, son of James and Delilah Adair, born October 1822, died October 1841.

Worn gravestone of William Adair, son of James and Delilah Adair

Isaac Adair, born 31 July 1818, died 9 August 1863.

Isaac Adair's stone with a military marker behind it, 2022

Edmond and Susan Adair

Edmond Adair, 1814 – 10 October 1895, Pvt., Co. E, 4th Battalion Reserves, CSA. His wife Susan Adair, 11 December 1813 – 10 September 1885. Their daughter Martha Thompson Adair (1842–1893) is also buried here.

Side of Edmond Adair's obelisk — March 2022.

Two of their daughters died as infants:

DELILAH ADAIR
daughter of Edmund & Susan Adair
Nov. 20, 1853 – April 26, 1854

Gravestone of Delilah Adair, infant daughter of Edmund and Susan Adair

IN
memory of
a daughter of
EDMUND & SUSAN
ADAIR
born May __
1839
and died June __
1839

Gravestone of an infant daughter of Edmund and Susan Adair, 1839

James Henry and Elizabeth Adair

My Husband
JAMES HENRY ADAIR
Son of
James & Delilah Adair
Born Aug. 4, 1820

He died 1 April 1865. The rest of his stone is hidden behind the iron cross.

Gravestone of James Henry Adair with an iron Confederate cross in front — An iron Southern Cross of Honor, placed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, stands at his stone.

Their daughter Sarah Talulah Adair (1860–1872) is buried here, and two infant stones were found in March 2026:

INFANT
Daughter of
J. H. & Elizabeth Adair
was born
May 26, 186_
and died
Sept. 10, 186_

Sleep on sweet babe and take thy rest,
God called thee home, He thought it best.

Gravestone of the infant daughter of J. H. and Elizabeth Adair

Small gravestone of an infant of James H. and Elizabeth Adair, with its footstone

Simpson

In memory of
MISS MARY E. SIMPSON
born
Nov. 13, 1834
died
Sept. 20th 1854

Fallen gravestone of Mary E. Simpson, second view

Hannah (Adair) Simpson (1816–1884), wife of Nathan Simpson and daughter of James and Delilah Adair, is also buried here.

Copeland

MATTIE H.
wife of
DAVID T. COPELAND

Martha (Mattie) H. Copeland, January 1844 – 29 March 1880.

OUR LITTLE SALLIE
daughter of
D. T. & M. H. COPELAND
Born Aug. 4, 1866
Died Aug. 12, 1867
Aged 1 year and 8 days

“Sweet Sallie unto earth
A little while was given,
She plumed her wings for flight
And soared away to heaven.”

Gravestone of Little Sallie Copeland, 2022

Gravestone of Little Sallie Copeland, 2026

Bearden

Elias Bearden, 29 August 1819 – 3 December 1864, 14th South Carolina Infantry, CSA. His children J.L. (1857–1880), Jane E. (1861–1867) and Della M. Bearden (1863–1877) are buried here too.

Base of Elias Bearden's obelisk and his military marker, 2026 — His obelisk in 2022, and in 2026 after losing its top.

Graves Outside the Fence

Several stones, unmarked and plain, were clearly placed outside the old cemetery fence. I believe they mark the graves of enslaved people. They are now inside the new chain-link fence.

Plain fieldstone grave marker in the leaves — March 2022.

Small plain fieldstone marker — March 2022.

Burial Register

Everyone known to be buried here, in order of death.

Name	Died	Notes	Photo
George Leak	Oct. 29, 1819	Aged 53 (b. about 1766)	Photo
Martha Elizabeth Leak	Aug. 16, 1827	Daughter of T. and C. Leak; b. Aug. 20, 1823
John W. Leak	April 16, 1830	Son of Thomas and Charlotte Leak; b. July 18, 1828	Photo
Deen, N.; Deen, A.; Wright, K.E.; Z.B.W.	1831 (two)	Initials and fragments recorded in an earlier survey
Infant daughter of Edmond and Susan Adair	1839	Born and died 1839	Photo
William Adair	Oct. 1841	Son of James and Delilah Adair; b. Oct. 1822	Photo
William W. Adair	April 5, 1844	b. Sept. 4, 1812	Photo
Thomas Rutledge Holland, Jr.	March 23, 1850	Husband of Mary Leak; b. Aug. 16, 1805	Photo
Jeremiah Leak, Sr.	Feb. 27, 1853	Aged 73 (b. 1780). Box tomb	Photo
Delilah Adair	April 26, 1854	Daughter of Edmond and Susan Adair; b. Nov. 20, 1853	Photo
Mary E. Simpson	Sept. 20, 1854	b. Nov. 13, 1834	Photo
Wyatt R. Holland	April 8, 1855	Son of Thomas and Mary Holland; b. July 19, 1837
William W. Holland	1855	Son of Thomas and Nancy Holland; b. 1853	Photo
Thomas Rutledge Holland III	May 11, 1856	Husband of Nancy S. Holland; b. March 4, 1831
Mary (Leak) Holland	March 25, 1860	Wife of Thomas Holland; b. May 22, 1811	Photo
James S. Adair	June 6, 1862	b. Oct. 15, 1781	Photo
Jane B. Leak	May 10, 1862	Wife of Jeremiah Leak; aged 65 (b. about 1797)
Isaac Adair	Aug. 9, 1863	b. July 31, 1818	Photo
Infant daughter of J.H. and Elizabeth Adair	Sept. 10, 186_	b. May 26, 186_	Photo
Melinda Briggs	Dec. 28, 1863	Daughter of R.P. and S.E. Briggs; b. June 21, 1862
Delilah A. H. (Holland) Adair	Jan. 18, 1864	Wife of James Adair; daughter of William Holland; b. Nov. 29, 1783	Photo
Elias Bearden	Dec. 3, 1864	14th SC Infantry, CSA; b. Aug. 29, 1819	Photo
John B. Leake	Nov. 23, 1864	Son of W.J. and S.C. Leak; b. Dec. 12, 1863
Sarah Ann Missouri Holland	March 16, 1865	b. Nov. 6, 1844
James Henry Adair	April 1, 1865	Son of James and Delilah Adair; b. Aug. 4, 1820	Photo
Greenberry Reason Holland	April 15, 1865	Pvt., CSA; b. Feb. 27, 1835	Photo
Little Sallie Copeland	Aug. 12, 1867	Daughter of D.T. and M.H. Copeland; b. Aug. 4, 1866	Photo
Jane E. Bearden	Sept. 13, 1867	b. March 4, 1861
Delilah Potter	May 2, 1871	Wife of Moses Potter; daughter of J.J. and M.W. Ramage; b. Jan. 6, 1834
Sarah Talulah Adair	Oct. 11, 1872	Daughter of J.H. and Elizabeth Adair; b. April 16, 1860
Della M. Bearden	Nov. 24, 1877	b. May 5, 1863
John C. Calhoun Adair	Sept. 6, 1878	b. June 20, 1851
Mattie H. (Martha) Copeland	March 29, 1880	Wife of David T. Copeland; b. Jan. 1844	Photo
Sarah Ann Meadors	Aug. 8, 1880	Wife of P.M. Meadors; about 50; “A Methodist.” Erected by Mrs. Mary Jones
J.L. Bearden	Nov. 6, 1880	b. May 16, 1857
Hannah (Adair) Simpson	Dec. 8, 1884	Wife of Nathan Simpson; daughter of James and Delilah Adair; b. Nov. 7, 1816
Susan Adair	Sept. 10, 1885	Wife of Edmond Adair; b. Dec. 11, 1813
Martha Thompson Adair	Dec. 18, 1893	Daughter of Edmond and Susan Adair; b. March 10, 1842
Edmond Adair	Oct. 10, 1895	Pvt., Co. E, 4th Bn. Reserves, CSA; b. 1814	Photo
Sallie Adair	Feb. 6, 1898	b. Feb. 9, 1818

Holland–Leak–Adair Burying Ground burials.

Photo Gallery

March 2026

Unidentified fragments

Broken stone fragment with part of a verse — One fragment reads “…by Jesus… to thee, to us, is gain.” Whose stone is it?

Worn stone fragment with illegible lettering — One fragment reads “…by Jesus… to thee, to us, is gain.” Whose stone is it?

More Photos

Weathered upright stone among the leaves in the Holland–Leak–Adair burying ground

Worn headstone with a broken top in the Holland–Leak–Adair burying ground

Sources, Open Questions, and How You Can Help

Sources

Gravestones, photographed by Lisa Bowes on 16 March 2022 and in March 2026, and the cleared property on 27 July 2025.
George Leak photographs contributed by Pam Miller.
Video shared with permission from Jason Hanna.
Will of Jeremiah Leak, 1851; see Jeremiah Leake – 1851.

Open Questions

Was Mary E. Simpson (1834–1854) the daughter of Nathan and Hannah (Adair) Simpson?
Are the two infant stones for J.H. and Elizabeth Adair for the same child? And what are the exact years on the larger one?
William Adair (1822–1841): his stone is badly worn. Can anyone confirm the dates?
Whose stone is the fragment with the verse “…to thee, to us, is gain”?
Who are buried under the plain stones outside the old fence?

How You Can Help

Support the Cemetery off 76 Fundraiser.
If you have photographs, family records or corrections, please get in touch.

Holy Places: Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church · Duncan Creek Cemetery · Holland Cemetery · Holland–Leak–Adair Burying Ground · Leesville Methodist Cemetery

Holland – Leak – Adair Burying Ground

At a Glance

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