Historic Florida Keys Foundation HFKF

This is the Memorial marker for Joseph Simon & Mary Roberts Bartlum. The symbolism of its design is two people's earthly souls rise and are reunited in heaven. Joseph Bartlum was born in the Bahamas in 1838, his family coming to Key West in 1846. Mary Roberts was born here in 1841 (We believe Roberts is the most common name found in the Cemetery). They wed in 1857 in Manatee County, returned to Key West and would have 8 children. Joseph fought with the Confederate Army in the Civil War. Joseph Bartlum died in 1903 and Mary passed in 1915. Their bloodline continues in Key West today.

9 a.m. Monday morning May 25th. The US Navy, along with the Navy League Key West, will present Memorial Day Honors at the Maine memorial, Historic Key West Cemetery.

There are three ceremonies in the Lower Keys honoring Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, all while maintaining COVID-19 precautions. If you attend, please maintain 6' distance between others.

🇺🇸Key West Cemetery, USS Maine Memorial: 9 a.m.
Watch live via Navy League Key West Council's page.
Presented by Navy League Key West Council

🇺🇸Veterans Memorial Garden, Bayview Park: 10 a.m.
Presented by Southernmost VFW Post 3911

🇺🇸Southern Keys Cemetery, Big Coppitt Key: 11 a.m.
Presented by American Legion Post 28 Key West, FL

U.S. Navy photo by Danette Baso Silvers

One of the most beautiful statues in the Key West Cemetery is engraved "Gladys." Most anyone spending any time walking or touring the cemetery knows of Gladys. William Lawton Bates, born in Key West to parents from England and the Bahamas married Frances Ann Scheurer whose parents were Swiss and German immigrants here. Their only child Gladys was born in May 1896. In 1901, at age five, Gladys contracted Typhoid Fever and died. Her parents and family memorialized Gladys with the beautiful angel.
((According to our expert the stone for Gladys came from the same quarry in Alabama that provided the material for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.))