In Historic Porterdale, the earliest marked grave is dated 1836. It is believed the cemetery is named after the first African American Sexton in Columbus, Mr. Richard Porter, who served as Sexton from 1890 to 1916. Among countless marked and unmarked graves, some of the more celebrated are Ma Rainey, "Mother of Blues", and Mr. Bragg Smith, who was made famous in 1903 by his fruitless attempt to save the life of Public Services Director who was gathering information regarding a large brick sewer system that had collapsed. When the ground around the trench began to collapse, Mr. Smith lost his life attempting to save the life of his boss. Other famous people include Mr. William Spencer and Mr. Edward Sherald. Some earlier information suggest that there are slaves buried in this cemetery as well as the City's first paupers graves.