Paxton Family Cemetery Rockbridge County, Virginia All photos by Michael Gardebled, Photojournalist. |
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In early
spring of 2002, Mike Gardebled of New Orleans & Slidell,
Louisiana
made one of his semi-annual treks through the Valley of Virginia in search of ancestors --both his, and those of several cousins. He went camera-in-hand, as befits an experienced photojournalist, researcher, author and columnist. Some of the results are included on this page. Thanks, Mike. A Private Burying Ground Based in part on a report from the Virginia Historical Inventory Project Description:
The
Paxton Cemetery is a private burying ground which was
included in the Virginia Historical Inventory compiled by the W.P.A. between 1936-1939. Rada Moore, * who visited this cemetery and wrote the W.P.A. report, described it as, “. . . a private burying ground, fenced in, and with steps leading to it from the road. The owner sends a colored man several times a year to clean off the plot.” Location: Between Tinkersville & Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co. Virginia.
Owners: November 6, 1739- Grant to Benjamin Borden by Gov.
Gooch .
1746- Sold by Borden to Joseph Paxton . 1756- Joseph Paxton willed it to William Paxton . 1795- William Paxton to William. Paxton Jr. by descent . April 7, 1817- William Paxton Jr. to James (Harrison) Paxton by will ; probated 5 May 1817 Nov 17, 1902- From heirs of James Paxton to Katherine Paxton Feb 29, 1916- Katherine G. Paxton to Eleanor, Katherine and Archie Paxton by will; probated May 10, 1916. Sept 1924- From Eleanor Paxton, her share to Archie and Katherine Paxton by will probated June 19, 1935. History:
The
Paxton cemetery was first used
in 1750 and last used in 1859.
"The reason for discontinuing its use as a burying ground was that every time a grave was dug an old grave was disturbed. The owners say it was surprising how many graves there are in this plot in comparison to the tomb- stones. . . . Here are buried the Paxtons, Amales, Templetons, and
Edmonsons. When the present owner (1937)
took over the care of the
cemetery it was in a very bad condition." --Rada Moore, 1939 "All of the older
headstones face east . . .
as I understand it, it is in recognition of a new day and the resurrection of the body. " -- Mike Gardebled "Many of the stones are
still readable . . . "
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Elizabeth Alexander Widow of John Paxton 1694 - 1756 Immigrants From Ulster Ireland |
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Elizabeth
was the mother of Joseph, Samuel, William,
Thomas and John. All but John‘s stone were found in the Paxton Cemetery. Diehl reported John as buried at Falling Springs Cemetery, but if so, his stone is no longer readable. Note: It is possible Elizabeth also had one or more unidentified daughters.
Other
Stones Reported by Rada Moore
Joseph Paxton 1721-1755 Samuel Paxton 1730 - 1756 Here lies the intered body of Thomas Pasdon (sic) who departed this life September 27, 1788 aged 69 years.
Thomas
is often reported as buried
at Falling Springs Church
Cemetery,
where the church has a
memorial
window dedicated
to him, his son John, a grandson. and other family members. Perhaps at the time the window was dedicated, a memorial stone for Thomas was placed at the Falling Springs Cemetery, but it would seem from the W.P.A. report that Thomas was laid to rest in the family's private cemetery. |
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Sacred to to the memory of William Paxton Sr. Who died September the 30th 1795 Aged 63 years. Youngest
son of Elizabeth Alexander
--
George W. Diehl& John Paxton, "William was perhaps the most colorful of them all (the Paxton brothers) and the most conspicuous in public affairs. " Sacred to the memory of Eleanor Paxton Who died August the 13th, 1815 Aged 72 years. Wife of
William Paxton, Sr., she
was born in Scotland, the daughter of David Hays and his wife, Isabella. |
In memory of William Paxton Who died May 27th 1853 Aged 76 years. Col.
William Paxton was the son
of Major William Paxton, Sr. and Eleanor Hays Paxton |
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Mike Gardebled also took photos of the following stones: Sarah I. Paxton Died August 14, 1823 Age 1 yr; Elizabeth Paxton Died December 23-1810 Aged 2 yr 10 mo. Polly Templeton Died June 13, 1821 Aged 49 Years John Templeton Died June 14, 17__ Here Lyeth the interd body aged 4 months 14 days ~~~~~~~ Other Stones reported by Rada Moore Polly Paxton his wife who died July 13 1859 Aged 75 years. Blessed is the memory of the Just. Wife of Col. William Paxton, and daughter of his cousins, John Paxton & Phoebe Alexander. Wm T. Hamilton who departed on the 7th of June 1810 in the ____ of his age. Sacred to the memory of William Hamilton who departed this life March the 8th 1839 in the 61st year of his age Patsy Steele died Sept 15, 1820 age 17 Sarah Edmundson died Nov 16, 1820, age 74 David Edmundson died Mary 2, 1821 age 17 John Templeton died June 14, 1767 age 4 mon 14 days Amole family members (11) Our
report is based partly on one
by Rada Moore that is included in the
W.P.A.'s Virginia Historical Inventory Project, and sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission under the direction of its Division of History. Credit to both the Commission and WPA is requested for publication in whole or part. * The Virginia Historical Inventory is available online at LVA's website http://image.vtls.com/VHI/subjects.html Joanne Merrill Kartak ©
2001 - 2005 All rights reserved.
Any commercial use, without the express consent of the host/author of these pages is prohibited. The material contained on these pages, including the photographs, is available for the private use of those researching family origins. For information about distributing or publishing photographs or other original material from this report, please contact us. |