Site Dimensions: 136 by 160 feet

Survey Description: Site consists of a family cemetery with at least 55 graves. Six graves with inscribed markers one grave with a metal marker and 4 unmarked graves were enclosed by a wooden post and single-strand electric fence. Outside of this enclosure 11 unmarked graves 32 graves with uninscribed fieldstone markers and one inscribed marble marker were identified. Cemetery has been trampled by cattle and is covered with scrub brush. Cemetery is surrounded by pasturage. Additional graves may be present. Cemetery also contains two large pines and one maple; a thin growth of periwinkle represents the only historic planting observed on the cemetery. Graves within the fence enclosed are oriented from 75 to 84 degrees. Orientation of graves outside the enclosure ranged from 78 to 93 degrees. Site was field inspected photographed and headstone inscriptions were transcribed and compared to previous site documentation. Site size was derived from locale real estate maps. However pacing of the horizontal extent of observed graves provided a smaller estimate of site size (45 by 110 feet). The property owners believe the cemetery was established at a size of 136 by 160 feet but only a smaller portion of it was used.

Survey Date: 7/98

Field Notes: __X__Yes _____ No
Photographs: __X__Yes _____ No

Reference(s): Roanoke Valley Historical Society
1986 Roanoke County Graveyards Through 1920. Privately printed RVHS Roanoke.

Additional Comments: Assigned temporal period was based on death dates inscribed on observed headstones. The presence of uninscribed fieldstone markers and unmarked graves may indicate an earlier or later use of the site. The number of observed graves and the estimate of site size should be considered tentative because of vegetation cover and the trampling of the site by cattle. This cemetery was surveyed by the RVHS and their report provided biographical information from two headstones that predated 1921 (1986: 1). The following information was derived from grave markers observed in the cemetery and it represents a complete listing of information available at the time of the present survey.

Aliff Cemetery (continued)

Marker Inscriptions: