Locality:
Realty Map: 26.16-1-7 Cultural
Affiliation: Euro-American
USGS Map:
Grid Locus: C-4 Elevation: 1140 feet
UTM Easting: 590740 Aspect: Flat
UTM Northing: 4133480
Site Dimensions:
122.39 by 59.99 by 123.83 by 58.6 feet
Survey Description: Site consists of a cemetery with a
minimum of 50 interments the majority of which are marked by inscribed and
uninscribed headstones and footstones.
Site consists of two sections. First section is surrounded by a wall of
cut limestone blocks that measures 47 by 49 by 46.8 by 49 feet and encloses 16
uninscribed fieldstone markers, 13 inscribed marble headstones, and two
inscribed markers of limestone cut into coffin shapes. Second section is enclosed by a post and
chain-link fence that measures 12 by 66 by 57 by 70.5 by 46.8 feet and encloses
14 graves with marble headstones, 1 with a metal plaque, two marked by a single
obelisk, and two marked with metal markers.
A possible third section to the cemetery is an unenclosed grassy area
approximately 50 by 50 feet and located immediately south of the limestone
wall. Informants indicated this area
once held less than 10 fieldstone grave markers. These markers are no longer observable on the
ground surface. The limestone wall
encloses the oldest part of cemetery. It
features two limestone markers cut into coffin shapes and two stones with
maker’s marks. The majority of the
graves and headstones face east although a few within the stone enclosure face
west. Historic plantings include cedars,
one boxwood, and periwinkle groundcover.
Site is maintained and covered with mowed grass. Site was field inspected, photographed, and
headstone inscriptions were transcribed and compared to previous site
documentation. Site size was derived
from realty maps, while measurements of sections were obtained by measuring the
horizontal extent of the surrounding stone wall and fence lines, and by pacing
grassy area to the immediate south of the rock wall.
Surveyed By: T.
Klatka & D. Richardson
Survey Date: 7/97
Field Notes:
x Yes No
Photographs
x Yes No
Reference(s):
1986
Works Progress Administration of
Additional Comments:
Assigned temporal affiliation is based on headstone inscriptions; however,
the presence of uninscribed markers may indicate an earlier use of the
site. Death dates on headstone range
from 1838 through 1996. One dislodged
uninscribed marble marker shaped like a cross was observed leaning against the
southwest fence line. Site is marked on
U.S.G.S. Roanoke map sheet and labeled “Obenshain Cem.” Site is also marked on local realty maps.
This cemetery was initially surveyed and documented in 1937
or 1938 by the Works Progress Administration and recorded as the “
derived from headstone inscriptions in the cemetery and it
represents a complete listing of grave markers observed during the 1997 survey.
Marker Inscriptions:
In memory of In
memory of
Sarah F. France Delilah
Born
Died Jan’y 17, 1852 Died
Farewell oh sister dear, farewell Peaceful be
thy silent slumbers
Thoust left me lonely on this world of pain Peaceful in
the ground so low
O, may we meet in heavenly bliss to dwell Thou no
more our songs shall know.
At God’s right hand no more to part again.
In memory of In
memory of
Catharine
Born Feb’y 4, 1821 Born
Died Sept’r 28, 1853 Died
Our sister left this world of Woe Whilst in this
tomb our father lies
For regions of eternal love His
spirit rests above
Thus god who called her from below In realms of blass it
never dies
To join in praising Him above. But knows
a Saviour’s love.
(maker’s
mark “J.B. Gaddess
In memory of In memory of
John
Born
Died
This tablet to a brother’s love O, sad the
thought our brother’s dead
Is . . . by kindred left In
silence rocks his peaceful head
His soul in bliss is now above His soul
renewed by early grace
His friends on earth bereft. In
heaven has sought its resting place.
In memory of Mary A.
France Catharine
Born
Died Dec’r 3, 1863 Henry
Keagy
This spotless column o’er our sister’s grave Born
But marks the spot where her body lies Died
1838.
Her spirit bright unto the God that gave
Has upon it gone where pleasure never dies.
(maker’s mark “ J.B. Gaddess
Henry M. Keagy In
memory of Laban
Walrond
Born
Died Wife
of Henry Keagy
July 1840 Born
Oct’r 28, 1805 Died
Died
Feb. 27, 1878
A
precious one from me has gone
A
voice I loved is stilled
A
place is vacant in my home
Which
never can be filled.
France-Keagey-Obenshain
Cemetery (continued)
Oscar France 1881-1943 Erected
to the memory of our family Nora O’Leary
1893-1899
God grant him eternal rest and
Henry and Anna Frantz
(Obelisk)
In loving memory O’Leary In
loving memory
Edgar R. Frantz Timothy Mary Lee Russell D. Frantz
March 3, 1906 Died
1905 Died 1932 July 8, 1908
Aug. 18, 1946
James R. O’Leary O’Leary John
Henry O’Leary
June 25, 1899 Mattie James Dec. 1, 1892
May 29, 1971 1880-1941 1876-1961
Dying is but going home
Gernie L. Frantz Calvin
Earl Phlegar Aubrey
L. Frantz
Sept. 23, 1942 1937 1996 July
8, 1912
Mar. 31, 1974 (Metal
marker)
Howard R. Frantz Wm.
Richard Obenshain Dalilah
Frantz
Virginia Jan.
30, 1844 Wife
of
PVT US Army Feb.
5, 1918 W.R.
Obenshain
World War II
Apr 10 1910 Feb 13 1960
John E. Obenshain Ora
C. Phlegar Infant
of
May 21, 1881 Wife
of J.E. Obenshain M.M.
& J.R.
Dec. 26, 1910 April
3, 1884 Overstreet
Frank E. Obenshain Elizabeth
A.
Dec. 11, 1902 Daughter
of Henry M & Anna France
Aug. 22, 1907 and consort of L. Walrond
Born
Died
Blessed are the dead which die in
the Lord
Weep not for me my husband dear,
I am not dead but sleeping here
As I am now, so you must be
Prepare for death and follow me.