Locality:
Realty Map: 61.01-6-19 Cultural
Affiliation: Euro-American
USGS Map: Stewartsville Landform: Ridge top
Grid Locus: B-10 Elevation: 1160 feet
UTM Easting: 600660 Aspect: Southwest
UTM Northing: 4127350
Site Dimensions: 30.3
by 30.3 by 42.2 by 42.6 feet
Survey Description: Site consists of a small family cemetery
with at least 24 interments. The graves
were identified on the basis of six inscribed marble headstones, two inscribed
fieldstone markers, and 16 uninscribed fieldstone markers. Other graves without markers may be
present. Observed graves were oriented
from 70 to 90 degrees. Site is
surrounded by an iron fence and a gate is located along the northeastern
side. Additionally, a vertical plank
privacy fence was recently constructed around the iron fence. Periwinkle was
the only historic planting identified. Site was field inspected and headstone
inscriptions were transcribed and compared to previous site documentation. Site size was derived by measuring the
horizontal extent of the iron fence.
Survey Dates: 3/98
& 11/98
Field Notes:
x Yes No
Photographs: Yes x No
Reference(s):
1986
Additional Comments: Assigned temporal period was based on
information from the Gish family Bible reported by the Roanoke Valley
Historical Society. Death dates on
observed headstones range from 1864 through 1910; however, family Bible
information indicates that interments date as early as 1816. Most of the graves have uninscribed
fieldstones as headstones and footstones.
Site is not marked on the USGS Stewartsville map sheet, but was recently
included on local realty maps. The site
is located on land that was recently subdivided for a residential housing
development.
The
An attempt to survey the cemetery in the summer of 1997
failed due to an extremely dense growth of briars in and around the
cemetery. In March 1998 the site was
partially cleared of vegetation and a limited documentation was accomplished. After a thorough cleaning of cemetery in
September or October of 1998 a complete documentation was permitted. During this period of time the area
surrounding the cemetery was in the process of development into the Edgemont
residential subdivision.
The C & S Development Corporation assimilated the
cemetery into the subdivision in a sympathetic manner, cleared the cemetery of
dense vegetation and completed much needed maintenance. The original iron fence around the cemetery
has been kept in place. However, at the
request of new residents in the subdivision a “privacy” fence of wood posts and
vertical planks was constructed immediately surrounding the iron fence. Additionally, an easement was established to
permit easy access to the cemetery from
During the 1998 survey 24 graves were identified in the
cemetery. These included six graves
marked with inscribed marble headstones and graves with inscribed fieldstone
markers. Additionally, the footstones
for the graves of George F. Settles and Joseph N. Settles were not aligned with
their respective headstones. This misalignment
was first observed when a partially clearing of the cemetery permitted some
documentation in March 1998. This
suggests that either the headstones or footstones were dislodged and improperly
reset at some point in the past prior to cemetery maintenance associated with
the subdivision development.
Marker inscriptions:
Mary Frances Sarah
Muse In
Memory of
Daughter of Wm. H. & S. Born William
H. Muse
Muse,
Born
Died
Aged For
if we believe that Jesus Oct.
30, 1905
21 yrs. 1 mo. & 8 ds. died
and rose again even so 80
yrs, 2 mos &
(maker’s mark: them
also which sleep in 5
dys.
Roanoke Works,
(footstone: M.F.M.) (footstone small
& not inscribed) dead
which die
in the Lord.
footstone:
W.H.M.)
G. Gish George
F. Joseph
N. Settles
B 1783 Son
of Died
D 1864 J.N.
& L. Settles.
(inscribed fieldstone marker) Born Aged
48 years
Died not
Not dead but sleepeth
ON Wife
of
G J.N.
Settles
(inscribed fieldstone marker) Born
Died
I have fought a good fight. I have
finished my course. I have kept
the faith.