Henry-Willet Cemetery

 

Locality: Roanoke County                  Temporal Period:                  4^th quarter 19^th c. – 20^th c.

Realty Map:          93.00-2-7                                Cultural Affiliation:              Euro-American

USGS Map:           Elliston                                   Landform:                              Ridge bench

Grid Locus:            K-8                                          Elevation:                              2860 feet

UTM Easting:       576470                                    Aspect:                                  West

UTM Northing:    4115310

 

Site Dimensions:  60 by 100 feet

 

Survey Description:  Site consists of a small family cemetery with at least 29 graves.  Observed graves included five with inscribed headstones, 18 with uninscribed fieldstone markers, one with a metal marker, and five unmarked graves were identified on the basis of ground surface depressions.  All of the observed graves were oriented to the east.  Other graves may be present.  Graves were enclosed by a deteriorating wood post and wire mesh fence.  At the time of survey, the site was covered with high weeds and did not appear maintained.  Historic plantings included periwinkle, lilies, hemlock, and a huge oak.  Site was field inspected and grave marker inscriptions were transcribed.  Site size was estimated by pacing the horizontal extent of the surrounding fence.

 

Survey Date:         9/98

 

Field Notes:           _x_Yes   ___No

Photographs:        _x_Yes   ___No

 

References:           None

 

Additional Comments:  Assigned temporal period was based on the 1897 through 1957 range of death dates inscribed on observed headstones.  However, the presence of uninscribed fieldstone markers and unmarked graves may reflect an earlier or later use of the site.  The cemetery is not marked on the USGS Elliston map sheet but is marked on local realty maps.

 

Marker Inscriptions:

 

Our Mother                                                           F. Marion Willet                                   J.T. Tyler

May A. Wife of                                                    Born                                                       Son of

F. M. Willet                                                           Nov. 20, 1842                                        R.P. & N. S. Moore

Mar. 31, 1843                                                         Died                                                        Born

July 15, 1920                                                          June 30, 1900.                                        June 3, 1910

Tender mother and                                              Gone, but not forgotten                      Died       

Faithful friend.                                                      (footstone: FMW)                               July 5, 1910

(footstone:  MAW)                                                                                                             Gone Home.

                                                                                                                                                Farewell baby.

                                                                                                                                                (footstone: JTM)

 

Wade Austin Ferguson                                      Samuel J. Henry                                    Sarah E. Henry

1885 – 1957                                                            Born                                                       Mar. 10, 1850

(metal marker)                                                       March 10, 1850                                     Mar. 16, 1932

                                                                                Died                                                        Gone, but not forgotten.

                                                                                Jan. 1, 1897                                            (foostone:  SHE)

                                                                                Age 46 Y. 9 M. & 21 D.

                                                                                (footstone:  SJH)