Metz Cemetery

 

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

Realty Map:          96.03-2-23                              Cultural Affiliation:              Euro-American

USGS Map:           Bent Mountain                     Landform:                              Ridge bench

Grid Locus:            I-8                                           Elevation:                              1600 feet

UTM Easting:       585010                                    Aspect:                                  Flat

UTM Northing:    4115510

 

Site Dimensions:  42.5 by 77 feet

 

Survey Description:  Site consists of a small family cemetery with 30 graves.  Observed graves included 11 marked with marble or granite markers, 15 marked with uninscribed fieldstone markers, two marked with uninscribed cement markers, and one marked with an uninscribed fieldstone marker and a metal marker.  Additionally, the cemetery contains at least one unmarked grave visible as a ground surface depression.  Other graves may be present.  The observed graves ranged in orientation from 90 degrees due east through 109 degrees southeast.  Three sides of the cemetery were surrounded by a wood post and wire mesh fence, and ten of the graves inside the cemetery were enclosed by a chain link fence that measured 24.5 by 37.4 by 28 by 35.7 feet.  Historic plantings included yucca, periwinkle, and maple trees.  Site was field inspected, photographed, and grave marker inscriptions were transcribed and compared to previous documentation.  Site size was estimated by pacing the horizontal extent  of the observed graves.

 

Survey Date:         2/98

 

Field Notes:           _x_Yes   ___No

Photographs:        _x_Yes   ___No

 

References:           Roanoke Valley Historical Society

1986        Roanoke County Graveyards Through 1920.  Privately printed, RVHS, Roanoke.

 

Additional Comments:        Assigned temporal period was based on the 1898 through 1970 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.  Additionally, one local family history suggests the cemetery was in use by 1877.  The cemetery is marked on the USGS Bent Mountain map sheet and identified as “cem.”  The cemetery is not marked on local realty maps.

 

The RVHS surveyed this cemetery and documented biographical information derived from inscriptions on four headstones that predated 1921 (1986:  159 - 160).  The RVHS also reported additional information from the Meador and Metz families that identifies interment marked by uninscribed markers.  Additionally, Charles Abe reported that his ancestor  Hattie Alice Light (deceased August 17, 1877, at the age of one year, four months, and 20 days) was also buried in the cemetery.

 

Marker Inscriptions:

 

Metz                                                       Mary Metz                            Annie W. Richardson

George Lewis        Rosa Lee                                1845 – 1932                            April 2,  1896

Feb. 27, 1884         Oct. 19, 1879                          Age 87 yrs.                            Nov. 9. 1926

Mar. 4, 1962           Nov. 19, 1962

 

Martha J. Fralin                                                    Daniel T. Fralin                     Annie M. Fralin

May 12, 1866                                                         July 21, 1858                          Mar. 14, 1898

Dec. 26, 1939                                                         June 2, 1906                           Mar. 28, 1898

 

Metz Cemetery (continued)

 

Wiseman                                                                               In my father’s house

George W.                             Liddie F.                                                 are many mansions

Died Aug. 13, 1922               Born Apr. 2, 1869                                 Samuel H.

Age 72 years.                        Died Dec. 13, 1936                                                Metz,

Father, let thy grave be given                                                                            died

That we may meet in heaven                                                                              Aug. 1, 1909

A tender Mother and a faithful friend.                                                             Aged

                                                                                                                                65 years.

                                                                                                                                The seraphs round

Katie Lee                                                                                                               The shining throne,

Daughter of                                                                                                           Have borne thee to

S.M. & S.T. Fralin                                                                                                Thy rest,               

Born                                                                                                                       To dwell among the

Nov. 28, 1906                                                                                                        Saints on high

Died                                                                                                                        Companions of the

Aug. 31, 1912                                                                                                        Blest.

 

Mrs. Bertha W. Meado                                                                                       Mrs. Bertha W. Meador

1913 – 1970                                                                                                            1913 – 1970

(metal marker beside                                                                                            (metal marker beside

uninscribed cement                                                                                             uninscribed fieldstone marker)

memorial marker)

 

 

The RVHS reported fieldstones marked the graves of the following:

                John Thompson                                                                                   Van Thompson

                Fanny Thompson                                                                                Van Thompson’s wife

Daughter of John & Fanny Thompson                                            Van Thompson’s sister

Booth family members                                                                         Stump child

Mrs. Richardson                                                                                  five Wiseman grandchildren

Light family members

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