ALLEGHANY COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – Bowyer Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Bowyer cemetery: 1937 Research made by Robert Stover Cemetery Location: 11 miles southwest of Covington, Virginia, on Routes #60 and #18. Near George Bowyer’s home. Alleghany County OWNERS: 1805 Christopher Persinger deeded to David Bowyer, on one of these tracts, probably the 11 acre tract, lies the Bowyer Cemetery. The original grants on parchment are in the possession of George Bowyer, who lives nearby. John Bowyer, son of David, left no will, but by word of George Bowyer, this cemetery and farm descended to Elias, who adopted George, the present owner (1937) DESCRIPTION: The Bowyer Cemetery contains three-quarters of an acre, enclosed with a wire fence out up in 1910 which is now in bad repair. The cemetery however, is cared for. It is situated on a knoll south of Potts Creek on sloping ground some 100 feet above the creek. Many of the graves have no markers. The cemetery is still used for new graves. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There are five Confederate soldier buried here, two with markers, Benton Bowyer, son of John, is without a marker. (Authority of Mr. George Bowyer) One Negro slave and her two children were buried here before the War Between the States. She may have been the very first person to be buried in the cemetery. David Bowyer of the Revolutionary War, is believed to have been buried here, according to Mr. Allen Persinger, the local historian. The present owner, George Bowyer, has the original land grants to David Bowyer, written on parchment, and issued by Governors Tyler and Pleasants. He has also an account book of Bowyer, mentioning under date of 1825, John Knighton and William Carver. When we first hear of the Bowyers back in Augusta County, John and William were brothers. When John resigned as Sheriff in anticipation of the division of the county, “when his house will be in the new county he recommends the Court to appoint his brother William in his place, which is done”. (October 1769, Chalkley Vol. I, page 159) John had come to this country as a school teacher, about 1750, opened a school in Augusta in which William Patton attended. The school was open only a few months when he married Magdalene Borden, 1751. (Vol. III, 402) Vol. II, page 275, Marriage Feb. 4, 1754 John Bowyer and Magdalene, widow of Benjamin Borden Jr. Tombs and Inscriptions Found in the Bowyer Cemetery: Elias B. Bowyer b. Sept. 22, 1848 d. May 10, 1926 and His wife Nancy M. Bowyer Died Dec. 2, 1929 aged about 78 years At Rest John W. Bowyer b. May 28, 1857 d. Sept. 17, 1926 A precious one from us has gone A voice we loved is still, A place is vacant in our home Which never can be filled. David O. Bowyer b. Aug. 15, 1872 d. Dec. 3, 1921 C.S.A. marker Co. G, 22 Va. Inf. John T. Plymale b. Mch. 30, 1846 d. Dec. 27, 1912 Emma F. Plymale wife of J.T.P. April 19, 1847 Aug. 17, 1909 She is not dead but sleepeth George W. Plymale March 1842 May 1st, 1877 William Bowyer June 25, 1863 about 60 years of age In Memory of Our Dear Mother Sarah E. Arthur Nov. 17, 1818 Feb. 20, 1876 J. H. Kemper May 11, 1849 May 18, 1921 C. W. Kemper March 24, 1817 Sept. 26th, 1901 His Wife, L.V. Kemper Dec. 28, 1831 Jan. 22, 1921 Christine Davis d. Oct. 13, 1828 age about 22 years In Loving Remembrance of Jane Hepler d. May 5, 1915 age about 80 years Isaac B. Paxton husband of Mary A. Paxton b. Apr. 13, 1847 d. Sept. 2, 1914 Sleep on, husband thy work is done, Jesus has come to bear thee home, His body now slumbers along with the dead, Rest, Dear One, rest in quiet sleep While friends in sorrow over thee weep. Sarah A. wife of I.B. Paxton Sept. 17, 1843 Jan. 29th, 1901 Resting in the hope of a glorious resurrection George W. Tingler Company C, 27 Va. Inf. C.S.A. (no dates) Caroline wife of G.W. Tingler Dec. 31, 1827 June 9, 1902 Lord, she was thine and not mine (very old stone) J.L. Burkholder Oct. 26, 1856 Dec. 22, 1929 age 73 yrs. 1 mo, & 26 days His busy hands are folded. His work on earth is done. His weary days are ended, His Heavenly crown is won. James F. Burkholder May 8, 1820 Oct. 25th, 1914 Kate G. Wife of H.G. Hinkle Aug. 4, 1834 June 10, 1929 William H. Humphries June 21, 1856 Apr. 13, 1927 Charlotte M. Humphries Oct. 16, 1857 Feb. 10, 1921 Eastern Star Member James A. Simmons May 18, 1832 Feb. 26th, 1907 SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: Allen Persinger George Bowyer William Plymale All of Potts Creek, Virginia Documents in possession of George Bowyer Alleghany History of Morton, page 127 Chalkleys Abstracts of Augusta County Court Records, Alleghany County Clerks Office, Covington, Virginia ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joan Renfrow NOTICE: I have no relationship or further information in regards to this family. ___________________________________________________________________