ALLEGHANY COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – John Tunnill Grave ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, John Tunnill grave: 1937 June 5 Research made by L. Blanche Bess Cemetery Location: 18 miles southwest of Covington, Routes #60, #19 Alleghany County Owners: This is a private burying ground; reserved “forever”. It has passed from one owner to another each one holds this plot of ground in trust. It is located on a certain 56 acre tract of land, known as lot No. 5, assigned to Absolom Dew from lands of William Dew, D.B. #4, page 417-422. Place sold by R.L. Parrish, Special Commissioner, purchased by J.L. Bess. Sold to D.M. Davis, April 9, 1907. D.M. Davis sold to Jackson Hepler and wife, 1910. Jackson Hepler and wife sold to Mors G. Wright, present owner, D.B. #4, page 419 (1937) Description: A number of years ago, there was an effort made by the Methodist Church to secure a marker for this man’s grave, but it seemed that, at that time, the grave could not be located and there was nothing done. Mr. M.G. Wright, who owns the Dew farm on which the cemetery is located knows the grave of John Tunnill. Mr. Wright said, a Methodist preacher, the Rev. Mr. Sage told him that the grave was marked by a grape fine growing on it. The vine is dead now, but Mr. Wright pointed out the grave. We sat up some stones and made a picture of the site. We hope that in some way there will be a marker provided for this man, a man of such faith and courage, a great leader and one who gave his all, his very life to the cause of Christianity should certainly be remembered. It is a shame that the body of this heroic man should have lain in an unmarked grave for one hundred and forty seven years. Historical Significance: The body of John Tunnill, christian pioneer, lies in an unmarked grave in the old Dew cemetery, one of the oldest in this entire section. Indeed from all available records, it may be the oldest, as the Dew family was certainly among the oldest settlers of this part of the country. when this pioneer of Methodism traveled through this section, over the mountains and through the valleys on foot, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he often stopped with the Dew family. The Dews were religious people and offered their homes for places of worship. Churches were scarce in those early days; John Tunnill was one, who gave his whole time and strength to the Master’s work. He entered the ministry in 1777 and like Paul, he preached “in season and out of season” never tiring in the effort to win souls to Christ. Our people today know so little of the trials of our pioneer preachers. When they hear of their hardships, they think it all as a story out of date. While John Tunnill’s service lasted only thirteen years, he put the work of a life time into that brief period of time. In the “Old Baltimore Conference” we found this statement in regards to John Tunnill’s life and death: “Thirteen years of service closed in a halo of Glory.” page 97. This is a very brief statement but it holds a world of meaning. This great pioneer, who worked unceasingly in the winning of souls, died at Old Sweet Springs in 1790. He had made a request of his friends that his body should be buried at the Dew Cemetery on Potts Creek. This was done, and we have been told by some of our oldest residents that they were told by their ancestors that John Tunnill’s body was carried by men on foot, across Peter’s Mountain and laid to rest in the cemetery of his choice. Informants: Mrs. Mary F. Bess, deceased; Mrs. Sarah A. Davis, deceased; Mr. M.G. Wright, Jordan Mines, Virginia; Rev. Sage (address unknown) Publications: History of the M.E. Church by Nathan Sangs, volume 2 page 450; Old Baltimore Conference, page 97. ___________________________________________________________________ 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. ___________________________________________________________________