CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – Tombstones Near Bermuda Hundred
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Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection


LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Epitaphs from tombstones in cemeteries near 
                  Bermuda Hundred, Virginia:
                  1938 May 16
                  Research made by R. B. Gill



One of the most interesting old graveyards in Chesterfield County is located 
near Bermuda Hundred.  To reach it, take the road to left at marker near Bermuda 
Hundred and proceed up the road leading along the James River about a quarter of 
a mile.  About one hundred yards to the left, out in a large field, is an 
immense hackberry tree.  Under this tree and lying flat on the ground, which can 
not be seen even a few yards distant, are several flat marble slabs under which 
lie buried members of the Worsham and Baugh families.  By clearing away the 
accumulated earth, the following inscriptions can be read:


In Memory of
John
Son of Edward and Elizabeth Worsham
He was born the 25th, Day of Dec. 1774
and Departed this Life the 30th. Day of
Nov. 1795

Close by this is a rough hewn stone on which is engraved in an illegible hand 
the initials “E.W.” and under that “1776”.

Inscriptions on nearby stones read:

In Memory of
Michal
Daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Worsham
She was Born 24th, Jan. 1771
And Departed this Life, 15th, Sept. 1795


In Memory of
Sarah
Wife of Archibald Baugh
Daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Worsham
Born 25th, Feby. 1773
Departed this Life, Oct. 1795


Sacred to the Memory of
Margaret
Consort of Chastain Clarke
of Richmond, Virginia
and Daughter of Archibald Baugh Dec’d. 
Who Died Sept. 24th 1836
In the 25th Year of Her Age


Of great interest is the fact that right under this great hackberry tree, about 
one hundred feet from the above mentioned gravestones, are the remains of some 
head-rests which are evidently of great age.  They are of different formation 
than the others, being of slate and almost buried in the ground.  Only the tops 
of four or five such stones are visible, and it would require some time, as well 
as much work with a pick and shovel, to uncover them.

According to Mr. W.T. Johnson, who keeps a store in Bermuda Hundred, Mr. 
LaPrade, Surveyor of the City of Richmond, Virginia, has an old map of Bermuda 
Hundred.  It shows the Custom house which was located on the James River, north 
of this old cemetery.  According to the map, the old ferry was located on the 
south side of the James River opposite “Shirley”, about one hundred yards to the 
left of the Custom House.  It is possible that these old stones mark the oldest 
cemetery in Bermuda Hundred.

There are a few gravestones in the yard just back of Mr. Johnson’s residence and 
garden.  These are of later date and read as follows:

Hezekiah B. Wells
Born 1849
Died 1900
(Mr. Wells kept a store in Bermuda Hundred for quite a while)


John Henry Joseph Letihon
Who for Nine Years
Was Stewart of the Ship Ganges
Was Drowned Sept. 7, 1839


Rosalia
Only Daughter of Thomas and Rosalia Ann Skinner
Born Oct. 13, 1843
Died Sept. 8, 1846
But though this little one has gone
Thus sudden from our fond embrace
Yet on the Resurrection Morn
We’ll see and know its lovely face.
Then why should we in anguish weep
(The balance of this verse is so deep in the ground that we could not unearth it)


According to Mr. Johnson, this baby died at sea.


Just back of the old house at “West Brook”, which is now a part of “Presque 
Isle” and is reached by turning off the old railroad bed, the first turn to the 
left after passing through the gate to the big farm known as “West Brook”, which 
is located on the James River and is reached before you get to the “Presque” 
farm house and buildings, being up the James about one-half of a mile above the 
cut is the old Archer burying ground, is in a small brick enclosure surrounded 
by a brick wall about two feet high.  The tombstones are in bad shape and 
several have fallen outside of the enclosure.  They are upright square columns, 
smaller at the top then at the base and were on substantial blacks from which 
they have fallen, and are buried in vines and grass.

The following epitaphs could be transcribed:

In Memory of
John Archer
Born Sept. 6, 1784
Died Dec. 17, 1855


Sacred to the Memory of
Elizabeth C.
Consort of John Archer
Born Jan. 28, 1785
Died July 9, 1843
A sincere Christian
A faithful wife, a fond Mother,
A generous friend, and a kind Mistress.
“I do love my Children”, the Dying
Mother said,
Then, Looked a fond farewell, and
Joined the Dead.


Near here repose her children, John T., Elizabeth, John and Charles R. Archer.

In the old orchard right back of the present “Presque Isle” house, owned by Mr. 
A.D. Williams of Richmond, is an old graveyard with several monuments, on which 
can be found the following inscriptions:


Mary Page
Departed this Life
January 26, 1797
in the 31st Year
of her Age


Harriett
Wife of E.O. Watkins
and Daughter of John and Mary Trevilian
of Goochland
Died at Her Residence
In Presque Isle
Chesterfield County
Nov. 15, 1858
Aged 57 Years and Nine Months


Sally O. May
Wife of Dr. David A. May
of Petersburg
and Daughter of E.O. and Harriett Watkins
Died at Presque Isle 
Chesterfield County
June 18, 1858
Aged 23 Years



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	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.
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