DANVILLE, VA - CEMETERIES – Grove Street Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Grove Street cemetery: 1937 Oct. 1 Research made by Mabel Moses Cemetery Location: Danville, Virginia on west side of Grove Street/ Danville, Virginia DATE: 1833. OWNERS: Grove Street Cemetery, 1833 to present date. (1937) DESCRIPTION: The century old cemetery on Grove Street is to many people an interesting spot in spite of the little care and attention that is taken of the graves. Originally the cemetery was much larger than it is today. Slaves were buried on one side of this cemetery, which the city later filled in. There are today several houses on part of the original old cemetery. Several years ago the city ploughed up most of this old cemetery and planted grass and flowers. There are a number of unmarked graves. The cemetery is full of grass, shrubs, flowers of all kinds, and a variety of large old trees. Surrounded by an iron and brick fence, with two large entrances, cement walks and drive-ways throughout the cemetery. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: While looking over some historical records in the City Library, Danville, Virginia, I ran across an article which was clipped from a recent issue of the Danville Register in regard to the oldest cemetery in Danville. It read as follows: Danville’s Founding Fathers Lie in Grove St. Cemetery By Mary Machenzie Mack. Many antedotes have been told of this old cemetery. For instance the story “of a Bank Cashier, who robbed a bank and deposited the stolen money in the grave of his sweetheart who had died before”. The robber kneeling so frequently at the grave was apprehended by Mr. John H. Watson, and upon investigation, the money was restored. This tomb is still there though a mantle of honeysuckle obscures the slab and many bricks are gone from the sides. Mr. Watson is buried here. Major John Hamilton Machenzie is buried here. He was a warm friend of Edgar Allen Poe. In memory of Elizabeth Eldest daughter of John B. and Pamela W. Royall of Halifax County. She was born in the year of our Lord 1818 and departed, this life on the 30th day of July 1833. Aged fifteen years, 4 mo’s. and 18 d’s. When blooming youth is snatched away, By death’s resistless hand, Our hearts the mournful tribute pay, which pity must demand. While pity prompts the rising sigh, Oh may this truth impress, with useful pow’r. “I too must die, sink deep in every heart”. Here rest the body of Rev. William C. McElroy Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this place who departed this life 24th May 1837. Aged 32 years. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Sacred to the memory of Rev. Alanson Benedict who departed this life Oct. 1, 1833 Aged 35 years Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Him that overcometh will I make a pillow in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out. In memory of John H. Watson Died Oct. 30, 1860 Aged 80 yrs. 1 mo. 25 d’s A sinner saved by Grace David H. Gates Died April 3, 1858 Aged 52 yrs. 2 mos. and 2 d’s In memory of John J. Gaines Son of L.W. & Sarah E. Gaines Born Sept. 13th, 1845 Died 10th June 1849 Sacred to the memory of Eliza A. Rice wife of John D. Rice Born 20th Nov. 1825 Died 25th January 1855 Sacred to the memory of Richard M. only son of Rev. Nelson & Margaret Head Born Jan. 18th, 1841 Died June 8th, 1860 Sacred to the Memory of Mildred Johnston Youngest daughter of Wm. T. and Ann S. Sharp Born June 16, 1840 Died July 10, 1841 Aged 1 yr. & 24 days 1st Sergt. John E. Bryan Co. B. 18th Va. Reg’t Born Phila. Pa. Killed at 1st Battle of Manassas July 21, 1861 Sacred to the memory of Samuel G. Grasty who was born 18th Feby. 1840 and departed this life 5th Sept. 1841 There is another little hand to Heaven’s sweet harp strings. Another gentle seraph _____ Another star in Heaven. Infant daughter of Thomas and Mary G. Grasty 1851 Sacred to the memory of Ann Martha wife of Robert B. Gilliam of Oxford, N.C. and eldest daughter of Jno. & Frances Noble of Danville, Va. Born Feb. 6, 1808 Died Oct. 13th, 1842 This monument erected by a bereaved husband as a token of his grateful remembrance of her many virtues. Bears only the impress of her name. Her deeds of charity and benevolence by which she was endeared to the hearts of all that knew her are recorded in her Heaven. To the memory of Mrs. Martha Adeline wife of Capt. John Wilson (stone broken off) Francis E. Noble wife of Cap. John Noble Born 20th March 1787 Died Feb. 21, 1855 Thou art gone, we will not deplore thee, But hope thy once gentle, but now sainted spirit will watch over us. Farewell Mother. Capt. John Noble Born Nov. 2nd, 1785 Died Oct. 9, 1855 Thou hast lived three score and ten long years. Toiling on earth, But now thou art gone where I know thou will find rest for thy wearied soul. Farewell Father. In memory of Rufus C. Meacham Born Dec. 1, 1828 Died Dec. 31, 1851 Aged 23 years Son of William S. & Martha W. Meacham of Anson County, N.C. Mary Page 2nd daughter of Rev. Geo. W. & M.M. Dame Born Jan. 29, 1848 Died Dec. 25, 1848 Channing Moore 3rd son of Rev. Geo. W. & M.M. Dame Born Sept. 20, 1842 Died Oct. 7, 1843 Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Mary M. Johns Born July 15, 1806 Died Feb. 10, 1849 She sleeps in Jesus. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. My wife not dead but gone before shouting, “Joy, Joy forever, my task is done. The gates are passed and Heaven is won. Oh, am I not happy, I am, I am”. John H. Crooke Died Nov. 7, 1842 Sacred to Rachael wife of Seaton Scott Died April 18, 1856 in her 25th year. In memory of Doct. James B. Patton Born in Rockbridge Co., Va. April 22, 1775 Departed this life Feb. 3rd, 1848 Many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivereth him out of them all. In memory of William G. Graghead MD. Born Feb. 9, 1808 Died June 4, 1857 Age 49 yrs. 3 mos. and 25 d’s In memory of George Graghead MD. Born Sept. 25, 1796 Died June 20, 1843 Aged 46 yrs. 8 mos. 25 d’s Erected by the citizens of Danville in commemoration of two brothers G. Graghead, MD and Wm. G. Graghead MD. In professional skill they had few equals in active benevolence no superiors. Julia daughter of J.R. & S.A. Lipscomb Died Oct. 4, 1856 Aged 6 mos. & 21 days In memory of Jane Ellington Died Feb. 24, 1860 Aged 84 yrs. A sinner saved by Grace. By a friend. John S. Lanier son of Canilla V. & Harriet Lanier Born May 16, 1844 Died Nov. 1, 1859 In memory of Mrs. W.L. Jeter daughter of Geo. E. & Elizabeth Welsh who departed this life on the 23rd day of July 1856, Aged 21 yrs. 7 mos. & 22 days. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth PO. Atkinson Born May 15, 1793 Died Sept. 11, 1856 Her maiden name was Brackett Powhatan B. Cabell Born Oct. 17, 1828 Died Dec. 4, 1859 In memory of Gen’l. Benjamin W.S. Cabell Born in Buckingham Co., Va. Died at “Bridgewater” Pittsylvania Co. April 19, 1862 An old Virginia gentleman, a true Southern patriot. My husband To the Memory of William Wilson Price Born Sept. 24, 1823 Died Mar. 19, 1855 Where is thy victory, O grave, And where, O death thy sting? My Son To the memory of William Wilson Price son of William Wilson Price Born Nov. 9, 1840 Died April 23, 1850 In Memory of Mary Banks Prichard daughter of James Hinton of Wake Co., N.C. Born March 8, 1818 Married Rev. John L. Prichard, Sept. 1, 1842 and departed this life Nov. 24, 1849 The memory of the just is blessed. Prov. 10;7 Sacred to the memory of Robert Ross a native of the County of Antrim Ireland Born April 15, 1780 Died Nov. 18, 1847 Saunders Slate Born Sept. 22, 1815 Died ____ 1840 Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. James Thornton a native of the County of Antrim Ireland Born Dec. 26, 1763 Died Jan. 15, 1847 James Smith son of D.T. & L.M. Harvey Born Aug. 11, 1857 Died Aug. 21, 1860 I am the resurrection and the light. Catherine A. daughter of Geo. & Mary A. Price and wife of Wm. T. Law Died April 14, 1848 Age, 23 yrs. 8 mos. 7 d’s Mary G. daut. of Wm. T. & C.A. Law Died Jan. 15, 1848 Age 5 mos. 24 d’s Mary Ann wife of George Price Died April 6, 1852 Age 48 yrs. 6 m’s 8 d’s John T. Son of Wm. T. & C.A. Law Died July 29, 1848 Age 2 yrs. 6 m’s & 11 d’s Sallie A. daut. of Wm. T. & C.A. Law Died Nov. 2, 1849 Age 5 yrs. & 26 d’s Mrs. Bethenia Wilson Died Mar. 8, 1858 Aged 50 yrs. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Tombstone Inscriptions Visit by worker. ___________________________________________________________________ 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. ___________________________________________________________________