DINWIDDIE CO., VA - CEMETERIES – Branch Cemetery
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Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection


LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, E.C. Branch family graveyard at Laurel Brook:
                  1937 Jan. 20
                  Research made by Dorothy Gray Pilout

Cemetery Location:  .2 mile west of Sutherland, Va., on Route #460; thence 1.6 
                    miles west on Route #38; thence 1 mile north on Route #623; 
                    thence .25 mil east of Route #623 by private lane to “Laurel 
                    Brook”, thence 100 yards east to graveyard.
                    Dinwiddie County


DESCRIPTION:

Laurel Brook Cemetery, the Branch family grave yard is located just back of 
“Laurel Brook” home.  In the grave yard are two tombstones with the following 
inscriptions:

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Under this sacred tribute of their love dedicated by
Disconsolate Husband, seven orphaned children to her Memory
Rests the Mortal remains of
Eliza Giles Branch
the wife of Edmund O. Branch of Laurel Brook
She was born 28th of Feb. 1786
Died November 10, 1828
Yes Reader!

The great one’s friend and solace to the poor
The palace and the cot alike her sphere
Most dear to all
She died but Oh! how dear to us!
Whose bitter doom through life it is to weep o’er this monument!
To bear in our bleeding hearts the sting of this death
The victory of this grave! !
The devoted and adored wife
The fond and beloved mother
The sincere friend and neighbour
Our light and Joy and hope on earth 
In All
Lie buried here! ! !

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Beneath this stone are laid the earthly remains of
Sarah Ann Ward
Neice of Mr. E.O. Branch
Who died on 4th of Dec. 1828 A.D.
Aged 17 years 6 months 24 days
Pure and delicate in thought and action
Artless and ingenuous in manners
Gentle and amiable in disposition
Generous and lofty in spirit and devoid of guile
She was beloved by all who knew her
Her virtues
Were enshrined in a graceful loveliness and beauty
That called forth admiration and praise
but a perfect freedom from affection and vanity
fully displayed her good sense and sound understanding
Virtuous beautiful
Happy in fond anticipation in the bloom of Youth
and in the bridal hour
and when hopes of earthly happiness
in possessing such a gem
beamed brightest on him to whom she was betrothed
She was snatched suddenly from him
and though he bows in submission
to the power that inflicted the blows
deplores with other devoted friends her
irreparable loss

As a tribute of sincere and ardent love
he ears this stone to her memory

Early, and bright, transient, chaste as morning dew
She sparkled, was exhal’d and went to Heaven

***********

Both tombstones are huge ones and are flat.
The tombstone of Sarah Ann Ward, who died on her wedding day, was erected by her 
suitor; who returned every year on the anniversary of her death to decorate her 
grave with flowers, as long as he lived.



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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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