FREDERICKSBURG, VA - CEMETERIES – Old Masonic Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Old Masonic cemetery: 1937 Dec. 3 Research made by N. M. Deaderick Cemetery Location: On the south side of William Street, between Prince Edward and Liberty Streets, Fredericksburg, Virginia. City of Fredericksburg Note: Many of the older residents speak of this quaint little cemetery as the “Methodist Cemetery” but so far we have found nothing to prove that it was such, except its being adjoining the old “Methodist Meeting House Lot” as the Deed indicates. Often it is referred to as the “Old City Cemetery”. DATE: 1804. It was in this year that Seth Barton sold this “parcel of Ground”. (probably already a cemetery) to the Masonic Lodge #63. (Said to be a Richmond, Virginia, Lodge.) OWNERS: Fielding Lewis, John Lewis – 1781 (Will of Father, Fielding Lewis) John James Maund – 1793 (Deed Book C – page 258 Fredericksburg Records) Seth Barton – 1799 (Deed Book C – page 268 Fredericksburg Records) Masonic Lodge No. 63 – 1804 (Deed Book E – page 155) Grand Lodge of Virginia – about 1861 DESCRIPTION: This very quaint little cemetery is one of the most attractive spots of Fredericksburg – it has been, until very recently, much neglected and allowed to become quite dilapidated, even thus, the graceful old wall and entrance and lure of fallen and broken stones, captivates the eye of many visitors, and we are told by Mr. Hilldrup (whose place of business is directly opposite this entrance) that often one will stop and take a picture of the spot. Due to the very fine civic spirit of Mr. R. G. Hilldrup and a few public spirited ladies of the town, it has been much beautified within the past few months – these good citizens are still enhancing the interesting old plot with trees, shrubs, walks etc. It was enclosed with an attractive brick wall, with graduating sections, and a sandstone top, fifteen inches on the front (William Street) side. Only the eastern and the northern wall remain – the other two sides have been taken down to allow for modern buildings. The eastern wall extends entirely from William Street to George (the next) Street. The northern (William Street) wall is across the forty foot width of the cemetery. In the latter is the entrance – an old hand-wrought, double iron gate, five and one-half feet high, its vertical bars each finished with a four inch flattened, spear design. The old sandstone pillars holding this gate, are twenty-five inches square and six feet high. A most picturesque enclosure. many of the old grave stones have fallen and broken, so as to be indistinguishable and many have sunken almost to oblivion, just the tops showing above the earth. It is shameful to have to relate that many of the quaint, quite handsome headstones have been much mutilated by being chipped, many times; we suppose by souvenir hunters; some of this has been done very recently. It makes the true lover of the old proverb “The Glory of the Children are Their Fathers”, feel a distinct sadness, that we should allow such a desecration – on the other hand, we may feel a distinct joy in that interest has revived in the old cemetery, and a hope that it will so widen as to result in not only its beautification, but its perpetuation and its protection. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Fielding Lewis, the first owner of this tract which we have traced, was that distinguished patriot and citizen who contributed so largely to the substantial progress of this section and to that of the nation. His wife was Betty Washington, only sister of George Washington. Their home was “Kenmore” (then Grymes Farm) the very lovely colonial home, now one of our most attractive shrines. In his Will (1781) Colonel Lewis devised to his wife, Betty, all his estate for life. The tract of 1100 acres (wherein is this old cemetery) was sold on October 3, 1793 by John Lewis and Ann, his wife; he was a son of Colonel Lewis (Fielding) and his first wife, Catherine Washington. “John Lewis married five times, wives one and two were Thorntons’ one being Lucy, the daughter of Colonel John and Mildred (Gregory) Thornton; the fifth wife was the widow, Mrs. Robert Mercer, daughter of Landon Carter and Mildred Willis----.” John James Maund and Harriet Lucy, his wife of the County of Westmoreland, were the next owners of this 1100 acre tract, which Mr. Goolrick (Fredericksburg and the Cavalier County – page 25) tells us included the estate of “Kenmore” also. The price paid by Maund was 4000 pounds. Seth Barton “of the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland”, was the next owner. In 1799, he purchased this 1100 acre tract, and developed the portion adjoining the western “back line of town”, calling it “Liberty Town”; the Deeds refer to it as “Seth Barton’s addition to the Town of Fredericksburg.” The Barton home was where the Princess Anne Hotel now stands, on Princess Anne Street. It was (Miss Jett tells us) “a big rambling old frame dwelling---the center of culture and accomplishment, and also of lavish hospitality – a typical and charming old Southern home---.”. Masonic Lodge No. 63, was a branch of the Fredericksburg Lodge #4 which had been established here 1758. Because of frequent political differences some of the members of the first Lodge (#4) withdrew and organized this “Fredericksburg American Lodge” – Governor Robert Brooke, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia granted the dispensation to his branch in 1799. Until the war of 1861, it flourished, but after that it finally became extinct, and absorbed in the Grand Lodge of Virginia. At the time of the purchase by the Lodge (#63) of this cemetery plot. Thomas Reed Rootes was the Master of the Lodge. He was a noted lawyer. His mother was “one of the Smiths of “Shooter’s Hill” (Fleming). It is said that he was at one time a partner of James Madison. General Thomas Reede Rootes Cobb, noted Confederate who fell at the battle of Fredericksburg (1862) was the son of Mr. Rootes’ daughter, Sarah Robinson Rootes. “Federal Hill” was the home of the Rootes. The Deed of purchase of this plot tells us that Richard Johnston and John Victor were the wardens of the Lodge at the time (1804). In 1856, Honorable John S. Caldwell, of this Lodge (#63) was Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. The person buried in this cemetery whose graves are legibly marked, are, as follows: Here lies the body of James Drinan Died July 3, 1806 Ages 7 months Also the body of Andrew Drinan Died April 3, 1811 Ages 3 years, 10 months (In the City Cemetery at Fredericksburg (dedicated October 25th, 1844) is a stone marked: In memory of William James Drinan, who departed this life, September 27th, 1844 Aged 38 years. This was the first interment made in this cemetery and Mr. Drinan was an iron- worker who had made the large, handsome iron gate (William Street) for the new cemetery.) Lorid Phillips Son of Samuel and Sarah Phillips Departed this life on the 29th of June 1813 Aged 2 months and 17 days (The father of this baby was a very prominent grain merchant of Fredericksburg. He was the grandfather of the present Mrs. Daniel D. Wheeler of Fredericksburg.) Miss Anne Long Died August 15th, 1862 Our sisters left this world of woe for regions of Eternal Love. Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Joanne J. Long Died August 21st, 1835 In memory of Mary L. Consort of George Gravatt Born 1807 – Died 1828 Sacred to the memory of Benjamin Long Died August 17, 1836 Sacred to the memory of Frances Long Born 1815 – Died 1821 (Many visits have resulted in very little information regarding this family of Longs. Mary Long, was the first wife of George Gravatt, who was a member of the Town Council here in 1870. He was the father of Miss Sallie Gravatt, the present librarian of Fredericksburg.) Fannie Ellen Ames Daughter of Michael and Snowcy Died July 10, 1863 George Michael Son of Michael and Snowcy Ames Died August, 1850 Aged 2 years, 5 months Ellen Smith Daughter of Snowcy Died August 27th, 1838 Aged 22 months (Michael Ames had a blacksmith shop on Sophie Street, near the “Free Bridge”. Quinn’s history has a list of the nineteen hostage prisoners of Fredericksburg held by the Federals in 1862. Among them is Michael Ames. The “Christian Banner” a Baptist paper published here at that time has “Michael Ames was a blacksmith, an old Line Whig and we believe was a member of no church.”) Mrs. Julia S. Johnston wife of Larkin Johnston Born the 18th of December, 1801 Died the 29th of April 1825 She walked humbly with her God In memory of Elizabeth Margaret daughter of Richard Johnston and Ann Martin, his wife Born September 1812 Died ___ 1817 In memory of Lucy S. Johnston Daughter of Richard and Lucy S. Johnston Born September 30, 1785 Died March ___, 1807 (The Johnstons are one of the families of early Fredericksburg, whose descendants are still valued citizens here. In an old family Bible, loaned this writer by one of these descendants (Mrs. Eliza Fitzhugh Johnson) we have found a most interesting entry, disclosing one of the unmarked graves in this old cemetery. It has: “LaFayette Washington Johnston, departed this life the 17th day of May, 1825, aged 4 months and 28 days, and is buried in the southwest corner of the New Masonic Burial Ground. We will meet again, my Son.” This was written in the Bible by Fayette Johnston, who was born the 14th of January, 1796 and died the 22nd of September, 1842. He was named in honor of General LaFayette, and upon the latters visit to Fredericksburg in November, 1824, he and his wife Mrs. Eliza Johnston, attended the reception tendered LaFayette at the Town Hall. They named this little son born during his visit, in his honor and received from him a note of acknowledgement. This note is now framed and in the possession of Mr. H. Stuart Johnston, a greatgrandson. There is a record of this in this old Bible.) Sacred to the memory of Lewis Burke who departed this life March 6, 1850 In the 57th year of his age Sacred to the memory of Mary wife of Lewis Burke who departed this life March 30, 1847 Aged 59 years Blessed are they who die in the Lord (The earliest record which we have found of this couple is in a Deed of July 1, 1825, which shows a mortgage on a house and lot on Main Street given by Ellen Rily to Lewis Burke. A Deed of December 16, 1843 and subsequent Deeds show the Burke home to have been “the house and lot at the intersection of Charles and Fredrick Streets.” (Deed Book N, page 142, Fredericksburg Records.) This home was inherited by Mary Ann Glassett, a daughter of Lewis Burke and her brother William Burke; the Deed also mentions “Eliza, the widow of said Lewis Burke.” Book H, pages 456 and 457.) Sacred to the memory of Benjamin R. Whittemore Boston, Massachusetts who died in this place August 10, 1829 Aged 24 In memory of Julia Berry daughter of Joseph and Narcissa Whittemore Born August 19, 1822 Died January 5, 1837 (The Whittemores came to Fredericksburg early in 1800, and soon became very prosperous merchants here. The parents of “Julia Berry” above had three other children; a son, Joseph and a daughter, Emily and one named for her mother, Narcissa. In a Deed of February 26, 1825, is recorded a mortgage on a large tract of military land in Illinois, given to Joseph Whittemore and Company of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The present John M. Whittemore Green, Fielding L. W. Green and Duff Green of Fredericksburg are grandsons of this worthy couple referred to on the stone above.) In memory of L. W. Glassett by his Father M. C. G. 1850 (The father of L.W. Glassett was Michael C. Glassett, whose wife was Mary Ann Burke, daughter of Lewis Burke who is buried nearby. It is evident from the old Deeds that the Glassetts were connected with a “Tavern or Inn”, occupied by one Jesse Pullen, (1837). At this time a mortgage was given by Michael Glassett to the Bank of Virginia, on “all personal property, except six bottles of claret wine and hay and oats, being the same personal property now in the house occupied by Jesse Pullen as a Tavern or Inn” (Deed Book K, page 408). There is listed in this Deed the items of property, starting with “ten beds, six bar kegs, six bottles claret wine, three decanters, ten wine glasses, eleven blankets---“, and household furniture in detail.) Laura Ann daughter of J.L. and M.A. Whaley Died 10th, July 1842 Aged 2 years, 10 months (Of the little Laura Ann, we have found no more than this rather lonesome little marker – she may be lying close to some loved one, as there are so many spaces, and obliterated and sunken stones.) In memory of Mrs. Ann Robinson Died July 16, 1822 Aged 18 years, 11 months and 27 days In Memory of My Mother Mrs. Sarah C. Robinson Died August 12, 1886. (Several interviews and research among the old Deeds and Documents have resulted in no definite information regarding these two Robinsons. There are so many of this name in the Deed books that it would require much time to pursue the search. Several older life-long citizens whom we have interviewed seem to know nothing of them.) Sacred to the memory of William H. Courtney who departed this life on the 10th day of March, 1842 in the 27th year of his age He sustained through life the character of an honest man and died in the hope of a happy immortality. (The Will of the above is dated March 3, 1842, just a few days before his death – “I, William Courtney of the Town of Fredericksburg, now sick in the City of Richmond---“ to his dearly beloved wife Susan Courtney” he leaves his entire property, except the house and lot adjoining the property of George Rowe (on Sophie Street), which belonged to his father, Lewis Courtney. He mentions his three children, and wishes his sister, Sarah Courtney, to have his part in the aforesaid house and lot, and to live with his wife, Susan until she, Sarah is married. The executors he wishes are John Staylor of Richmond and Jesse Curtis of Fredericksburg. (Will Book D, page 176, Fredericksburg Records.) Father and Mother John Sands Born August 10, 1815 Died June 15, 1863 and Pina Donelson Sands His wife Born December 4, 1822 Died January 23, 1908 Agnes Virginia daughter of John and Pina Sands Died March, 1850 Aged 5 years (It seems that John and Pina Sands owned quite a number of lots in Fredericksburg, mostly on lower Caroline Street and on Sophie Street. On July 20, 1849, two pieces of this property were sold by John Sands. The Deed Book P, page 313, Fredericksburg has – “Part of lots 270 and 271, on Water (Sophie) Street near Berkeley Street (now Rocky Lane) and embracing a wharf called Donalson’s Wharf, which was devised to the said Mary Ann, Pina H. and Louisa R., by their grandfather, the late Adam Donalson.” The will of the latter (Will Book B, page 148) is dated January 17, 1823. In it he devises to his wife Eve (by executors, in trust) his dwelling house and lot at the lower end of Fredericksburg, after her death to the children of his son, David R. Donalson, also a store, lot and wharf and several slaves—he mentions his son’s wife, Priscilla Hewlett (mother of Pina). A Deed of 1869, has “a certain John Sands of the County of Stafford departed this life on ___ 1815, and his widow, Pina is entitled to one-third etc---. Mildred A. McKay, Mary Helen Sands and Margaret B. George, only children and heirs of John Sands, deceased---a lot on Berkeley and Main (Caroline) Street. (Book V, page 233, Fredericksburg.) E. A. L. Born March 9, 1850 Died August 29, 1851 W. A. L. S. E. L. Born December 27, 1852 Died June 18, 1853 In memory of Mrs. G. A. wife of Charles Layton Died August 22, 1855 In the 27th year of her age Her last words were: “All is well with me.” (Beside her lay her two sons and two daughters. The above was the first wife of Charles Layton, a native of Middlesex County, Virginia, who came to Fredericksburg early in 1800 and became the owner of vessels which plied between the West Indies and other foreign shores and Fredericksburg, with goods of commerce. In 1861, Captain Layton entered the Confederate Navy where he served with a brother and a son in blockade running. The son, James T. Layton was later proprietor of a prosperous clothing store here in Fredericksburg until the time of his death. Captain Charles Layton is buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. The smaller stones here , marked with initials are the twin children of Captain Layton and his first wife.) In memory of My Father Caroline Crawford, 1842 (This stone marks the grave of George Crawford. His home was on the corner lot adjoining this Cemetery. It seems that his widow lived at this place as late as 1868, as a Deed of that date describes the next lot as “a lot adjoining Mrs. George Crawford’s brick warehouse”. The Will of George Crawford is dated July 17, 1826, recorded December 8, 1842. It has, in part, “to wife Lydia, one dollar, to son, DeWitt C. Crawford, George Crawford, Mary M., Jane B. and Ann E. each one dollar. To daughter, Caroline, who is now living in the family of Robert Dedman, my lot of ground at the juncture of Liberty and Commerce (William) Street bounded by the new Masons burying ground to Caroline all the remainder of my estate.” Will Book D, page 196, Fredericksburg Records. In the Fredericksburg City Cemetery is the grave of “George C. Crawford, died September 1st, 1833, in the 16th year of his age.” This body was evidently re-interred (probably moved from this William Street Cemetery as the City Cemetery was not used until 1844.) In Memory of J. Stone Son of William N. and Mary McKenney Born August 1, Died November 21, 1841 (Very little can be found regarding these names. A Deed of April 5, 1839, records that William McKenney and Mary, his wife, to secure a note of #449.39 to Moses Potter, deeded to the latter one negro slave named “Priscilla”. Deed Book L, page 165, Fredericksburg Records.) Sacred to the memory of Josiah P. Gayle Eldest son of M.J. and W.A. Gayle Born April 3, 1843 Died June 17, 1883 (This family of Gayles were originally from Caroline County. Mark Gayle, Joseph Gayle and Tom Gayle were sons of this Josiah P. Gayle. A sister, Almedia Frances Gayle was the mother of Mr. Alvin Rowe, who at present conducts an antique shop at the rear of his lovely home on Princess Anne Street. Josiah P. Rowe, of the Fredericksburg Free Lane, is a grandson of Josiah P. Gayle.) In the southwestern section of this cemetery are two stones, about three one- half by one and one-half feet, which appear to be, probably, seventy-five years old (1937). One has an indented upper half with a scrolled border, and inscribed with “My Father’s Grave”. The other has an upper indented half- section in which is carved an open book, beneath this is inscribed “My Mother’s Grave”. In Quinn’s History of Fredericksburg, Virginia, page 218, we find: “In the years 1796 and 1799, the town was the seat of frequent and heated political discussions, and the strong, not to say bitter, feeling was shared in by the entire population of the town. It was during this excitement, and because of the bad feeling it engendered, a number of members of No. 4, Lodge Masonic withdrew their membership and organized Fredericksburg American Lodge, for which a dispensation was granted in 1799. In the following year the Lodge was chartered and given the number 63. It continued to flourish until the breaking out of the Civil War, when it suspended its meeting and finally became extinct.” SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: R. G. Hilldrup Mr. Shriver Wood Mr. Herbert Ellis Honorable A. W. Embrey Miss Maggie Honey Mrs. Stumpt Miss Kate William Mr. Alvin T. Rowe Mrs. Ellen Long Miss Esther Barney Mrs. William Rice Mr. Lynn Layton Mrs. Ellen Harris All of Fredericksburg, Virginia City Cemetery Interment List Quinn’s History of Fredericksburg, Virginia, THE Hermitage Press, Richmond, Virginia, 1908. Winglield’s History of Caroline County, Trevoet, Christian and Company, Richmond, Virginia, 1924. Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 4, Old Dominion Press, Richmond, Virginia, July, 1936. Court Records, Clerk’s Office, Fredericksburg, Virginia 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. ___________________________________________________________________