LUNENBURG COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – Saint John’s Church and Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Saint John’s Church and cemetery: 1936 Oct. 20 Research made by Mary Boykin Cemetery Location: 9 miles southeast of Kenbridge, Virginia, on Route #613 Lunenburg County, Virginia DATE: 1831. OWNERS: (blank) DESCRIPTION: Copied herein and made a part of this report. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This old Church is said to be one of the oldest Church standing in the Parish at the death of Mr. Cameron. During the interval between the death of Mr. Cameron and the coming of Mr. Philips, Mr. Ravenscoft of Mecklenburg, then a candidate for orders in Virginia was recommended by Bishop Moore and accepted by the vestry as lay reader in the Parish. “The Reverend Charles Talaifero, after an interval of some years, succeeded Mr. Philips in 1831, and for six years laboured most diligently and successfully, being the means under God of rousing up the slumbering energies of the old Parish. Saint John’s Church was the only one standing in the Parish at that time. Reedy Creek church had been consumed by fire. Being deserted of worshippers, it was filled with fodder, and (is) said to have taken fire while some negroes were playing cards in it by night. Old Flat Rock church had been disposed of and the proceeds applied to the building of Saint John’s. Saint Paul’s was built during the ministry of the honest and zealous Mr. Talaifero. At his entrance upon duty there were only seven regular attending communicants in the Parish. During his brief ministry forty-six were added to the communion. Mr. Talaifero was succeeded by the Reverend Thomas Locke, who has continued to be the minister until within the last two years. The Reverend Mr. Henderson is its present rector. I take from the old vestry-book the following list of Vestrymen: Lewis Deloney Clement Reed Matthews Talbort Abraham Martin Lyddell Becon David Stokes Daniel Ferth Thomas Bouldin John Twitty Field Jefferson John Edloe John Cox Francis Ellidge Luke Smith William Embry (or Embre) Peter Fontaine Robert Wade George Welton Joseph Morton Thomas Hawkins William Watkins Thomas Nash John Speed Henry Blagrove (Blagrave) John Jennings Matthews Marrabell John Parrish John Ragsdale Daniel Cliborne Edmund Taylor Thomas Pettis Thomas Lenier Thomas Tabb William Gee David Gerland John Hobson George Philips Thomas Waynne William Harding David Stokes John Ballard Robert Dixion Anthony Street Edward Jordan Nicholas Hobson Sterling Neblett John Cureton Christopher Robertson James Buford Covington Hardy Ellison Ellis J. E. Breedman William Buford James Smith Thomas Stephenson Bryan Lester William Glenn Obadiah Clay William Tucker Edmund P. Becon Thomas Gerland John Pillips (? Phillips) David Street Peter Eppes W. Farmer James McFarland Thomas Cameron William Buford, Senior It will be seen that the name Buford often occurs on this list. At one time four of the names were in the same vestry. To Mr. Thomas Buford, a pious member of the church, the parish is now, and has been for a long time, indebted for its ability to support a minister. About sixty years ago he left an estate to the parish which, though badly managed has rendered effectual aid to the vestry in the support of a minister. The above list I add the first election after the effort at renewing the church began, David Street, Colonel John Street, William Overton, Rogers Atkinson, Thomas Atkinson, James McFarland, Charles Smith. Cemetery at Saint John’s Church. Large flat slab inscribed: Sacred to the memory of the Reverend David J. Henderson a native of Scotland and Rector of Cumberland Parish Lunenburg County Who died May 6th 1857, age 32 Remember them which have had the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow. Small slab inscribed: Mary Bessie Infant daughter of Reverend D. J. and L. R. SoThorn Born October 14th, 1873 Died July 2nd, 1874 Asleep in Jesus A small slab inscribed: Clara Reed Neblett Wife of Colin S. Bagley Born November 27th, 1858 Died May 2nd, 1882 When I am weak, then am I strong. My grace is sufficient for the father, not as I will but as thou wilt. A small slab inscribed: In loving memory of Joseph Walsh Fellow of the Medicial Society of London, Who died October 30th, 1889 Aged 46 years In my Fathers House are many Mansions, I go to prepare a place for you. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Reference: “Old Free State”, Volume #1, Landon C. Bell pages 365-266. 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. ___________________________________________________________________