CITY OF NEWPORT NEWS, VA - CEMETERIES – Wilbern Cemetery
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Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection


LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Wilbern graveyard:
                  1937 June 14
                  Research made by Dorothy Diffenderfer

Cemetery Location:  7.2 mile south of Denbigh, Virginia, on Route #60, thence 
                    1.6 miles west on Route #100, thence .3 mile south on 
                    private road, on east side.
                    City of Newport News, Virginia


DATE:

1741, date of oldest grave (marker).

OWNERS:

Roscow family were the original owners.
Wilbern family are the present owners. (1937)

This graveyard originally belonged to the Roscow estate, and was called the 
Roscow burying ground.  In later years the Wilberns bought the property, and 
some of the family were buried there, so it is now called the Wilbern burying 
ground.

DESCRIPTION:

This family burying ground lies not far distant from the site of the colonial 
house, in a field; but a small group of tall trees guard the sacred ground and 
turn away the ploughshares.  A single tomb remains on the plot, and that has 
been remodelled in recent years.   A new brick base was made, and the broken 
slab was cemented together.  The inscriptions are barely readable.  Above the 
inscriptions there appears the coat of arms, a lion rampant, surmounted by a 
helmet and scroll work.  There is evidence of other graves, but there are no 
markers.  This graveyard is not kept in good condition.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Here was the last resting place of one of the most illustrious descendants of 
the  Roscow family, William Roscow, and his wife, Mary Wilson.  Through the 
interest of Miss  Elizabeth Ivy, this old tomb has been preserved in recent 
years.  The old burying ground is still used.  A number of the Wilbern family, 
who now own the tract, were buried there as late of 1922.  Other graves of more 
recent years are those of an old negro house servant, formerly a slave in the 
Wilbern family, and an old hermit who lived in a shack on the place, and was 
found dead about 25 years ago on his doorstep.  He was given a last resting 
place beside the scions of the Roscow and Wilbern families.

Following is the inscription from the Roscow tomb:


Under this stone lyeth the Body of
William Roscow
Gentleman who was born at Charley
in the County of Lancaster on the 
30th day of November Anno Dom 1661
And departed this life at Blunt Point
In Ye County of Warwick
the X day of November Anno Dom 1705
And in the 36th year of his age
Also here lyes the Body of
Mary
wife of above William Roscow
And daughter of Col. Wm. Wilson
of Elizabeth City County who
Was born in Oct. 1675
And dyed Jan. the 11, 1741
in the 67th year of her age



SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

Tombstone Inscriptions

“Foundations Bear Mute Evidence of Former Grandeur”, an article in the Daily 
Press of Newport News, Virginia, page 12, published Sunday, November 18, 1928.

Visit by worker.

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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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