Old Gravestones in Savage's Neck, Northampton County; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 16, No. 2 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Old Gravestones in Savage's Neck, Northampton County. T. B. Robertson William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 2. (Oct., 1907), pp. 103-105. OLD GRAVESTONES IN SAVAGE'S NECK, NORTH- AMPTON COUNTY. Communicated by T. B. Robertson, Eastville, Va. The oldest settlement on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is in Savage's Neck, near Eastville. It was here that Thomas Page 104. Savage located in 1619, and started his plantation on land granted from the Indian chief of the locality, the head of the Accomack Indians. The family at one time owned the whole of Savage's Neck out to the present site of the town of Eastville(1). On Cherrygrove farm there are two old graveyards still to be found. In the one which is said to be the oldest, there are now a few tombs observable. This one is near the present Cherrygrove residence, and these have epitaphs as follows: Here lies the body of Margaret Savage, wife of Littleton Savage and Daughter of William Burton Gent., who departed this life the 6th day of December, 1772, in the 35th year of her age. With unremitting attention She studies to discharge the duties that every situation brought with it. Nor could her piety to an aged parent be equalled except by an affection and tenderness which showed that she was the petted wife and sister. If ever marlbe waked the tender sigh If e'er compassion claimed the melting eye. Due to those in whom the virtues join, 'Tis due lamented shade to worth like thine More religious, affable, and kind, She owned each grace that decks the female mind. Here lies the body of Mary Savage, wife of Thomas Littleton Savage and Daughter of Col. Littleton Savage, Who departed this life the 10th day of Feb., 1794, in the 20th year of her age. Here lies the body of Coln. Littleton Savage, Who departed this life the 9th day of Jany., 1805, in the 65th year of his age, etc. _________________________________________________________________________ (1) The Savage family may be styled the oldest in Virginia, as Thomas Savage is probably the earliest immigrant from whom descent has been traced. Page 105. Here lies the body of Leah Savage, 2nd. wife of Col. Littleton Savage, and daughter of Thomas Teagle, who departed this life the 5th day of June, 1795. ______________ In another place, where are a few indications of other older graves, is a stone with the following inscription: Here lies the body of Mr. Iames Forse Merch. late of Devon in Great Brittain, who departed this life the 4th day of Febry. 1754 in the 48th year of his age. He married Mary Eldes Daughter of Geo. Thomas Savage, of this County, the surveyor. ________________ On Pleasant Prospect farm is the oldest one now observable. It reads as follows: Here lies the body of Maj. John Savage, who departed this life the 3rd day of Dec. 1746, aged 36 years. And on a companion tomb by its side is a slab with the following: Here lies the body of Mary Savage, who departed this life the 3rd day of Aug., 1770, aged 61 eyars. Farther up the Neck is a graveyard of a later date, the oldest stone haivng on it the following inscription: Sacred to the memory of Ann Jacob, wife of Robert C. Jacob, aged 55 years. Who departed this life July the 23rd., 1784. She was an affectionate wife, a tenderly parent, and charitable to all. The slab over this one has on it the impression of a man's foot, seemingly petrified in the stone. _________________