Petersburg, VA - Old Blandford Tombstones Transcribed from the William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine by Nancy Taylor for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collection Project Vol. 6, No. 1. (Jul., 1897), pp. 18-27. ************************************************************************ 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 *********************************************************************** 18 OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES (CONTINUED from Vol. V., p.230 IN memory of Cameron, Anderson, Son of D. & M. R. Anderson, was born 15th Septr 1803, & died on the 24th aged 9 days. _____________ IN memory of DUNCAN CAMERON Anderson, son of D. & M. R. Anderson, was born Novr 3rd 1799, & died May 22nd 1800. __________________________________________________________________________________ 1Later Mrs. Admiral Powell, of Washington D. C. OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES 19 IN memory of William Cameron, Anderson, Son of D. & M. R. Anderson, was born July 8th 1798, & died July 16th 1799 _______________ In Memory of Mr. DANIEL ANDERSON, Merchant who died January 25th, 1813, Aged 64 Years. ____________ SACRED to the memory of DAVID ANDERSON, a native of SCOTLAND, and for many years a respectible merchant of this place who departed this life June the 18th, 1812, aged 52 years. He was long a member of the Common Hall And Chamberlain of the Town of Petersburg Upright honorable kind & benevolent And The muniffecent FOUNDER of The Anderson Seminary THE CORPORATION OF PETERSBURG have inscribe this record Rather To mark their gratitude for his beneficence THAN 20 WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY. To commemorate his virtues BELIEVING That when this stone Shall have mouldered into dust The Institution which he founded Will still preserve his name AS A BENEFACTOR OF PETERSBURG AND A FRIEND OF MAN. _____________ SACRED to the memory of JAMES FRAME A native of ALLOA SCOTLAND who departed this life October the 26th 2803. Aged 37 years. ___________ SACRED to the memory of ROBERT POLLOCK, Merchant Born in GLASGOW, SCOTLAND 12th March 1775, died PETERSBURG 19th May 1881 ____________ Here rests the Body of MARY DOUGLAS, a Native of London-Derry. Insatiate Death could not one suffice Thrice you drew your shaft and thrice my peace destroyed. OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES 21 Memento Mori In remembrance of SUSANNA MAITLAND the affectionate wife of David Maitland, merchant in Blandford; who departed this life the 9th of February 1799, aged 33 years. She was daughter of Joshua & Mary Poythress, of Flower de Hundred. MARY CURRIE MAITLAND, daughter of David and Susanna, died the 27th January 1795, aged 4 years ____________ IN Memory of RICHARD RYLAND RANDOLPH Only Son of RYLAND & ELIZABETH RANDOLPH Died Oct 8 1834 In the 39th Year of his Age. ____________ In Memory of ELIZABETH MILLS RANDOLPH. Wife of RYLAND RANDOLPH who died the 9th of march 1798, in the 21st Year of her Age. 22 WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY. HERE LYES THE CORPSE OF SARAH POYTHRESS1 DAUGHTER OF COLLONE(L) FRANCIS EPPES AND WIF(E) TO COLLONEL WILLIAM PO(YTH)RESS WHO DIED TH(E ) OCTOBER 1750 AGED 48 YEARS. ________________ (3.) Here lies the Corpse of COL. WILLIAM POYTHRESS Son of IOHN POYTHRESS Who died the 18 Jan 1763 Aged 68 years ____________ (Arms and Crest) HERE LIES THE CORPS OF MR. SAMUEL GORDON SON OF DAVID GORDON ESQR OF CRAIG IN THE STEWARTRY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT NORTH BRITAIN who DIED THE 14th OF APRIL 1771 AGED 54 YEARS. _______________ SACRED to the memory of MRS. ELIZABETH S. MALLORY, wife of ROGER MALLORY, ____________________________________________________________________________________ 1In the WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY (Volume I. p. 118) the poythress family is included in the list of Virginia families entitled to bear arms. As proof of this right, reference is made to a Poythress tombstone (first name not given) in Blandford churchyard. There are only two Poythress tombstones there (Sarah Poythress and Col. William Poythress), neither of which has a coat-of-arms. The tomb next to these (that of Mr Samuel Gordon) has a coat-of-arms on it, and possibly the mistake may have arisen from this fact. OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES 23 who departed this life on the 14th day of April 1815, In the 21st year of her age. Leaving a disconsolate Husband and one child to deplore the loss of an affectionate wife and tender Mother. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them" Also her only child who lies in the same grave. WILLIAM KEEN MALLORY, who died september th: 5 1816 in the 2nd year of his age. but jesus said suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven. _______________ Here rest the mortal remains of MISS MARTHA WILLS COLE, who departed this life on the 2ndof September Anno Domino 1817, at the early age of 16 years and 1 month words could but faintly delineate her virtues, her worth was known to her friends who loved her as the life pulse of their own hearts she was beloved by all, who knew her but by one more than all, who has caused this tomb to be erected as a token of his affections. Oh: She was good and She was fair, But for a moment given; The Angels came to claim their own And bare her soul to Heaven. ______________ Sacred to the Memory, of ELIAS PARKER; who departed this Life Decr 8th, 1799, Aged 39 Years. 24 WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY. Here lies entomb'd the Remains of Mr JACOB PARKER a Native of Boston, in Massachusetts. who departed this Life July 27th, 1789, Anno Ætatis 17. _____________ IN MEMORY OF The Rev. JOHN URQUHART, WHO DIED DEC. 8, 1816, AGED 50 YEARS. _________ SACRED to the memory of GRAHAM BELL who departed this life on the 4th Day of May 1817, aged 56 Years This stone is erected by his son peyton bell Adien dear friend i take my leave, Farewell my loving wife Our children dear your guardians be, And bless your widowed life, When from this world you are releas'd Its sorrows, toils and cares, In everlasting Joy we'll meet, To sing our maker's praise. ______________ SACRED to the memory of MRS ELIZABETH KIDD WHO DIED APRIL 29TH 1801 Æ 66 OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES 25 BENEATH this Marble rest the Remains of MRS ELIZABETH GEDDY, who departed this Life December the 7th, 1799 in the 65th Year of her age. Her disconsolate Husband (who with so worthy a Partner upward of 17 Years enjoyed every Felicity the connubial state can afford) erected the TOMB in commenoration of her VIRTUES. __________ In commemoration of Captain JOHN JEFFERS late of the Petersburg Troop of Horse whose untimely Death was deservedly. Regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance He was a Useful Magistrate a Sincere Friend and a Worthy member of Society, He died November 14th 1795. Aged 34 Years. Also DOMINICK JEFFERS Merchant. who departed this life the 31st December 1793. Aged 32 Years. This Stone is erected to their Memories by their Surviving Relatives to whom they were endeared in the highest degree. ____________ HERE rest the remains of EDWARD JEFFERS Late Merchant of this Town, 26 WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY. who departed this Life April 14th anno domini 1802, Aged 34 years. Mild & affectionate in his disposition, Alike humane & charitable, He was esteemed by all who knew him. His life was devoted to the service of his Maker, and his friends: Tho' short, it was well spent: May our lives resemble his, then shall we meet death with like serenity. ______________ Sacred to the memory of SAMUEL MYERS a native of Baltimore he fell a victim to the memorable fire in Petersburg one the 16th July 1815. ________________ Sacred to the memory of JOHN NIBLO, Son of JOHN & ELIZA NIBLO, Born 14th May 1824 Departed this life 14th July 1829 ______________ In Memory of JOEL PAULSON Newport, Delaware, State who Departed this Life at Petersburgh, June 12th 1799. Aged 21 Years, 5. Months, 8 Days. THE WILLIS FAMILY 27 Here lies the remains of BENNIT ALDRIGE Son of PETER & ELIZABETH ALDRIGE, Born in Dinwiddie, Co. Va., Jan. 8 1777, Died Oct. 23. 1858 ______________ THE WILLIS FAMILY (Continued from Vol. V(original changed to reflect correct Vol. No.), pp. 24, 171.) A letter from Col. John Willis, who is referred to as No. 23 in the pedigree, page 176, quotes the register of Francis 5 Willis, of "Whitehall," as follows: Francis Willis, of "Whitehall" (born October 20, 1744, died July 28, 1791), and Elisabeth Perrin, his wife (born August 1, 1751, died December 5, 1791) had issue: 1, Francis Willis, born August 2, 1768; 2, Susanna, born October 17, 1773, died January 29, 1787; 3, Elizabeth Carter, born September 23, 1771; 4, Priscilla, born October 17, 1773, died November 21, 1773; 5, John, b. October 24, 1774; 6, Ann Rich, b. Mary 24, 1777; 7, Francis Perrin, b. March 12, 1779, d. December 21, 1818; 8, Thomas Nelson, b. March 30, 1781; 9, Elias, b. July 13, 1783; 10, Maria Willis, b.. September 25, 1785; 11, Perrin, b. January 24, 1788; 12, Mary, b. December 28, 1790. Nine of these were surviving at the time of the suit in 1797. (See page 176.) Two only left descendants: John Willis, who married Nelly C. Madison, and Ann Rich Willis, who married Nathaniel Burwell, of Gloucester, and had issue: Elias Rich, who died in infancy; Claudia, who married James K. Marshall, of Fauquier county, son of Chief-Justice Marshall; and Mary, who married John Jennings. (These last had issue: Maria, who died unmarried; and John Jennings, who left several sons and daughters.) Henry Hiort, who married Elizabeth Carter Willis, of "Whitehall," was an Englishman by birth. After the death of his wife, he left Norfolk, and practice law in Washington, and then went back to England. His wife, as the eldest living daughter, had received the family portraits and china, which, on his departure for England, he left with Perrin Willis, an officer in the United States army. The portraits represented Elias Rich and Ann Rich, and (continued)