POWHATAN COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – St. Luke’s Church Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, St. Luke’s Church and cemetery: 1937 Jan. 29 Research made by Louise C. Palmore Cemetery Location: 1.3 miles east of Fine Creek, Virginia on south side of Route #44 Powhatan Co., Virginia DATE: 1844. OWNERS: Vestry of St. Luke’s. [1937] DESCRIPTION: This is a brick building, Flemish bond, made of brick manufactured on the premises. It is a square building with a seating capacity of 250 to 300. The oak flooring is in good condition. Several of the Cathedral windows are dedicated as memorials. The church is located on land purchased from the Harrison estate and it was built by William H. Harrison and his son, Thomas B. Harrison. Later on T. B. Harrison and his grandson, Bernard Mayo, finished the interior. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Betsy Gilliam was the first child baptized in this church. There are many old graves in the church graveyard. In the far southeast corner an unknown man is buried. He is supposed to have been a traveling salesman found frozen to death. The following inscriptions are noted: Sacred to the memory of David McCaw, M.D. Born Dec. 3rd, 1803 Died Febr’y 13, 1849 Age 47 yrs (made by Mountjoy, Richmond, Va.) In memory of Thomas Fuqua Born in Charles City Jan’y 13th 1810 Died Jan’y 25th 1857 In memory of Elizabeth Fitzhugh Relict of Dr. George Cabell of Richmond Born Dec. 13, 1794 Died Jan. 20, 1859 And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, write: Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labour; and their works do follow them. From children to a mother. Sacred to the memory of Dr. James H. Eustace Born in Richmond Nov. 8, 1824 Died in Powhatan July 13, 1857 Aged 32 years 8 months 7 days Non acsibus urna nee mons verbilibus absil. Erected by his affectionate father. Sacred to the memory of Fabius M. Lawson late treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia Born Nov. 22nd, 1805 Died Oct. 1st, 1857 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. In memory of John Gilliam who throughout a long life discharged its various duties as to command the respect & esteem of all who knew him. Born in Cumberland Co., Febr’y 24th 1776 Died at Maidens Adventure June 26th 1851 In memory of Mary Jefferson the devoted wife of John Gilliam of Maidens Adventure and daughter of Col. Richard James of Cumberland Born December 9th 1781 Died February 11th 1851 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. In memory of Richard J. Gilliam only son of John Gilliam of Maidens Adventure Born March 16th 1802 Died ____ 8th 1853 In memory of Catherine eldest daughter of Col. Richard James of Cumberland County Virginia Died August 18th 1851 Aged 90 years Erected by her affectionate nephew Francis H. James of Alabama Sacred to the memory of William Sidney Son of Herbert & Elizabeth James Born Nov. 23rd, 1837 Died Sept. 23rd, 1846 George W. Son of John F. & Caroline Lay Born Sept. 16th Died Oct. 25th 1853 Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not. Our Daughter March 23 1857 “W” on footstone [nothing more] In memory of John Lawton Born in Liverpool, England May 4, 1800 Died in Powhatan Virginia May 6, 1857 ALSO, noted in a report by Louise B. Weisiger, dated Sept. 2, 1937: Wm. Wood Finney Col. 50th Reg. Virginia Infantry C.S.A. May 1829 – June 26, 1910 Lieut. James McCaw Pickrell U.S.N. Retired Aug. 3, 1857 Sept. 17, 1909 Lucy A. wife of P. J. Archer Born Jan. 29, 1810 Died May 223, 1869 W. H. Wesson born June 29, 1813 He died a Myth to most men. He saved what he spent. He had what he gave away. What he had is now lost. Died Dec. 19, 1892 Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Fannie Wilkerson relict of Commodore Jesse Wilkerson, U.S. Navy Born Oct. 29, 1796 Died May 4, 1879 At rest in the bosom of her God. In memory of Mary Lawton relict of Jno. Lawton born in the Island Barbadoes, West Indies Sept. 1, 1800 died in Powhatan, Va. Jan. 26, 1868 The church has lovely brass channel railing, beautifully kept. On this railing are the inscriptions: In memory of Katherine Thornton Kennon by the Ladies Aid Society of St. Luke’s Church In loving memory of Wm. Wood Finney May 16, 1829 – June 26, 1910 This church has the original hand carved pews and the original flooring. The windows are 2 large panes. One window is in memory of: Wm. H. Wesson 1813 – 1893 Margarett A. Wesson 1818 – 1881 Another one: In memory of W. Carter Lee Born Sept. 8, 1855 Died June 26, 1882 In memory of Chas. Carter Lee Born Nov. 8, 1798 Died March 21, 1871 On a tablet on the wall are these inscriptions: In memory of Rev. Martin Johnson Rector of this church 1886 – 1915 William Upshur Kennon Senior Warden, 1881 – 1915 Edmond Lee Tompkins Junior Warden and Treasurer, 1910 – 1920 And their works do follow them. This inscription is on the Communion service: Presented to St. Luke’s Church, Powhatan Co. by the Millwood Sewing Society, 1848. The collection plates were given by a children’s society of the church in 1907. These are some of the rectors of St. Luke’s Church: Rev. Dr. Fisher Rev. Lewis Walks Rev. Frank Stringfellow Rev. Martin Johnson Rev. Shea Rev. John G. Scott Rev. E. A. DeBordenave Rev. Harris SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informant: Widow of Rev. Martin Johnson, former Rector, and granddaughter of the builder, Bernard Mayo. 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. ___________________________________________________________________