RICHMOND COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – Bishop’s Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Bishop’s burial ground: 1936 Jan. 27 Research made by James Archer Evans Cemetery Location: On the north side of Bowling Green Road .4 mile west of Mechanicsville Turnpike, in Henrico County. Richmond Co., Virginia DATE: Bishop’s Burial Ground was originally a white Catholic Cemetery dating back several years before the War Between the States. OWNERS: The Franciscan Sisters gave the information that it was the property of Bishop O’Connell, who in turn transferred it to Father Hannigan, in whose name or under whose control, it now stands. It is used as a cemetery, one of the few in the state, for colored Catholics. DESCRIPTION: Two large brick, stone capped pillars mark the original entrance to this cemetery which is slightly at right angles to Bowling Green Road and facing east. Several old magnolia trees are scattered over the tract and two old stone vaults, one representing a miniature chapel, with wrought iron doors and mounted with a cross, the other of similar construction but built with a crypt that is several feet under the ground and the heavy iron doors embedded in the stone doorway, seem to mark the eastern and western line of the property. The majority of the graves have been opened and the bodies or remains re- interred in Mt. Calvary and other Catholic White cemeteries but several old graves and stones remain, reported to have been left there because no know relative could be found that would move them. One obelisk of white stone, approximately twelve feet tall bears an inscription. There is another grey stone monument about fifteen feet tall which has an inscription and a smaller flat stone placed horizontal with the grave. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The inscription on the tall white obelisk is as follows: In memory of G. A. Kelly A native of Ireland Died January 18th, 1858 May his soul rest in peace. Amen. The grey monument bears the following words: In memory of Michael Vickers Born in Kilkenny, Ireland Born November 1797 Died May 10th, 1857 May his soul rest in peace. Amen. This stone has the initials I.H.S. carved at the top. The small flat stone has this inscription: Michale Windler A native of Germany Died March 27th, 1850 (or 1860) in the 59th year of his age The initials I.H.S. on this stone are very distinct, but the date is not. This cemetery was in the path of the Federal Army in its advance on Richmond in the War Between the States. It is now known as St. Joseph’s Cemetery and is used as a burial ground for colored Catholics. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: Alice Jones Franciscan Sisters 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. ___________________________________________________________________