Cemetery #1 - Eastern VA

Date & Time:
2-10-2001; 6:30 - 11pm
Weather Conditions:
Clear Skies
Temperature:
38 F
Humidity:
92%
Wind:
9-11 mph
Team Members:
Jim, Jeri, Jenn, Mike, Kathy, Patrick, Erin
Equipment Used:
Sony 8mm Handicam, Minolta SLR 35mm w/ Flash, Reel to Reel Tape Recorder, Tri-X 400 film
This cemetery lies in a very small community in the county of Surry Virginia. The term "Small Town America" brings to mind this community with its large front porches and 3 block "Down Town" district. The history of this area dates as far back as the earliest settlers in Jamestown, which is only 20 miles further down the river.
The Stories:
  • The Rocking Chair. In one corner of the cemetery grows a very large tree. Beneath this tree once sat a rocking chair where a lady would come to read to her departed husband. She had grown accustomed to reading to him over the years preceding his death due to his becoming blind. The legend is that on quite nights this chair would rock by itself, and a small frail voice could be heard. The Local youth liked to show their bravado by throwing this chair from the cliff only to find it returned to its spot the next day.
  • Soldiers NOT at Rest. The legend of unmarked graves for civil war soldiers has been passed down throughout the generations, bolstered by reports of people hearing Musket fire in the surrounding woods. Many people maintain that both Northern and Southern soldiers were buried together in mass unmarked graves on this property.
  • We heard from a long time resident that there once was a glass fronted memoriam on the "Catholic Side" of the cemetery. When flowers were placed in this small glass fronted display they would remain fresh for an inordinate length of time.

Investigations