Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Research Report Series - 0383
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
2005
Introduction | 2 |
Coke-Garrett Graveyard | 3 |
Custis Tenement Graveyard | 4 |
Secretary's Office Graveyard | 7 |
Taliaferro-Cole Graveyard | 10 |
Benjamin Waller Graveyard | 12 |
Williamsburg Inn Pool Site Graveyard | 19 |
Wren Crypt | 21 |
Glossary | 24 |
Summary Report | 25 |
This report was prepared in the spring of 2005 by intern Caitlin Verboon, a student at the College of William and Mary
There are seven family graveyards in the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg that include over 70 individual markers. Including the vaults in the Wren Crypt, some of these markers and burial containers date back to the eighteenth century. Although many of these markers are not open for public viewing, they remain a valuable part of the historic area with historic significance; many of the markers memorialize members of prominent Virginia and American families, including governors of the colony and daughters of American presidents. Unfortunately, many of these graveyards have been allowed to fall into disrepair which has led the condition of the individual stones to deteriorate, sometimes severely.
The purpose of this study was to record the location, inscription, and condition of all the stones still remaining in these family graveyards. This study was made possible by the fact that the Benjamin Waller Graveyard in particular had recently been cleared of vegetation, making all markers visible.
Family Name | Ref. Num. | Inscription | Marker Type | Material | Cemetery | Condition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garrett | CG-1 | In memory of Col. Alexander C. Garrett Born in Williamsburg Feb. 1, 1823 And departed this life June 13, 1854 | Slab | Gray limestone | Coke Garrett | Good |
Family Name | Ref. Num. | Inscription | Marker Type | Material | Cemetery | Condition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maupin Harrell | CT-1a | Sacred to the memory of Two beloved youth Who died March 11, 1870 Jno. M. Maupin Aged 24 years Thomas J. Harrell Aged 21 years | Headstone | Limestone | Custis Tenement | Biological activity; heavy organic growth; vegetation |
Maupin Harrell | CT-1b | J M M T J H | Footstone | Limestone | Custis Tenement | Organic/fungal growth present; broken (loss of lower portion); worn edges but sharp inscription; vegetation growing over stone |
CT-2a | Headstone | Limestone? | Custis Tenement | Missing | ||
CT-2b | J M | Footstone | Limestone? | Custis Tenement | Large pieces broken off and missing; scalloped edges have been disturbed by ground movement and vegetation; significant moss growth around scalloped edges | |
Maupin | CT-3 | In memory of John M. Maupin Who died Dec. 26, 1850 Aged 43 years | Slab | Limestone? | Custis Tenement | Two pieces broken off bottom corners; moderate erosion present; vegetation growing over stones |
CT-4 | Our darling Jenny Born Aug. 4, 1850 Died Feb. 12, 1860 | Headstone | Limestone | Custis Tenement | Broken off, leaning against south wall; heavy erosion; worn edges and small chips; organic growth; lower part broken off | |
CT-5 | none visible | Granite | Custis Tenement | Overgrown |
All of the stones in the Custis Tenement Graveyard need to be reset. Several markers are broken, and at least one headstone is missing from the graveyard. The stones are severely damaged due to erosion, organic growth and vegetation, and breaks in the stones. See treatment proposal
5 6Family Name | Ref. Num. | Inscription | Marker Type | Material | Cemetery | Condition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jones | SO-1 | Mother Mary Ann Tinsley Jones Daughter of Samuel Hildrup and Sallie King Tinsley | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Slab, platform and urn in stable condition |
Jones | SO-2 | Father David Rowland Jones Son of Meriwether and Kitturah Ann Davis Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Slab in stable condition, hairline crack in urn |
Jones | SO-3 | Hattie Peterson Jones Daughter of David Rowland and Mary Ann Elizabeth Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Platform pulling apart at joint; two opposing hairline cracks in urn |
Jones | SO-4 | Helen Norfleet Jones Daughter of David Rowland and Mary Ann Elizabeth Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Good |
Jones | SO-5 | Emma Adelaid Jones Daughter of David Rowland and Mary Ann Elizabeth Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Platform pulling apart at joints; N. side of platform cracked; hairline crack in urn |
Jones | SO-6 | Ida Maude Jones Daughter of Aid Rowland and Mary Ann Elizabeth Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Slab tilted; two opposing cracks in urn |
Jones | SO-7 | Rosalee Jones Daughter of Daivd Rowland and Mary Ann Elizabeth Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Platform pulling apart; urn in good condition |
Jones | SO-8 | Mary Rowland Jones Daughter of David Rowland and Mary Ann Elizabeth Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Slab, platform and urn in stable condition |
Jones | SO-9 | Virginia Wills Jones Daughter of Aid Rowland and Mary Ann Elizabeth Jones | Slab | Marble | Secretary's Office | Slab, platform and urn in stable condition |
Jones | SO-10 | To our father and mother David Rowland and Mary Ann Jones. This cross is dedicated as a tribute of affection by Mary Rowland and Virginia Jones | Monument | Marble | Secretary's Office | Good |
The graveyard is gated and the gate is locked.
8 9Family Name | Ref. Num. | Inscription | Marker Type | Material | Cemetery | Condition |
Labby | TC-1 | In memory of Geo. Washington Third son of Pleasant Labby and a native of the city of Lynchburg. He was born the 22nd of Feb. 1825 And died Jany 25th, 1855 | Headstone | Limestone | Taliaferro Cole | Organic growth including several types of fungus; minor chips along edges; no visible animal interaction |
TC-2 | Limestone | Taliaferro Cole | Fragment; no inscription visible | |||
Cole | TC-3a | Catherine B. Cole Child of R. E. (?) and E. R. Cole Born 11 March 1845 Died 17 Dec'r 1846 | Headstone | Limestone | Taliaferro Cole | Soiling; organic/fungal growth; loss/chps along top and sides; tilted but stable |
Cole | TC-3b | C B C | Footstone | Limestone | Taliaferro Cole | Soiling; minor organic growth |
TC-4 | Sweet Daisy Aged 23 months and 4 days | Headstone | Limestone | Taliaferro Cole | Soiling; organic growth, particularly at base; loss around top edges; worn smooth due to animal interaction | |
Cole | TC-5 | My Jesse Son of R. E. and E. R. Cole Died Fe. 23, 1866 Aged 16 years and 8 days | Headstone | Limestone | Taliaferro Cole | Leaning but stable; minor organic/fungal growth; horizontal scratches on East side; small chips |
In general, the markers in the Taliaferro-Cole Graveyard are in stable condition. Except for TC-1, they are all min orly affected by the sheep living in and around the cemetery; many of the edges are worn smooth due to the sheep rubbing against the stones.
11Family Name | Ref. Num. | Inscription | Marker Type | Material | Cemetery | Condition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stubbs | BW-1 | T. Jefferson Stubbs, Jr. Dec. 11, 1879 - Jan. 2, 1943 Elizabeth S. Stubbs July 25, 1906 - July 24, 1992 | Headstone | Roughcut Granite | Benjamin Waller | Good |
Stubbs | BW-2 | Thomas Jefferson Stubbs Sept. 14, 1841 - Nov. 17, 1915 Mary Cosnahan Stubbs Oct. 5, 1850 -Apr. 29, 1917 | Headstone | Roughcut Granite | Benjamin Waller | Good |
Cosnahan | BW-3 | Mrs. Louisa Mercer Cosnahan Wife of Joseph ? Cosnahan and daughter of ? Born Feb. ? Died Oct. 30, 1856, Aged 30 years | Slab | Marble with brick platform | Benjamin Waller | Severe erosion and organic/fungal growth |
Stubbs | BW-4a | Lucy Taliaferro Conway Stubbs Daughter of Thomas Jefferson Stubbs and Mary Mercer Cosnahan his wife 1882-1914 | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Barely attached to base; fungal/organic growth, vines growing on front and back; light staining |
Stubbs | BW-4b | L T C S (letters on top, not side) | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Leaning; organic/ fungal growth present |
BW-5 | Benjamin Waller | Broken off | ||||
Boswell | BW-6 | BOSWELL Ballard Elliot Boswell Son of Dr. John I. and Mary R. Boswell Died Sept. 27, 1927 and his beloved wife Anne Stubbs Boswell Jan. 7, 1872 - March 12, 1864 | Headstone | Granite | Benjamin Waller | Groundhog hole along east face of headstone; footing exposed |
Mercer | BW-7 | Mrs. Mary C. Mercer Died May 24, 1892 Aged 23 years | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Fungal/organic growth present; light surface erosion |
Mercer | BW-8 | Dr. Jno. C. Mercer Died Mar. 26, 1884 Aged 26 years | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Few nicks along top edge; minor fungal/ organic growth; some erosion but remains legible |
Waller | BW-9 | Jno. Mercer Waller Died Aug. 12, 1875 AGed 10 mon's | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Loose; significant fungal/organic growth on east side in grooves of letters |
Mercer | BW-10 | Thos. Hugh Mercer Died Sept. 2, 1865 Aged 22 years | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Fungal/organic growth; scratches on west face; loss at top of east edge |
13 | ||||||
Waller | BW-11 | Sacred to the memory of Julia Weedon Daughter of Robt. P. & Julia Weedon Waller his wife Born Nov. 23, 1836 Died Oct. 30, 1860 Aged 23 years, 11 months, & 7 days | Slab | Limestone with brick platform | Benjamin Waller | Fungal/organic growth present; Nicks in beveled edge; significant algae growth on brick |
Mercer | BW-12 | Mercer | Monument | Marble with limestone plinth | Benjamin Waller | Loss of top part of pedestal at SE corner; Fungal growth; vines present between base and plinth; crack in column on SE side (cause unknown); small hairline cracks on all sides of base |
Waller | BW-13 | Sacred to the memory of Isabella Stuart Daughter of Dr. Robert Page Waller Died May 15, 1853 In the 22nd year of her age | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Broken off; leaning against South wall; clean backside; fungal/organic growth; no significant erosion |
BW-14 | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Broken off; severe wear and erosion - no inscription visible; leaning but stable; organic/fungal growth present | ||
BW-15 | Base of headstone, likely of BW-13 | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Broken off; loss along edge of base which caused weakness of headstone | ||
Waller | BW-16a | Sacred to the memory of Littleton Tazewell Waller Born March 12th, 1806 Died April 27th, 1870 | Headstone | Limestone on granite base | Benjamin Waller | Loose; Moderate surface erosion; fungal/organic growth present |
Waller | BW-16b | L T W | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Leaning and loose; badly chipped edges with crack along top edge; fungal/organic growth present; algae present along base; moderate surface erosion |
Mercer | BW-17 | Jno. L. Mercer Jr. Died July 12, 1882 Aged 9 mon's | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Loose; fungal/organic growth present; Moderate erosion |
Waller | BW-18 | Isabella S. Waller Died May 15, 1853 Aged 21 | Obelisk on pedestal | Marble and limestone | Benjamin Waller | Significant erosion and loss of decorative elements; leaning eastward; fungal growth accompanied by growth of vines |
14 | ||||||
Waller | BW-19 | Sacred to the memory of Corbin Griffin Son of Dr. Robert Page Waller Who died October 29th, 1841 Aged 23 years | Headstone | Base limestone, headstone marble? | Benjamin Waller | Fallen over, out of base; base broken; significant erosion and fungal growth; edges remain sharp |
Waller | BW-20a | Robert Page Waller Died July 21, 1872 Aged 81 | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Loose and leaning; significant erosion; fungal/organic growth present; staining on West side |
Waller | BW-20b | R P W | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Loose; minor chips along edges; fungal/organic growth present |
Waller | BW-21a | Sacred to the memory of J. W. Waller Widow of R. P. Waller Died Dc. 10, 1883 Aged 80 years | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Leaning but stable; fungal/organic growth present; significant surface erosion |
Waller | BW-21b | J W W | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Loss at base; worn edges; fungal/organic growth present; loose |
Waller | BW-22a | Hugh Mercer Waller Born December 3, 1829 Died May 31, 1896 Son of Julia Weedon Waller and Robert Page Waller | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Finial not attached and crack all over; heavy fungal growth around decorative carving |
Waller | BW-22b | BROTHER | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Loose (base overgrown); fungal growth and light erosion present; major loss on NW bottom corner |
Tomlinson | BW-23 | "MAB" Mary Mercer Page Stubbs Wife of Rev. Robert Marshall Tomlinson June 1, 1885 - April 16, 1946 | Thick slab | Granite | Benjamin Waller | Minor fungal growth |
Tomlinson | BW-24 | Martha Marshall Tomlinson Daughter of Mary Mercer Stubbs Tomlinson Feb. 7, 1922 - Sept. 1, 1971 | Plaque set in base | Granite | Benjamin Waller | Minor staining/fungal growth |
Mercer | BW-25 | B C M | Footstone | Marble | Benjamin Waller | Loose; small nicks on edges; minor soiling on lettered side |
Mercer | BW-26 | Blakeley C. Mercer Died Feb. 11, 1852 Aged 3 Y's 4 M's 10 D's | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Leaning but stable; scratched on both sides; erosion and fungal/organic growth present |
15 | ||||||
Waller | BW-27a | Letitia Tyler Daughter of ? Born Dec. 18, 1848 Died Dec. 29, 1849 | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Leaning but stable; significant erosion and fungal growth present; no wear on edges; ivy growing on headstone |
Waller | BW-27b | L T W | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Leaning but stable; chip along top backside; fungal growth and surface erosion present |
Waller | BW-28 | Elizabeth Tyler Waller Wife of Wm. Waller, Esq. of Williamsburg And daughter of the President Tyler of Virginia Born July 11th, 1823 Died June 1st, 1850 Aged 26 years, 10 months, 18 days | Slab with brick platform | Limestone and brick | Benjamin Waller | Fungal growth; significant surface and edge erosion |
BW-29 | Benjamin Waller | Broken off | ||||
Mercer | BW-30 | Blakeley Carter Mercer Aged 2 years, 6 months | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Broken in half and fallen off base; significant fungal growth and surface erosion |
Waller | BW-31 | This stone is erected to the memory of Mary and Eliza Waller, daughters of Maj. Tho. Griffin of York town by their affectionate father. The first died 9th April 1827 and the other on the 26th day of June 1823 and lie buried here. "Beloved till life could charm no more And mourned till sorrows self be dead." | Headstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Broken off base; significant surface erosion and soiling; Loss of edges; fungal/organic growth present |
Waller | BW-32 | G G W | Footstone | Limestone | Benjamin Waller | Fungal growth, very light erosion; loose and leaning; wear on edges |
Many markers in the Benjamin Waller Graveyard require immediate attention in order to prevent further damage. Several need to be reset. In addition, the heavy vegetation that is present in the graveyard for much of the year causes significant damage to the markers as well as increasing the difficulty of monitoring conditions of markers to prevent deterioration.
16 17 18(Left and below) The finial of BW-22a is significantly damaged. It is no longer attached to the marker and is just resting on it, leading to a risk of it falling off and being damaged further or of someone taking it. In addition, there are significant cracks on opposing sides which could easily lead to further breakage.
(Below) The broken foot of BW-19 may have caused the marker to fall out of its base.
Family Name | Ref. Num. | Inscription | Marker Type | Material | Cemetery | Condition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Debress | PS-1 | Bell Debress Wife of Edward Debress Died Dec. 11, 1901 Beloved Mother of Bettie Baker and Willie Debress | Headstone | Limestone | Pool Site | Fungal growth; minor erosion along edges |
Debress | PS-2a | In memory of Mary Ann Debress Died July 15, 1825?? Aged 18 years | Headstone | Limestone | Pool Site | Tilted but stable; significant erosion, inscription becoming illegible; significant loss at top; fungal growth |
Debress | PS-2b | M A D | Footstone | Limestone | Pool Site | Tilted but stable; chips at edges; organic/fungal growth present |
This graveyard is located in a patch of woods just north of the pools at the Williamsburg Inn. While subject to expected erosion, largely forgotten and hidden, they are in fairly stable condition. yard.
20Family Name | Ref. Num. | Inscription | Marker Type | Material | Cemetery | Condition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Randolph | WC-1 | Sir John Randolph Died 1737 Lady Susanna Beverley Randolph (?) Died after 1754 | Vault | Brick, lead coffins | Wren Crypt | Opened 1858 and 1862 (?) |
Randolph | WC-2 | John Randolph Died 1784 | Vault | Brick lead coffins | Wren Crypt | Opened 1858 and 1862 (?); repaired 1929 |
Randolph | WC-3 | Peyton Randolph Died 1775 Buried 1776 Elizabeth Harrison Randolph Died 1783 | Vault | Brick, lead coffins | Wren Crypt | Opened 1858, 1859, 1862 (?); Elizabeth's remains placed in Peyton's coffin and moved to WC-6 May 30, 1929 |
Botetourt | WC-4 | Lord Botetourt Died 1770 | Vault | Brick, lead coffins | Wren Crypt | Opened, robbed in 1862 and 1969; opened by Lyon Tyler 1888-1919 |
Madison | WC-5 | Bishop James Madison Died 1812 Possibly Mrs. Madison Died 1815 | Vault | Brick, lead coffins | Wren Crypt | Opened 1862 (?); remains placed in lead box and moved to WC-6 May 30, 1929 |
Randolph Madison | WC-6 | Bishop James Madison and Mrs. Madison (?) Peyton and Elizabeth Harrison Randolph | Vault | Wren Crypt | ||
Dew | WC-7 | Thomas R. Dew Died 1846 Buried 1939 | Vault | Wren Crypt | ||
Nelson | WC-8 | Chancellor Robert Nelson (?) Died 1818 | Grave | Wren Crypt | Excavated 1858 and Aug. 1928 |
Located beneath the Wren Chapel, the Wren Crypt has been sealed off from the public. Over the past 150 years, the vaults have been broken into and robbed; this has caused significant damage to the vaults and to the crypt itself as the vaults have been broken and the crypt covered with graffitti done by fraternity brothers in the 1960s. Due to increased security as well as removal of asbestos from the crypt, the vaults and graves there are in stable condition.
22 23Although the condition of most of the grave markers is stable, some gravestones require conservation. The condition of loose stones should be stabilized by resetting. Before removing the gravestone, a 4-6″ perimeter strip of sod should be lifted and set aside. The gravestone should be carefully removed and its full height measured. A straight-side excavation should continue, extending 6-8″ below a depth of no less than 40% of the full height of the stone. #4-1 ½″ round "pea" gravel should be used to fill the first 6-8″ of the excavation. With the stone held upright, alternating layers of sand/gravel and wet soil should be used to fill the excavation almost to the top. Sod should then be replaced over this permeable, relatively noncompressible fill.
Gravestone fragments should be reattached using structural adhesives. On fragments that are large in size, it may be necessary to use an anchoring system. In some cases, disassembly of previous repair work and removal of old fills and adhesives may first be necessary. Grouting techniques should be used to prevent further detachment.
Some gravestones had open cracks or joints that allow for the entry of water. To arrest further deterioration of these stones, the entry of water through open cracks and joints should be eliminated. Brick supports should be repointed using an appropriate mortar. Stonework should be repointed as well. Equally important in preventing water intrusion is the filling of large, open cracks. Composite patching mixtures (of cement, lime, and sand or crushed stone) should match the color, texture, and hardness of the surrounding stonework.
Routine maintenance should be emphasized. As a result of conditions seen during the recent survey, several additions to the ongoing program are recommended. Heavy moss growth and ivy should be removed from the gravestones. Visitors should be discouraged from sitting or standing on the gravestones; graffitti and gravestone "rubbing" should be prohibited. Vegetation in the graveyards should be kept to a minimum at all times, but maintenance personnel should avoid scratching or abrading gravestones with lawnmowers.
(Excerpts from the Summary Report of the survey of conditions of Bruton Parish gravestones prepared by Tracy Coffing, Frances Gale, Norman Weiss (all of Columbia University) and Tom Taylor on August 10, 1984)