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EARLY TOMBSTONES IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
In an abandoned grave-yard on the eastern edge of the village of
Heathsville lies a heavy slab inscribed as follows:
 

HERE LYETH THE BODY OF
ELIZABETH HAYNIE DAUGHTER
OF RICHARD & JANE BRIDGAR
WAS BORN JULY 16th 1665
MARRIED TO RICHARD HAYNIE1
OCTOBER 10th 1681 BY WHOM SHE
HAD 8 CHILDREN & DIED HIS
WIFE APRIL 2, 1697

   On the margin of Cod's creek, near the seat of "Northumberland House," where the Presly and Thortons long resided, the handsome tomb of Hon. Presly Thornton2 lies in broken pieces, and only a fragment of the inscription is to be found.  The following words are all that appear on the pieces of stone remaining:

With
Sea   in the
     County of
his merit  
ntil he was in
One of the Council of State
for this Colony
These important stations he filled
to the Publick emolu(ment)
And his own reputa(tion)
Having thus enjoyed the Chief Honors
of this Country
He departed this Life
The 8th Day of December (1769)
in the 48th Year of his (Age).

     Near to the above mutilated tomb are two headpieces marking the graves of a Revolutionary patriot2 and his faithful wife, who came to Northumberland from Philadelphia.  The inscriptions are as follows:

In Memory of
Col. James Moore,
an officer of
the revolutionary army,
Who departed this
life May 20th 1813
Aged 56 years.

In Memory of
Sarah Moore,
relict of
Col. James Moore,
Who departed this
life Dec. 1st, 1814
Aged 47 years.

     On the margin of Hull's creek, near the old Chicacohan residence, the aforetime clerk of Northumberland, who married the daughter of the above Col. Moore, lies buried in a grave marked by a vertical slab, on which is this inscription:

SACRED
to the memory of
FLEMING BATES3
Who departed this life
Dec. 26, 1830,
in the 52nd year of his age.
He needs no epitaph whose
life was a constant blessing
to all within his sphere of
action.

     Near Burgess' Store, on the margin of a field opposite the residence of Dr. Sydnor, a massive slab appears partly imbedded in the earth.  The inscription reads:

Here lies the body
of THOMAS GILL4 who
departed this life the 12th
day of November, 1739,
in the 60th year of his
Age.

     In the rear of the spot on which the Upper St. Stephens church stood in Colonial days, and not far from the Glebe mansion, where is still standing, an upright slab commemorates one of the last century clergymen, as follows:

IN
Memory of the late Rev'd
Duncan McNaughton
, a native
of Perthshire, Scotland,
Who departed this life May 16th, 1809,
in the year of his age.
The stranger's friend lies here at rest
In this cold silent grave.
We trust that with the rising just
He'll resurrection have.

     On "Cypress Farm" at the head of Garner's creek, near the site of the early Keene residence, two heavy slabs are to be seen, one of them partly overgrown by a large persimmon tree.  One of them has this inscription:

Here lyeth the body of
William Keene, the Eldest Son
of Thomas and Mary Keene
Born in Kent in Maryland
the 10th day of March anno
Dom. 1642, Who marryed
Eliza, the Daughter of John
Rogers Gent
. and Ellin his
Wife of Northumberland Co.
in Virginia by Whome he had
two Sons and Four daughters
And dyed ye 8 day of Feb.
1684 in ye two and Fortieth
year of his Age.

     The other tomb, lying near by the above, shows lettering remarkably clear and distinct, as follows:

 

 
 
 
 
NOTES:
1. In these inscriptions the lettering on the tombstones is literally followed.
2. Richard Haynie married a second time, and died about 1724.  In his will of Oct. 31, 1734, he names six sons - Bridgar, Richard, McMillon, Ormsby, Charles and Samuel; also four daughters - Katharine, Elinor, Winifred and Anna.  His wife "Elinor" survived him.
3. Fleming Bates was son to Thomas Fleming Bates and Caroline Matilda Woodson, of Fluvanna, and brother of the Hon. Edward Bates, of Missouri, Attorney-General under President Lincoln
4. A Thomas Gill's will is on record in Northumberland, probated Feb. 10, 1707-8.  In it he names his sons William and Thomas, and daughters Dinah, Susanna Robinson and Frances Waddington.
5. Mrs. Elizabeth Banks, after enduring two widowhoods, died in 1722 (will probated Mar. 15, 1722).  Her sons by Wm. Keene were William and John.  Her daughter Hannah married Col. John Bushrod, of Bushfield, in Westmoreland.  Elizabeth married ___ Lee.  Another daughter married Samuel Samford, and the fourth daughter married John Woodbridge.  Her father, Major John Rogers, was an

 

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