Blandford church below - Will post about the church after I tour it in the coming weeks, didn't have enough time on this visit to visit the graveyard and the church both, so just the cemetery
Since the early 18th century this cemetery has been used as a burial ground adjacent to Blandford Church. The oldest grave dates back from 1702. Major General William Phillips a foreigner , British citizen and commander of the British troops is buried here, during the battle of Petersburg April 25, 1781.
Following a fever - Malaria or Typhus , he died May 13 1781.
In 1914 the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a memorial stone - stands next to Blandford church , the general location marking the secret burial of Phillips - this directed by his deputy commander -Brigadier General Benedict Arnold.
Annette above at the gates of deceased family
18th, 19th, 20th century funeral art is here shown in the intricate fences, tombs, gravestones.
Reminds me some of the Cemetery in Richmond, Va.
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the cast iron fence surround shows the arms used to fight the war at that time.
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first memorial day- June 1866 was celebrated honoring the 30,000 confederate soldiers buried on Memorial hill in cemetery.
inscription for the marker above with the planter at foot
Bowing angel enlarged from side view - below of the one above
Intricate iron gate
another view
below a closeup of above
Would love to be able to take the All Hallows Eve tour around the cemetery
this was a sharp curve driving downhill around this crypt
Happy Halloween
3 comments:
Hi Betsy. What a perfect subject for Halloween. Great timing. I really love old cemeteries. I think it is so important that they be kept up out of respect but so many of them aren't. We have one up here, that has all the beautiful iron work fencing and gates around the graves but they are so torn up. I find it fascinating to read all of the different inscriptions..Happy Halloween..Judy
Oh wow Betsy, what beautiful stones. And gorgeous iron fencing! I love the sound effects you have to go along with it. Very clever. :) Have a wonderful Hallowe'en.
Gina
I have been told by a friend who works in Petersburg that I would love to visit this cemetery. With your photos, I almost feel as if I HAVE been there ... and now I'm motivated to make the trip! This place resembles Hollywood Cemetery, with the beautiful monuments and fences and statues ... but it lacks the trees and garden nature of Hollywood. I wonder if there used to be trees and roses and the like, and what happened to them if they were once there.
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