More Than 1,040 Graves Were Moved!

I knew Mays Chapel cemetery moved, but I had no idea 1,040 graves from 28 different cemeteries were moved! And that was only the first permit and early phase of the project. Other cemeteries were moved after this article, including Mays Chapel where my ancestor Tennessee Glover Dortch and her granddaughter Lucy Cliborne were buried. There were also another 80 burials moved to La Crosse cemetery. This article mentions burials moved to Rehoboth Church. There were 2 Rehoboths, one near Boydton, the other in Blackridge. I assume the burials were moved to the Rehoboth near Boydton.

Ninety-six percent of the graves were unidentified, most of them reported to be slaves. The problem was, that the families who had cared for the cemeteries and knew where family was buried had moved away. The cemeteries had been neglected for decades. Sadly, only seven burials had tombstones. These burials were re-located to several churches in the area including Mt. Auburn Church Cemetery near Drewery, North Carolina.

Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, Virginia · Saturday, November 04, 1950

Anne Overcash sent me these pictures of Lucy Cliborne’s tombstone. We believe that Tennesse Glover (married to Alvin Dortch) was buried beside her grand daughter Lucy Cliborne, in an unmarked grave. Tennessee’s death certificate says she was buried in Mays Chapel, but there is no tombstone for her. Tennessee was visiting her daughter Hester and got the flu. It was during the 1918 flu pandemic, although it was Oct 1919. These burials were moved.