Through the Archway

I decided to visit the historic town of Plymouth, NC this past weekend. Plymouth sits along the banks of the Roanoke River in Washington County and was established in 1787. The population of the town is around 3300 people and Main street features several interesting shops, along with the maritime museum and a boardwalk along the river.

I found myself pulled toward Grace Episcopal Church and its graveyard. The church dates back to around 1837, but the current structure was built around the time of the Civil War. It also underwent major renovations in 1892 due to damage it received during the Civil War. It's my understanding that the church is still active but with a small congregation.

The church is a beautiful sight to behold and the grounds are meticulously well cared for. There are roughly 400 burials here with many upright monuments. The church and graveyard are located at 106 Madison Street, Plymouth, NC 27962.

The above photograph was taken at the church on March 1, 2025 on the side of the graveyard that faces the river. I loved the fence that went around these particular graves and how the vines growing along it complete this archway. It makes this plot seem serene and peaceful.

There are other interesting graves there and some of them are very old. One is a crypt with about four rows of graves inside, one of which is damaged in the upper right hand corner.

I do like that this history has been preserved. So kudos to whoever is in charge of keeping the grounds of this historic church and graveyard in tip top shape. They are doing a fantastic job.

The earliest known grave in this graveyard is that of John W. Maitland who died on April 27, 1812. The next oldest burials are: Henry E Beasley who died on Sept. 2, 1817; Henry E Beasley born and died in 1822; William Norcom Nov 6, 1823-Oct. 2, 1824; Harriet Maria Beasley 1831-1834; Jesse G Griffin 1835-1835; Mary Josephine Norcom 1835-1837; Henry Alexander Beasley 1832-1837; and Clarky Alexander 1777-1838. These are the oldest graves in the graveyard and since the church was originally founded in 1837, I wonder if the Beasley family gave the land that the church is built on.

As someone who has been working on family history since 2004, I really enjoy it when I can find really old graves like the ones above. In my area of NC, many of these old graves have been lost to time. Very few churches that were around in this time survive here. Also, many families buried their dead on their property in small family graveyards and these are just near impossible to locate. Often, even if you can find the old land by comparing land records, farmers have come along and bulldozed over these graves long before the state of NC put in protections to protect these old graveyards and cemeteries from destruction.

I often find myself photographing old cemeteries and graveyards when I find them, especially if I locate them in fields or in the woods as I hike. Many times, people don't even know of their existence and therefore I am helping document history. So if you know where old graveyards or cemeteries are, look and see if they have been photographed or accounted for in local history. If they haven't been, then do so. Family researchers will be most pleased that you have taken the time to do so.

We must preserve history for the next generations. We need to teach them about their ancestors, both the good and the bad.