The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-11

might practically be called a burylng-
ground of the past generations, as the
large ajority of the graves within It's
limits ate between the fifdes and SIX
ties, while those of more recent years
are in very small minority. Yet this
cemetery lis still in use and some families
of the city, who own sections therein. and
whose ancestors sleep in this peaceful,
quiet spot, still bury their dead ; here,
but in spite of this, the old cemetery is
fast falling into disuse.
WHEN FOUNDED.
This burying-ground was established in
1922 when ST. Johns church-yard, on
Church Hill, was the only cemetery in or
around Richmond This soon became the
principal grounds of its kind in this vi
cinity, and the families of the Capitol City
soon bought up the entire number OF
sections For a number of years all the
prominent people and best families Of this
section were buried here, but Its dlmen-
sions were too small, being only twelve
acres, for the rapid growth of the city,
and it soon became necessary to establish
other cemeteries Hollywood, lakewood
and the other grave-yards soon claimed
the attention of the city. Since the ever
increasing popularity in these new
grounds began. the in!terments in Shockoe
Hill have continued to fail off, and the In
terest in the cemetery to fail, as the old
beloved spot, died out and were laid TO
rest Beneath its quiet shades.
FAILING INTO DISUsE.
The cemetery belongs to the city and
has always been cared for by them, but
the sections owned by private persons are
private grounds and the city and ceme-
terry attendants cannot do anything to
improve the general appearance OF fhe
grounds, because they cannot, without
~ - FL Snu.
these sections. in order, as they might IN
some way violate the wishes of the own
ers by removing some plant or stone with
a sacred meaning. Yet in spite OF the
efforts, of MIR. George B. Davis, who has
| charge of the cemetery, the majority of
these sections are not kept in order by
their owners as they should be.
When Shockoe HIN Cemetery was IN its
; palmiest days the city derived large
amount of revenue from the sale Of
sections and single graves there, but
since the sections have long ago been all
sold, and since there are no more single
| graves to be had, the revenue OF former
days has almost entirely ceased, and
hence the interest taken by the city and
the money appropriated by the Council
to keep d in proper condition has stopped.
Since Hollywood and Oakwood have
drawn most Of the money in their direc-
ton, the amount spent on Shockoe has
been Very small.
10 REBUILD WALL.
Through the untiring efforts OF Mr.. Da-
Wis and few friends, the Council has
made recently an appropriation of s., 100
to build q new wall around the entire
cemetery as. the old one is in a very di-
lapidated condition, and the City Engl-
neer5 has been authorized ito draw p
| plans and obtain bids on the work Ilhis
Will greatly improve the appearance Il. OF
the grounds, which ought certainly 70
be kept up, as Within it sleeps some OF
the most illustrious of ;Virginia's sons.
There are but two sections IN the en- IN
tire cemetery which are endowed sW1tn
perpetual care. Several other sections
are well taken care of by the owners.
but the ma jority of them are in SAD
need OF attention. as the ha ndsome#sno
uments and slabs are leanln g ana l ousn y
| to be righted Most Of the monuments
are Of the old style, plain, strait ht co.,
IN,Imns and very little modern ~or i,. s OF
lFthis kind is to be seen. .;s
NOTED6G GRAVES
Near the centre of the cemeterv.1s g 31 2 g
Marshall section, IN whtch ne re-
mains Of Grief Justice ohm. Marsnail& ana
llis family. By the side OF old Stombs,
w1licf1naark the. resting pla ces Ct & TINS
great man and his fanily ~ #a5. small
Is grave which has no hing Ast p Sc W l no
sleeps beneath*it Not far on tne graYe
OF Peter VIII cl1ss1 mar se
lsby@a SKAainssWoodenS slab WI M us nane