HISTORY
OF NEELY'S CREEK ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CEMETERY
(by: Mr. and Mrs. Roy H. Boyd, Jr.)
The
Neely's Creek Church Cemetery is a lovely, peaceful, and well kept place
containing 14.87 acres
located directly behind the church. Although no
records were kept during the "old days" the tombstones
themselves give us some history, as well as, some
things that have been handed down from generation to
generation.
One
of the stories from out of the past (taken from the "Golden Cord")
tells of a wagoner, who in
the very early days of the church, camped on the
church grounds. He became ill and died in his wagon.
The people of the church and community had compassion
on the stranger and gave him a decent burial.
It is said that this man was the first person to be
buried in Neely's Creek Cemetery.
At
one time the cemetery was enclosed on three sides with a beautiful iron picket
fence, but due
to the fact it had to be enlarged several times (1912,
1939, and 1974 these dates approx.) most of the
fence has been removed. Only the west portion still
stands today.
Time
and weather have taken their toll on many of the old tombstones. Some are no
longer legible.
There are graves that are marked with just a large
rock with no inscription. It is believed that some of
these mark the graves of slaves. The oldest legible
marker is that of Robert Spencer (D-16-9) died August
23, 1793 at the age of 34. The person living to the
oldest age was D. Grier Lesslie (D-25-18) born September
4, 1880 and died September 23, 1978 at age 98.
There
is at this time a total of 1,020 graves. Among these are many who fought in
various wars. They
are as follows: two soldiers of the War of 1812,
twenty five Confederates, one Spanish American, a number
of World War I and World War II and one Vietnam.
Several years ago a special service was held by the United
Daughters of the Confederacy and bronze crosses were
placed on the graves of the Confederates.
In
the old section of the cemetery are several interesting graves. One is that of
Andrew Armstrong
(8-9-2), who according to the inscription on his
marker, died May, 1835 at the age of 38 while traveling
from Charleston back home to his native Lincoln County
North Carolina and was buried here. It states that
he died absent from his relations. Another is a grave
that is simply marked MXW (B-8-1) departed this
life May 1, 1806 age two years and six days. A third
one is that of twin boys, John M. and Francis C.
Blackmon (D-22-10) born September 24, 1670, died
August 24, 1879. The story was told that upon arising
one morning one twin became ill, so he stayed home
from school and died later that day. When the second
twin returned home and was told his brother had died,
he too died that day.
Many
years ago before perpetual care, about twice each year, some of the men of the
church would
gather at the cemetery to clear away all the grass,
weeds, and briars. "Farmhands" were brought along to
help with the work. Today with modern machinery and
tender loving care, Mr. Benny C. Williams, Sr. keeps
the cemetery beautiful all year long. All but one of
the old trees have either died or been removed. A lovely
magnolia planted by the Edwards family around 1880 is
still standing.
On
the south side near the Boy Scout Hut is a very large marker which marks the
place where the third
church
building stood. This church was used from 1822 until 1907.
On
May 25, 1959 the very first load of pulpwood that went to the newly constructed
Bowater Company
at
Catawba, S. C. was from the Neely's Creek Cemetery.
After
several years of much research and study by Mr. C. Edgar Williams, Jr., a plan
was presented to
the congregation to form an eleemosynary corporation
whereby the cemetery would become self supporting.
In 1975 the Neely's Creek Cemetery Association, Inc.
was organized and held its first meeting in
September of that year. The purpose of this
organization was to provide a legal structure which could
operate under state law and build up a trust fund from
the sale of burial plots, The proceeds from the trust
fund are being used to pay for the cost of maintenance
and make necessary improvements as time goes
along. The Cemetery Association is managed by a five
member board of directors who serve staggered
terms and are elected by the Association membership at
their regular annual meeting.
The first officers elected to serve on the Board of Directors were:
C. Edgar Williams, Jr., Chrm.
Robert Ackerman Leon Craven
Charles Montgomery
Roy H. Boyd,
Jr., Manager
J. T. Williams, Sr.
Benny C. Williams, Sr., Caretaker
Officers currently serving on the Board of Directors are:
Jerry Williams, Chrm.
Paul Gettys, Vice Chrm.
Eddie G. Williams, Treas.
Roy H. Boyd, Jr., Manager
Nancy
Orr, Sec.
Ellie Gram
Benny C. Williams, Sr., Caretaker