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| Photo labeled "WINSTON CEMETERY" Digital Forsyth Collection |
"CEMETERY AT EASTER- 1894"
Digital Forsyth Collection
Digital Forsyth Collection
The unraveling of the history of Winston Cemetery-Woodland Cemetery-Salem Cemetery is an ongoing, never ending quest. There may never be a definitive
explanation as to why the these cemeteries were called different names during different spans of time in our county's history. All I can provide is the information I
find in published records in hopes that a missing piece will reveal itself to complete this puzzle!
The above photos were labeled as Winston Cemetery. No one has come forward to identify the persons in the photos. There are no extant records identifying
even the location. Could this be Salem Cemetery or possibly early photos of Liberty Cemetery?
1854- Winston Cemetery: June 29, 1854 - A meeting was held regarding a proposed Winston cemetery since only Moravians could be buried in God’s Acre.
When Winston was laid out, a lot had been reserved for a cemetery but it was eventually sold for $150 and its replacement plot was described as an “old and
inconveniently located field.” After lengthy deliberation, it was decided to sell an acre of land on the Bethabara Rd for $125. This property was just north of Salem
and east of Winston town limits and would eventually be expanded into the first municipal cemetery.
June 29, 1854: Records of the Moravians Vol. XI page 5878: The occasion for the present extraordinary session was an application communicated by Mr.
Thos. J. Wilson for a piece of land for a cemetery. It had been made by the family of Mr. John Sanders, who fell asleep in Winston this morning. ...When
Winston was laid out, a lot had originally been reserved for a cemetery. Later, however, it was sold as a speculation by the commissioners appointed by the
county court for $150, and in replacement part of an old and inconveniently located field was purchased for use as a cemetery. Nobody seems to be satisfied
with this transaction. After lengthy deliberation, the Col. agreed to sell an acre of land for the sum of $125, which is offered, at the outer line of the land
belonging to the Diakonie.[sic] It lies west of the Bethabara road, its north side bordering on Br. Zevely's land, its eastern and western sides running parallel
with the streets of Winston, each of the 4 sides having the same length. It is to be sold with the proviso that a clause be inserted in the deed which is to be
drawn up stating that his land may never be used or employed under any pretest for any other purposes than for a public cemetery in which every white resident
of Forsyth County, criminals excepted, may be buried following compliance with certain conditions to be laid down by the proper authorities. Since circumstances
do not permit any delay in this matter, the Brn. Pfohl and Fries were appointed as a committee to put these conditions immediately into writing and pass them on
to Mr. Wilson. The final execution of this decision, however, will depend on the Aeltst. Confz. approving this sale; due to the absence of three of its members it is
unable to meet now.
July 14, 1854: Records of the Moravians Vol. XI.: Regarding the sale of an acre of land for cemetery purposes near Winston, it was reported that nothing
more had been done in this matter since it appears that many persons have raised objections to its location.
[Thomas J. Wilson, an attorney, acquired (by lease or rental) lots 44 and 45, fronting 150 feet on Main Street and 198 feet along the north side of present
second Street, this transaction was made with the Moravian land office in 1847, prior to the sale of the 51-1/4 acre tract to the County Commissioners. Judge
Wilson built his home on this property in 1847, before Winston became a town, and was the first house built in the Winston area.]
Private laws of the State of North-Carolina, passed by the General Assembly [1856-1857], pg 179
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE SALEM CEMETERY COMPANY.
Sec. 1: Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, And it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That E.A. Vogler, C.S.
Bonner, A.H. Shepherd, H.A. Lemly, Thomas J. Wilson, Robert Gray, William Barrow, E.S. Patterson, E. Belo, H.W. Fries, Joshua Boner, E. Fries, and Jesse A.
Waugh, or any five of them, and their successors, and all persons who may hereafter be associated with them, be, and they are hereby created a body politic
and corporate in law, un the name and title of the “Salem Cemetery Company”, and shall be subject to all of the rules and regulations contained in the Revised
Code, Chapter 26, so far as they are applicable to such a corporation, and not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.
Sec. 2: Be it further enacted, That the property of the said company, and the interest Of each corporator therein, shall be exempt from execution, and shall not
be subject to The payment of any taxes whatever, and that the rights and interests of the several Corporators shall not pass into the hands of personal
representatives, but in the event Of death shall remain in the families of each according to the course of descent.
Sec. 3: Be is further enacted, That no streets, lanes, roads or alleys shall at any time Be made or established over the land of said company, or any part thereo,
without its Consent, nor shall the same be condemned, or taken in any manner for any public use, without such consent.
FORSYTH COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS -
DB 7/38 Forsyth County Deed- April 29, 1857
This Indenture, made this twenty ninth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and fifty seven between Emil A deSchweinitz of the Town of Salem in the County
of Forsyth and State of North Carolina of the first part, and Salem Cemetery Company in the County of Forsyth and State of North Carolina of the second part:
Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Dollars, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged hath given,
granted, bargained, sold and conveyed and doth hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey to the said party of the second part, and their Assigns, all that
certain Tract of Land situated within the corporate limits of the Town of Salem aforesaid and bounded as follows, to wit:
Beginning at a Stake one hundred feet East of the present Grave Yard of the Moravian Church, running North 10 [degrees] West twenty eight poles to the Street
leading from Main Street between Lots No 84 and 105 on Main Street; thence along said Street North 80 [degrees] East, fifty one poles to a Stake; thence South
10 [degrees] East twenty eight poles to a Stake thence South 80 [degrees] West fifty one poles to the Beginning containing eight Acres and one hundred and
forty eight poles, more or less.
To have and to hold the same with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said party of the second part, their successors and assigns forever. And the
said party of the first part for the consideration aforesaid, doth hereby covenant and agree to Warrant and Defend the premises aforesaid, to the said party of
the second part, and their Assigns against the claim of all persons whatsoever, lawfully claiming from or under him
I Witness whereof the said party of the first part hath here unto set his hand and Seal on the day and year above written
Signed, sealed and delivered
In the presence of Emil A deSchweinitz
S. Ths. Pfohl
Jas. L. Lineback (Jurat)
Forsyth County, in the Probate Court.
The execution of the foregoing and within deed from E.A. deScheinitz to the Salem Cemetery Company was this 16th day of May 1873 proved before the
undersigned Judge of Probate for said County by the affirmation and examination of James L. Lineback the subscribing witness thereto. Therefore, let the said
Deed and this certificate be registered.
Mr. Blackburn
Probate Judge
explanation as to why the these cemeteries were called different names during different spans of time in our county's history. All I can provide is the information I
find in published records in hopes that a missing piece will reveal itself to complete this puzzle!
The above photos were labeled as Winston Cemetery. No one has come forward to identify the persons in the photos. There are no extant records identifying
even the location. Could this be Salem Cemetery or possibly early photos of Liberty Cemetery?
1854- Winston Cemetery: June 29, 1854 - A meeting was held regarding a proposed Winston cemetery since only Moravians could be buried in God’s Acre.
When Winston was laid out, a lot had been reserved for a cemetery but it was eventually sold for $150 and its replacement plot was described as an “old and
inconveniently located field.” After lengthy deliberation, it was decided to sell an acre of land on the Bethabara Rd for $125. This property was just north of Salem
and east of Winston town limits and would eventually be expanded into the first municipal cemetery.
June 29, 1854: Records of the Moravians Vol. XI page 5878: The occasion for the present extraordinary session was an application communicated by Mr.
Thos. J. Wilson for a piece of land for a cemetery. It had been made by the family of Mr. John Sanders, who fell asleep in Winston this morning. ...When
Winston was laid out, a lot had originally been reserved for a cemetery. Later, however, it was sold as a speculation by the commissioners appointed by the
county court for $150, and in replacement part of an old and inconveniently located field was purchased for use as a cemetery. Nobody seems to be satisfied
with this transaction. After lengthy deliberation, the Col. agreed to sell an acre of land for the sum of $125, which is offered, at the outer line of the land
belonging to the Diakonie.[sic] It lies west of the Bethabara road, its north side bordering on Br. Zevely's land, its eastern and western sides running parallel
with the streets of Winston, each of the 4 sides having the same length. It is to be sold with the proviso that a clause be inserted in the deed which is to be
drawn up stating that his land may never be used or employed under any pretest for any other purposes than for a public cemetery in which every white resident
of Forsyth County, criminals excepted, may be buried following compliance with certain conditions to be laid down by the proper authorities. Since circumstances
do not permit any delay in this matter, the Brn. Pfohl and Fries were appointed as a committee to put these conditions immediately into writing and pass them on
to Mr. Wilson. The final execution of this decision, however, will depend on the Aeltst. Confz. approving this sale; due to the absence of three of its members it is
unable to meet now.
July 14, 1854: Records of the Moravians Vol. XI.: Regarding the sale of an acre of land for cemetery purposes near Winston, it was reported that nothing
more had been done in this matter since it appears that many persons have raised objections to its location.
[Thomas J. Wilson, an attorney, acquired (by lease or rental) lots 44 and 45, fronting 150 feet on Main Street and 198 feet along the north side of present
second Street, this transaction was made with the Moravian land office in 1847, prior to the sale of the 51-1/4 acre tract to the County Commissioners. Judge
Wilson built his home on this property in 1847, before Winston became a town, and was the first house built in the Winston area.]
Private laws of the State of North-Carolina, passed by the General Assembly [1856-1857], pg 179
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE SALEM CEMETERY COMPANY.
Sec. 1: Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, And it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That E.A. Vogler, C.S.
Bonner, A.H. Shepherd, H.A. Lemly, Thomas J. Wilson, Robert Gray, William Barrow, E.S. Patterson, E. Belo, H.W. Fries, Joshua Boner, E. Fries, and Jesse A.
Waugh, or any five of them, and their successors, and all persons who may hereafter be associated with them, be, and they are hereby created a body politic
and corporate in law, un the name and title of the “Salem Cemetery Company”, and shall be subject to all of the rules and regulations contained in the Revised
Code, Chapter 26, so far as they are applicable to such a corporation, and not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.
Sec. 2: Be it further enacted, That the property of the said company, and the interest Of each corporator therein, shall be exempt from execution, and shall not
be subject to The payment of any taxes whatever, and that the rights and interests of the several Corporators shall not pass into the hands of personal
representatives, but in the event Of death shall remain in the families of each according to the course of descent.
Sec. 3: Be is further enacted, That no streets, lanes, roads or alleys shall at any time Be made or established over the land of said company, or any part thereo,
without its Consent, nor shall the same be condemned, or taken in any manner for any public use, without such consent.
FORSYTH COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS -
DB 7/38 Forsyth County Deed- April 29, 1857
This Indenture, made this twenty ninth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and fifty seven between Emil A deSchweinitz of the Town of Salem in the County
of Forsyth and State of North Carolina of the first part, and Salem Cemetery Company in the County of Forsyth and State of North Carolina of the second part:
Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Dollars, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged hath given,
granted, bargained, sold and conveyed and doth hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey to the said party of the second part, and their Assigns, all that
certain Tract of Land situated within the corporate limits of the Town of Salem aforesaid and bounded as follows, to wit:
Beginning at a Stake one hundred feet East of the present Grave Yard of the Moravian Church, running North 10 [degrees] West twenty eight poles to the Street
leading from Main Street between Lots No 84 and 105 on Main Street; thence along said Street North 80 [degrees] East, fifty one poles to a Stake; thence South
10 [degrees] East twenty eight poles to a Stake thence South 80 [degrees] West fifty one poles to the Beginning containing eight Acres and one hundred and
forty eight poles, more or less.
To have and to hold the same with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said party of the second part, their successors and assigns forever. And the
said party of the first part for the consideration aforesaid, doth hereby covenant and agree to Warrant and Defend the premises aforesaid, to the said party of
the second part, and their Assigns against the claim of all persons whatsoever, lawfully claiming from or under him
I Witness whereof the said party of the first part hath here unto set his hand and Seal on the day and year above written
Signed, sealed and delivered
In the presence of Emil A deSchweinitz
S. Ths. Pfohl
Jas. L. Lineback (Jurat)
Forsyth County, in the Probate Court.
The execution of the foregoing and within deed from E.A. deScheinitz to the Salem Cemetery Company was this 16th day of May 1873 proved before the
undersigned Judge of Probate for said County by the affirmation and examination of James L. Lineback the subscribing witness thereto. Therefore, let the said
Deed and this certificate be registered.
Mr. Blackburn
Probate Judge
| FROM MAP "BIRDS EYE VIEW OF THE TWIN CITIES: WINSTON-SALEM 1891 " Complete map can be found in the NC Room of the Central Library, Winston-Salem, NC |
This section of the Birds Eye View map clearly indicates "Cemetary Street" and the adjoining graveyard marked "11". The legend identifies No. 11 as
"Woodland Public Cemetery & Moravian Burying Ground". This map was drawn in 1891.
Salem Cemetery was formed as a corporation in 1857. E.A. Vogler was the first president of the cemetery company, H.W. Fries the secretary-treasurer, and the
board of managers was composed of Francis Fries, Thomas J. Wilson, Robert Gray, William Barrow, and R.L. Patterson. Salem Cemetery is surrounded on two
sides by the Salem Moravian Church Graveyard (God's Acre) but the two cemeteries are under entirely different management.
TIMELINE:
1857 - SALEM CEMETERY corporation formed
1858- SHEPPERD, Mrs M.P.T.: "New and beautiful Woodland cemetery"
1862 - Banner buried in Woodland Cemetery
1863- Remains of Belo buried in Woodland Cemetery
1863- Miller, J.W. Lt. - buried in Woodland Cemetery
1863-EVERHART,Jr., George Marlow- buried in Salem Woodland Cemetery
1882- Bowman, W.F., buried in Woodland Cemetery
1888- Byerly, Sandford buried in the SALEM CEMETERY
1891- Birds Eye View map refers to No. 11 as Woodland Cemetery, which was really Salem Cemetery (since 1857)
1907- Land for a "New" Woodland Cemetery is purchased. (Liberty Cemetery is full and a new City/County Cemetery is needed):
Jan 3, 1907 : WOODLAND CEMETERY: The matter of purchasing a site for a City Cemetery was discussed by the Board on Sept 7, 1905 and recently appointed
Cemetery Committee was instated to see if a joint arrangement could be made with the county. The Cemetery Committee reported to the Board on Dec 21, 1905
that a suitable site for a cemetery had been found near the Piedmont Park property......containing 11 1/2 acres and known as Phelps Place, now owned by Mr. T.M.
Butner.....the burying ground purchased and improved by Cemetery Committee, as authorized by the Board of Alderman, shall be known as "Woodland
Cemetery". (Source: History of Government, City of Winston-Salem - All America City 1766-1966 Bicentennial, by Robert W. Neilson, Director of Public Works, pg
503)
The Questions At Hand:
Research of the Woodland/Salem Cemetery will continue. If you have any information which will help with this research, please email
forsythhistory@yahoo.com
"Woodland Public Cemetery & Moravian Burying Ground". This map was drawn in 1891.
Salem Cemetery was formed as a corporation in 1857. E.A. Vogler was the first president of the cemetery company, H.W. Fries the secretary-treasurer, and the
board of managers was composed of Francis Fries, Thomas J. Wilson, Robert Gray, William Barrow, and R.L. Patterson. Salem Cemetery is surrounded on two
sides by the Salem Moravian Church Graveyard (God's Acre) but the two cemeteries are under entirely different management.
- BANNER, Lieut. Henry C, aged 23, of Company K, 48th Regt. N.C. Troops, only son of C.L. Banner, Esq., of Forsyth County, Dec. 20, 1862, at Jarrett's
Hotel in Petersburg, Va., from a wound to the back of his head received Dec. 13, 1862, in the battle Fredricksburg. His father and sister arrived at Petersburg
a short time before he breathed his last and accompanied his remains home. He now sleeps in our beautiful "Woodland Cemetery" next to his departed
sister. DEATH NOTICES FROM THE PEOPLE'S PRESS, Salem, NC 1851-1892 by Robert M. Topkins - SHEPPERD, Mrs M.P.T.: [Died] July 18, 1858…. Her mortal remains folled to the grave by a large concourse of friends, were laid to rest during the calm
quiet of the sunset hour of the 19th, in the new and beautiful Woodland cemetery…1850 WESTERN SENTINEL - EVERHART,Jr., George Marlow:: After a painful illness of pneumonia, superinduced upon whooping cough, aged 3 years, 8 months and 17 days, fell gently
asleep on Easter Eve, 1863 at the Rectory of St. Peter’s Church, Charlotte, N.C. His remains were interred in Salem Woodland Cemetery. (Peoples Press)
- MILLER, J.W. (Lt) - died May 15, 1863 - - Buried in Woodland Cemetery-DEATH NOTICES FROM THE PEOPLE'S PRESS, Salem, NC 1851-1892 by Robert M. Topkins:
- BELO, Sgt. Henry, son of E. Belo, Esq., of Salem, killed at the battle of Wilderness sometime in May last. The remains were interred in Woodland Cemetery
in Salem on Dec 1, 1864 (Burial mentioned, 12-8-1864) DEATH NOTICES FROM THE PEOPLE'S PRESS, Salem, NC 1851-1892 by Robert M. Topkins
- BOWMAN, W.F., June 22, 1882, in the 62nd year of his age, of paralysis. Mr. Bowman was a native of Guilford County, residing at High Point for a number
of years. Upon the organization of the Wachovia National Bank he was elected president and moved to Winston, where he made lots of friends. The funeral
services were held at the M.E. Church, of which he was a faithful member for upward of thirty-two years. His remains were interred in Woodland Cemetery
(6-29-82) DEATH NOTICES FROM THE PEOPLE'S PRESS, Salem, NC 1851-1892 by Robert M. Topkins
- BYERLY, Sandford, aged 62, Aug 25, 1888, in Winston. He was buried in the Salem Cemetery (8-30-1888) DEATH NOTICES FROM THE PEOPLE'S PRESS,
Salem, NC 1851-1892 by Robert M. Topkins
- 1891- Birds Eye View Map lists location of Woodland Cemetery, but in truth it was Salem Cemetery
TIMELINE:
1857 - SALEM CEMETERY corporation formed
1858- SHEPPERD, Mrs M.P.T.: "New and beautiful Woodland cemetery"
1862 - Banner buried in Woodland Cemetery
1863- Remains of Belo buried in Woodland Cemetery
1863- Miller, J.W. Lt. - buried in Woodland Cemetery
1863-EVERHART,Jr., George Marlow- buried in Salem Woodland Cemetery
1882- Bowman, W.F., buried in Woodland Cemetery
1888- Byerly, Sandford buried in the SALEM CEMETERY
1891- Birds Eye View map refers to No. 11 as Woodland Cemetery, which was really Salem Cemetery (since 1857)
1907- Land for a "New" Woodland Cemetery is purchased. (Liberty Cemetery is full and a new City/County Cemetery is needed):
Jan 3, 1907 : WOODLAND CEMETERY: The matter of purchasing a site for a City Cemetery was discussed by the Board on Sept 7, 1905 and recently appointed
Cemetery Committee was instated to see if a joint arrangement could be made with the county. The Cemetery Committee reported to the Board on Dec 21, 1905
that a suitable site for a cemetery had been found near the Piedmont Park property......containing 11 1/2 acres and known as Phelps Place, now owned by Mr. T.M.
Butner.....the burying ground purchased and improved by Cemetery Committee, as authorized by the Board of Alderman, shall be known as "Woodland
Cemetery". (Source: History of Government, City of Winston-Salem - All America City 1766-1966 Bicentennial, by Robert W. Neilson, Director of Public Works, pg
503)
The Questions At Hand:
- As Salem Cemetery existed in 1857, why was Woodland Cemetery referred to as the burial place for deaths in the 1860's and early 1880's? Those
burials listed above can be found in Salem Cemetery. - Why, as late as 1891, was the location of the Cemetery shown on the Birds Eye View Map of 1891 listed as Woodland instead of Salem??
- When it was time to provide a new City Cemetery in 1907, why was the name Woodland chosen by the Board of Alderman??
- Prior to 1854, where was the public cemetery?
- Could there have been a public cemetery in the vicinity of the new Salem Cemetery which the Salem Cemetery Committee adopted?
Research of the Woodland/Salem Cemetery will continue. If you have any information which will help with this research, please email
forsythhistory@yahoo.com