Mount Pisgah Benevolant Cemetery

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

This is an early 19th century cemetery designated only for African-Americans since they were not permitted use of next door Indian Mound Cemetery. The cemetery still functions as an African-American Cemetery for the area.

Images

Entrance to Mt. Pisgah Cemetery

Another section of cemetery

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

*From the Hampshire County Historical Association:

"What is now called the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery was not always named that or located where we know it today. Apparently, the original deed to the property was never recorded; however, one can find mention of that land transfer in Deed Book 56, page 166, May, 1872. This deed concerns land transfered from John Heiskell, Special Commissioner, of the First Part, and James Wirgman and Octavius Wirgman, of the Second part. The property was a 326 acre tract of Gibson, then deceased, in the area of lands of Indian Mound Cemetery and the farm presently called "Sycamore Dale." The cemetery is mentioned as such: "...excepted about one acre, lying in the bend of the N. W. Turnpike Road on Town Hill just below the Indian Mound Cemetery which one acre has been sold to the Colored Benevolent Association for a cemetery."

Some information on the Colored Benevolent Association can be found in notes from a speech given on the Association's 53rd Anniversary, July 30, 1920: "The Benevolent Society of Romney, West Virginia was organzied by Daniel Banks on Jan. 1, 1867 in the Courthouse with a membership of 50 people; only three people and the present president now survive." Alfred Whiting was the first President; sometimes membership was up to 80.

Further research reveals notes of the meeting concerning the moving(?) of the cemetery to allow for the straightening of Rt 50: July 10, 1934, it was agreed to give the original land to the State Road Commission (SRC). (It seems that the following was what the SRC would pay to the Association for the original land and the move) Lots = $10, single grave $3; $75 for damages done; a fence to be provided by SRC; the old road to be given to the C.B.S.
[from papers of M.S.W. 5/20/11]

A search of courthouse records has not yet turned up any document verifying the establishment of the Association. It appears that just following the Civil War no one cared to file papers for a colored organization. Furthermore, a query to the Division of Highways has not turned up any documents verifying the agreement connected with the land transfer in 1934. We assume that the Division of Highways was probably faced with the fact that the Colored Benevolent Association no longer existed making it difficult to do any deed transfer. It is uncertain how much land the cemetery had to give up to the highway. It appears that the cemetery lost some land and gained only the old road bed. However, no records exist of the original layout. It is not clear if graves had to be moved."

The cemetery is owned and operated by the Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church.

Within those interred at the cemetery include: Black slaves, members of the Armed Forces, a governess of former WV Gov. John Cornwell, two brothers who served as barbers for the town and members of Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church.

Additional Information

Mt. Pisgah