Woodlawn Cemetery (Fairmont, West Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Woodlawn Cemetery, located in Fairmont, West Virginia
is an example of the rural cemetery
. It was laid out by Tell W. Nicolet of the firm of Morris and Knowles of Pittsburgh, PA. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as a historic district
. Today, the cemetery covers 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) and has over 15,000 burials.
The cemetery was established in the early Spring of 1875. Joseph R. Hamilton was climbing the fence between his father's farm and that of Norval Barns. The loaded rifle he was carrying accidentally discharged, killing him. His father's decision to "bury him where he lay" led to the families establishing a small burying ground. They opened the fence line between their properties and enclosed about a quarter of an acre to use for family burials.
Ten years later, in December 1885, the Woodlawn Cemetery Company was incorporated and plots were offered for sale to the larger community. 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) were purchased from each of the land owners, Elmus Hamilton and Norval Barns. Many of the early leaders of the Fairmont community were laid to rest here. Among them is
Francis Harrison Pierpont, the Governor of the Restored State of Virginia from 1861–1868, his wife Julia and three of their four children.
Boaz Fleming, the founder of Fairmont, is here with his wife, Elizabeth. Other members of his family are here
as well, including Clarissa Fleming Hamilton, his grandson Elmus Hamilton,owner of the Hamilton farm, and great-grandson, Joseph R. Hamilton. Another descendant is Aretas B. Fleming
, eighth governor of West Virginia. A lawyer, Mr. Fleming was among the men who created the Fairmont Development Company and worked to develop Fairmont, West Virginia
.
James Otis Watson is considered the father of the bituminous coal industry in north central West Virginia. He and Pierpont owned the first coal mine to be commercially viable following the completion of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad linking Fairmont with the eastern seaboard markets. One of his daughters married Aretas B. Fleming. His sons, James Edwin Watson, Sylvanus Lamb Watson and Clarence Wayland Watson
are also buried here.
A governor, a Congressman and a national Senator are rolled into one in Matthew Mansfield Neely.
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
is an example of the rural cemetery
Rural cemetery
The rural cemetery or garden cemetery is a style of burial ground that uses landscaping in a park-like setting.As early as 1711 the architect Sir Christopher Wren had advocated the creation of burial grounds on the outskirts of town, "inclosed with a strong Brick Wall, and having a walk round, and...
. It was laid out by Tell W. Nicolet of the firm of Morris and Knowles of Pittsburgh, PA. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as a historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
. Today, the cemetery covers 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) and has over 15,000 burials.
The cemetery was established in the early Spring of 1875. Joseph R. Hamilton was climbing the fence between his father's farm and that of Norval Barns. The loaded rifle he was carrying accidentally discharged, killing him. His father's decision to "bury him where he lay" led to the families establishing a small burying ground. They opened the fence line between their properties and enclosed about a quarter of an acre to use for family burials.
Ten years later, in December 1885, the Woodlawn Cemetery Company was incorporated and plots were offered for sale to the larger community. 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) were purchased from each of the land owners, Elmus Hamilton and Norval Barns. Many of the early leaders of the Fairmont community were laid to rest here. Among them is
Francis Harrison Pierpont, the Governor of the Restored State of Virginia from 1861–1868, his wife Julia and three of their four children.
Boaz Fleming, the founder of Fairmont, is here with his wife, Elizabeth. Other members of his family are here
as well, including Clarissa Fleming Hamilton, his grandson Elmus Hamilton,owner of the Hamilton farm, and great-grandson, Joseph R. Hamilton. Another descendant is Aretas B. Fleming
Aretas B. Fleming
Aretas Brooks Fleming was the 8th Governor of West Virginia. In 1865, he married Carrie Watson. When he ran as the Democratic nominee in 1888, the election was disputed by the Legislature. In 1890, the Legislature agreed that Fleming had defeated Nathan Goff, Jr...
, eighth governor of West Virginia. A lawyer, Mr. Fleming was among the men who created the Fairmont Development Company and worked to develop Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
.
James Otis Watson is considered the father of the bituminous coal industry in north central West Virginia. He and Pierpont owned the first coal mine to be commercially viable following the completion of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad linking Fairmont with the eastern seaboard markets. One of his daughters married Aretas B. Fleming. His sons, James Edwin Watson, Sylvanus Lamb Watson and Clarence Wayland Watson
Clarence Wayland Watson
Clarence Wayland Watson was a coal mining "baron" from West Virginia. Watson organized several coal companies that became the Consolidation Coal and Mining Companies in West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Watson was president of the company until 1911, then became its chairman...
are also buried here.
A governor, a Congressman and a national Senator are rolled into one in Matthew Mansfield Neely.