yfcemsm.html

1855 PESTILENCE IN VIRGINIA
Photos by Donna Bluemink

Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk, VA
Hebrew Cemetery, Norfolk, VA
Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA
Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA
Naval Hospital Cemetery, Portsmouth, VA
Saint Mary's Cemetery, Norfolk, VA
Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, VA
West Point Cemetery (Elmwood annex), Norfolk, VA

* * * * * *

FOREST LAWN CEMETERY MEMORIALS
NORFOLK, VA

John G. Colley Family

S ½ 51 East Lawn
(Moved from Colley Cemetery on Colley Ave. 11-12-1960)

John G. Colley, born July 4, 1800, and died of the prevailing epidemic July 28, 1855 (age 55). A prominent and useful citizen of Norfolk, distinguished alike, whether in public or private life, for energetic action and strict integrity in the performance of duty. His death regretted by the community and mourned by devoted and affectionate family and friends was not unattended by the Christian hope of salvation through the merits of the Redeemer.
Sons of J. G. & E. K. Colley
John James, second son, 9-1-1832 to 10-3-1855 (age 23)
Francis Grimes, fifth son, 11-5-1838 to 10-4-1855 (age 17)
Lemuel Horatio, sixth son, 4-29-1843 to 10-24-1855 (age 11)
From the pestilence that walketh in darkness and destruction that wastest by noonday, feared they no evil for the Lord was their refuge, even the most High.

Also named on the monument:
Sarah W. Bailey, mother of John G. Colley,
William McCormick Colley, eldest son, and Thomas Woodhouse Colley, fourth son,
all who did not die during the epidemic.

* * * * * *

Hebrew Cemetery was established about 1850 and administered by Congregation Beth El until the city took over in 1957. As Norfolk's Jewish population increased in the middle nineteenth century, it became evident the first Jewish cemetery at Powder Point in Berkley was insufficient to accommodate the Jewish community. A new Jewish cemetery, Hebrew Cemetery, was established on the northeastern edge of Norfolk and those originally buried at Powder Point were disinterred and reburied in the new Jewish cemetery. Burial records for Hebrew Cemetery are located in the Cemetery Office in Elmwood Cemetery. By Tim Bonney.

Jacob Lightenstine
85 Blk-1

Jacob Lightenstine
Died August 28th, 1855
Aged 32 years.

* * * * * *

David Pike
89 Blk-1

Erected by Liberty Fire Co., No. 1, of Richmond, Va.
In memory of
David Pike
Who died in Norfolk
Sept. 9th, 1855
Of yellow fever
While in the discharge of his duty as an
assistant in the hospital during the awful
epidemic prevailing at that time.
Aged 18 years.

* * * * * *

Noah Stahl
42 Blk-1

Noah Stahl
Who died
October 11, 1855

* * * * * *

Raphal J. Switzer
83 Blk-1

Raphal J. Switzer
Died September 11, 1855
Aged 51 years.

* * * * * *

Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA
See Newspaper Article, February 28, 1856,
Re-interment of Dr. Gooch & Rev. Dibrell

Rev. Anthony Dibrell
Section C, Lot No. 142
(Brought from Norfolk March 1, 1856)

In memory of
Rev. Anthony Dibrell
Born August 19th, 1805
Died Sept. 1st, 1855
A Christian fervent in spirit
A Pastor abundant in labor
A minister, able, faithful and zealous.
He died at his post
A martyr to his fidelity in the great pestilence
That frightfully paralyzed
Norfolk in 1855.
Be thou in all things faithful unto death.

Family Plot

Thomas Dibrell
Section C, Lot No. 143

In memory of
Thomas Mieure Dibrell
Son of Rev. Anthony & Marie Dibrell
Born June 24th, 1839 (date not clear)
Died in Norfolk of Yellow Fever
Sept. 4th, 1855.

* * * * * *

LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
Philadelphia, PA.
See Newspaper Article, January 13, 1859
Removal of the Bodies of the Philadelphians.

Monument to those volunteers who came to Norfolk and Portsmouth
during the yellow fever epidemic and died.

Robert H. Graham, Nurse, Aged 27.
Thomas W. Handy, Druggist, Aged 19.
John O'Brien, Nurse, Aged 42.
E. Perry Miller, Drug. & Stu., Aged 21.
A. Jackson Thompson, Nurse, Aged 26.
Dr. Courtlen Cole, Aged 31.
Mrs. Olive Whittier, Nurse, Aged 55.
Dr. Thomas Craycroft, Aged 30.
Singleton Mercer, Nurse, Aged 35.
Edmund R. Barrett, Student, Aged 23.
Frederick Muhsfeldt, Nurse, Aged 42.
Henry Spriggman, Nurse, Aged 49.
Dr. Herman Kierson, Aged 28.
Miss Lucy Johnson, Nurse, Aged 25.
James Hennessey, Nurse, Aged 54.

Another view.

Excerpt from "Disease and Urban Image" by David R. Goldfield.

After the epidemic, a monument was erected in Philadelphia to honor those who had contributed to the relief of the victims. Located in the North Laurel Hill Cemetery, the monuemnt has a base of Pennsylvania marble measuring five feet, six inches square and weighing more than five tons. A pedestal base on top of the marble has elaborate carving in bas-relief. The description of the four sides of the base are from a book about the epidemic, published after the disease had run its course.

North Front.
The plinth of the column bears the inscription:
As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field so he flouisheth. Psalm 103:15
The pedestal has a carving in Basso Relievo of Laying out the Dead.
The base of the pedestal bears the inscription:
Erected by the Philadelphia Contributors, in memory of the Doctors, Druggists and Nurses of this City, who volunteered to aid the suffers by Yellow Fever, at Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, and died in the discharge of their duties—Martyrs in the cause of humanity.

East Front.
The plinth of the column bears the inscription:
If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well. James 2:8.
The pedestal has a carving in Basso Relievo of Charity.
On the base of the pedestal is inscribed:
The pestilence to which those here entombed fell martyrs, broke out at Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia, in July 1855, and prevailed with great malignancy during August, September and the early part of October; attended by a mortality equal to anything hitherto observed in the United States.

West Front.
On the plinth of the column is inscribed:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.
The pedestal has a carving in Basso Relievo of The Good Samaritan.
On the Base of the pedestal are the names of the Martyrs (see above).

South Front.
On the plinth of the column is inscribed:
And let us not be weary in welldoing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Paul to Galatians 6:9.
The pedestal has a carving in Basso Relievo of Hippocrates Declining the Bribe.
On the base of the pedestal is inscribed:
I was sick and ye visited me.
Verily I say into you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25: 36, 40.

* * * * * *

NAVAL HOSPITAL CEMETERY, PORTSMOUTH, VA
"Captain Ted Conaway Memorial Naval Cemetery"

Mrs. Amanda Gwynn Harrison
Wife of Dr. James Francis Harrison who is also buried beside her in an unmarked grave.
She is not a confirmed yellow fever victim. The Alexandria Gazette
indicates she died of Pulmonary Consumption.
Section 3, Row 10, Plot 24

Mrs. Amanda Gwynn Harrison
Died Sep. 10, 1855

* * * * * *

Walter F. Jones, USN
Section 2, Row 3, Plot 2

A mother's holy prayer
A mother's hand and gentle tear
have led the wanderer there.
In memory of
Walter F. Jones, U.S.N.
Born Dec 21, 1827
Died Aug. 20, 1855
This lamented & beloved young officer
died of Yellow Fever during the terrible Epidemic.
He fell in the path of duty, whilst attached as "Acting Master"
to the U. S. Ships "Pennsylvania" & "St. Lawrence."
It is a source of infinite consolation to his sisters,
to know that he died the death of a christian.
"Thy brother shall rise again."

USS Pennsylvania 1837-1861
120-gun ship

* * * * * *

James I. Minor (Dr. Minor's son)
Section 3, Row 10, Plot 23

James I. Minor
Eldest son of L. W. Minor
Surg. US Navy

Eloise, his wife.
Born at Mobile, Ala., June 25, 1816
Died Sep. 2, 1855
In the USN Hospital, Portsmouth, Va.

RESURGCAM

* * * * * *

ALSO OF INTEREST IN THIS CEMETERY

Dr. Lewis Willis Minor

Sacred to the memory of
Lewis Willis Minor
Born Jan'y 29, 1808
Died Mar. 9, 1872
He served as fleet surgeon in the names of the United and
Confederate States, was skilled in his profession, distinguished for
gallantry in Mexico and conspicuous for his noble devotion in the great
epidemic of 1855 for which he was thanked by the Sec'y of the Navy
and voted a gold medal by the Corporation of Portsmouth.
His body rests here by his own order and this stone is erected
by one who trusts that he has found a blessed resurrection.

* * * * * *

Naval Hospital Cemetery
January 2004
Photo by Daniel A. Bristol, Photo-Journalist

* * * * * *

SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC CEMETERY MEMORIALS
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
Click name for enlarging on Internet.
Note: No map was ever made for this cemetery. There are two entrances to the cemetery on Granby Street. Find yellow fever victims inside arched metal entrance on either side of driveway or to the immediate left of main entrance. They will all be within a short walking distance.

* * * * * *

Margaret Anderson

Margaret
Consort of John Anderson
Born March 27, 1800
Died August 17, 1855
Her soul relying on the Lord according to his word

* * * * * *

John J. Camp Family
(names on all four sides)
[Bible references corrected]

John J. Camp (husband), died Feb. 25, 1849
Euphan E. Camp (wife), died Jan. 27, 1870
Children:
Little Sarah, died Oct. 28th, 1843
Freddy, died March 23rd, 1854
Louly, died March 25th, 1849
*Lizzie, died Aug. 22nd, 1855, aged 15 years
Lovely and comely in their life, even in death they were not divided. [II Sam. 1:23]
Virgins these are they who have washed these robes and have
made them whole in the blood of the Lamb. Apoc. V113
*Wm. Edmund, died Aug. 8th, 1855, aged 17 years
I am thine, save thou me; for I have sought thy justifications. [Ps. 119:94]
His soul pleased God and was beloved, therefor he hastened to bring
him out of the land of iniquity. Wis 1V
*Charles Allmand, died Aug. 27th, 1855, aged 9 years
Blessed is he whom thou, O God, hast chosen and taken to thee.
He shall dwell in thy courts. [Ps. 65:4]

* * * * * *

Mary Cashin

Mary Cashin
A native of the County . . . Ireland
Died Aug. 28, 1855
Aged 55 years.
May she rest in peace . . . respect by her daughter Hannah.

* * * * * *

Thomas Cashin and Mary Malony

Sacred to the memory of
Thomas Cashin
A native of . . . Ireland
Died Aug. 28, 1855
Aged 23 years
Also
Mrs. Mary Malony
Died Aug. 25, 1855
Aged 44 years.
Blessed is he who lives in the Lord.

* * * * * *

P. L. Clinton
[St. Mary's Catholic Church register lists him under yellow fever deaths yet also
records him as murdered in Princess Anne Co.]

In memory of
P. L. Clinton
A native of Dublin, Ireland
Was born 1790
Died November 23, 1853.
Our Father here lies under ground,
The dearest friend we ever found,
But through the Lord's unbounded love . . .
[stone probably broken here]

* * * * * *

Francis L. Fitzgerald

Sacred to the memory of
Francis L. Fitzgerald
Who died of the prevailing epidemic
Sept. 21, 1855
in the 22nd year of his age.
Requiescat in pace.

* * * * * *

Lawrence Fortune

Sacred to the memory of
Lawrence Fortune
Native of County Wexford, Ireland
Died Aug. 16, 1855
Aged 36 years
Rest in peace.

* * * * * *

Rosa Frank & Edward Lee

I H S
Sacred to the memory of
Rosa Frank
A native of Lisbon, Portugal
Died Sept. 25, 1855
Aged 19 years
Also
Edward Lee
A native of Lismore Co., of Waterford, Ireland
Died Sep. 21, 1855 [possibly 1835]
Aged 27.
May they rest in peace.

* * * * * *

Mrs. John (Margaret) Freeman and children

Margaret wife of John Freeman 1800-1855
Their children:
Martin 1837-1855
Daniel 1839-1855
Anne 1843-1855

* * * * * *

John Hannen

Sacred to the memory of
John Hannen
A native of Co. Limerick
IRELAND
Died Aug. 3rd, 1855
Aged 40 years.

* * * * * *

Anne B. Herron

A brother to a devoted sister
Anne P. B. Herron
A native of Ireland
Died 27th Sept. 1855
Requiescat in pace.

BEHAN

* * * * * *

Ignatius Higgins Mausoleum & Monument

Ignatius Higgins
Died 9-1-1855, age 40

* * *

George W. Jones

Geo. W. Jones
Born May 13, 1823
Died Sept. 3rd, 1855

* * * * *

Luke Kevill

Erected to the memory of
Luke Kevill
Who died Aug. 10, 1855
Aged 20 years & 5 months

Mrs. Mary Kevill
Who died Aug. 14, 1855
Aged 67 years

Eliza Kevill
Who died Aug. 14, 1855
Aged 21 years

* * * * * *

Adele F. Lepage

Adele F. Lepage
Born March 3, 1824
Died August 21, 1855

* * * * * *

Eugenie R. Lepage

Eugenie R. Lepage
Born March 23, 1826
Died August 20, 1855

* * * * * *

Louis U. Lepage

Louis U. Lepage
Son of Louis Lepage, Jr.
Born Aptil 10, 1844
Died Sept. 1, 1855

* * * * * *

George A. Phillips

George A. Phillips
Died Sept. 3, 1855
Aged 23 years.
Leaving a fond wife and child to mourn their loss.

* * * * * *

Sister Christine Ryan

Sr. Christine Ryan
Died Oct. 1, 1855

* * * * * *

Caroline Stosser

In memory of
Caroline Stosser
Native of Gaggenan Baden
Who died August 30, 1855
Aged 21 years.

* * * * * *

Josiah Wills

Josiah Wills
Died September 19, 1855
Aged 45 years.

* * * * * *

Hunter Woodis

Our Father and Mother
Hunter Woodis
Died August 16, 1855
Age 33 years.
Louisa Reardon Woodis
Died May 5, 1886
Aged 58 years.

* * * * * *

Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, VA

Dr. P. Claiborne Gooch
See Newspaper Article, February 28, 1856,
Re-interment of Dr. Gooch & Rev. Dibrell
Range 13, Section 7
Family Plot

(Inscriptions faint but right monument in foreground
believed to be that of Dr. Gooch.)

* * * * * *

WEST POINT CEMETERY (annexed to Elmwood)
African American Cemetery
Norfolk, VA.

Notes: Since the dates fit, these folks are added to our victim list
in hopes some descendent can verify that they died of yellow fever.
The photo below on the left is a current picture of West Point Cemetery where
the oldest graves are located. The enhanced photo on the right is the compiler's
idea of what the cemetery may have looked like over 100 years ago.

* * * * * *

Minerva Burton

In memory of
Minerva Burton
Who departed this life
Sept. 8th, 1855
In the 44th year of her age.

* * * * * *

Daniel Grimes

Daniel Grimes
Died Sept. 12, 1855
Aged 46.

He was a most faithful and beloved domestic
and had obtained the commendation of the community by his
modest and correct deportment.

* * * * * *

Jordan Robinson

In memory of
Jordan Robinson
Died Sept. 26, 1855
Aged 35 years.

* * * * * *

Table of Contents
General Index