St Stephe's Cemetery Inscriptions
ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH CEMETERY, CULPEPER, VIRGINIA
Donna S. Boyd <[email protected]>
St. Stephen's is the only antebellum church in Culpeper, the building dating from 1820,
although there are records of vestrymen from here in pre-Revolutionary times. This
cemetery is located on the church property at 115 N. East Street, Culpeper, Virginia. It
lies to the right (south) of the front door of the church, and is composed of only four (4)
rows of graves. Some of the stones are broken or chipped; one or two are so badly
weathered that they can no longer be read at all. One has fallen victim to ice damage
from water getting into fissures, freezing, and cracking off whole sheets of the stone.
Twice in the last fifty years the steeple has fallen off this church when it was struck by
lightning and high winds, once in 1956 and again in 1989. At those times, it fell on some
of the headstones and damaged them slightly. One has been knocked over and now
leans against another. A couple of the stones are not in the regular rows, indicating
that they were once upright and had been knocked down.
A road/driveway bounds the south and east sides of the cemetery. It is no longer an
active cemetery, although the columbarium between the church and the parish hall is
still active and accepts the ashes of parishioners. I have surveyed this cemetery starting
from the road at its rear (east) side, numbering the rows from there, and reading from
left to right. Row One is closest to the road. There are four rows. Names and dates in
parentheses indicate that they were obtained from alternate sources since they were
illegible on the stone. Dashes (---) indicate writing that could not be read. An asterisk
indicates that I have done more research on that item which I will provide for
descendants interested.
Row One:
Stone 1: tall, upright rectangular stone with roof peak shape at top.
NORRIS
children of Richard Norris 
and his wife Sarah Newby
1802 Sarah Ann 1886
1803 Ann Eliza 1868
1804 Mary Thomas 1869
1806 William Calvert, Sr. 1887
son of Thaddeus Norris
and his wife Ann Calvert
children of William Calvert
and Ann Eliza Norris
1840 William Calvert, Jr. 1909
1843 Ann Eliza, Jr. 1894
Row One:
Stone 2: upright stone, about 2 1/2 ft. tall, fancy top; writing very hard to decipher from
being eroded by weather. One foot high footstone in the same design as the headstone
with initials C. E. N. One of six children, he never married. Dotted lines indicate
portions that could not be read.
In Memory Of
Charles E. Norris
son of
(Richard) & (Sarah Newby) Norris
---------------------------------
He was born---------- ---------- 1797
and died on the
20th day of May 1831
in his 35th year.
He was ---- -- ------ dispensation
of providence in the early part of his
life, but continued till the day of his
death.
Stone 3:
This is a large flat rectangular stone (3' x 6'), completely covering the grave.
SACRED
To the memory of
SARAH ANN NORRIS
relict of
RICHARD NORRIS
She was born in Lancaster
on the 18th day of January 1768
and died in Culpeper
on the (24)th day of July 1886
in the (86)th year of her age.*
She stretched out her hand in the ------
She -------- -------- --------- ---------- -------
------ ------ ---- the ---- of --------
Her children arise and will be blessed
Her husband also, and he praised her.
Stone 4: matches Stone 3 in its size, shape, and lack of ornamentation.
THIS MONUMENT
is erected to the memory of
RICHARD NORRIS
who was born in the County of Lancaster
on the 6th day of March 1765
and died in the County of Culpeper
on the 29th day of September 1833
in the 67th year of his age.
He was polite, kind, and gentle in his manner
sincere in his friendship and hospitable to his acquaintances.
His family and his friends bewail his departure
and all who knew him bear testimony to his worth.
Stone 5:
This is a small, 2-foot tall headstone shaped like a scroll. Art work on both sides of
headstone. Footstone 6" high, with wide space between initials. T. N.
From their family records, it would appear that this baby was named for his grandfather
of the same name.*
THADDEUS
Son of
R. C. & A. E. Norris
Born April 3, 1843
Died (April 5, 1844)*
Stone 6:
An ornate upright headstone, this has an elaborate curved design at top of stone, which
has upturned rounded outside corners. Centered beneath that is an inset oval
containing a rose lying sideways, with the flower pointing right and the stem extending to
the left. Beneath that is the inscription, followed by another inset oval with rose,
matching the one above. In cemetery art, a rose symbolizes the brevity of life,*
especially apropos in the death of a young girl named Rosalie. There is no footstone.
IN MEMORY OF
ROSALIE S.
oldest daughter of
W. C. & Ann E Norris
who departed this life June 12, 1851
aged 15 years & 10 months.
STONE 7:
This stone has an ornate top, similar to stone 2. Footstone is badly damaged by
weathering. Only the initial G. is visible.
IN
MEMORY OF
GEORGE MERCER
aged 66 years
second son of
Genl. Hugh Mercer
who fell at Princeton
January 3rd, 1777
STONE 8: This is a tall rounded upright stone. Footstone: S. S.
IN MEMORIAM
SAMUEL SLAUGHTER
OF WESTERN VIEW
1766 - 1857
THE VENERABLE VESTRYMAN
AND WATCHFUL WARDEN
OF ST. MARK'S PARISH*
THE CHIEF FOUNDER
AND FOR 4-- YEARS VESTRYMAN*
OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH
CULPEPER, VA.
STONE 9: upright marker. Footstone: L. H. The words "In Memoriam" are written
curved around the top of the headstone. Centered under that arch is a weeping willow
tree. Beneath that is the inscription. This is one of the characteristic designs of J. B.
Gaddess & Bro. of Lynchburg, who cut the stone.*
In Memoriam
LUCY
consort of A. P. HILL
who
departed this life
Sept. 13, 1812
in the 50th Year
of her age.
Stone 10:
This is a tall obelisk with square double base. Obelisk is mounted on smaller square,
which is mounted on larger square. The inscription begins about a third of the way
down the shaft. The shaft is badly worn in oblique ridges, which not only obscure the
inscription, but also thwart any effort to interpret the inscription by rubbing. The dotted
lines below what is given represent words that could not be deciphered. Obelisks were
typical of the Gaddess works.
IN MEMORY OF
AMBROSE P.
HILL
Born
March 13, 1785
Died Feb. 26, 1858
Aged 72 years
11 Months 13 days
----------------------
----------------------------
----------------------------
This Ambrose P. Hill is the collateral ancestor of the Ambrose Powell Hill who was a
general in the C.S.A. He was also a soldier, having served as a private in the War of
1812. His father was Henry Hill and his mother was Ann Powell, both of Culpeper. He
was a vestryman of the old Bromfield Parish, Culpeper, in 1752.
Stone 11: This stone lies halfway between Rows 1 & 2. It has fallen and broken
crookedly in half, so that part of it is under the grass thatch. Its design matches the
design of Stone 9 exactly.
In Memoriam
FRANCES
consort of A. P. HILL
Died Sept. 19th 1820
in the 31st Year
of her age.
Stone 12:
Very small stone; it appears to have been a larger stone, broken and reset in
a flat rectangular concrete base approximately 30 inches by 14 inches. The upright
portion has an arched (curved) top, around which are inscribed the words "IN MEMORY
OF," that are nearly illegible. Beneath that is an inset oval carving of some sort, so worn
as to be unrecognizable. Under that, partially obscured by being inset, is an illegible line
of writing.
Stone 13: Only a footstone marked with the initials L W R.
Row Two:
Stone 1: Large upright rectangular stone; 2 footstones: Left: F. M. Right: S. P. B.
FAYETTE MAUZY 
BORN 1801
DIED MAR. 1873
HIS WIFE
SALLIE PEYTON BRADFORD
BORN JAN. 1819
DIED JUNE 1845
MARY MAUZY RIXEY
DIED
MAY 22, 1925*
Stone 2: Rounded stone, with weeping willow tree inset at top. Name set in curved
outline. This stone was broken/cracked and mended at the left side of its base.
Footstone: F. D.
FLORA
Wife of
TRAVERS DANIEL
Died Oct. 16, 1883
Aged 27 years
Weep not, she is not
Dead but sleepeth.
Stone 3: Pointed stone, with what appears to be laurel decoration above and below the
inscription. Footstone: S.A. B.
SALLIE ALICE 
wife of S. S. Bradford
DIED
Oct. 20, 1858
Aged 44 years
Stone 4: Large obelisk, with triple base. Footstone S.K.B.
SAMUEL KELLETT 
BRADFORD,
BORN 1786
DIED 1850.
HIS WIFE
EMILY SLAUGHTER
BRADFORD
BORN 1791
DIED 1871
surname on first rectangular base of obelisk:
BRADFORD
Stone 5:
Octagonal shaped stone; footstone: S. S. B. written on the top of the footstone, rather
than on the front side as all the others are. Quotation inscribed at bottom of headstone
very difficult to read.
S. S. Bradford, Jr. 
Sept. 30, 1880
July 27, 1901
_____________
To live in hearts
we leave behind
is not to die.
Stone 6: Footstone F. B. B.
Frances Battle Bradford 
Born
May 29, 1848
Died
Dec. 16, 1943
Nearer My God to THEE.
Stone 7: Plain rectangular marble stone.
Caroline Grandin Bradford 
Virginia
Y3
USNRF
World War I
April 12, 1883
February 11, 1959
Stone 8: Upright stone with curved top. Footstone I. F.
To the memory of
ISAAC FOOTE
Born June 21, 1786
Died July 1, 1815
________________
Both died in the hope of
the Glorious Resurrection.
Stone 9: Upright stone with curved top, matching Stone 8. Footstone E. H. F.
To the memory of
MRS. ELLEN H. FOOTE
Born Sept. 27, 1793
Died Aug. 11, 1852
Stone 10: Large flat stone with jagged diagonal crack running from left to right about in
the middle of the stone. Asterisks [*] mark the beginning and end of the crack.) The
crack runs from the beginning of the seventh line of the inscription through the next four
lines to the middle right side of the stone.
SACRED
to the memory of
HANNAH DREW
WIDOW OF WILLIAM DREW
Who died June the 4th 1828
At her residence in the County of Culpeper
IN THE 76TH YEAR OF HER AGE.
*The bland and accomplished manners
Open and generous charities
And exemplary virtues of this lady
Secured to her
The respectful regard and kind wishes of society*
In the various relations of domestic life.
Of social intercourse and christian piety
The measure of her duties
Was sacredly fulfilled.
This memorial of her worth
Is laid upon her tomb in the fervent hope
That she has escaped from the perils of time
To the bliss of eternity.
Stone 11: Upright stone with pointed arched top;
SACRED
to the memory of
J. C. GIBSON
Born the 17th of
November 1793
Died the 6th of December
1919 in the 67th year
Of his Age.
Stone 12: Huge flat stone containing the vital statistics of the Gibson family.
GIBSON
JONATHAN CATLETT GIBSON
1793 --------------------- 1849
COLONEL WAR 1812
HIS WIVES
MARTHA DANDRIDGE BALL (stone 13)
1799 ---------------------- 1822
MARY WILLIAMS SHACKLEFORD
1798 --------------------- 1892
THEIR CHILDREN
MARTHA DANDRIDGE
FRANCES ANN
MARY CATLETT FITZHUGH
1826 ---------- 1897
LUCY ELLEN BUCKNER
1827 ---------- 1920
ANNE EUSTACE GERRY
SUSAN (SUE) WELCH
MILDRED (Stone 14)
ELIZABETH
WILLIAM ST. PIERRE
LT. D 4TH REG. VA CAVALRY
"LITTLE FORK RANGERS" C.S.A.
KILLED BATTLE ANTIETAM
JONATHAN CATLETT, JR.
CAPT. CO. K, 49TH REG. VA INF
"SPERRYVILLE RIFLES" C.S.A.
EDWIN (NED)
1ST SGT. CO. K, 49TH REG.VA INF
"MOSBY'S RANGERS" C.S.A.
JOHN WILLIAMS
PVT. CRENSHAW'S BATTERY VA ART
EUSTICE
CAPT. & Q.M. CO. K "SPERRYVILLE RIFLES"
49TH REG. SMITH'S BRIG. VA. INF.
"DANDRIDGE," CULPEPER CO., VA
Stone 13: Fancy arched top (see Stone #2, Row #1) However, stone was broken
horizontally just below the inscription and has been mended.
SACRED
to the memory of
Martha D. Gibson
Wife of J. C. Gibson
Born the 9th of October
1799 Died in April 1822
In the 23rd year
of her age.
Stone 14: Arched (curved) top inscribed with the word SACRED following the curve.
SACRED
to the memory of
MILDRED W. GIBSON
Daughter of
Col. J. C. Gibson
Born Jan. 18th, 1832
Died April 3rd, 1859
Blessed are the dead who die
in the LORD. Lev. CL. 14 VM
Stone 15: Small stone. This one also appears to have been broken and reset.
Footstone M W F, with left side partially crumbled off. It is impossible to tell whether the
second T in her name is part of the Margaret or an initial, though probably the latter.
In Memory of
Mrs.
MARGERETTFREEMAN
Born 11 May 1800
Row 3
Stone 1: This stone is so weatherworn as to have rendered the name and some of the
rest of the inscription illegible. It seems to be the softest stone in the cemetery.
The surname of the decedent was ascertained by the surname of her husband, given on
the stone.
SACRED
to the memory of
(ELIZABETH M. BERNARD)
Wife of
D. M. Bernard
of Petersburg, Va.
Who died 6th Oct. 1837
In the 24th year of her age.
Her ________ was that of
a meek and mild spirit
Which is in the sight of
GOD, of great ________
__________
Stone 2: Highly decorated top with scrollwork on a rectangular stone.
Sacred
To the memory of
JOHN VEVERS
who departed this life
on the 2nd July, 1838
aged 60 years.
He was born in Yorkshire
England
who for the last 30 years
a Citizen of the United States.
He was an honest man and a worthy
member of Society.
And died in full assurance of --------
-------- which remains -----the people
of God.
This memorial to his memory is
erected by his bereaved Widow.
Stone 3: Large flat stone with a raised cross at the top over the inscription. No
footstone.
Rev. Charles Aylett Ashby
July 19, 1874
Aug. 14, 1962
Son of
William Aylett Ashby
&
Eleanor Pearson Ashby
Stone 4: Identical to Stone 3.
Evelyn Willis Garnet
Wife of
Rev. Charles Aylett Ashby
Aug. 23, 1879
Dec. 20, 1940
"It Is All Right."
Stone 5: Small upright stone with curved top, very worn and eroded; hardly legible.
In Memory of
CHRISTIAN MANN
Native of Germany
Died Feb. ---, 1833
Aged about 45 years.
Stone 6: Very ornately decorated upright stone with slightly rounded top. Name is
carved in a rainbow-type curve beneath a curved floral carving under a bulls-eye
centered between two decorative borders in a roughly triangular shape. Below the first
three lines, the italicized eight-line inscription is nearly impossible to read.
Elizabeth T. Cook
Died July 2, 1850
in the 65th year of her age.
Stone 7: This stone has an arched top. In the middle of the arch is a flower set within a
circle; it appears to be a rose.
In Memory of
ELIZA H.F. STORROW
daughter of ......Campe & M. C. Carter
and wife of Col. Samuel ? Storrow
Born March 6, 1794
Died April 12, 18?0
Our Mother
She sleeps in Jesus
Stone 8:
To the memory of
Francis J. Thompson
Who departed this life
April 7, 18?? (could be 55) in
The 63rd year
Of his age.
Stone 9: completely unreadable
Stone 10: Badly broken, but still upright, this stone has been flaked off by the elements.
There are only a few words and parts of words visible that can be read, but some can be
inferred from the context. The Christian name on the top line is unreadable, but the first
letter appears to be either a C or a G followed by 3 other letters. The next row is
indented, as is each alternate row for the rest of the inscription. On it, the letters "Ligh"
can be made out, seeming to indicate this may have been a Lightfoot infant. The third
row is missing the first letter of the first word, but the next letters are "-ied Dec." The
fourth row consists only of the number 18, centered on the stone. The fifth row says,
"aged 2 mo (and a portion of the letter "n" shows). The sixth row, which is indented,
says, "and 13 days." Beneath that, beginning at the edge of the stone, is the scripture,
"Suffer little children (stone is broken here)... The next line says "...come unto..." and at
the very bottom, scarcely visible now in the grass and the staining from weather "...of
Heaven."
Stone 11: This stone is a very large, flat stone. It has much mold on it, making parts of
it difficult to read.
Sacred to the memory of
FRANCIS THORNTON LIGHTFOOT
BORN
November 1, 1809
DIED
April 6, 18---
and his wife
GERALDINE FIELDER LIGHTFOOT
BORN
January 26, 18---
DIED
April 20, 1896
Stone 12: Another large, flat stone; this one is even more mold-covered than the
previous one. It is very difficult to read.
In Memory of
Thomas Walker Lightfoot
who departed this life
March 6, 1851
in the forty-second year of his age.
Exemplary
in all the relations of life
Both social and domestic
and blending
with a rare felicity
INFLEXIBILITY OF PRINCIPLE
with
MILDNESS OF TEMPER,
He commanded
respect and esteem
AND PREEMINENTLY ENJOYED
the love and confidence
OF ALL WHO KNEW HIM.
Stone 13: Upright rectangular stone with rounded top. Name is in fat block letters
and surrounded by a rectangular double border.
MAJ. PHILLIP LIGHTFOOT
Died April 17, 1877
In the 81st Year
Of his age.
_____________
"An honest man is the noblest work of God."
A. Gaddess, Balt.
Row 4:
Stone 1: No footstone.
Margaret Alexander
Johnston
Daughter of
Thomas Seddon &
Juliana W. Alcocke
And wife of
Edward Dudley
Johnston
Born Sept. 19, 1854
Died April 29, 1938
Stone 2: No footstone.
Eleanor Roane Alcocke
daughter of
A. Roane Alcocke and
Susan Matthews
Alcocke
Born Aug. 25, 1873
Died May 23, 1937
Stone 3: Plain rectangular footstone, 4" high. W. L. A.
William Lawrence Alcocke
son of
Thomas Seddon & Juliana W.
Alcocke
Born Oct. 13, 1850
Died
February 1, 1916
Stone 4: Plain rectangular footstone 10" high; W.A.A.
William Aylett Ashby
son of
John & Emily Buckner
Ashby
Born 1837
Died
March 30, 1908
Stone 5: Footstone 8" high; E. P. A.
Eleanor Pearson Ashby
daughter of
Thomas Seddon &
Juliana W. Alcocke
and wife of
William Aylet Ashby
Born Jan. 20, 1848
Died Sept. 7, 1914
Stone 6: Footstone 10", rounded top; initials A.R.A.
ABNER ROANE ALCOCKE
SON OF
THOMAS SEDDON & JULIANA W.
ALCOCKE
BORN JUNE 29, 1844
` DIED
FEBRUARY 12, 1897
"The bravest are the tenderest,
The loving are the daring."
Stone 7:
Small rounded very mossy stone (child's grave-- only feet, -- Inches between
headstone and footstone). Partially sunken, rounded footstone matches headstone.
Initials O.C.A. half visible above the grass.
In
Memory of
OLIVER CABELL
only Son of
A.R. & S. M. ALCOCKE
Born June 27, 1875
Died Octr. 9, 1880
Stone 8: Matches Stones 1-6 in this row; perhaps the family got a discount for buying
the same style from the same man. They are all in the style of the Gaddess stone yard.
Rounded 10" footstone; initials S. M. A.
SUSAN M. ALCOCKE
WIFE OF
ABNER ROANE ALCOCKE
AND DAUGHTER OF
SUSAN KEMPER & OLIVER
MATTHEWS
BORN NOV. 26, 1848
DIED
SEPTEMBER 20, 1875
"Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God."
Stone 9: Small upright stone, rectangular with curved top. Horizontal surface of top
very white in contrast to darkened vertical face where the inscription is. Name is curved
to correspond with the top of the stone; lettering begins about an inch and a half below
top. Small footstone (4-5") with badly chipped left corner; initials J. W. A.
JULIA WARRINGTON
Infant daughter of
Wm. A. & E.P. Ashby
Departed this life
Sept. 30, 1853
Aged 5 mos. & 15 days
Stone 10: Rounded, very worn, upright stone. Decoration on the top face of the stone
not recognizable. Stone is partially sunken, with only the top two lines below the name
readable now. Like Stone 9, the face is greened with age, and the top of the stone is
whiter. [This is probably also an infant's grave.] Footstone very worn as well; initials A.
R. A.
A. Roane Ashby
Born July 16----
Died August 4 ----
Stone 11: Matches the other "adult" headstones in this row. Name slightly curved.
JULIANA WARRINGTON
WIFE OF
THOMAS SEDDON ALCOCKE
DAUGHTER OF
FAYETTE & ELIZA
JOHNSTON
FREDERICKSBURG
BORN MAY 19, 1817
DIED AUG. 11, 1867
_____________
"UNTIL THE DAYBREAK"
Stone 12: This stone is another matching one. The first two names are slightly
curved, with the surname centered beneath the arch thus formed.
THOMAS SEDDON
ALCOCKE
BORN IN STAFFORD CO.
APRIL 10, 1817
DIED SEPT. 3, 1902
_________
FOR FIFTY YEARS VESTRY
MAN AND WARDEN OF ST.
STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
Stone 13: Josephine Mayo
wife of
Thos. S. Alcocke
Daughter of
Robt. A. & Sarah T.
Mayo
"Powhatan Seat"
Henrico Co. Va.
Died Nov. 11, 1900
Aged 70 Years
She Being Dead,
Yet Speaketh.
- Thomas Culpeper
Stone 14: This stone is slightly different from the others in style. While the other
stones in this row are on bases, this one is not. It has been knocked down, and now
leans against Stone 13. There is no base on it, nor any indication in the cemetery that
there has been one. Also, unlike the others in this row, the inscription does not begin
with the name of the deceased. Instead, the first three words are slightly curved to
match the curve of the top of the upright, rectangular stone. Although this stone is not
situated in its original location, the footstone for it is still in place where it should be;
initials E.S.A.
To the memory
of
ELIZA SEDDON
Wife of
ABNER ROANE ALCOCKE
Stone 15: Small stone half-buried in the grass. Last word after Hamilton is obscured.
In Memory Of
Margaret W.
Wife of
Hamilton (Cooke?)