Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sinking Spring Cemetery
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017
1. Sinking Spring Cemetery Marker
In 1773, the Rev. Charles Cummings became the first minister of the Sinking Spring Presbyterian congregation, among the earliest in Southwest Virginia, and the first meetinghouse was soon constructed here of logs. The earliest marked grave in the cemetery is dated 1776. Buried here are pioneers; veterans of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War; and two antebellum Virginia governors (David Campbell and John B. Floyd, who also served as President James Buchanan’s secretary of war). Cummings’s log manse, among the oldest east of the Mississippi River, was moved here in 1971 from its original site two miles north.
Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-52.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #15 James Buchanan, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.
Location. 36° 42.56′ N, 81° 58.924′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Russell Road NW (Alternate U.S. 58) and Valley
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate General John Hunt Morgan (a few steps from this marker); Washington County, Virginia Revolutionary War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Cummings Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Sinking Springs Cemetery Confederate Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Celebrate! A Social History of Abingdon (about 500 feet away); Hubert J. Treacy, Jr. (about 700 feet away); Boyhood Home of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston (approx. ¼ mile away); Abingdon in the Civil War (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.
Also see . . . Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church. Church website homepage:
“The Sinking Spring Cemetery marks the site of the first church building bearing the Sinking Spring name. Built as a front-log structure in the early 1700's, it was supplanted by a larger building sometime in the 1780's. This continued as the church site until 1831-1833 when the third building was built on Main Street and which building has now become the Barter Theater.” (Submitted on June 24, 2017.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017
2. Sinking Spring Cemetery Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017
3. The Rev. Charles Cummings’s Log House
The oldest log house east of the Mississippi was moved to the grounds of the cemetery.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022
4. Sinking Spring Cemetery
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022
5. Gov. David Campbell Gravesite
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022
6. Sinking Spring Cemetery Marker
Henry Creswell. This monument was erected in 1913 by the citizens of Abingdon to mark the grave of Henry Creswell who was killed by the Indians near this place and was the first person buried in this cemetery. The original slab now at foot of grave bore the inscription, "Henry Creswell entered this place July 4, 1776."
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022
7. Henry Creswell Gravesite Original Slab
Henry Creswell entered this place July 4, 1776.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022
8. Landon Boyd Gravesite
Landon Boyd's Gravesite is located across the street in the African American section of Sinking Springs Cemetery.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022
9. Col. Samuel V. Fulkerson, C.S.A. Gravesite
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 24, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on November 24, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 23, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 8, 9. submitted on November 24, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.
