Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Zion Episcopal Churchyard
Notable Occupants
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020
The present church, the fourth on this site, was completed in 1851. Federal troops occupied it during the Civil War and severely damaged it.
The churchyard contains the graves of many Washington family descents. They are buried near the eastern edge of the church. Several other notable Charles Town residents are buried here as well.
George W. Turner attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 1827-1831 (Robert E. Lee attended 1825-1829). Turner served in the U.S. Army until he resigned in 1836 and returned home to Charles Town. John Brown’s men shot him on the streets of Harpers Ferry on October 17, 1859: one of four civilians killed. His grave is on the west side of the church toward the south wall.
John Yates Beall was a Charles Town resident who served in Co. G, 2nd Virginia Infantry, until he was wounded and discharged. He then sought to serve as a privateer on the Great Lakes. Eventually, he tried and failed to commandeer a train near Niagara, New York, to free captured Confederate officers on board. He was captured, tried, and convicted of espionage. He was hanged on February 25, 1865. His grave is in the northeastern corner of the cemetery. Beall allegedly was a friend of John Wilkes Booth.
Col. R. Preston Chew led Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Horse Artillery. After the war, he started the Charelstown Mining, Manufacturing, and Improvement Company in present-day Ranson, West Virginia.
Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1949.
Location. 39° 17.359′ N, 77° 51.359′ W. Marker is in Charles Town, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of E Congress Street and S Church Street, on the right when traveling east on E Congress Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charles Town WV 25414, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sergeant Littleton Tazewell Cordell (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Turner (within shouting distance of this marker); George Upshur Manning (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flagg House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Yates Beall (about 400 feet away); "Coloured" Grave Yard (about 500 feet away); The Stribling House (about 500 feet away); Lock Graveyard Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles Town.
More about this
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,178 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 7. submitted on April 8, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.