City of Norfolk Cemeteries , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Cedar Grove Cemetery

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

1. Cedar Grove Cemetery Marker.

Inscription. Cedar Grove was Norfolk’s first public cemetery, established in January 1825 after a Borough ordinance aimed at curbing yellow fever decreed that the “burying of the dead in lots lying on public and populous streets is ... injurious to the health of its citizens.” In 1826, 20 acres south of Potters Field were set aside for a new Burying Ground, laid out according to a plan by Thomas Williamson. Williamson’s design included a pavilion in the center of the cemetery, though there is no evidence that this was ever built.

Ornamentation in Cedar Grove is simple but poignant – flowers with broken stems, weeping willows, hands holding crowns or pointing to heaven, children in the arms of angels. Many were carved by Scotsman Robert Dalrymple, who died of yellow fever in 1855 and is buried in nearby Elmwood Cemetery. The beehive-style tombs are of special interest. Because they extend deep into the ground, they deceive the eye. When the Addington tomb was opened for repairs in 1993, the remains of 18 family members were found inside.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1825.

Location. 36° 51.544′ N, 76° 16.882′ W. Marker is in Norfolk

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, Virginia. It is in City of Norfolk Cemeteries. It is on East Princess Anne Road west of Smith Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 238 E Princess Anne Rd, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elmwood Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Elmwood Cemetery (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Point Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Attucks Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Attucks Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Attucks Theater Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named West Point Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); West Point Monument at Elmwood Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . Cedar Grove Cemetery - City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website. (Submitted on July 5, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia.)

Cedar Grove Cemetery marker, looking west along E. Princess Anne Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

2. Cedar Grove Cemetery marker, looking west along E. Princess Anne Road.

Cedar Grove Cemetery marker, looking east along E. Princess Anne Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

3. Cedar Grove Cemetery marker, looking east along E. Princess Anne Road.

Cedar Grove Cemetery entrance and sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

4. Cedar Grove Cemetery entrance and sign.

Exhibit A: Detail of the burying ground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

5. Exhibit A: Detail of the burying ground

Exhibit B: Detail of other illustrations on the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

6. Exhibit B: Detail of other illustrations on the marker.

The caption under the photo reads: “J.C. Addington family vault. ca.1835, restored 1993. “Beehive” Vault.” Note the advertisement: R. Dalrymple. Stone and Marble Cutter. E. Widewater Street, Norfolk, VA. Marble and Granite work of every description executed to order. Its caption reads: “Robert Dalrymple ad in the 1851-52 city directory.”

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 691 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 5, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.