Parkersburg in Wood County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Tavenner Cemetery

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

1. Tavenner Cemetery Marker

Inscription. To the east of this cemetery, on the banks of the Little Kanawha River, in 1785, Captain James Neal formed the first permanent settlement in Wood County, Virginia. The vast acreage owned by Captain Neal and his son-in-law, Colonel Hugh Phelps, was later transferred to Thomas Tavenner. In Tavenner’s will of 1857,he directed that “two acres and twenty six poles be used as a public burying ground.” Captain Neal died during the “sickly season” of 1821, perhaps becoming the first burial at this site. Thomas Tavenner, Colonel Phelps and his wife Hannah Neal Phelps and other Parkersburg early pioneers are also buried here.

Erected 2013 by Capt. Robert Ellyson Chapter of the West Virginia Society of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 39° 15.291′ N, 81° 33.07′ W. Marker is in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in Wood County. It is on Camden Avenue (West Virginia Route 95) east of Hamilton Street, on the right when traveling

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east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parkersburg WV 26101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Neal's Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Col. Hugh Phelps (approx. ¼ mile away); The Block-House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Toll House (approx. ¾ mile away); Old Tollgate House (approx. ¾ mile away); Old Turnpikes (approx. ¾ mile away); Carnegie Library (approx. 0.8 miles away); John J. Jackson, Jr. (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parkersburg.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

2. Tavenner Cemetery Marker

Tavenner Cemetery Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

3. Tavenner Cemetery Gate

The brown sign reads: “James Neal’s Original Grave. A stone here marks the first resting place of Captain James Neal, the father of Parkersburg, and honors the pioneers who braved the uncertainty of the western frontier to start a new life in this nation, the United States of America. Dedicated May 23, 2010, by the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society as part of the Parkersburg Bicentennial Celebration, 1819-2010. Historic Tavenner Cemetery”

Tavenner Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

4. Tavenner Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 5, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.