Pikeville in Pike County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Dils Cemetery

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019

1. The Dils Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Dils Cemetery is believed to be the first integrated cemetery in Eastern Kentucky. Colonel John Dils, who was opposed to slavery, gave many freed slaves jobs in his tannery and general store. He later provided gravesites for them and their descendants.

While more than one hundred thirty African-American graves have been located in this historic spot, only forty-nine of those have been correctly identified. It is our hope that further investigation will bring to light the remaining names and stories.

The Dils Cemetery research project has been conducted through funds provided by the African-American Heritage Commission and the Pikeville-Pike County Tourism Commission.

(Reverse) 1. Aggy Justice • 2. William Henry Layne • 3. Josephine Justice Layne • 4.Charles Evans Layne • 5.Vernon Alexander Layne • 6. John Goff • 7. Jim Goff • 8. Vernon Keith Layne • 9. James Justice • 10. Vivian Mullins • 11, Sophie Justice Mullins • 12. Jane Layne • 13, Jimmie Layne • 14. Mabel Justice • 15. Alice Goff Justice • 16. Virginia E. Botts • 17. George Wright • 18. Wright infant • 19. Allie Ratliff Wright

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• 20. Frank Wright • 21. Edwry Wright22 • 22. Sylvia E. Ratliff • 23. Clysta V. Ratliff • 24. Tom “T.J.” Mullins • 25. J. W. Ratliff • 26. Frank Hall • 27. Polly Ratliff • 28. Charley Colley • 29. Jeff Mullins • 30. Manila Mullins • 31. Manda Mullins • 32. Mary Justice • 33. D. Justice • 34. C.H. Harmon • 35. Ver Justice • 36. T. Justice • 37. Frank Waller • 38. Alvindia Waller • 39. T.J. Mullins • 40. Mary Anne Gibson • 41. H. Spiller • 42. Liddie Belle Combs • 43. Martha Wright • 44. Fred and Teddy Mullins • 45. Edward Thompson • 46. James Ratliff • 47. Mary Ratliff • 48. Mary Jane Ratliff • 49. Henry Harrison

* The names of the African Americans laid to rest in this historic cemetery are respectfully inscribed September 15, 1996. Research to obtain additional names and information will continue.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1996.

Location. 37° 28.677′ N, 82° 30.881′ W. Marker is in Pikeville, Kentucky, in Pike County. Marker can be reached from Chloe Road (Kentucky Route 1460) east of South Bypass Road (Route 1460), on the left when traveling east. There is marked parking from the cemetery across the road at the Pikeville Fire Department lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pikeville KY 41501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

The Dils Cemetery Marker, Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019

2. The Dils Cemetery Marker, Reverse

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Dils Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Hatfield-McCoy Feud / McCoy Graves Here (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Dils Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); “Spirit of the American Doughboy” (approx. 0.2 miles away); County Named, 1821 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pike Co. Courthouse and Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); To the Memory of the Revolutionary Soldiers (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Paul Riddle (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pikeville.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019

3. The Dils Cemetery Marker

Small aluminum signs with embossed numbers like the ones shown here staked to the left of the historical marker are scattered throughout the cemetery. The numbers match those on the reverse of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 6, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.