Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Weir Family Cemetery
1841 - 1870
We are often asked why this cemetery is so close to the house. The answer is simple — it's not the original site! The Weir cemetery was first located to the east, in what is now known as Point of Woods East/Lakeside. In 1989, with the consent of the family, 24 graves were exhumed and moved. Little was recovered with one exception — the remains of Walter Weir were found interred in a cast iron coffin with a glass viewing pane. The coffin itself is very unusual — only very wealthy people were able to afford them and not many have been discovered from the nineteenth century. The coffin did a good job of preserving Walter's remains, enough that forensic analysis determined he died from an infection, likely caused by an abscessed tooth. The headstones and everything found in the original cemetery were later reinterred according to the original burial plan.
[Captions:]
The youngest of young children, Walter Weir inherited Liberia after his father's death in 1867.
Specialists from the Smithsonian Institution worked alongside city staff to carefully document graves that were exhumed and moved (top). Walter Weir's cast iron coffin (bottom).
Erected by City of Manassas Virginia; sponsored by Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter NSDAR
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the The Grand Army of the Republic series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.
Location. 38° 46.034′ N, 77° 27.595′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Portner Avenue just south of Breeden Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8601 Portner Ave, Manassas VA 20110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Enslaved of Liberia (within shouting distance of this marker); Turberville Memorial Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Liberia (about 300 feet away); Liberia and the Weirs (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Liberia (about 400 feet away); Manassas 1825 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Conner House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Battle of Bull Run Bridge (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
