Tinbridge Hill in Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

"Col'd" Gravestones

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 14, 2021

1. "Col'd" Gravestones Marker

Inscription. Scattered throughout the Monroe Street side of the cemetery are at least six gravestones, dating from the 1850's and 1860's, bearing the inscription "col'd" after the name. These stones, indicating a "colored" person, are extraordinary because they were made by Lynchburg's mid-19th century stonemaker J.B. Gaddess & Bro., whose patrons almost exclusively included the wealthy (white) citizens of Lynchburg. The "col'd" stones are most likely those of free African-Americans who could afford these substantial markers, but who could not avoid the racial distinction that fundamentally characterized the 19th century society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 37° 24.89′ N, 79° 9.341′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is in Tinbridge Hill. It can be reached from Taylor Street 0.1 miles north of 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Taylor St, Lynchburg VA 24501, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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: Amelia Elizabeth Perry (here, next to this marker); John and Rachel Kinkle (here, next to this marker); In Memory of Sawney Early, Malinda Speece, and Their Descendants (a few steps from this marker); Elizabeth Gavino Hubert Lushington (a few steps from this marker); Daniel Butler (a few steps from this marker); Jennie Hicks (within shouting distance of this marker); Unmarked Graves (within shouting distance of this marker); Uncle Sawney (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynchburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 9 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 18, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.