Bridgeport in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Old Baptist Cemetery
Photographed By Bradley Owen, July 10, 2021
1. Old Baptist Cemetery Marker
Original site of the Simpson Creek Baptist Church (organized in 1770). Buried here are James "Peg" Clemens, Pony Express rider and cousin of Mark Twain; Joseph Johnson, the only man west of the Alleghenies to serve as governor of Virginia, and many others who endured the hardships of the frontier.
This cemetery was combined with the Masonic and I.O.O.F. cemeteries to form the Bridgeport Cemetery in 1939.
Erected by Frontiers to Mountaineers Heritage Tourism, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the Benedum Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 39° 17.468′ N, 80° 14.487′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, West Virginia, in Harrison County. Marker can be reached from Benedum Drive (West Virginia Route 131) south of Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north. After entering the main entrance of Bridgeport Cemetery, the marker is located on the right at the first fork in the road. It is the Old Baptist Section of the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Benedum Dr, Bridgeport WV 26330, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies
this page online
More about this marker. The text of the marker is exceptionally difficult to read due to the condition of its clear protective covering.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 7, 2021
2. Old Baptist Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 7, 2021
3. Grave of Joseph Johnson
Ex Gov. of Va.
Born Dec. 19, 1785
Died Feb. 27, 1877
Aged 91 yrs. 2 mos. 8 ds.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 7, 2021
4. Marker Located At The Cemetery Entrance
CITIZENS OF BRIDGEPORT
is a testimonial of appreciation to their
native son and benefactor
MICHAEL LATE BENEDUM
whose philanthropy has made possible
the reclamation, enlargement, beautification
and perpetual care of the Bridgeport Cemetery
consisting of
The Old Baptist Brick Church Graveyard
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery
The Old Masonic Cemetery
October 13, 1940
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 7, 2021
5. Grave Marker For Joseph Davisson
Joseph lived on the land and at the age of 22 volunteered in the Continental Army. He spent the dreadful winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge under the command of George Washington.
Back home he was an assessor of public lands and a Justice of the Peace prior to 1800. In 1811 he was High Sheriff of Harrison County, Virginia.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 7, 2021
6. Grave Marker For Colonel Benjamin Wilson
Colonel Virginia Militia in Indian and Revolutionary Wars; Built Wilson Fort near Beverly, Member of Virginia Assembly 1783-86, secured creation of Harrison County, 1784, and became its first clerk for 30 years; member Virginia Convention 1788 ratifying U. S. Constitution. Pioneer settler and industrialist of this valley.
To his memory, in 1942, by his great-grandchildren Gertrude Brown Wilson and Robert R. Wilson
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5. submitted on September 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 6. submitted on September 19, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
