Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Family Burying Ground
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 28, 2023
1. The Family Burying Ground Marker
Inscription.
The Family Burying Ground. . Before the creation of cemetery corporations, the remains of Spotsylvania's early citizens were buried according to location and/or their wishes. If the Church permitted, they could be buried in the church graveyard or if the male head of the family was a member of the Mason Order, he and his family could be buried in the Masonic Cemetery. County residents, such as the Gordon family, were generally buried on the land they owned, referred to as the "Family Burying Ground." In many instances, even when the property had been sold, the deed might reserve a plot of land designated for family members should they pass away., Cosmo Gordon established this peaceful site known as the Gordon Family Cemetery for his dear family members. Vandals damaged this burying ground and several headstones are missing. Cosmo and his wife, Adelaide are here along with their children. George F. Gordon (1865-1938) died of "accidental" burns from a fire at DeJarnette State Sanatorium in Staunton, Virginia. His wife Margaret Beck Gordon (1887-1917), who rests beside him, died of natural causes. Daughter Ella, (headstone missing) was born in 1855 and died at the age of 11 in 1866, cause of death not recorded. Son George Lorimar Gordon was born in 1856 and died in 1861, cause of death was not recorded. Son Thomas Fauntleroy Gordon, was born in 1859. He drowned in the Massaponax Creek, close to the home in 1885. Son Elliot (1868-1934) became a druggist and practiced in Richmond for many years. Lewis Owens (1837-1899) an invalid, charitably cared for by the Gordon family in their home (no relation), is buried here as well, his grave unmarked., Should you find yourself with some spare time for an historical excursion, visit the Gordon Cemetery located at Kenmore, behind the Mary Washington Monument in the City of Fredericksburg. Samuel Gordon of Falmouth, Virginia, purchased Kenmore in 1819. His family lived there until 1859. The Lewis Estate was named "Kenmore" after the Scottish Gordon Estate "Kenmuir."
Before the creation of cemetery corporations, the remains of Spotsylvania's early citizens were buried according to location and/or their wishes. If the Church permitted, they could be buried in the church graveyard or if the male head of the family was a member of the Mason Order, he and his family could be buried in the Masonic Cemetery. County residents, such as the Gordon family, were generally buried on the land they owned, referred to as the "Family Burying Ground." In many instances, even when the property had been sold, the deed might reserve a plot of land designated for family members should they pass away.
Cosmo Gordon established this peaceful site known as the Gordon Family Cemetery for his dear family members. Vandals damaged this burying ground and several headstones are missing. Cosmo and his wife, Adelaide are here along with their children. George F. Gordon (1865-1938) died of "accidental" burns from a fire at DeJarnette State Sanatorium in Staunton, Virginia. His wife Margaret Beck Gordon (1887-1917), who rests beside him, died of natural causes. Daughter Ella, (headstone missing) was born in 1855 and died at the age of 11 in 1866, cause of death not recorded. Son George Lorimar Gordon was born in 1856 and died in 1861, cause of death was not recorded. Son Thomas Fauntleroy Gordon, was born in 1859. He drowned
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in the Massaponax Creek, close to the home in 1885. Son Elliot (1868-1934) became a druggist and practiced in Richmond for many years. Lewis Owens (1837-1899) an invalid, charitably cared for by the Gordon family in their home (no relation), is buried here as well, his grave unmarked.
Should you find yourself with some spare time for an historical excursion, visit the Gordon Cemetery located at Kenmore, behind the Mary Washington Monument in the City of Fredericksburg. Samuel Gordon of Falmouth, Virginia, purchased Kenmore in 1819. His family lived there until 1859. The Lewis Estate was named "Kenmore" after the Scottish Gordon Estate "Kenmuir."
Location. 38° 15.262′ N, 77° 32.402′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Loriella Park near Leavells Road (County Road 639), on the left when traveling west. Marker located near the tennis courts in Loriella Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10910 Leavells Road, Fredericksburg VA 22407, 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. A Place Called Loriella (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cosmo Gordon
Inset photo (Lower right): George F. Gordon died in a fire in 1938 and is buried here.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 28, 2023
6. Location
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 14, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
