St. Paul’s Alexandria’s Cemetery dates to 1809 when the cemetery was founded after the congregation broke away from their parent church and established St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Old Town. The cemetery is the resting place of over 1500 persons. There are no plots or space available for any additional burials.
The Paulding Family’s Military Roots Dr. Holmes Offley Paulding rests in St. Paul’s Cemetery, his gravestone a silent sentinel marking the final chapter of a family inextricably interwoven with pivotal moments in America’s national story. His father, Commander Leonard Paulding of the U.S. Navy, who perished in Panama, and his mother, Helen Jane Offley, are … Read more
Thomas Wells Childs, a courageous soldier known for his heroism during the Mexican War, rests in eternal peace at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Born on March 16, 1796, in Pittsburgh, Massachusetts, Childs’ life was marked by exceptional dedication to his country. Having displayed a strong sense of duty and leadership potential, Childs was admitted to the … Read more
When Marion Isabelle Twiggs, the daughter of United States Army General David E. Twiggs, the commander of the United States forces in Texas, first met one of his staff officers, Colonel Abraham C. Myers, she immediately fell in love, sparking a romance that would leave a legacy in the naming of Fort Myers, Florida. Shortly … Read more
Wilmer McLean: Introduction The life and homes of Wilmer McLean are deeply intertwined with the American Civil War’s pivotal moments. From the first shots at Yorkshire to the final surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, McLean’s residences bore witness to the war’s profound impact on the nation. Wilmer McLean’s Legacy: Foundations in Alexandria Wilmer McLean was born … Read more
The Everleigh Sisters Minna Simms, born on July 13, 1866, and passed away on September 16, 1948, along with Aida Lester Simms, born on February 15, 1865, and passed away on January 3, 1960, managed and ran a well-known brothel in Chicago from 1900 to 1911. Born into a wealthy family from Virginia that lost … Read more
Alexandria’s Mysterious Female Stranger The Female Stranger’s grave in Alexandria remains one of the most enduring mysteries in American burial history. In September 1816, a veiled woman and her husband arrived in Alexandria after a voyage from the West Indies and took rooms at Gadsby’s Tavern, insisting that their identities remain secret. Within weeks, the woman … Read more