Gravestone a Week: Forgotten Stories & Historic Burials

Discover a New Story Every Week

Each week, in our Gravestone a Week feature, we highlight a unique burial from Alexandria’s historic cemeteries to spark curiosity and encourage exploration. These stories, linked to our Notable Burials and Blog posts, showcase the lives of individuals who shaped history, from well-known figures to those whose legacies have been nearly forgotten.

Table of Contents

📍 Gravestone a Week: This Week’s Story

Caroline Branham: The Enslaved Witness to Washington’s Final Moments and a Legacy of Strength

Though she lies in an unmarked grave, Caroline Branham’s legacy is deeply etched in American history. Enslaved at Mount Vernon, she was Martha Washington’s chambermaid and one of the few individuals present during George Washington’s final moments on December 14, 1799. Her role extended beyond household duties—she bore witness to history itself.

After Martha Washington’s passing, Caroline was inherited by George Washington Parke Custis and later lived at Arlington House. There, she shared her firsthand account of Washington’s death with historian Jared Sparks, securing the freedom of her grandson, Robert Robinson. Despite the injustices she endured, her resilience ensured that her story—and that of her family—would not be forgotten. On this anniversary of her passing, we honor Caroline Branham, a remarkable woman whose life, though marked by servitude, was defined by strength and historical significance.

📜 Gravestone a Week: Last Week’s Featured Gravestone

William Gregory: From Scottish Roots to an Alexandria Legacy

A tall, stone obelisk marking the grave of William Gregory III in The Presbyterian Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia. The monument stands among other historic gravestones, commemorating Gregory’s legacy as a merchant and shipowner. Photo by D. Heiby. — The obelisk of William Gregory III stands in The Presbyterian Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia, a lasting tribute to a distinguished merchant and shipowner whose legacy helped shape the city’s early history. This elegant monument reflects the prominence of the Gregory family and serves as a reminder of Alexandria’s deep ties to international trade and commerce—photo by D. Heiby.

The gravestone of William Gregory in Alexandria, Virginia, marks the final resting place of a man whose journey spanned continents and centuries. Born in Scotland, Gregory went to America and became a prominent merchant and shipowner in Alexandria. His business acumen and civic engagement helped shape the bustling port city during the early 19th century.

Though time has passed, Gregory’s legacy remains etched in stone, a reminder of the transatlantic connections that influenced Alexandria’s growth. His gravestone is a testament to his contributions, preserving the story of a Scottish immigrant who left an indelible mark on his adopted home.

To learn more about William Gregory’s fascinating life, visit Discover the Life of William Gregory.

📖 Gravestone a Week Archive

Explore past Gravestone a Week features, uncovering the lives of those buried in Alexandria’s historic cemeteries. Browse the full collection below.

📍 2025 Gravestone a Week

404 S. Royal Street, The Home of George Lewis Seaton

Plaque on the historic home of George Lewis Seaton at 404 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, Virginia, recognizing it as a Virginia Historic Landmark. — A bronze plaque mounted on the historic home at 404 S. Royal Street in Alexandria, Virginia. The plaque, issued by the Virginia Board of Historic Resources, designates the residence as a Virginia Historic Landmark. It commemorates George Lewis Seaton, an influential African American builder, politician, and advocate for education in post-Civil War Alexandria. The plaque is affixed to a brick facade, serving as a lasting tribute to Seaton’s legacy.

While the final resting place of George Lewis Seaton remains unknown, his legacy is quite literally set in stone at 404 S. Royal Street in Alexandria. This historic home is a testament to Seaton’s enduring influence as a pioneering African American leader in post-Civil War Alexandria. A skilled builder, politician, and educational advocate, Seaton played a crucial role in shaping the city’s future. Though his gravestone may be lost to history, his contributions to Alexandria remain firmly cemented in its past—and present.

To learn more about George Lewis Seaton’s remarkable life and legacy, visit George Seaton: Discovering the Legacy of an Alexandria Trailblazer.

Abraham Myers (1811–1889) – A Love So Strong, It Named a City

The burial site of Abraham Myers (1811–1889) in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia. Myers’ name lives on in Fort Myers, Florida, named in his honor on Valentine’s Day, 1850.

Gravestone a Week: The burial site of Abraham Myers (1811–1889) in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia. Myers' name lives on in Fort Myers, Florida, named in his honor on Valentine's Day, 1850. — **Gravestone of Abraham and Marion Myers**
Located in **St. Paul’s Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia**, this gravestone marks the final resting place of **Abraham C. Myers (1811–1889)** and his wife, **Marion Myers (1827–1893)**.

Resting in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Abraham Myers may not be a household name today, but his name lives on in an unexpected place—Fort Myers, Florida. In a grand gesture of love, Myers’ future father-in-law, General David Twiggs, was so overjoyed by his daughter Marion’s engagement that he named a Florida fort after his soon-to-be son-in-law.

The official naming took place on Valentine’s Day, 1850, making Fort Myers one of the few U.S. cities with a love story at its heart.

🔗 Read More at this link!

🔹 The Henderson Children – A Tale of Loss in Early Alexandria

Gravestone a Week feature: The gravestone of Paulina Cazenove Henderson (1829–1833) in Section 43:104 of The Presbyterian Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia. A daughter of Colonel Archibald Henderson, her grave reflects a family's early 19th-century loss. — Gravestone of Paulina Cazenove Henderson This gravestone in Section 43:104 of the cemetery marks the final resting place of Paulina Cazenove Henderson (1829–1833), daughter of Colonel Archibald Henderson and Anne Marie Cazenove Henderson. Paulina passed away at just four years old, a reminder of the fragility of childhood in the early 19th century.

Gravestone a Week feature: Gravestone of Archibald Murray Henderson (1845–1846) in Section 43:104, Alexandria, Virginia — Gravestone of Paulina Cazenove Henderson This gravestone in Section 43:104 of the cemetery marks the final resting place of Paulina Cazenove Henderson (1829–1833), daughter of Colonel Archibald Henderson and Anne Marie Cazenove Henderson. Paulina passed away at just four years old, a reminder of the fragility of childhood in the early 19th century.

The young children of Col. Archibald Henderson, the “Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps,” lie in Section 43:104 of The Presbyterian Cemetery. Their graves tell a poignant story of love and loss.

🔗 Read More → [Link to story]

🔹 The 1922 Knickerbocker Theatre Disaster – A Deadly Winter Storm

Gravestone a Week feature: Fleming family burial plot in Alexandria, Virginia, with three gravestones marking the resting places of Thomas Fleming, John Patton Fleming, and Mary Lee Fleming, who perished in the 1922 Knickerbocker Snowstorm Disaster. — Fleming family burial plot with three gravestones in The Presbyterian Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia. Thomas Fleming’s gravestone is on the left, while John Patton and Mary Lee Fleming’s headstones stand at the rear. The Flemings perished in the 1922 Knickerbocker Snowstorm Disaster.

🔗 Read More → [Link to story]

🔹 Julius Campbell Jr. (1953–2019) – A Football Star Remembered

Gravestone a Week feature: Gravestone of Julius Campbell Jr. (1953–2019) in Bethel Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia, honoring the former T.C. Williams High School football player whose story inspired the film Remember the Titans. — Julius Campbell’s gravestone marks the final resting place of the **former high school football star** who played a pivotal role in the **1971 T.C. Williams High School football team**, whose story was immortalized in the 2000 Disney film *Remember the Titans*. Campbell’s leadership and commitment to unity helped break racial barriers in Alexandria, Virginia. His grave stands as a tribute to his lasting impact on sports and civil rights.

🔗 Read More → Julius Campbell Jr. – A Football Legend

📍 2024 Gravestone a Week

🔹 Major Samuel Cooper (1755–1840) – A Boston Tea Party Participant Buried in Alexandria

Gravestone a Week feature: Gravestone of Major Samuel Cooper (1763–1840) in Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia. Cooper was a participant in the Boston Tea Party at age 16 and later served in the American Revolution. — The gravestone of **Major Samuel Cooper (1763–1840)** stands in **Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia**, marking the final resting place of a **Boston Tea Party participant**. At just **16 years old**, Cooper took part in the **December 16, 1773**, protest that helped ignite the American Revolution. His later military service contributed to the founding of the nation, and his legacy continues through the generations that followed.

🔗 Read More → The Boston Tea Party Participant Buried in Alexandria

🔹 Col. George Gilpin (1740–1813) – Washington’s Pallbearer & Fairfax County Surveyor

Gravestone a Week feature: Unmarked burial site of Col. George Gilpin in Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, marked with a red arrow, confirmed through GPR scans in 2024. — The burial site of Col. George Gilpin (1740–1813) in Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery is identified with a red arrow. Although his grave remains unmarked, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) scans confirmed his final resting place in 2024.

🔗 Read More → [Link to story]

🔹 Charles Glasscock (1830–1852) – Alexandria’s Forgotten Firefighter

Gravestone a Week feature: An image of the unmarked burial site of firefighter Charles Glasscock in the Methodist Protestant Cemetery, rediscovered in 2024 after historical research. — The burial site of firefighter Charles Glasscock (1830–1852) in the Methodist Protestant Cemetery. His grave was rediscovered in 2024, over 170 years after his tragic death in the line of duty

🔗 Read More → [Link to story]

🔍 Explore More Gravestones

Stay tuned each week for a new Gravestone a Week feature, uncovering the fascinating lives behind Alexandria’s historic cemeteries.

📖 Explore Notable Burials → [Link]
📝 Read the Blog → [Link]
📅 Join a Guided Tour → [Link]

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