Visitors use this list to direct them to interesting points in the cemetery. The numbers on the list correspond with numbered markers in the cemetery. |
||
1 |
This marker designates the approximate center of the original log Meeting House erected in 1722 by the sixteen charter members of the church. | |
2 |
In Memory of Morris Edward who
departed this life, May ye 23, An Dom, 1737, Aged 54. This is the oldest legible stone in the cemetery. Morris Edward was a charter member of the church. |
|
3 |
This stone marks the grave of the minister with the longest
service. It reads: In memory of The Rev. John Davis, |
|
4 |
 |
Beneath this handsome obelisk lies Captain Benjamin Bartholomew, a farmer and soldier. The inscription tells of him leaving his farm in the Great Valley, joining "Mad" Anthony Wayne, and serving with him during the Revolution. After the war, he returned to his plough and died in 1812. |
5 |
Rev. David Jones, died February 23, 1820.
Probably the most famous, and in the eyes of the British, the
most infamous person buried in the cemetery. Minister of the church at the outbreak of the
Revolution, he joined the Continental Army and became Anthony Wayne’s chaplain. An
outspoken patriot, his words were so vehement that the British put a price on his head. Dear Sir: We are so far removed from the seat of Govern’t of the free and independent states of America - and such an Insurmountable Barrier, Albany, between us that not one letter, or the least intelligence of anything that’s doing with you can reach us. Through the medium of my Chaplain (David Jones) I hope this will reach you as he has promised to blow out any man’s brains who will attempt to take it from him… |
|
6 |
|
In memory of Rachel Cleaver, wife of Isaac
Cleaver, who departed this life August 16, 1836 in the 63rd year of her age. This woman left the Baptist Church in the Great Valley in 1821 to become a medical missionary to the Cherokee Indians in southeastern Tennessee. |
7 |
Rev. Leonard Fletcher, Died August 16, 1859 in
the 63rd year of his age. Peace to his memory. "Remember the words I spoke unto you
while I was yet with you." Rev. Fletcher was minister of the church from 1832 - 1840, and during his ministry, baptized 448 people. He also was one of the leaders of the Chester County Wilberforce (anti-slavery) Society. |
|
8 |
|
This is one of several stones having the same basic message: In Memory of Jacob Clinger, Born Dec. 28, 1839, Died July 26, 1862. The deceased was a member of Company E., 82nd Reg., Pa. Vol., was wounded on picket duty at Richmond, VA, June 26 and died at Brooklyn City Hospital, Typhoid Fever. |
9 |
 |
The words on this stone speak for themselves: Erected by the Great Valley Baptist Church, in memory of Phyllis Burr, who was born in Africa, brought to America in the Slave Ship "Ganges," and sold into slavery to pay for her passage, and died April 18, 1872, aged nearly 100 years. |
|
The star shaped flag holders scattered around the cemetery designate soldiers from the Civil War. Those killed in the South were allowed to be moved north if their families provided burial plots. The church offered lots to those who could not afford a family plot. As a result of this gesture, local veterans groups conduct a Memorial Service here on the Sunday before each Memorial Day. |
|
|
The battle for freedom still goes on as is evidenced by the American flags in the newer sections of the cemetery. These flags mark the graves of veterans of five later wars - Spanish American, World Wars I and II, Korean War and Viet Nam War. | |
Founded 1711
Located in Tredyffrin Township, 22 miles from Philadelphia,
1 mile from Valley Forge National Park, a half mile from Chesterbrook
Copyright © 2006 by
The Baptist Church in the Great Valley. All rights reserved.
Revised:
November 04, 2006.
