THOMAS - FLETCHER CEMETERY
Est. 1865
Etowah, Pleasant Grove Rd
Burials
NOTE: private property, no access
NOTE: The cemetery was identified incorrectly as the "Fletcher Family Cemetery" in the 1995 publication, Henderson County North Carolina Cemeteries, pg. 272, Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society.
THOMAS FAMILY
Robert Thomas (1806 - 1865) and Susan Reese Thomas (1809 - 1885)
First burial:
Robert Thomas, died April 22, 1865 in the Spring of 1865, murdered by a roaming band at the end of the Civil War on the family farm homestead of several hundred acres (to be documented) .
The Thomas Family Cemetery on the farm homeplace was established with the death of Robert Thomas.
This historic cemetery is an important part of Etowah's history. Thomas is remembered for being the first appointed Sheriff of Henderson County earlier in his life, after Henderson County was established in December 1838. When appointed in February 1839, he was responsible for a much larger Henderson County that extended into almost all of today's Transylvania County (est. 1861). After a five year term as sheriff, Thomas continued to serve as a Justice on the "Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions," the governing body of Henderson County in the 1800s.
There is no known image of Thomas or his wife Susan Reese Thomas who survived him by 20 years. According to the Family Record, Robert and Susan were married in 1828.
Robert Thomas, died April 22, 1865 in the Spring of 1865, murdered by a roaming band at the end of the Civil War on the family farm homestead of several hundred acres (to be documented) .
The Thomas Family Cemetery on the farm homeplace was established with the death of Robert Thomas.
This historic cemetery is an important part of Etowah's history. Thomas is remembered for being the first appointed Sheriff of Henderson County earlier in his life, after Henderson County was established in December 1838. When appointed in February 1839, he was responsible for a much larger Henderson County that extended into almost all of today's Transylvania County (est. 1861). After a five year term as sheriff, Thomas continued to serve as a Justice on the "Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions," the governing body of Henderson County in the 1800s.
There is no known image of Thomas or his wife Susan Reese Thomas who survived him by 20 years. According to the Family Record, Robert and Susan were married in 1828.
Obituary of Susan Reese Thomas, from the Thomas Family Record. Transcribed as printed, Courtesy of Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society
" Mrs. Susan Thomas, widow of the late Robert Thomas, was born July 25th, 1809, and departed this life July 30th, 1885, aged 86 years and 5 days. It was the writers privilege to have a long and intimate acquaintance with the deceased, an acquaintance reaching back over half a century, yea, I may say can't remember when I did not know "Aunt Susa," (as she was familiarly known.) And these years have brought to her many sorrows and bereavements, but thank God they have also brought them the sustaining grace of God. In the late war her afflictions and trials were extreme. Two sons were called into their country's service, one of which never returned to brighten the home of his childhood, and amid the gloom and sadness of the closing out of the war she was left a widow to mourn the loss of a tender and affectionate husband, but under all these afflictions the God in whom she trusted was her stay and support. "She feared the Lord from her youth," and in early life joined the Methodist church and lived a consistent member of the same to the day of her death, having fought a good fight and kept the faith and finished her course, she is gone home to receive the crown. One son and one daughter, Mr. James L. Thomas and Mrs. Mary Osborne, still survive her, and numerous relatives and friends cherish her memory and hope to meet her in the "sweet by and by." The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Neuton and the writer at the old homestead and family burying ground in the presence of a large congregation. C. M. Greer. Brevard paper please copy. "
Only one of the four Thomas children is buried in this cemetery, daughter Susannah "Susan" Matilda Thomas Fletcher (1843 - 1876). It is her marriage to W. P. Fletcher that brought the Fletcher line into the cemetery.
Daughter, Mary Solome Thomas Osborne (1845 - 1928), is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Transylvania County.
Two sons served in the Confederacy:
William Robert (1837 - 1865)
James Lafayette (1842 - 1918)
James survived the war and is buried in nearby Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. William died while a prisoner of war.
Civil War era photo of Robert Thomas' son James Lafayette
Included here because perhaps there may be a measure of likeness with his father Robert Thomas. James' death certificate lists occupation as farmer.
THOMAS - FLETCHER
Robert and Susan Thomas' daughter Susannah Matilda married W. P. Fletcher,
bringing the Fletcher family line into the cemetery.
Robert and Susan Thomas' daughter Susannah Matilda married W. P. Fletcher,
bringing the Fletcher family line into the cemetery.
William Pinkney "W.P." Fletcher (1846 - 1906)
William Pinkney "W.P." Fletcher (1846 - 1906). Courtesy of Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society
Susan "Susannah" Matilda Thomas Fletcher (1843 - 1876)
William Pinkney "W.P." Fletcher is descended from the Fletcher line who founded Fletcher, Henderson County. W. P.'s father was Joakim Fletcher and his grandfather was John Fletcher.
Three of W.P. and Susannah's four children are buried here along with their spouses and children:
- Robert Jackson (married Rebecca Ann Hooker)
- Joseph Pinkney (married Maggie Orr)
- Susan (married Judson Wilson)
Susannah died in 1876 soon after giving birth to daughter Susan, two weeks before her 33rd birthday.
Minerva Shepherd Fletcher (1840 - 1925)
W.P. later remarried Minerva Shepherd. W.P. and Minerva's one month old infant William P. is buried here.
Also buried here are Minerva's brother Benjamin and nephew Lee. Also, possibly a daughter, Patty (Patcy). (See below: Shepherd and Garren)
Also buried here are Minerva's brother Benjamin and nephew Lee. Also, possibly a daughter, Patty (Patcy). (See below: Shepherd and Garren)
William P. Fletcher (12 Oct 1895 - 18 Nov 1895)
Robert "Jack" Jackson (1867 - 1952) and Rebecca Hooker Fletcher (1868 - 1958)
Along with Jack and Rebecca, two of their seven children are buried in this cemetery:
- Infant George William (Jul 1892 - Oct 1892)
- John Hooker Fletcher (1899 - 1951)
Robert Jackson "Jack" Fletcher (1867 - 1952). Courtesy of Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society
Rebecca Hooker Fletcher (1868 - 1958). Courtesy of Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society
George William Fletcher (Jul 1892- Oct 1892)
John Hooker Fletcher (1899 - 1951)
Courtesy of Evelyn Taylor Fletcher Holcombe
Courtesy of Evelyn Taylor Fletcher Holcombe
Courtesy of Evelyn Taylor Fletcher Holcombe
Joseph Pinkney Fletcher, son of Susannah Thomas and W.P. Fletcher, married Maggie Orr
Joseph Pinkney Fletcher (1870 -1944)
Maggie Orr Fletcher (1874 - 1951)
Jessie P. (13 Oct 1896 - 15 Jan 1897)
Flossie L. (22 May 1895 - 18 July 1900)
Lillie B. (27 Nov 1897 - 13 Jun 1898)
Walter T. (23 Feb 1903 - 24 Feb 1903)
WILSON
Susan Fletcher, daughter of Susannah Matilda Thomas and W. P. Fletcher, married Judson "Judd" M. Wilson.
Judd's death in May of 1969 was the last burial in the cemetery.
Susan Fletcher, daughter of Susannah Matilda Thomas and W. P. Fletcher, married Judson "Judd" M. Wilson.
Judd's death in May of 1969 was the last burial in the cemetery.
Wilson Family Plot - Judson Madison Wilson (1880 - 1969) & Susan Fletcher Wilson (1876 - 1951) Children, both infants deceased in birth year: William W (1905), Lizzie Minerva (1916)
Judson Madison Wilson (1880 - 1969) & Susan Fletcher Wilson (1876 - 1951)
Children, both infants deceased in birth year: William W (1905), Lizzie Minerva (1916)
Children, both infants deceased in birth year: William W (1905), Lizzie Minerva (1916)
GARREN
Patty Fletcher [Garren]
appears in the 1900 Census as Patcy Fletcher, living with her parents, William and Neny E. Fletcher, in nearby Crab Creek. Most likely, "Neny" is Minerva, W. P. Fletcher's second wife. Pattty [Patcy] would be their daughter. It seems likely since the burials are near each other.
It is not known at this time what is the first name of husband S. L. Garren and where he is buried.
SHEPHERD / SHEPPARD
"B. D." Benjamin David Sheppard (Shepherd), (1846 - 1904), son of Eli
"L. J." Lee James Sheppard (Shepherd), (1894 - 1904), son of Benjamin
"FATHER"
At this time, it is unknown who is buried in the large, bordered gravesite identified only as "FATHER." Located on the north end, near the graves of Benjamin D. Shepherd and his son Lee J. Shepherd.
Apparently, this is not Eli Squire Shepherd, the father of brother and sister, Benjamin and Minerva. Eli and his wife Marthe are buried in Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in nearby Crab Creek.
Apparently, this is not Eli Squire Shepherd, the father of brother and sister, Benjamin and Minerva. Eli and his wife Marthe are buried in Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in nearby Crab Creek.
"FATHER" Who is buried here?
Current theory: Judd Wilson's father. Thomas Wilson b. abt 1854. The Wilson plot is similarly enclosed with stone coping. Why is the gravesite so large?
Seeking answers . . .
Current theory: Judd Wilson's father. Thomas Wilson b. abt 1854. The Wilson plot is similarly enclosed with stone coping. Why is the gravesite so large?
Seeking answers . . .
HAWKINS
Two Infants: the children of Ellen Ann Fletcher Hawkins (d of Robert J & Rebecca Hooker Fletcher). Ellen was married to Deward Edward Hawkins Sr (son of Altha & Nelson J Hawkins). Ellen and Deward are buried at Shepherd Memorial Park.
ADDITIONAL BURIALS - PHOTOS TO BE ADDED
- fieldstone graves, 6
- sunken graves, 2 unmarked in 1995 survey; located in 2021, marked w/fieldstones