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207    ALSTON, JOSEPH JOHN [H19.1]

Location: Hickory Mountain Township. 600 feet north of SR 1503, Harold Hart Road, 800 feet west of Walter Bunton residence, off US 64, northwest of Hart's Furniture Store

Coordinates: 35d 43m 06.0s N; 79d 22m 38.0s W Click here for Google maps

On 7 October 1996, Audrey and Will Heiser recorded 10 grave markers which were accessible. Many more grave stones lie on the ground, covered with weeds and brush, and will not be legible until the cemetery is cleaned up and the heavy stones lifted. Many of the stones are quite large and have lengthy epitaphs. Many are broken and off their pedestals. On 5 April 1997, Will Heiser, along with 7 other interested persons, recorded 7 more grave markers, which were previously covered over.

Because of the historical significance of "Chatham Jack" Alston and his family in the early development of Chatham County, it would be a worthy project to clean up this cemetery, repair broken grave stones, and erect an historical marker in memory of "Chatham Jack" Alston.

Owner: Walter A. and Agnes Bunton.
Legal Description: Deed 363-159, 8 Oct 1971, from R. G. and Cora E. Hancock.
Topo Quadrant: Siler City.
Family owned: Yes.
Abandoned: Yes.
Number of graves: 17.
Cemetery size: 90' x 90'.
White: Yes.
Restricted access: Yes. Private property
Overgrown and easy to identify: Yes.
Enclosed: Yes.
Enclosed explanation: Rock wall.
Enclosed conditions: Fallen down.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: Yes.
Number of readable markers: 10.
Last burial: 1891.
First burial: 1841.
Unusual situation: Yes.
Unusual situation: Large stone monuments with lengthy and unusual epitaphs.
Markers damaged: Yes.
Damage from farm animals: Yes.
Damage from vandalism: Yes.
Hazards: Lack of care.
Listed: Yes.
Significant events: Joseph John 'Chatham Jack' Alston, Jr., and his family were prominent in the early development of Chatham County.
Last canvassed by: Audrey and Will Heiser. Date: 7 Oct 1996.

1. Alston, Ann Marie (Alston)   (b. - d. 25 Jun 1852)
Wife of Robert William Palmer Alston. "Go strangers, tell my beloved husband, friends, and relations to grieve not for me, shall not ye judge of all the earth do right and tho worms destroy my body, yet will my Redeemer at the last day raise me to everlasting life". 2'sq. monument 4' tall.
2. Alston, B.   (b. - d. )
Small.
3. Alston, Eveline (Alston)   (b. 29 Feb 1806 - d. 11 Nov 1891)
Wife of Gideon Alston. Daughter of Philip and Martha Alston of Warren County, NC. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside still waters". 10' pedestal - south side.
4. Alston, Gideon   (b. 9 Sep 1806 - d. 24 Dec 1855)
Husband of Eveline (Alston) Alston. Son of Joseph John,Jr., and Martha (Kearney) Alston. "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation Luke 2nd Chapter 29 and 30 verses." "Sweet Repose" "Sacred to the memory". 10' pedestal - north side. Footstone: GA.
5. Alston, Infant   (b. - d. )
Small.
6. Alston, Infant   (b. - d. )
Small.
7. Alston, John Jones   (b. 17 Mar 1792 - d. 18 Sep 1842)
Husband of Adeline (Williams) Alston. "The friendships voice is matchless praise,speak toward friendships hand some dear memento raise. It has been ". 2'sq. 3' high pedestal. "Sacred to the memory of". Alston---Society, Vol. 1, 1958-1961, p. 32 continued on card.
8. Alston, Joseph John, 3rd   (b. 17 Feb 1814 - d. 28 May 1849)
Husband of (1st) Parmelia DeGraffenreidt and (2nd) Decimus Palmer Alston. Son of Joseph John,Jr. and Martha (Kearney) Alston. "Alas that fair and young the beautiful and good to the great solitude the clods of the valley dry in course o'er". 5' pyramid. "In memory of". continued on card. Groves,"The Alstons---of No. Carolina" 1901, p. 126.
9. Alston, Joseph John, Jr.   (b. 15 Mar 1767 - d. 29 Apr 1841)
Husband of Martha (Kearney) Alston. "Tis here he rests,death's mortal sleep hath sealed his flashing eyes and many a soul does weep and heave the anguished sigh". Round obelisk. "Erected to the memory of Chatham Jack". continued on card. Groves, "The Alstons---of No.Carolina,1901,p.126.
10. Alston, Junius A., Jr.   (b. 21 Mar 1875 - d. 30 Aug 1876)
Son of Junius A. and Ida (Loyd) Alston.
11. Alston, Martha (Kearney)   (b. 22 Feb 1771 - d. Jun 1852)
Wife of Joseph John 'Chatham Jack' Alston, Jr. Daughter of Philip and Martha (Alston) Kearney. "To the memory of" "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and whosoever believeth on Him shall not die". 2'sq. 3' high, 5' pyramid. Groves, "The Alstons--of No. Carolina" 1901,p.126 Alston---Society, Vol 1, 1958-1961, p. 32.
12. Alston, Nathaniel Macon   (b. 15 Dec 1801 - d. 2 Jun 1856)
Husband of Patsy K. (Williams) Alston. Son of Joseph John, Jr. and Martha (Kearney) Alston. 6' pedestal. b. in Chatham County. Groves, "The Alstons--of No. Carolina" 1901, p. 126..
13. Alston, Philip Kearney Dawson   (b. 25 Dec 1811 - d. 1852)
Husband of Ann (Harwell) Alston. Son of Joseph John and Martha (Kearney) Alston. "Of honor incorruptible, of friendship sincere, integrity inflexible, without duplicity, cunning or dissimulation" "To the memory of Philip K. Alston of Chatham Co.". 8' pedestal. Groves, "The Alstons--of No. Carolina" 1901,p.126.
14. Alston, Robert P.   (b. 22 Jan 1871 - d. 24 Aug 1876)
Son of Junius A. and Ida (Loyd) Alston.
15. Alston, Saltar Lloyd   (b. 23 Jun 1872 - d. 3 Sep 1876)
16. Gregory, Sallie Alston   (b. 23 Jul 1860 - d. 23 Sep 1862)
Daughter of Roger O. and Sallie E. (Alston) Gregory. "Suffer little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven".
17. Gregory, Sallie E. (Alston)   (b. 15 Aug 1840 - d. 22 Feb 1862)
Daughter of Gideon and Eveline Alston. "How blessed the righteous when they die". 3' column 1'sq. on ground. m. ? Gregory.