Chatham County North Carolina Cemeteries Other NC County Cemeteries
Brought to you in partnership with Chatham County Historical Association https://www.chathamhistory.org

085    WILLIAMS, JOHN [D94.1]

Location - Center. about 2,500 feet south of Old 87, SR 1520; 1,500 feet east of SR 1519, Milliken Road.

Coordinates: 35d 45m 23.0s N; 79d 11m 54.0s W Click here for Online Maps

This is the burial site of John Williams, first resident lawyer of Chatham County, and other members of his family. The site was first canvassed in 2007, and was photographed and was documented in 2023 after the property was purchased and development of Corbett Landing subdivision was begun. Only two inscribed markers have been located, along with several fieldstone markers. Family records and the register of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church have been used to identify some of the other burials.

Additional site view 1. - - Additional view 2. - - Additional view 3. - - Additional view 4. - - Additional view 5.

Views showing fieldstone markers: View 1. - - View 2. - - View 3. - - View 4. - - View 5. - - View 6. - - View 7. - - View 8.

Owner: Corbett Landing LLC Formerly: John Gaines and others. See title research.

Legal Description: Cemetery parcel is 0096393. Previous parcel was 6580. Current Deed: 2331/0568 Current Plat: 2024/0180 shows cemetery parcel but not cemetery extent. Also see 2005 /0080, which shows the cemetery. Deed 2331/568 parcel 6580. 30 Dec 1976, Clara B. Gaines to C.S. Gaines, Jr., et al. Deed says: "except for 1/4 acre for family graveyard."
Topo Quadrant: Bynum.
Abandoned: Yes.
Number of graves: 7 identified. The site has not been examined to determine whether additional graves are present. There may also be graves of enslaved people on the property.
Cemetery size: 36' x 54'; ¬ acre by deed.
White: Yes.
Restricted access: Yes. Private Property.
Overgrown and easy to identify: Easy to identify.
Enclosed: No.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: Yes.
Number of readable markers: 2.
Last burial: 1889.
First burial: 1816 from inscribed marker; possibly 1800 by St. Bartholomew's Church records.

Significant events: Burial site of John Williams, first resident lawyer of Chatham County, called "London John" to distinguish him from another lawyer because he came from London.

Miscellaneous information: March 27, 2007, the site was canvassed by Mike Hubbard, Jane Pyle, Britt Norwood. As of April 2023, the developer had marked the site with yellow caution tape and visible burials were marked with blue survey flags. On April 6, 2023, the site was visited by CCHA volunteers, Kelly Gomez and Ray Carney, with permission of Corbett Landing developer. Jim and Bev Wiggins visited the site on 6 Nov 2024 and found that the extent was no longer marked and only some of the blue flags marking graves were still in place. Photos are by Kelly Gomez in 2023 and Bev Wiggins in 2024.

Last canvassed by: Mike Hubbard, Jane Pyle, Britt Norwood; 27 Mar 2007; Kelly Gomez and Ray Carney, 6 Apr 2023; Bev and Jim Wiggins, 6 Nov 2024.

1. Pope, Philadelphia Hosier   (b. 13 Aug 1828 - d. 14 Jun 1889)
Wife of Harrington Pope, granddaughter of John `London John' Williams. good. In Memoriam / Philadelphia Hosier / wife of / Harrington Pope / Born Aug. 13. 1828 / Died / June 14. 1889. Footstone: PHP. -- Closeup 1. -- Closeup 2.
2. Williams, Anna Maria   (b. 3 Mar 1794 - d. 22 Jun 1800)
Daughter of John and Philadelphia Hosier Williams. No inscribed stone. This burial recorded in family records or in St. Bartholomew's Church register. This person is probably buried in one of the graves marked by fieldstones.
3. Williams, Harriet Mary   (b. 30 May 1775 - d. 25 Oct 1812)
Daughter of John and Mary Monkfield Williams. No inscribed stone. This burial recorded in family records or in St. Bartholomew's Church register. This person is probably buried in one of the graves marked by fieldstones.
4. Williams, John   (b. 9 Aug 1752 - d. 4 Nov 1816)
Husband of 1) Mary Monkfield 2) Philadelphia Hosier (from family history). I have heard of the[e] by the / hearing of the ear but now / my eyes seeth thee. fair. In / Memory of / John Williams / departed this life / November 4th 1816 / aged 64 years 2 months / and 26 days /. Chatham's first resident lawyer, called `London John' to distinguish him from another lawyer with the same name. Footstone JW. Calculated date of birth. Another view.
5. Williams, John Barber   (b. 13 Sep 1798 - d. 6 Apr 1841)
Son of John and Philadelphia Hosier Williams. No inscribed stone. This burial recorded in family records or in St. Bartholomew's Church register. This person is probably buried in one of the graves marked by fieldstones.
6. Williams, Martha   (b. 4 Jan 1804 - d. 26 Aug 1804)
Daughter of John and Philadelphia Hosier Williams. No inscribed stone. This burial recorded in family records or in St. Bartholomew's Church register. This person is probably buried in one of the graves marked by fieldstones.
7. Williams, Philadelphia Hosier   (b. 5 Feb 1759 - d. 4 Dec 1838)
2nd Wife of John Williams. No inscribed stone. This burial recorded in family records or in St. Bartholomew's Church register. This person is probably buried in one of the graves marked by fieldstones.