Chatham County North Carolina Cemeteries Other NC County Cemeteries
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207    ALSTON, JOSEPH JOHN [H19.1]

Location - Hickory Mountain Township. 600 feet north of SR 1503, Harold Hart Road, immediately behind St. Julia Catholic Church, and accessible from the church parking area. Address is 210 Harold Hart Rd., Siler City, NC.

Coordinates: 35d 44m 08.2s N; 79d 22m 36.8s W Click here for Online Maps

On 7 October 1996, Audrey and Will Heiser recorded 10 grave markers which were accessible. The Heisers noted many more gravestones on the ground, covered with weeds and brush. At that time many of the stones were 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.

On 1 March 2010, Bev Wiggins photographed the stones, which were accessible because the brush in the cemetery had recently been cut. One inscribed stone not previously recorded was found and several inscriptions were more completely recorded from the photographs. Two stones previously recorded were not found or the inscriptions not visible in their current positions.

In July 2010, the cemetery was cleaned up, most of the broken stones repaired, and fallen or tilted stones righted. The cleanup was funded and overseen by Alston descendants Steve Brooks and Sara Brooks Strassle. This restoration made it possible to record information from stones that were previously inaccessible.

In June of 2018 neighbors of the St. Julia's Catholic Church reported to CCHA that the stone wall around the Joseph John Alston cemetery had been removed with large equipment, and the stones piled some distance away. Contact with the church was made immediately to let them know that the removal was inappropriate and illegal and that steps needed to be taken to protect the gravesites. Many attempts were made to discuss a possible resolution, but no satisfactory discussions were held until February of 2019, when a new priest was in place and Alston descendant Steve Brooks met with him and other church officials. Brooks was satisfied that the new priest, Father Julio, would see that the wall was rebuilt using the original stones. No progress had been made in that direction as of October 2019 when CCHA volunteers surveyed and mapped the cemetery to help guide placement of the reconstructed wall. The survey team was led by professional archaeologist, Linda Carnes-McNaughton. She was assisted by Kirk McNaughton, Jim Wiggins and Bev Wiggins. Two site visits to the cemetery were made to map the cemetery on 10 Oct and 12 Oct 2019. Notes from those visits and communications with Father Julio and David Daughton, who was identified as the church's manager for the wall reconstruction, along with a map of the cemetery layout can be found HERE.

In 2021 the St Julia's Parish contracted with someone to rebuild the wall around the cemetery per the agreement with descendants. However, the contractor simply moved the rocks and soil, which had been piled at the edge of the property since the wall was removed, around the perimeter of the cemetery, an unacceptable outcome.
The Church's efforts to find an affordable way to reconstruct the wall were unsuccessful. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between the Parish and descendants that alternative fencing could be used around the cemetery, and that stones from the original wall would be used to build planters and other landscaping features within and around the cemetery. A metal fence was erected in 2022, but as of June 2026, the reuse of the stones from the wall has not been accomplished.

Photos of the cemetery after brush and trees were removed by church volunteers in March 2010. These views show toppled monuments and evidence of vandalism.
View off the cemetery in 2010. - - - View 2 of the cemetery in 2010. - - - View 3 of the cemetery in 2010.

Photo of restored monuments after work in July 2010.

Photo of the site in 2017.

Photo of the site after the rock wall was bulldozed and moved away from the cemetery perimeter in June 2018. - - - View #2 of after the wall was moved.

Map of cemetery layout prepared by Linda Carnes-McNaughton in October 2019. - - - Key to the cemetery map.

Photo after the rocks from the cemetery wall were replaced around the cemetery perimeter in February 2021.

Photo of the site after a new metal fence was erected in November of 2022. - - - View #2 of the new fence.

Owner: St Julia's Catholic Parish of Siler City. Previously Walter A. Bunton.
Legal Description: Deed 2243/47; Plat 2017-157. Deed 935/1045, 24 May 2002; Plat 99-435. Deed 363/159, 24 May 2002; Deed 363/159, 8 Oct 1971, from R. G. and Cora E. Hancock. Parcel 11741.
Topo Quadrant: Siler City.
Abandoned: Yes.
Number of graves: 23+.
Cemetery size: 90' x 90'.
White: Yes.
Restricted access: No. On church property. Accessible.
Marginally maintained.
Enclosed: Yes. Currently enclosed by metal fence. Previously enclosed by 3' dry stacked stone wall.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: Yes.
Number of readable markers: 23.
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: Gravesites of Chatham County, North Carolina.

Significant events: Joseph John 'Chatham Jack' Alston, Jr., and his family were prominent in the early development of Chatham County. Chatham Jack is said to have owned thousands of acres in Chatham and is known to have enslaved hundreds of people. His primary residence is believed to have been in the area of the cemetery.

Last canvassed by: Audrey and Will Heiser. Date: 7 Oct 1996. Will Heiser, Apr 1997. Bev Wiggins, March 2010. Jim and Bev Wiggins on 22 Jul 2010. Linda Carnes-McNaughton, Kirk McNaughton, Jim and Bev Wiggins, October 10 and 12, 2019. Additional photos by Bev Wiggins from 2021 and 2022.

1. Alston, Ann Maria (Alston)   (b. abt 1794 - d. 25 Jun 1852)
Wife of Robert P. [William Palmer] Alston of Chatham. She died the 25th of June 1852 aged 58 years. "Go stranger, tell my beloved husband, friends, and relations, to grieve not for me, shall not the Judge of all the earth do right And the worms destroy my body, yet will my Redeemer at the last day raise me to everlasting life." 2'sq. monument 4' tall. Closeup of inscription.
2. Alston, Eveline (Alston)   (b. 29 Feb 1806 - d. 11 Nov 1891)
[Wife of Gideon Alston-shared stone. Mother of JA, JP, SE, and GP Alston-on stone.] "Daughter of Philip and Martha Alston of Warren Co., N.C." "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside still watter [sic]." 10' pedestal - south side. Closeup of inscription. Ornate carving.
3. Alston, Fanny Ann   (b. 5 Mar 1831 - d. 12 Jun 1864)
Wife of J.A. Alston." Small, finely carved marble tablet-carved in relief-letters are raised. Closeup of inscription. Details in carving.
4. Alston, Gideon   (b. 9 Sep 1806 - d. 24 Dec 1855)
[Husband of Eveline (Alston) Alston-shared stone. Father of JA, JP, SE, and GP Alston-on stone. Son of Joseph John 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 Chap. 29 & 30 verse." "Sweet Repose" "Sacred to the memory." 10' pedestal - north side. Footstone: GA.
5. Alston, Infant   (b. Unknown - d. 1880)
Small. Infant daughter of G.P. and R.L. Alston
6. Alston, John J. [Jones]   (b. 17 Mar 1792 - d. 18 Sep 1842)
[Husband of Adeline Williams Alston.] "Could friendship's voice his matchless praises, speak Could friendships handsome dear memento raise. It had been done-but friendships' power too weak cannot portray, dare not his virtues praise. Yet silence here is startling Eloquence. His virtues stand engraven on each heart. So mild, so gentle, free from all pretense. Above the minstrels song of poet's art. In life he bore affliction's storms unmoved. In sickness spake of peace in midst of pain. In death had hope, knew that by god beloved. Death had no sting, and loss to him was gain." 2'sq. 3' high pedestal. "Sacred to the memory of." Stone signed by M. A. Boyd. Relationship info from Alston---Society, Vol. 1, 1958-1961, p. 32. Closeup of inscription.
7. Alston, Joseph J.   (b. 15 Mar 1767 - d. 29 Apr 1841)
[Husband of Martha (Kearney) Alston.] "Erected to the memory of Joseph J. Alston who was born Marth 15th 1767 & departed this life April 29th 1841." "Tis here he rests, Death's mortal sleep has sealed his flashing eye', And many a kindred soul does weep, And heave the anguish'd sigh. His noble form is stiff and cold, His melting voice is hushe'd. That heart now lies beneath the mould, Whence love's pure currents gushe'd." Signed M.A. Boyd. Round obelisk. [Chatham Jack Alston] Relationship info from Groves, "The Alstons---of No.Carolina, 1901, p.126. Closeup of inscription.
8. Alston, Joseph J. Jun   (b. 17 Feb 1814 - d. 28 May 1842)
[Husband of (1st) Parmelia DeGraffenreidt and (2nd) Decimus Palmer Alston. Son of Joseph John, and Martha (Kearney) Alston.] "In memory of Joseph J. Alston Jun. who was born Febr 17th 1814 and Died May 28th 1842." "Alas that the fair and young The beautiful and good Should be called in the spring of earthly joy To the graves' dark solitude. The clod's of the valley lie, In courses o'er thy bed, But my soul doth oft in the shadowy hour, Commune with the sainted dead. And when thy vision comes, As now, in that magestick [sic] train, A voice like thine whispers oft and low, That we shall meet again." 5' pyramid. Relationship info from Groves, "The Alstons---of No. Carolina" 1901, p. 126. Closeup of inscription.
9. Alston, Junius A., [Jr.]   (b. 21 Mar 1875 - d. 30 Aug 1876)
Son of J. A. and Ida Alston" [Junius A. and Ida (Loyd) Alston] Carved in relief-letters are raised. Closeup of inscription.
10. Alston, Martha [Kearney]   (b. 22 Feb 1771 - d. Jun 1852)
[Wife of Joseph John 'Chatham Jack' Alston. Daughter of Philip and Martha (Alston) Kearney.] "To the memory of Mrs. Martha Alston. She died in June 1852 age 82." "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 2'sq. 3' high, 5' pyramid. Relationship info from Groves, "The Alstons--of No. Carolina" 1901, p.126; Alston---Society, Vol 1, 1958-1961, p. 32. Closeup of inscription. Obelisk fallen, but restored in July 2010.
11. Alston, Nathaniel M. [Macon]   (b. 15 Dec 1801 - d. 2 Jun 1856)
[Husband of Patsy K. (Williams) Alston. Son of Joseph John and Martha (Kearney) Alston.] 6' pedestal. "Born in Chatham County." "The faithful Christian has no dread, Of being numbered with the dead. His peace is made with God above, Conveyed by angels to his love." Stone signed Lauder, Fayetteville. Relationship info from Groves, "The Alstons--of No. Carolina" 1901, p. 126. Closeup of inscription. After cleanup.
12. Alston, Philip K. [Kearney Dawson]   (b. 25 Dec 1811 - d. May 1852)
[Husband of Ann (Harwell) Alston. Son of Joseph John and Martha (Kearney) Alston.] "To the memory of Philip K. Alston of Chatham who died in the month of May 1852 aged 40." "Of honor incorruptible, of friendship sincere, of integrity inflexible, of manners plain and simple, without duplicity, cunning or dissimulation. As husband, father, son, brother tenderly beloved, and worthy of being so loved." 8' pedestal. Relationship info from Groves, "The Alstons--of No. Carolina" 1901, p.126. Closeup of inscription.
13. Alston, R. P.   (b. Unknown - d. 2 Jul 1872)
"Sacred to the memory of R. P. Alston who departed this life July 2 1872. In God we trust." Closeup of inscription.
14. Alston, Robert P.   (b. 22 Jan 1871 - d. 24 Aug 1876)
Son of J.A. and Ida Alston" [Junius A. and Ida (Loyd) Alston]. Closeup of inscription.
15. Alston, Saltar Lloyd   (b. 23 Jun 1872 - d. 3 Sep 1876)
Stone after restoration in July 2010. Footstone: SLA
16. Gregory, Sallie Alston   (b. 23 Jul 1860 - d. 23 Sep 1862)
Daughter of R.O. (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 blest the righteous when they die." 3' column 1' sq. Closeup of inscription.
18. Unknown, B.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Small. Only "B" on stone.
19. Unknown, B.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Small. Only "B" on stone.
20. Unknown, Baby   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Only "Baby" on stone.
21. Unknown, Baby   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Only "Baby" on stone.
22. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
grave marked by a large fieldstone
23. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
grave marker by quartz fieldstone