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478    TYSONS QUAKER MEETING BURIAL GROUND AKA CARBONTON QUAKER CHURCH (Old) [Q82.2]

Location - Gulf Township. On the west side of SR 2306, Goldston--Carbonton Road, 0.15 mile north of NC 42. Located on the property of Carbonton Methodist Church, southwest of the building, surrounded in a low rock wall. Located on the property of Carbonton Methodist Church, southwest of the building, surrounded in a low rock wall.

Coordinates: 35d 31m 27.4s N; 79d 21m 00.8s W Click here for Online Maps

Another view. -- View 3. -- View 4.

Carbonton Methodist Church, established in 1895, was built on the site of Tyson's Quaker Meeting.

In 1984, Kathy Brooks Jones recorded 6 grave markers and published these records in Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I, 1984, page 23. On 27 May 1994, Will M. Heiser noted the 6 markers recorded by Kathy Jones and counted at least 14 field stones for other grave sites. In February 2023, Kelly Gomez photographed and surveyed the cemetery- including the 6 stones within the old rock wall that were recorded by Kathy Brooks Jones in 1984. The stones within this section that were inscribed are difficult to read now so some of the recorded epitaphs included here are from Kathy Brooks Jones' Buffalo Creek Chronicles.

Outside the rock wall, Gomez noted numerous field stones as well as 3 carved stones in the necked discoid style that likely date from the time that it was used as the Old Quaker Burial Ground before Carbonton Methodist Church was founded.

Owner: Carbonton United Methodist Church
Topo Quadrant: Carbonton
Church-owned: Yes
Legal: Parcel number 62533. Deed 2336/218; plat 20-36 (2025).
Used: No
Number of graves: At least 6 burials within the stone wall enclosure. Numerous fieldstones from the Quaker Church period surround the rock wall, as well as 3 carved, but not legible headstones.
White: Yes.
Unrestricted access: Yes.
Well maintained: Yes.
Enclosed: Partially. Some burials from this era are likely outside the stone wall enclosure.
Markers: Yes.
Listed: Yes.
Miscellaneous: This cemetery was originally labeled as the Old Carbonton Quaker Cemetery but research contributed by Mark Chilton indicates that this cemetery belonged to Tyson's Quaker Meeting.

Tyson's Friends Meeting House is mentioned in the book: Cane Creek Mother of Meetings where it says: "Tyson's Meeting was started in 1783 on Deep River in Chatham County near Carbonton. A group of Friends reported to the monthly meeting Sixth month of 1800 that they had `visited families of Friends near Tyson's and in their judgment, it would be best to discontinue the indulgence of the meeting.' The basis of their judgment is unknown."

The cemetery is listed in "Buffalo Creek Chronicles," Vol. I, 1984, p. 23 by Kathy Brooks Jones.

Last canvassed by: Kathy Brooks, 1984; Will Heiser, 1991; Kelly Gomez, 22 February 2023.

1. Drake, Lidia W.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I, p. 23. "In Memory." The stone has a large crack through the left center. Another view. - - - Footstone.
2. Roberts, Willy   (b. 25 Nov 1807 - d. 19 May 1849)
Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I, p. 23. Large portions of the stone have chipped away from the top and right shoulder. Heavy deterioration makes the epitaph illegible. On the reverse of the stone are markings that appear to be graffiti. On the footstone is a crude inscription that reads: "DIED." Another view. - - Back of marker. - - Footstone.
3. T., R.   (b. Unknown - d. 1809)
Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I, p. 23. This necked discoid headstone is just outside the rock wall of the Quaker cemetery but very likely dates from the same era. The stone is in good condition except it is leaning into the ground. The inscription, if there was one, is no longer legible. Another view.
4. Tyson, A.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I, p. 23. The stone is intact. Another view.
5. Tyson, Thomas   (b. 1790 - d. 6 Oct 1848)
Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I, p. 23. "Sacred to the Memory of Thomas Tyson who De[arted This Life Oct 6 in the Year A.D. 1848".
6. Tyson, Thompson   (b. 1796 - d. 28 Jun 1824)
Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I, p. 23. "Sacred to the Memory of Thompson Tyson who died June 28, 1824 28 yrs old". Another view.
7. Tyson, W. D.   (b. 8 Mar 1798 - d. 28 Mar 1879)
This headstone is broken in two pieces and lying on the ground. "There is no death, no." The rest is not legible.
8. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Stone is in good condition but inscription is barely visible and not legible.
9. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
This headstone is jut outside the rock wall of the Quaker cemetery but very likely dates from the same era.
10. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
This pair of fieldstones (likely a head and foot marker) is just outside the rock wall of the Quaker cemetery but very likely dates from the same era. Foot marker.