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532    MARKS [T20.1]

Location - Cape Fear Township. West of SR 1912, Christian Chapel Church Road, 1.2 miles north of NC 42

Coordinates: 35d 35m 22.8s N; 78d 59m 13.1s W Click here for Online Maps

In 1984 Martha Harrington recorded three or more gravesites, reported in Kathy Brooks Jones, Buffalo Creek Chronicles, Vol. I. Kip Marsh visited the site in February 2025 and located three above-ground crypts and two smaller areas outlined with concrete in a single row under a large, spreading magnolia tree. None of the graves have legible markings, but one crypt has an embedded metal funeral home marker. Leaf litter is abundant in the area and was not removed to see if additional graves might be present.

Another view.

Deeds suggest that the property was part of the estate of James Alexander "Sandy" Marks, who died in 1923 and according to his death certificate, was buried in the "home cemetery." Most of the deeds referenced below refer to the "graveyard." It is possible that the land was in the Marks family and the graveyard established prior to James Marks' occupancy. While only five graves are evident, the area should be closely examined by professionals before any disturbance to determine whether additional graves are present.

Legal: Parcel 78264. Owner EC Propco LLC, deed 2281/856, 1 Feb 2022. Formerly Evan Mann Marks to CP&L 361/68, 5 Aug 1971. Other deeds referenced JO/353, KD/337, IC/144, JM/592, GS/231 and GS/232.
Topo Quadrant: Cokesbury.
Cemetery type: Private family
Current status: Overgrown, lots of leaf litter, under magnolia tree. Easily identifiable as a cemetery when crypts are found.
Abandoned: Yes.
Number of graves: 5, possibly more.
White: Yes.
Unrestricted access: No. Private property.
Enclosed: No.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: No.
Listed: Yes.
Other information: James A. Marks married Mary Susan Utley 18 Dec 1880. In 1900, the family consisted of James A., Mary, six children, and James' mother Annie [Patterson] Marks. Boe Goodwin reported finding an open well and two large homestead oaks on the parcel in June 2023.
Listed explanation: Kathy Brooks Jones, "Buffalo Creek Chronicles," Vol. I, 1984, p. 84.
Last canvassed by: Martha Harrington. Date: Feb 1984; Boe Goodwin, June 2023; Kip Marsh, February 2025.

1. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Small grave outlined with concrete curbing. Another view.
2. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Small grave outlined with concrete curbing. Another view.
3. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Above-ground crypt. Another view.
4. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Above-ground crypt. Another view.
5. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Above-ground crypt. Another view.