Conservation, Preservation, Beautification.
Fairview Cemetery at Gibsontown in Charles Town, West Virginia
Conservation, Preservation, Beautification.
Fairview Cemetery at Gibsontown in Charles Town, West Virginia
About Us
Our History
Fairview Cemetery, known to locals as Gibsontown Cemetery, is the largest and one of the oldest African American cemeteries in Jefferson County. The Fairview Cemetery Corporation was established in 1875 as a corporation to oversee the “burial place for the dead of the colored” (as cited on page 5, Corporation Book 1, in the Jefferson County Court House). Land to establish the cemetery was purchased in Gibsontown (formerly Ventosa) on Berryville Pike (old 340 south) a few miles south of what was the then Charles Town boundary. For nearly 100 years, Fairview Cemetery served as the primary burial site for the Black communities in Charles Town and nearby vicinities. Generations of our ancestors are buried at this hallowed location.
The rugged road leading into the cemetery is indicative of the rugged road our fore parents traveled.
A 1903 excerpt from the local newspaper cites “The colored people of this locality held a memorial service at Fairview Cemetery on Saturday last. Procession, headed by the M. C. Band left the Fishermen Hall at 1 p.m. and exercises began at the cemetery at 2 o’clock. (Here, let us keep in mind that this was before the average person owned automobiles.) Benjamin. F. Nelson was president, Littleton Lorton Page master of ceremonies, and Philip Jackson secretary. At the cemetery prayer was offered by Rev. Washington Murray, addresses made by Rev. J. H. Burrill, Rev. C. R. Wills and Charles Herbert, and essays read by Misses M. M. Simms and Elizabeth Moore.” This descriptive language illustrates the environment our folks endured, yet they remained proud and determined.
A June 1914 summary of a mass meeting held at the Wainwright Baptist church reports the purpose of the meeting was to devise “some means by which conditions could be made better at the cemetery and reflect some credit upon a respectable industrious people”. The report further cites that another said, “Since God has so beautifully endowed us with strong arms and brawny muscles and so sparingly provided us with finance let us use the factor most available, namely, our muscles”. Fifteen men pledged to meet at the cemetery on the designated day at 7 a.m. to work. They were encouraged to bring their scythes, saws, axes, and grubbing hoes. The ladies promised they would provide the men with a free dinner. It is written that “by 8 O’clock 69 of the most sturdy, respectable, and industrious men of the community were upon the grounds and at work. Among them were our ministers, teachers, as well as our good Dr. C. D. Wainwright, who showed that he can wield the ax in good cause as well as write prescriptions successfully”. “At 5 o’clock the work was completed according to the plan of the mass meeting. Today Fair View cemetery reflects credit upon our race”.
Hundreds of individuals were laid to rest at this cemetery, including those who were enslaved, those who served in the Civil War to set themselves free, those who served in the Spanish-American War to support the expansion of U.S territories, those who served and died while serving their country in WWI and WWII, those who were educators, those who were preachers, a doctor, and of course, the everyday homemakers and laborers who worked hard to provide for their families.
We are here today at this fundraiser, hopefully, with the same sentiments – to restore Gibsontown Fairview Cemetery to a state in which it reflects credit to the industrious, determined individuals who came before us.
On December 7, 2022, Fairview Cemetery was added to the rolls of registered Jefferson County Historic Landmarks.
The Committee
Gibsontown Fairview Cemetery is cared for by a committee of Superintendents who are members of The Gibsontown Fairview Cemetery Association, INC., a Nonprofit organization, committed to the conservation, preservation, and beautification of this Historic and Hallowed ground.
A Tribute to Those We Love: A Gallery of Precious Moments from The Dandiest Garden Affair: A Royal Tea. A Fundaider to support the Cemetery.
A Tribute to Those We Love: A Gallery of Precious Moments from The Dandiest Garden Affair: A Royal Tea. A Fundaider to support the Cemetery.
Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
We love our community, so feel free to connect with us via email and schedule a tour or ask questions if needed.
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