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Suffolk (formerly Nansemond Co, VA)
An African American cemetery sits in the shadow of 21st century residential construction in what is now the City of Suffolk. It became Virginia's largest city (by area, not population) when Suffolk annexed all of Nansemond County, causing that county to cease to exit. The residents of this cemetery would be surprised to learn that their final resting place is in a city. They were farmers, living off the land. Harrison Smith, the oldest cemetery inhabitant with a marked tombstone, would have been born a slave. He is first found enumerated as head of household in the 1870 Nansemond Co, VA Census. Mary A. Smith was the wife of Harrison's son, Harrison Smith Jr., who remarried the widow Harriet after Mary's 1904 death. Married in about 1876, Mary bore 7 children with 4 still living in 1900. Both father and son resided in what was then designated as the Sleepy Hole district of Nansemond County. Harrison Smith is surrounded by family. Judging by the fresh flowers marking many graves, there must be family members continuing to live in the area. May they provide continuing protection from the encroachment of residential construction. The cemetery is located near Balleytown at the corner of Nansemond Parkway and Route 627. There is a bend in the road. Its on the left hand side right at the corner if you are heading north on 627. Cemetery photographed 17 June 2005 by Chuck Rippel |
Smith
Family Cemetery
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Harrison Smith Died June 25, 1896 Aged 85 Years 1870 Nansemond Co, VA Census, Sleepy Hole Township, PO: Suffolk, p. 285, #211-216, Harrison Smith (48, VA, Works on Farm), Martha (35), Harrison (18), Elizabeth (4), John (2), Rex Williams (53) 1880 Nansemond Co, VA Census, Sleepy Hole, p 144B, ED 56, Supv District 1, #149-178, Harrison Smith (50, VA, Farmer), Martha (45), John (13), Elizabeth (11), Mary (8, VA) |
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Mary A. Smith Born September 19, 1857 Died April 18, 1904 Age 47 Years 1880 Nansemond Co, VA Census, Sleepy Hole Township, p 145, ED 56, Supv District 56, #158-190, Harrison Smith Jr. (27, VA, Farm Laborer), Mary (20, VA, Keeping House), Lucy (6, VA), Jane (2, VA) 1900 Nansemond Co, VA Census, Sleepy Hole Magisterial District, p 211A, ED 31, Sheet 7, #135, Harrison Smith (Apr 1855 VA), Mary (Sept 1856), Lucinda (Apr 1877), Martha (Dec 1881), Eugene - female (Feb 1884), Mary (Jan 1885), William Copeland - Boarder (Jan 1864) 1910 Nansemond Co, VA Census, Sleepy Hole District, ED 16, Supv Dist 2, Sheet 6a, p. 260, #91-91, Harrison Smith (56, VA, Laborer Truck Farm, Married 3 years - 2nd wife), Harriett (60, VA), Rochelle Everett (Granddaughter, 15, VA), Flossie Hale (Granddaughter, 13, VA), Sudie Cobb (Granddaughter, 3, VA) |
