In Memory of Newton Stinson
died April 18, 1823
Aged 12
The stone is in reasonably good condition for its age and even exhibits a shaped detail at the top. The stone shows weathering and environmental damage, but in this case, the lettering is readable, especially on the left-hand side.
At 12 years old, Newton is nearly the same age as both of my own two sons. The Stinsons do not appear to be a prominent family in either the church. There is a record of Mary Stinson, possibly a sibling of Newtons's, who passed in 1841, at the age of 27.
Mary's final resting place is not at Second Site, but in an older section of Philadelphia's South Cemetery, which is a slightly newer cemetery than Second Site. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate her grave marker, if one still exists, due to the extreme weathering of the stones.
There are no death records of any other Stinsons other than these two. It is possible after the early death of two of their children, the family left the area.
Russell Martin Kerr. The Presbyterian Gathering on Clear Creek, (Charlotte, NC: Jostens, 2001).
In Memory of Susannah Query
who died Feb 10
1812 Aged 52 Years
In the early 2000s, a group of local historians and preservationists began a revitalization effort at Second Site. This grave marker was found buried several inches beneath the dirt. After a slow and careful effort, the crew was able to bring it to the surface and place it upright. In spite of being one of the oldest grave markers in the cemetery, the stone and lettering are in good condition. Likely its long-term burial underground protected it somewhat from the elements.
Research into Susannah Query revealed more questions than answers. Query (sometimes spelled Queary) is a common name in the Mint Hill community and among Philadelphia Presbyterian membership throughout its long history, however, there are no specific references to Susannah and who she was. There are records of Querys buried at the Rocky Springs Cemetery (the first cemetery associated with the church) off of Brief Road, making a familial connection likely. She may have been a daughter or niece of John Query, one of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
According to church records in 1837, the Query family also owned several slaves named, Adam, Amy, Charlotte, Jake, and Liney. All five are listed as church members next to William Query's name, however, we can discern their designation as enslaved due to the formatting of their names in the record as "servant of WM Query" after their first names. The enslaved did not have surnames and often used their master's name when necessary.
Carol Timblin. "Susannah Query Remains a Mystery," Mint Hill Times. March 29, 2017.
Russell Martin Kerr. The Presbyterian Gathering on Clear Creek, (Charlotte, NC: Jostens, 2001).
In Memory of James Young
Who departed this life
January 31st, 1835
Aged 66 years
and 2 months
A few short years of evil past
We reach the happy shore
Where death divided friends at last
Shall meet, to part no more
In Memory of Jane Young
Who departed this life
September 5th 1830
Aged 54 years
and 3 months
Call me not back to earth
to have my crown
I have fought through sin and death
My victory's won
In Memory of Robert Young
Who died September the 3
1811 Aged 43 years
A few short years of evil past
We reach the happy shore
Where death divided friends at last
Shall meet, to part no more
(Above) Through photo manipulation, I was able to make Jane's tombstone slightly easier to read. After increasing the brightness and contrast level, I added a red boost to the image to enhance readability.
(Above) This photograph from the early 2000s shows the extreme degradation of Jane Young's grave marker over a short period of time. Mold and fungus overtake the stone, obscuring the epitaph and disguising dents made by a .45 caliber pistol. Apparently, someone thought an old grave marker made for excellent target practice.
Photograph: Courtesy of Scot Treadwell.
Sacred to the Memory
of
William Maxwell
who departed this life
June 1, 1820
Aged 66 years
The Maxwell family was very active in the early days of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. Pastor Kerr's book lists all of the church elders and shows a William Maxwell as one of the ruling elders in 1844. It cannot be the same William, but likely a son or close relative of the William Maxwell laid to rest at Second Site.
Despite being broken and obviously repaired, the top of William's gravestone is in good condition. We are able to make out artwork in bas relief showing two hands grasped in friendship.
(Bottom left) Photograph: Courtesy of Scot Treadwell
Scot Treadwell. "Broken by not Forgotten: Saving the Tombstones of our Ancestors," Old Mecklenburg Geneological Society Quarterly 23, No. 4 (2005): 6-12.
Ellen Poteet, “Cemetery Restoration Uncovers Old Gravestone,” Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society Quarterly, 21, No. 4 (2003), pp. 17-19.
Sacred
To the Memory of
Robert McCombs
Who departed this life
The 22nd Jan, 1818
Aged 81 years 5 months
And 20 Days
Here we see another comparison demonstrating how much mold, fungus and discoloration can obscure vital information.
Photograph: Courtesy of Scot Treadwell
In Memory of
James McCombs
who Departed th life
Oct. 10 1813 in the 74
Year of his Age____
He was a use___ member __________
To the Presbyterian
George Timblin, Bill Hawkins, Charles Burdick, Harry Hood and Scot Treadwell excavated and repaired several grave markers at Second Site Cemetery. James McComb's marker is one example of a repair. We can see where the team filled in the missing holes and cracks with epoxy.
This is a painstakingly difficult process, but worth the effort if one is so inclined to take on the job of grave "marker repairs person." Often in preservation and restoration, it is preferable to be able to see exactly where the restorative effort was applied. If it is too disguised, we may not notice the restoration.
The Hood Family
With a death date of 1797, Tunis Hood's grave is the oldest known grave at Second Site Cemetery. The Hoods are a prominent name throughout Mecklenburg county. Due to their influence, research into the Hoods revealed more information than most of the other families buried at Second Site. Tunis Hood's significance comes from possessing one of the largest landholdings in Mecklenburg County, as well as slaves, in the latter part of the 18th century. Tunis, his wife and their 9 children became part of the Clear Creek congregation at Rocky Springs. He was also a supporter of the Revolution.
Due to his powerful influence, he likely played a role in the Clear Creek congregation re-locating to their second location, the meeting house formerly erected next to the Second Site Cemetery. In 1989, one of his descendants, Dr. Christopher Hood, located the gravesite and erected a monument in memoriam of Tunis Hood.
In the 18th century, burial practices involved entombing the deceased facing the east, the rising sun and Jerusalem. Tunis Hood's new memorial faces the wrong direction, likely so that it can be seen from the street.
Interestingly enough, Idlewild Road in Matthews used to be called Hood's Cross Roads. Idlewild was the location of a large plantation owned by Tunis Hood and his family., For those more familiar with the backroads of eastern Charlotte, Hood Road may be a familiar shortcut to many of us and definitely exemplifies the lasting influence of the Hood family. The Hood name remains active in church records well into the twentieth century.
Carol Timblin. "Clear Creek Settlers Arrived with Slaves" Mint Hill Times. September 7, 2016.
Russell Martin Kerr. The Presbyterian Gathering on Clear Creek, (Charlotte, NC: Jostens, 2001).
Scot Treadwell. Personal Interview, Charlotte, NC, May 7, 2022.
The gravestones pictured above show the final resting place of several of Tunis Hood's descendants in Philadelphia Presbyterian's West Cemetery. D. A. Hood and his wife I.B. Hood lie next to their two infant children. At first glance, one may assume the infants were twins, however, the inscription states that they died two years apart on the same day of their birth.
