Isle of Wight Headstone Mystery - Pvt. Jesse Barlow of the Revolutionary War

There is an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch today titled "Isle of Wight headstone is a mystery." It was written by Allison T. Williams of the Daily Press and, I assume, reprinted with her permission. The article can be found on page B3.

Apparently a tombstone for Jesse Barlow, a private in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War, just appeared in St. Luke's Cemetery in Smithfield of Isle of Wight County. Someone "secretly" placed the stone in the cemetery in early January 2009. The funny thing is that no one has any legitimate record of Jesse being buried in that cemetery. The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) also show a different death date for Jesse in their records than what is on the tombstone.

The stone itself is of the Veteran's Administration variety. I ordered one once for a relative of mine and had the stone sent to my house. A big truck showed up and dropped it in my front yard ditch. The stone weighed a few hundred pounds and that was as far as they would take it. My point is that anyone can get a stone, for any veteran, with some minimal proof and any mailing address. The answer to the mystery lies with the VA, someone would just have to take the time to hound them for the answer.

The cemetery seems somewhat upset about the placement and wants the responsible party to contact them. They at least need to resolve the legitimacy of Jesse's burial at the cemetery. I do not know of any trouble that the person could really get into for doing this. The cemetery may have covenants for monument placement, such as the proper method of pouring a footer for the stone, but I do not see where any laws were broken.

If you know who placed the stone, get them to call the cemetery and work it out. Everyone has good intentions here and we all want to see the right thing done in the end. It is a historical cemetery and needs to preserve its integrity.

As an FYI, you can check out the VA's nationwide grave site locator here:

http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1

A Bunch of Phillips and/or Philips Obituaries, Part I

These are a bunch of obituaries for the Philips family, mostly of central Virginia, namely Hanover, Henrico and the city of Richmond. They were part of a research project I did several years ago so I might as well post them here. They are in no particular order. There may also be some associated notes for different people. If you are interested in anyone here, let me know as I probably have a lot on them.

Richmond Dispatch, July 4, 1889:
"PHILLIPS - Died, on Wednesday, July 3, 1889, at 12:15 A.M., at the residence of her husband, Mrs. ALICE G., daughter of Miles T. Phillips, Esq., and beloved wife of Oscar E. Phillips, in the forty-first year of her age. She leaves a husband and four children to mourn their loss.
Blessed are those who die in the Lord. Funeral will take place from Pine-Street Baptist church TO-DAY, July 4th, at 11 A.M."

Alice died from neurasthenia, a neurotic condition accompanied by exhaustion, depression, inattentiveness, loss of appetite, insomnia and gastrointestinal problems.

Richmond Dispatch, July 27, 1898:
"PHILLIPS - Died, Tuesday morning, July 26, 1898, MILES T. PHILLIPS, in the 75th year of his age. Funeral from Seventh-Street Christian church THURSDAY AFTERNOON at 5[?] o'clock. Boston and Arlington (N. J.) papers please copy."

There is a bronze marker at the head of Miles' grave that reads as follows:
"Miles Turpin Phillips - 1st First Vice President of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution Son of Mourning Phillips of the 2nd Virginia Regiment Continental Line."

Miles is buried in section 10, lot 19 of Hollywood Cemetery.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 13, 1909:
"PHILLIPS - Entered into life eternal Tuesday, May 11, at 3:55 A. M. at the residence of her grandson, Rev. P. A. Arthur, 1247 West Cary Street, MRS. ALICE ELIZABETH PHILLIPS, relict of Captain Miles T. Phillips, in the eightieth year of her age. Funeral private from the residence THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON at 5 o'clock."

Alice is buried in section 10, lot 19 of Hollywood Cemetery.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 10, 1962:
"EDWIN B. PHILLIPS SR. - Edwin Brock Phillips Sr., formerly of 123 Granite ave., died Sunday at a local hospital. He was a retired employe [sic.] of Richmond Hotels, Inc. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church and St. John’s Lodge No. 36, AF&AM. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Stuart R. Kellam, Mrs. Thelma Prescott, Mrs. Charles E. Rose and Mrs. L. F. Trevillian and two sons, Edwin Brock, Jr. and Richard A. Phillips. A funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bennett Funeral Home, with burial in Riverview Cemetery."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 11, 1962:
"PHILLIPS - Entered into rest at a local hospital, Sept. 9, 1962, Edwin Brock Phillips, Sr., formerly of 123 Granite Ave. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Stuart R. Kellam, Mrs. Thelma Prescott, Mrs. Charles E. Rose and Mrs. L. F. Trevilian; two sons, Edwin Brock, Jr., and Richard A. Phillips; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Remains rest at Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., where services will be held at 3:30 P. M. Tuesday. Interment in Riverview."

Edwin is buried in plat G, section 42, division 3, grave 2 of Riverview Cemetery.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 25, 1950:
"MRS. EDWIN B. PHILLIPS, SR - Mrs. Grace Dance Phillips, of 123 Granite Ave., wife of Edwin B. Phillips, Sr., died Sunday in a Richmond hospital. Besides her husband, she is survived by four daughters, two sons, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were incomplete last night."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 26, 1950:
"MRS. EDWIN B. PHILLIPS - A funeral service for Mrs. Grace Dance Phillips, wife of Edwin B. Phillips, Sr., of 123 Granite Ave., who died Sunday at a Richmond hospital, will be held at 2 P.M. Tuesday at First English Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 26, 1950:
"PHILLIPS - Died at a local hospital 9:40 P. M. Sept. 24, 1950, Mrs. Grace Dance Phillips, of 123 Granite Ave. She is survived by her husband, Edwin B. Phillips; four daughters, Mrs. S. R. Kellam, Mrs. J. T. Prescott; Mrs. Chas E. Rose, Jr., and Mrs. Lorin T. Trevillian; two sons, E. B., Jr., and R. A. Phillips; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, also two sisters, Mrs. Raymond Burley and Mrs. Chas. Mayes. The remains rest at the Joseph W. Bliley Funeral Home. Funeral from First English Lutheran Church, Tuesday at 2 P. M. Interment Riverview Cemetery."

Grace is buried in plat G, section 42, division 3, grave 1 of Riverview Cemetery.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 26, 1953:
"MISS MABEL PHILLIPS - Miss Mabel Phillips, of 123 Granite Ave., died Thursday in a Richmond hospital. She is survived by one brother, Edwin B. Phillips, of Richmond, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 2:30 P. M. Saturday at Bennett’s Funeral Home, with burial in Hollywood Cemetery."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 26, 1953:
"PHILLIPS - Entered into eternal rest at a local hospital, Thursday, Sept. 24, 1953, Miss Mabel Phillips. She is survived by one brother, Edwin B. Phillips, and several nieces and nephews. Remains rest at the Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., where services will be held Saturday, September 26, at 2:30 P.M. Interment Hollywood."

Mabel is buried in section 10, lot 19 of Hollywood Cemetery. I believe that Mabel was an inmate of Western State Hospital in 1920. This facility, located in the Staunton/Augusta County area, was a mental hospital.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 21, 1972:
"JONES - Mrs. Evelyn P. Jones, widow of George L. Jones, died Wednesday, July 19, 1972, in the hospital in South Hill. She is survived by one son, Dr. George L. Jones. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday in the South Hill United Methodist Church with burial in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends between the hours of 2 and 4 and 7 and 9 P.M. Friday, at Crews Funeral Home."

Richmond-Times Dispatch, c. March 1943:
"G. L. JONES, OF SOUTH HILL, DIES HERE - MASONIC ORDER TO CONDUCT RITES - SOUTH HILL - George L. Jones, 52, husband of Evelyn P. Jones, died Sunday in a Richmond hospital. He was a member of South Hill Methodist Church and was active in Virginia Masonic circles, at the time of his death being worthy patron of Loyalty Chapter 48, Order of the Eastern Star and past master of South Hill Lodge 297 A. F. and A. M. In addition, he was a member of the Royal Arch Chapter 59, of Victoria, and was long employed by the Southern Railway, serving as agent at South Hill when he died. Surviving are his wife and one son, George L. Jones, Jr., of South Hill; two sisters, Mrs. Edward Denby, of Boydton, and Mrs. Carrie May Jones, of Richmond, and one aunt, Miss Mary R. Jones, of Boydton. Funeral services will be held at 4 P. M. Monday at the graveside in Oakwood Cemetery in South Hill, with the Rev. Ira Astin officiating. Masonic Lodge 297 will observe the last rites of Masonry."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 6, 1976:
"MOSLEY - William L. Mosley Sr., died Tuesday, October 5, 1976, at his residence, 2838 Broad Rock Rd., Apt. 1. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Hattie Elma Mosley; daughter, Marietta Conklin; son, William L. Mosley Jr.; all of Richmond; three sisters, Mrs. Elsie Kain of Norfolk, Mrs. Esther Copley of South Boston, and Mrs. Evelyn Thompson of Courtland; and one granddaughter. Funeral services 11 A.M. Thursday at the Watkins-Cooper Funeral Home, Clarksville, Va. Interment Presbyterian Church, Boydton, Va."