Mary's Grove Cemetery

This afternoon I looked for a driveway or entrance to the cemetery on the north side of Harper Ave. between Hwy 18 and Fairview Dr.  After making several drive by's not seeing anything other than driveways to private homes, I stopped at the, Fairview Presbyterian Church, and spoke with a lovely woman in the church office. I asked her if she knew where, Mary's Grove cemetery was. She shook her head, looked to the ceiling and said, "Why yes I do"! She had to think a minute before telling me how many driveway's from where we were until I turn and climb the hill to the cemetery. She said she hadn't thought about the place for years. In fact she had completely forgot about it.  I shared with her why I was looking for it and the little I know about, Robert Miller. . She was very interested in knowing more and asked me to stop back sometime and let her know what I've learned in my search.

Photo of the entrance to the cemetery. I had to park across the street in the driveway of Mary's Grove, cross Harper Ave on foot and walk several feet to the path to the cemetery.

I walked to the top of the hill and saw 20-25 old tombstones on my left with 5-6 more recent stones to the right.  This photo taken of the oldest stones from the top of the hill looking left.

I first located, Mary wife of Robert J Miller

Not far from Mary's stone I found, Robert J Miller

Information on, Mary's Grove was obtained from the book, "Annals of Caldwell County" by W.W. Scott, Burke County USGW archives, St James Episcopal Church website and local Lenoir/Caldwell County natives.... the foot work/photo's by "moi" relishing every step back in time to, Mary's Grove Plantation.

Mary's Grove (Garden)

Mary's Grove Plantation built in mid 1780 is located at 2121 Harper Ave, Lenoir, NC. Two miles west of the old Lenoir Courthouse, east of highway 18.

Old well located to the west side of the main house seems to be still operational. There is a newer modern day tap installed but evidence of the old pulley used to lower a bucket to retrieve water is visible.

Old silo behind the main house built from the same stone as the well and house.

Located behind and to the east of the main house.  It could have been the barn or carriage house?? It appears to currently be used as an apartment/home.

The main home is now, "Western Carolina Surveyors" and owned by Mr Ty Bishop. I haven't spoken to Mr. Bishop yet to find out if the property is listed as, "Historic". I plan to do so as soon as time allow's.  I also plan to locate the old, Mary's Grove Cemetery, across the road (Harper Ave).
A person of interest supposedly buried in the cemetery is Rev. Robert Johnston Miller. He was a veteran in General Washington's Army and lived at Mary's Grove from 1786 until his death in 1834.

Rev. Miller (Parson) established the first Episcopal church in Caldwell County. St Andrews Episcopal Church near Granite Falls. The church is no longer in existence however as per St James Episcopal Church on College Ave. Lenoir webpage, families from St. Andrew's helped establish St. James after the death of Parson Miller.

To be continued.......

Found inspiration and direction

I created this blog well over a year ago. After creating it I couldn't think of anything poignant to blog about so I set it a side and forgot about it until today.


For as long as I can remember I've been fond of history, architecture, abandoned and forgotten buildings, folk lore, culture and it's progression of people and places. The town I've lived in the last five years, Lenoir, NC is chuck full of history, beautiful buildings and uniquely talented people. Lenoir is located in the foothills of North Carolina. To our north are the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. To our south and east is the Piedmont plateau and outer banks along the Atlantic Ocean.


The unique talent of the people in the foothills is truly inexplicable. Personal expression through all art forms flow like spring water from the mountain's. I'll write more about this in a future blog..


It seems to me that a majority of the people born, (specifically the current teen to twenty something age group) raised in the foothills, having never lived anywhere else, realize or appreciate the vast amount of talent and history here. Talent that needs to be exposed and history that needs to be preserved and shared. My mission is to share a little of Lenoir's history and people in this blog.

Gotta Love em..

I had an interesting conversation with my 8 year old son a few minutes ago.

Earlier I overheard him tell a neighbor boy to go home he didn't want to play with him. They've been playing together almost daily the past couple weeks. After the boy left, I asked John why he didn't want to play with him?  He said, "Mom, there are a lot of reason's why." "You see it's like spoiled milk, once it goes bad you can't do anything with it." LOL 

After I regained my composure, I asked "Did you have anything to do with the milk spoiling?" "Maybe forget to put it back in the fridge?" He looked at me, mouth agape and blank faced. I could almost see the wheel's in his head working hard on how to respond. Finally he said, "I think you've taken the spoiled milk thing too far" LOL LOL Gotta love em!!!