Greenwood Primitive Baptist Cemetery

Narrative

Photo taken Oct. 2014

From the 1941 book titled Prince William, The Story of Its People and Its Places
This congregation, organized by persons who had formerly belonged to Chopawamsic Church in Stafford County was in existence as early as 1881, for that year Elder Wynn is known to have preached to the little group of Baptists. The first pastor, however, was John T. Alexander, who began his ministry in 1883. The church was dedicated in June of 1884 and in August of the same year joined the Baptist association. At the courthouse is recorded the deed for the land, which was a gift from the Danes of Pilgrims' Rest, dated October 24, 1887. The trustees then were George Tansill, George Maddox, and Ed Calvert.
In the graveyard are inscriptions to the following people: Mary F. Leary (1861-1924), William H. Leary (1846-1926), Charles Leary (1872-1906), Bertie Leary (1875-1900), Katie S. Clarke (1864-1939), Charles E. Clarke (1864--), Elmer Milton Clarke (1888-1914), Thomas Bayton Alexander (1854-1898), William H. Smith (1858-1927), Emma Jane Alexander (1853-1924), Manly P. Athey (1895-1897), Fannie M. Brawner (1838-1917), Mary J. Curtis (1877-1915), Lavenia G. Curtis (1848-1922), James A. Bland (1854-1914), Wesley Bland (1835-1911), Perry L. Bland (1879-1913), Mary C. Bland (1840-1914), Edward Bland (1838-1915), John Thomas Dewey (1857-1926), Charles H. Arrington (1838-1909), Andrew J. Calvert (1871-1907), John Perry Calvert (1896-1908), and Maud E. Sabine (1884-1914), Dewitt C. Alexander (1848-1903), Sarah A. Alexander (1825-1878), Hattie S. Alexander (1876-1878), and Robert M. Alexander (1866-1887).

From a post on our Facebook page about Minnie of Minnieville, posted July 15, 2023
In 1884 a small post office was established in what was known as the area of “Greenwood”. Today, that area is the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Minnieville Road. The post office was on the edge of Dewitt Alexander’s farm. Alexander became the first postmaster and likely ran a small store in the same building. The postmaster was also able to name the new location. Dewitt Alexander named it after his oldest child of 12, 10 year old, Minnie. Dewitt died in 1903. His wife, Emma Jane took over as postmaster but around 1905, several small post offices closed, including the Minnieville post office. Minnie married Luther Windsor and had eight children. Unfortunately, she died in 1916, at only 42 years old. Her mother died in 1924, and her husband died in 1938. Minnie, her husband, and her parents are all buried at the same intersection she grew up in, at the Greenwood Primitive Baptist Church, which was also established in 1884. Not many people are able to grow up in an area named after them but Minnie of Minnieville was lucky enough to do just that.

Survey Details

Classification:	Religious, Community
Status:	Maintained, still in use
Condition:	Excellent
Approx. Size:	100 x 500 feet
Approximate Number of Burials:	Approx. 100
Earliest Burial Date:	1889, Thomas Bayton Alexander
Latest Burial Date:	2022, Robert Woodall
Markers:	Tombstone, Fieldstone, Unmarked
Surnames Listed on Markers:	Not noted
Comments:	The Church on the corner of Minnieville and Cardinal Drive. This old cemetery has many Tombstones and is well maintained. I did not copy any of the Tombstones.
Surveyed By:	Ron Turner - 2001
Latitude / Longitude:	38.635962,-77.351835

Site Visits

Visited by:	Date:	Comments:
Ron Turner	2001	The Church on the corner of Minnieville and Cardinal Drive. This old cemetery has many Tombstones and is well maintained. I did not copy any of the Tombstones.
David Cuff	Oct. 2014	Very well maintained cemetery and church.

Images

Map