A walk in the cemetery
In the summer of 1926, two notices about Milton Valley Cemetery appeared in the People's Journal, the monthly newspaper of Berryville's Black community. One reminded every lot holder that a yearly assessment of one dollar was due. The other invited the community to a free entertainment at Fishermen Hall on Friday night, July 2. "We appeal to you to help us in this worthy cause," it read, "and very much needed Walk in the Cemetery."
A path between the graves is a small thing to raise money for. By then, though, the people who kept this ground had been at that kind of work for decades.
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1926, and one more
The People's Journal of July 1, 1926 printed a notice from the Cemetery Board of Milton Valley Cemetery saying that under a law in effect since 1922 every lot holder was taxed $1.00 a year, signed by Mrs. M. C. Young as secretary, Joseph Lincoln as treasurer and H. Blackburn as president.
What the source supports
That in 1926 the cemetery had a board with a woman as its secretary, and that the board asked every lot holder to pay a yearly assessment.
Uncertainty
The notice was read on the page image, page 4, on 2026-09-26, from Virginia Chronicle's digital reproduction. The notice refers to "a law" without naming it, and no statute is identified here. The notice is printed under the heading "Milton Valley Cemetery COMPANY", which supports identifying the Cemetery Board with the company advertised in 1910 and 1912; no charter or minute establishes it.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The July 1926 Cemetery Board notice.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 July 1926, Vol. XLI No. 353
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1926-07-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 4, Cemetery Board notice headed "Milton Valley Cemetery COMPANY", lower right
Relevant passageThe Cemetery Board of Milton Valley Cemetery wishes to announce that a law went into effect in 1922 that every lot holder is taxed $1.00 per year. We ask each one to please pay your assessment. Mrs. M. C. YOUNG, Sec. JOSEPH LINCOLN, Tres. H. BLACKBURN, Pres.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. The June 1910 advertisement naming the company.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Milton Valley Cemetery Company advertisement, printed page not recorded
Relevant passageThis Company have erected a beautiful MONUMENT in honor to the Stockholders and their beloved dead. ... G. W. Lightfoot, Sec., Berryville.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1926
The People's Journal of July 1, 1926 printed an appeal headed "Cemetery Walk," asking help for a "very much needed Walk in the Cemetery" and announcing an entertainment at Fishermen Hall, Berryville, on Friday night, July 2, 1926, with refreshments at reasonable price and admission free; it was signed by Hila Blackburn as president and M. C. Young as secretary.
What the source supports
That a committee raised money in 1926 for a path in the cemetery, with an entertainment at Fishermen Hall.
Uncertainty
Read on the page image in the site's viewer. The "walk" is a path the committee sought; the entertainment was the fundraiser. Whether it was held or the walk built is not known. Hila Blackburn is not identified with the H. Blackburn of the board's notice, and Fishermen Hall is not identified with the Galilean Fishermen beyond the name.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The appeal, read on the page image.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 July 1926, Vol. XLI No. 353
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1926-07-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, appeal headed "Cemetery Walk"
Relevant passageWe appeal to you to help us in this worthy cause, and very much needed Walk in the Cemetery. There will be an Entertainment at FISHERMEN HALL, BERRYVILLE, VA. Friday night, July 2nd., 1926. ... The delicacies of the Season will be served at reasonable price. ADMISSION: FREE. HILA BLACKBURN, Pres. M. C. YOUNG, Sec'ty.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
An appeal for a "very much needed Walk in the Cemetery," with a free entertainment at Fishermen Hall on Friday night, July 2, 1926. People's Journal, July 1, 1926, p. 1.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), July 1, 1926, page 1. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 1173 pixels): the rectangle from x 455 to 1240 and y 0 to 1150, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 July 1926, Vol. XLI No. 353 Open the full image
Forty-one stockholders
On June 30, 1909, the Clarke Courier announced "a big gathering" for Thursday, July 8. The occasion was the unveiling of a monument, costing about $200, "to the memory of the original stockholders of the Milton Valley Cemetery."
The paper told how the ground began. "Forty-one colored men and women" had formed the Milton Valley Cemetery Company in 1879 and bought three acres "from Mr. Engle." There, the paper said, they laid out "the first burial ground for colored people in this section of the State." Only fourteen of the forty-one were still living. Guests were invited from Washington and elsewhere.
That is the paper's account, and it names none of the forty-one. Other records give another date. The National Register nomination for Josephine City cites the purchase to a deed of 1874, and dates the district's significance from a marked grave of that year. It describes an 1874 agreement for the sale, with the deed recorded only in 1880, and it names the seller as A. Moore, guardian of the Hebb heirs, not Mr. Engle. The deed itself has not been read for this story, so how the dates and the names fit together is still open.
The nomination also names one of the founders. It says the marble obelisk at the center of the cemetery, dedicated in 1909, carries the names of all forty-one original stockholders, with surnames on its base such as Laws, Robertson, Jackson, Page, Carter and Jenkins, and it names Thomas Page as one of the original stockholders. Neither the obelisk nor its list has been examined for this story.
Within a year of the planned unveiling, the company was advertising in the People's Journal. The cemetery, it said, would "afford splendid opportunities for individuals and families to purchase sites for burials at reasonable terms." Across the middle of the notice, in the largest type it carried, stood two words: "A MONUMENT." The company had erected "a beautiful" one, the text around them explained, "in honor to the Stock-holders and their beloved dead." The notice closed with an appeal: "Everybody help in this good work." It was signed by "G. W. Lightfoot, Sec," of Berryville.
A later record adds a name to the company's leadership. In 1924 the Courier's obituary of George William Lightfoot, for a number of years principal of the local Black public school, noted that "his name also appeared among the directorate of the Milton Valley Cemetery Company." Whether he was the secretary who signed the 1910 notice is not settled by the records read for this story.
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1909
The Clarke Courier of June 30, 1909 announced that Black residents of the section would hold "a big gathering" on Thursday, July 8, to unveil a monument costing about $200 "to the memory of the original stockholders of the Milton Valley Cemetery," and that people from Washington and elsewhere had been invited.
What the source supports
That an unveiling of a stockholders' monument was announced for July 8, 1909, with its cost and invited guests.
Uncertainty
An announcement. No report that the unveiling took place was found in the Courier text held by this project; the company's 1910 advertisement says a monument had been erected. The monument's inscription was not read.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The announcement, the monument's cost and the invited guests.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 30, 1909, page 1: "Colored People to Unveil Monument."
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1909-06-30 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, notice "Colored People to Unveil Monument.", first and last paragraphs
Relevant passageThe colored people of this section will have a big gathering on Thursday, July 8, when they will unveil a handsome monument to the memory of the original stockholders of the Milton Valley Cemetery. The monument will cost about $200. ... A number of prominent colored people from Washington and elsewhere have been invited to attend
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1909, and one more
The same Courier notice says that forty-one Black men and women formed the Milton Valley Cemetery Company in 1879, bought three acres "from Mr. Engle," and laid out there "the first burial ground for colored people in this section of the State," and that only fourteen of the forty-one were still living in 1909.
What the source supports
What the Courier said in 1909 about the company's formation, its land and its surviving founders.
Uncertainty
The paper's account thirty years after the event, naming none of the forty-one. The Josephine City historic-district nomination gives a different account: an 1874 agreement for the sale, with the deed recorded only in 1880, from A. Moore, as guardian of the Hebb heirs, not from "Mr. Engle." Neither the deed the nomination cites nor the related deeds were read, so the founding date and the seller are unresolved. "Mr. Engle" is not identified, and the cemetery is not placed on the Milton Valley estate that shares its name. "The first burial ground" is the paper's claim, not a finding here.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The paragraph on the formation, the land and the survivors.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 30, 1909, page 1: "Colored People to Unveil Monument."
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1909-06-30 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, same notice, the paragraph on the company's formation
Relevant passageForty-one colored men and women formed themsevles [themselves] into an organization known as the Milton Valley Cemetery Company in 1879 and purchased three acres of land from Mr. Engle, on which they laid out the first burial ground for colored people in this section of the State. Only fourteen of the original forty-one survive.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: complicates. The nomination's citation of an 1874 deed for the three-acre purchase.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 49, footnote 17
Relevant passageClarke County Deed Book P/152-154 (1874); Maral S. Kalbian and Leila O. W. Boyer, "Final Report: African-American Historic Context, Clarke County, Virginia," 55. This parcel may have originally been part of the Milton Valley property.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: complicates. The nomination names A. Moore, Jr., guardian, as seller, and dates the deed's recording to 1880.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 24 (Section 7 page 24), inventory entry for 313 Josephine Street, the Milton Valley Cemetery
Relevant passageThe ... site dates to at least 1874 when three acres were purchased ... from A. Moore, Jr., the guardian of the children of Edward T. Hebb, although the deed was not recorded until 1880. ... It contains the names of all the original stockholders of the cemetery (41 names are listed).
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: complicates. The nomination's account of the 1874 agreement and the 1880 recording.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 32, statement of significance on the cemetery's purchase and obelisk
Relevant passage... by A. Moore, Guardian for the heirs of E. Y. Hebbs ... it references an 1874 agreement between the parties for the sale to the Milton Valley Cemetery. ... Names on the base of the obelisk ... include ... Laws, Robertson, Jackson, Page, Carter, and Jenkins.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Josephine City Historic District, 2014
The Josephine City Historic District nomination cites Clarke County Deed Book P, pages 152 to 154, of 1874, for the three-acre purchase of Milton Valley Cemetery, as this project's notes record the citation.
What the source supports
That the cemetery ground was bought as a three-acre tract in 1874, by the nomination's citation.
Uncertainty
Read on the rendered PDF, footnote 17 on page 49. The deed itself was not read. The nomination's narrative names the seller as A. Moore, as guardian of the Hebb heirs, and says the deed was recorded in 1880, referring to an 1874 agreement; the 1909 Courier names "Mr. Engle." The conflict is not resolved here.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The nomination notes' row for the cemetery deed.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 49, footnote 17
Relevant passageClarke County Deed Book P/152-154 (1874); Maral S. Kalbian and Leila O. W. Boyer, "Final Report: African-American Historic Context, Clarke County, Virginia," 55. This parcel may have originally been part of the Milton Valley property.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5) · 2026-09-14. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Josephine City Historic District, 2014
The National Register nomination for the Josephine City Historic District begins the district's period of significance in 1874, the date of its oldest resource: the marked burial of Mary Slowe in Milton Valley Cemetery.
What the source supports
That the oldest dated resource in the Josephine City Historic District is a marked grave of 1874 in Milton Valley Cemetery.
Uncertainty
Read on rendered pages of the DHR-hosted PDF (pages 4 and 5; the period is restated on page 29). The gravestone was not seen, and nothing is claimed about Mary Slowe beyond the burial.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The nomination notes on the start of the period of significance.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF pages 4 and 5, Section 7 summary, the oldest resource and the start of the period of significance
Relevant passageThe oldest resource in the district is a marked burial for Mary Slowe in the Milton Valley Cemetery (168-5014; 168-5029-0006), dating to 1874. It marks the beginning of the Period of Significance for the historic district, which continues to 1966
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5) · 2026-09-14. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Josephine City Historic District, 2014, and one more
The Josephine City Historic District nomination says the cemetery's three acres were bought in 1874 by the president and officers, or trustees, of the Milton Valley Cemetery from A. Moore, Jr., guardian of the children of Edward T. Hebb (in another passage, "Guardian for the heirs of E. Y. Hebbs"), and that the deed, though not recorded until 1880, refers to an 1874 agreement for the sale; it cites Deed Book P, pages 152 to 154 (1874), and suggests the parcel may have been part of the Milton Valley property.
What the source supports
The nomination's account of the purchase, its seller and the gap between the 1874 agreement and the 1880 recording.
Uncertainty
The nomination's narrative, written in 2014; the deed it cites was not read for this story, so the account is not confirmed and the conflict with the 1909 Courier, which dates the company to 1879 and names "Mr. Engle" as seller, is not resolved. Its two passages describe the guardian's wards differently. Read on rendered pages of the DHR-hosted PDF.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The cemetery's inventory entry: seller, 1874 purchase, 1880 recording.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 24 (Section 7 page 24), inventory entry for 313 Josephine Street, the Milton Valley Cemetery
Relevant passageThe ... site dates to at least 1874 when three acres were purchased ... from A. Moore, Jr., the guardian of the children of Edward T. Hebb, although the deed was not recorded until 1880. ... It contains the names of all the original stockholders of the cemetery (41 names are listed).
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The statement of significance: the 1874 agreement and the seller as guardian for the Hebbs heirs.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 32, statement of significance on the cemetery's purchase and obelisk
Relevant passage... by A. Moore, Guardian for the heirs of E. Y. Hebbs ... it references an 1874 agreement between the parties for the sale to the Milton Valley Cemetery. ... Names on the base of the obelisk ... include ... Laws, Robertson, Jackson, Page, Carter, and Jenkins.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. Footnote 17: Deed Book P/152-154 (1874) and the Milton Valley property.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 49, footnote 17
Relevant passageClarke County Deed Book P/152-154 (1874); Maral S. Kalbian and Leila O. W. Boyer, "Final Report: African-American Historic Context, Clarke County, Virginia," 55. This parcel may have originally been part of the Milton Valley property.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: complicates. The 1909 Courier's account: formed 1879, land bought from Mr. Engle.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 30, 1909, page 1: "Colored People to Unveil Monument."
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1909-06-30 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, same notice, the paragraph on the company's formation
Relevant passageForty-one colored men and women formed themsevles [themselves] into an organization known as the Milton Valley Cemetery Company in 1879 and purchased three acres of land from Mr. Engle, on which they laid out the first burial ground for colored people in this section of the State. Only fourteen of the original forty-one survive.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Josephine City Historic District, 2014, and one more
The nomination says the marble obelisk at the center of the cemetery was dedicated in 1909 and contains the names of all 41 original stockholders, with the inscription "In memory of the original stockholders and our beloved dead"; it gives surnames on its base including Laws, Robertson, Jackson, Page, Carter and Jenkins, and names Thomas Page as one of the original stockholders, his name prominently carved on the base.
What the source supports
That the nomination describes the stockholders' obelisk and its names, and names one founder, Thomas Page.
Uncertainty
The nomination's description; the obelisk and its names were not examined for this story, and the nomination does not print the 41 names. Thomas Page is named on the nomination's authority; no other record here joins him to any other Page. The inscription is as the nomination quotes it.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The obelisk, its 1909 dedication, the 41 names and the inscription.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 24 (Section 7 page 24), inventory entry for 313 Josephine Street, the Milton Valley Cemetery
Relevant passageThe ... site dates to at least 1874 when three acres were purchased ... from A. Moore, Jr., the guardian of the children of Edward T. Hebb, although the deed was not recorded until 1880. ... It contains the names of all the original stockholders of the cemetery (41 names are listed).
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. Surnames on the obelisk's base.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 32, statement of significance on the cemetery's purchase and obelisk
Relevant passage... by A. Moore, Guardian for the heirs of E. Y. Hebbs ... it references an 1874 agreement between the parties for the sale to the Milton Valley Cemetery. ... Names on the base of the obelisk ... include ... Laws, Robertson, Jackson, Page, Carter, and Jenkins.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. Thomas Page as an original stockholder.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 34, paragraph on the Page family of Josephine Street
Relevant passageThomas Page was one of the original stockholders of Milton Valley Cemetery, with his name prominently carved on the base of the obelisk.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. The 1909 announcement of the planned unveiling.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 30, 1909, page 1: "Colored People to Unveil Monument."
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1909-06-30 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, notice "Colored People to Unveil Monument.", first and last paragraphs
Relevant passageThe colored people of this section will have a big gathering on Thursday, July 8, when they will unveil a handsome monument to the memory of the original stockholders of the Milton Valley Cemetery. The monument will cost about $200. ... A number of prominent colored people from Washington and elsewhere have been invited to attend
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910
The Milton Valley Cemetery advertisement in the People's Journal of June 1, 1910 offered sites for burials "at reasonable terms," said the company had erected "a beautiful" monument "in honor to the Stock-holders and their beloved dead," under the display line "A MONUMENT," closed "Everybody help in this good work," and was signed "G. W. Lightfoot, Sec," of Berryville.
What the source supports
What the company's 1910 advertisement offered and said about its monument, and who signed it, as read on the page image.
Uncertainty
An advertisement is the company's own account. "A MONUMENT" is a display line in large capitals set between the body lines, not part of a sentence. The "i" of "in" in the closing line did not print and is restored. The signer is not identified with the George William Lightfoot of the 1924 obituary beyond the name.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The advertisement, read on the page image with its display line and signature.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, right column, advertisement headed "Milton Valley Cemetery", with its display line and signature
Relevant passageThis cemetery will afford splendid opportunities for individuals and families to purchase sites for burials at reasonable terms. This Company have erected a beautiful / A MONUMENT / in honor to the Stock-holders and their beloved dead. Everybody help [i]n this good work. G. W. LIGHTFOOT, SEC / Berryville, Va.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910, and one more
The People's Journal of June 1, 1910 carried an advertisement for the Milton Valley Cemetery Company saying the company had erected a monument "in honor to the Stockholders and their beloved dead," with G. W. Lightfoot of Berryville as secretary; the January 1, 1912 issue again names the company among its advertisers, with G. W. Lightfoot as secretary.
What the source supports
That the cemetery was run by a company with stockholders by 1910, and that the company advertised under the same secretary in 1910 and 1912.
Uncertainty
The wording is a transcription of the People's Journal, which condenses some entries; the newspaper OCR was not re-read for this claim. The printed pages were not recorded. An advertisement is the company's own account. Its charter, legal form and founding date are not established, and neither item says where the cemetery lies.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The June 1910 advertisement.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Milton Valley Cemetery Company advertisement, printed page not recorded
Relevant passageThis Company have erected a beautiful MONUMENT in honor to the Stockholders and their beloved dead. ... G. W. Lightfoot, Sec., Berryville.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The January 1912 advertisement listing.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 January 1912, Vol. XVII No. 192
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1912-01-01 (publication)
Locator: Advertisements, printed page not recorded
Relevant passageMilton Valley Cemetery Co. (G. W. Lightfoot, Sec.).
Checked: Existing OCR reviewed. Original image not independently inspected.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5) · 2026-09-14. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1924
The Clarke Courier of December 4, 1924, reporting the death of George William Lightfoot, said he had been for a number of years principal of the local Black public school and that "his name also appeared among the directorate of the Milton Valley Cemetery Company."
What the source supports
That the Courier named George William Lightfoot among the company's directors at his death in 1924.
Uncertainty
The obituary gives no date or office for his place on the directorate. Nothing read joins him to the "G. W. Lightfoot, Sec" who signed the 1910 advertisement beyond the name, so the two are kept as separate records.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The obituary's lines on the school and the directorate.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., December 4, 1924, page 1: obituary of George William Lightfoot
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1924-12-04 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, obituary of George William Lightfoot, second paragraph
Relevant passageHe was a dweller here for more than 50 years, and principal of the negro public school for number of years. His name also appeared among the directorate of the Milton Valley Cemetery Company.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
The Courier announced the unveiling of a monument to the cemetery company's original stockholders for July 8, 1909, and told how forty-one founders bought the ground. Clarke Courier, June 30, 1909, p. 1.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), June 30, 1909, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: The retained PNG image of 1040 by 1570 pixels, not scaled and re-encoded as JPEG for the web. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 30, 1909, page 1: "Colored People to Unveil Monument." Open the full image
The company offered burial sites "at reasonable terms" and announced its monument to the stockholders, under a display line in large capitals. People's Journal, June 1, 1910, p. 2.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), June 1, 1910, page 2. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained window screenshot of Virginia Chronicle's page viewer (2652 by 1704 pixels): the rectangle from x 1280 to 2040 and y 450 to 1620, which leaves out the browser window, the viewer controls and the neighboring columns, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173 Open the full image
George William Lightfoot's obituary named him among the directorate of the Milton Valley Cemetery Company. Clarke Courier, December 4, 1924, p. 1.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), December 4, 1924, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: The retained PNG image of 960 by 890 pixels, not scaled and re-encoded as JPEG for the web. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., December 4, 1924, page 1: obituary of George William Lightfoot Open the full image
The nomination dates the cemetery to an 1874 purchase from A. Moore, Jr., guardian, recorded in 1880, and describes the 1909 obelisk with the names of all 41 original stockholders. Josephine City Historic District nomination, 2014, PDF p. 24.
What this image does and does not showAn excerpt of PDF page 24 of the nomination, not the complete cemetery entry. Neighboring property text remains above the cemetery entry in the image, and the entry itself continues past what is shown here, after "According to". The full page is at the source link; that continuation was not retrieved or read for this story.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination (DHR 168-5029), PDF page 24. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Rights Changes: A retained rendered-page capture of the DHR nomination PDF, page 24 (1700 by 949 pixels), with the capture's added caption strip naming the PDF and page removed: the rectangle from x 0 to 1700 and y 64 to 949, scaled to 1200 by 625, and re-encoded as JPEG. Neighboring text on the page remains in this crop. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029 Open the full image
The nomination's narrative of the 1874 sale by A. Moore, guardian for the heirs of E. Y. Hebbs, the 1880 recording, and surnames on the obelisk's base. Josephine City Historic District nomination, 2014, PDF p. 32.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination (DHR 168-5029), PDF page 32. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 949 pixels): the rectangle from x 0 to 1700 and y 64 to 949, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, scaled to 1200 by 625, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029 Open the full image
The nomination names Thomas Page as one of the cemetery's original stockholders, his name carved on the obelisk's base. Josephine City Historic District nomination, 2014, PDF p. 34.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination (DHR 168-5029), PDF page 34. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 949 pixels): the rectangle from x 0 to 1700 and y 64 to 949, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, scaled to 1200 by 625, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029 Open the full image
Footnote 17 cites Clarke County Deed Book P, pages 152 to 154 (1874), and says the parcel may have been part of the Milton Valley property. Josephine City Historic District nomination, 2014, PDF p. 49.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination (DHR 168-5029), PDF page 49. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 949 pixels): the rectangle from x 0 to 1700 and y 64 to 949, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, scaled to 1200 by 625, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029 Open the full image
The nomination's summary names a marked burial for Mary Slowe in the Milton Valley Cemetery as the oldest resource in the district. Josephine City Historic District nomination, 2014, PDF p. 4.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination (DHR 168-5029), PDF page 4. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 949 pixels): the rectangle from x 0 to 1700 and y 64 to 949, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, scaled to 1200 by 625, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029 Open the full image
Continuing the summary: the burial dates to 1874 and marks the beginning of the district's period of significance, which runs to 1966. Josephine City Historic District nomination, 2014, PDF p. 5.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination (DHR 168-5029), PDF page 5. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 949 pixels): the rectangle from x 0 to 1700 and y 64 to 949, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, scaled to 1200 by 625, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029 Open the full image
Keeping it up
The cemetery did not keep itself. In the same June 1910 issue, a line among the personals urged: "The Milton Valley Cemetery ought to have their flower strewing when flowers are plentiful." The line suggests a custom of decorating the graves, and a wish to hold it when there were flowers to give.
By 1926 a Cemetery Board spoke for the ground. Its notice appeared under the heading "Milton Valley Cemetery Company." It was signed by Mrs. M. C. Young as secretary, Joseph Lincoln as treasurer and H. Blackburn as president. The board said that under a law in effect since 1922, "every lot holder is taxed $1.00 per year," and asked each one to pay. The appeal for the walk was signed by Hila Blackburn as president and M. C. Young as secretary. Its committee promised "the delicacies of the Season … at reasonable price," with admission free.
The People's Journal shows how much of this community's work ran through its own organizations. In 1910 it printed resolutions mourning Sarah E. Mills from "Gideon's Tab. No. 14," which remembered her as "a member of the sick committee," and from a juvenile society, printed "Rose of Sharn" (Rose of Sharon) Juvenile Tab. No. 61. Her obituary on the same page said she was a member of the "Gallean Fishermen Society," the Galilean Fishermen, which "turned out in full Regalia and performed their whole duty," and that her remains were followed by a long procession "to the Milton Valley Cemetery." The paper's directory listed the "Gallean Fishermen," who met twice a month. Sixteen years later, the fundraiser for the walk was held at Fishermen Hall; nothing read here ties the hall to the society beyond its name.
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910
The People's Journal of June 1, 1910 printed among its personals: "The Milton Valley Cemetery ought to have their flower strewing when flowers are plentiful."
What the source supports
That the paper urged a flower-strewing at the cemetery in 1910.
Uncertainty
One line among the personals, read on the page image in the site's viewer. It does not say who would hold the strewing, when, or whether it took place; that it reflects a custom of decorating the graves is a reading of the line, not something it states.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The personals line.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, personals column, line on the Milton Valley Cemetery
Relevant passageThe Milton Valley Cemetery ought to have their flower strewing when flowers are plentiful.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1926, and one more
The People's Journal of July 1, 1926 printed a notice from the Cemetery Board of Milton Valley Cemetery saying that under a law in effect since 1922 every lot holder was taxed $1.00 a year, signed by Mrs. M. C. Young as secretary, Joseph Lincoln as treasurer and H. Blackburn as president.
What the source supports
That in 1926 the cemetery had a board with a woman as its secretary, and that the board asked every lot holder to pay a yearly assessment.
Uncertainty
The notice was read on the page image, page 4, on 2026-09-26, from Virginia Chronicle's digital reproduction. The notice refers to "a law" without naming it, and no statute is identified here. The notice is printed under the heading "Milton Valley Cemetery COMPANY", which supports identifying the Cemetery Board with the company advertised in 1910 and 1912; no charter or minute establishes it.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The July 1926 Cemetery Board notice.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 July 1926, Vol. XLI No. 353
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1926-07-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 4, Cemetery Board notice headed "Milton Valley Cemetery COMPANY", lower right
Relevant passageThe Cemetery Board of Milton Valley Cemetery wishes to announce that a law went into effect in 1922 that every lot holder is taxed $1.00 per year. We ask each one to please pay your assessment. Mrs. M. C. YOUNG, Sec. JOSEPH LINCOLN, Tres. H. BLACKBURN, Pres.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. The June 1910 advertisement naming the company.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Milton Valley Cemetery Company advertisement, printed page not recorded
Relevant passageThis Company have erected a beautiful MONUMENT in honor to the Stockholders and their beloved dead. ... G. W. Lightfoot, Sec., Berryville.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1926
The People's Journal of July 1, 1926 printed an appeal headed "Cemetery Walk," asking help for a "very much needed Walk in the Cemetery" and announcing an entertainment at Fishermen Hall, Berryville, on Friday night, July 2, 1926, with refreshments at reasonable price and admission free; it was signed by Hila Blackburn as president and M. C. Young as secretary.
What the source supports
That a committee raised money in 1926 for a path in the cemetery, with an entertainment at Fishermen Hall.
Uncertainty
Read on the page image in the site's viewer. The "walk" is a path the committee sought; the entertainment was the fundraiser. Whether it was held or the walk built is not known. Hila Blackburn is not identified with the H. Blackburn of the board's notice, and Fishermen Hall is not identified with the Galilean Fishermen beyond the name.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The appeal, read on the page image.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 July 1926, Vol. XLI No. 353
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1926-07-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, appeal headed "Cemetery Walk"
Relevant passageWe appeal to you to help us in this worthy cause, and very much needed Walk in the Cemetery. There will be an Entertainment at FISHERMEN HALL, BERRYVILLE, VA. Friday night, July 2nd., 1926. ... The delicacies of the Season will be served at reasonable price. ADMISSION: FREE. HILA BLACKBURN, Pres. M. C. YOUNG, Sec'ty.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910
The same issue printed resolutions on the death of Sarah E. Mills by order of "Gideon's Tab. No. 14," which remembered her as "a member of the sick committee," and of "Rose of Sharn" (Rose of Sharon) Juvenile Tab. No. 61, which called her its "beloved sister and Guardian."
What the source supports
That two numbered tabernacles published resolutions on the death of Sarah E. Mills in 1910, one naming her place on a sick committee.
Uncertainty
Read on the page image in the site's viewer. The juvenile society's name is printed "Rose of Sharn Juvenils," "Rose of Sharn Juvenile" and "Rose of Sharm Juvenile" in the one resolution. The resolutions themselves do not say where she was buried; her obituary on the same page does. The order the tabernacles belonged to is not stated, and neither is tied here to the Gallean Fishermen Society beyond appearing beside her obituary.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The Gideon's resolution, read on the page image.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, "Resolution of Respect" by order of Gideon's Tab. No. 14, on the death of Sarah E. Mills
Relevant passagetake from our Lodge, our beloved sister Sarah E. Mills ... as a member of the sick committee, it was never too hot or too cold for her to perform her duty. ... Done by order of Gideon's Tab. No. 14.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The Rose of Sharn resolution, read on the page image.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, resolution by order of Rose of Sharn Juvenile Tab. No. 61, on the death of Sarah E. Mills
Relevant passageGod in his divine wisdom has again visited Rose of Sharn Juvenils, Tab. No. 61 and takeu [taken] from our midst our beloved sister and Guardian in the person of sister Sarah E. Mills, who departed this life May 26, 1910 at her home in Berryville, Va. ... Done by order of Rose of Sharm Juvenile Tab. No. 61, PHILLIP PAGE, R. W R. EDWARD M. JONES, R. W. S.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The Gideon's resolution's signature line.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, "Resolution of Respect", signature by order of Gideon's Tab. No. 14
Relevant passageDone by order of Gideon's Tab. No. 14. CORA B. JONES, ex-Scribe.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The Rose of Sharn resolution's opening and signatures.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, resolution of Rose of Sharn Juvenile Tab. No. 61, with its signatures
Relevant passageResolve that we, the members of Rose of Sharn Juvenile Tab. No. 61 of Berryville, Va ... EDWARD M. JONES, R. W. S.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910, and one more
The People's Journal of June 1, 1910 printed a resolution of respect on the death of Sarah E. Mills by order of "Gideon's Tab. No. 14," signed by Cora B. Jones as ex-Scribe.
What the source supports
That a numbered tabernacle was active in 1910, with Cora B. Jones among its former officers.
Uncertainty
Read on the page image, page 2. The order the tabernacle belonged to is not stated. The paper's May 1913 issue records a woman who had joined "Galilean Fishermen Tabernacle No. 14" in 1896; whether that is Gideon's Tabernacle No. 14 is not established, and the two are not merged.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The June 1910 resolution of respect.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, "Resolution of Respect", signature by order of Gideon's Tab. No. 14
Relevant passageDone by order of Gideon's Tab. No. 14. CORA B. JONES, ex-Scribe.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. The May 1913 obituary naming a Galilean Fishermen Tabernacle No. 14.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 May 1913, Vol. XVII No. 108
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1913-05-01 (publication)
Locator: Obituary of Mrs. Malinda Burns, printed page not recorded
Relevant passagejoined Galilean Fishermen Tabernacle No. 14 in 1896
Checked: Existing OCR reviewed. Original image not independently inspected.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5) · 2026-09-14. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910
The People's Journal of June 1, 1910 printed a resolution on the death of Sarah E. Mills from "Rose of Sharn" (Rose of Sharon) Juvenile Tab. No. 61 of Berryville, signed by Phillip Page as R. W R. and Edward M. Jones as R.W.S.
What the source supports
That a numbered juvenile tabernacle with a named officer was active at Berryville in 1910.
Uncertainty
Read on the page image, page 2. The society's name is printed "Rose of Sharn Juvenils," "Rose of Sharn Juvenile" and "Rose of Sharm Juvenile" in the one resolution. "R. W R." and "R.W.S." are printed abbreviations and are not expanded here. The order the tabernacle belonged to, and any tie to Gideon's Tabernacle No. 14 in the same issue, are not established. Phillip Page is not joined to the Thomas Page the Josephine City nomination names.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The June 1910 resolution.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, resolution of Rose of Sharn Juvenile Tab. No. 61, with its signatures
Relevant passageResolve that we, the members of Rose of Sharn Juvenile Tab. No. 61 of Berryville, Va ... EDWARD M. JONES, R. W. S.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5) · 2026-09-14. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910
The People's Journal of June 1, 1910 reported the death of Mrs. Sarah E. Mills, about 63, with a funeral at the Free Baptist Church, Rev. B. F. Thomas officiating; it said she was a member of the "Gallean Fishermen Society" (the Galilean Fishermen), which "turned out in full Regalia and performed their whole duty," and that her remains were followed by a long procession "to the Milton Valley Cemetery."
What the source supports
A 1910 burial at the cemetery, and the Gallean Fishermen Society's part in the funeral of a member.
Uncertainty
The obituary, read on the page image, is dated May 21, 1910 at its foot, while the Rose of Sharn resolution on the same page gives her death as May 26, 1910; the dates are not reconciled here. Nothing in it names Fishermen Hall, and the 1926 Fishermen Hall is not identified with the society beyond the name.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The obituary, read on the page image.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, obituary "Death of Mrs. S. E. Mills"
Relevant passageMrs. Sarah E. Mills, resident of this town and county died Thursday evening ... She was aged about 63 years ... The funeral was held from the Free Baptist Church Saturday after noon at 3 o'clock, Rev. B. F. Thomas officiating. Mrs. Sarah E. Mills was a member the Gallean Fishermen Society, which turned out in full Regalia and performed their whole duty. The remains followed by a long prosession of those wished to pay the last tribute of respect to the Milton Valley Cemetery. May 21, 1910.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The sentence on the Gallean Fishermen Society.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, obituary "Death of Mrs. S. E. Mills", sentence on the Gallean Fishermen Society
Relevant passageMrs. Sarah E. Mills was a member the Gallean Fishermen Society, which turned out in full Regalia and performed their whole duty.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: complicates. The Rose of Sharn resolution's date of death, May 26, 1910.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, resolution by order of Rose of Sharn Juvenile Tab. No. 61, on the death of Sarah E. Mills
Relevant passageGod in his divine wisdom has again visited Rose of Sharn Juvenils, Tab. No. 61 and takeu [taken] from our midst our beloved sister and Guardian in the person of sister Sarah E. Mills, who departed this life May 26, 1910 at her home in Berryville, Va. ... Done by order of Rose of Sharm Juvenile Tab. No. 61, PHILLIP PAGE, R. W R. EDWARD M. JONES, R. W. S.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910
The People's Journal of June 1, 1910, in its obituary of Mrs. Sarah E. Mills, reported that she was a member of the "Gallean Fishermen Society" (the Galilean Fishermen), which "turned out in full Regalia and performed their whole duty."
What the source supports
That the society had regalia in 1910 and took a formal part in a funeral.
Uncertainty
Read on the page image, page 2. The obituary does not say what the society's duty was. Its report of her burial at Milton Valley is a separate record. Nothing in it names Fishermen Hall.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The June 1910 funeral report.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, obituary "Death of Mrs. S. E. Mills", sentence on the Gallean Fishermen Society
Relevant passageMrs. Sarah E. Mills was a member the Gallean Fishermen Society, which turned out in full Regalia and performed their whole duty.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5) · 2026-09-14. How this project checks its sources
Source note: G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor, 1910, and one more
The People's Journal's standing church directory lists the "Gallean Fishermen" (the Galilean Fishermen) as meeting on the first and third Thursday of each month, in June 1910 and again in January 1912.
What the source supports
That the Galilean Fishermen kept a regular twice-monthly meeting schedule, carried in the paper's church directory, across at least a year and a half.
Uncertainty
The June 1910 entry was read on the page image, page 1: it prints "Gallean Fishermen" and says the society "meets twice a month, first and third Thursd[ay] in each month." The January 1912 entry is a transcription and was not re-read. A directory lists an intended schedule, not meetings held, and neither entry says where the society met or who belonged. The two entries come from one newspaper and are not independent of each other.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The June 1910 directory entry.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, "Directory" column, entry "Gallean Fishermen."
Relevant passageGALLEAN FISHERMEN. The Gallean Fishermen meets twice a month, first and third Thursd[ay] in each month.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The January 1912 directory entry.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 January 1912, Vol. XVII No. 192
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1912-01-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 2, standing church directory
Relevant passageGalilean Fishermen -- first and third Thursday.
Checked: Existing OCR reviewed. Original image not independently inspected.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5) · 2026-09-14. How this project checks its sources
Under the company's heading, the Cemetery Board asked every lot holder to pay a yearly $1.00 assessment. People's Journal, July 1, 1926, p. 4.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), July 1, 1926, page 4. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained window screenshot of Virginia Chronicle's page viewer (2652 by 1704 pixels): the rectangle from x 1530 to 2290 and y 520 to 1510, which leaves out the browser window, the viewer controls and the neighboring columns, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 July 1926, Vol. XLI No. 353 Open the full image
A line among the 1910 personals: the Milton Valley Cemetery "ought to have their flower strewing when flowers are plentiful." People's Journal, June 1, 1910, p. 2.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), June 1, 1910, page 2. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 1173 pixels): the rectangle from x 230 to 1440 and y 0 to 1173, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, scaled to 1200 by 1163, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173 Open the full image
The opening of a Resolution of Respect mourning "our beloved sister Sarah E. Mills," taken from "our Lodge." People's Journal, June 1, 1910, p. 2.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), June 1, 1910, page 2. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 1173 pixels): the rectangle from x 560 to 1145 and y 0 to 1173, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173 Open the full image
The obituary "Death of Mrs. S. E. Mills" beside the end of the resolution by order of "Gideon's Tab. No. 14," which remembered her as "a member of the sick committee." People's Journal, June 1, 1910, p. 2.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), June 1, 1910, page 2. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 1173 pixels): the rectangle from x 0 to 1140 and y 0 to 1173, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173 Open the full image
The juvenile society, printed "Rose of Sharn," mourned "our beloved sister and Guardian," Sarah E. Mills. People's Journal, June 1, 1910, p. 2.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), June 1, 1910, page 2. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 1173 pixels): the rectangle from x 0 to 1180 and y 0 to 1010, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173 Open the full image
Her obituary says she belonged to the "Gallean Fishermen Society," which "turned out in full Regalia," and that a long procession followed her remains "to the Milton Valley Cemetery." People's Journal, June 1, 1910, p. 2.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), June 1, 1910, page 2. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 1173 pixels): the rectangle from x 560 to 1185 and y 0 to 1000, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173 Open the full image
The paper's directory listed the "Gallean Fishermen," who met twice a month, on the first and third Thursday. People's Journal, June 1, 1910, p. 1.
People's Journal (Berryville, Va.), June 1, 1910, page 1. Virginia Chronicle, Library of Virginia. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1700 by 1173 pixels): the rectangle from x 600 to 1110 and y 0 to 1173, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173 Open the full image
Coming home
The newspapers do not give a burial register, but they show who was carried there and from where.
In May 1897, B. R. Blackburn published a card of thanks to "the many friends, white and colored," who had helped during the illness of a daughter, Ellen C. Blackburn. She died at about 16. After a funeral at the F. B. Church, "her remains were deposited in the Milton Valley Cemetery."
Families who moved away often brought their dead back. In April 1917 the Courier reported that Helan Fields had died at the home of her son, Dr. William H. Fields, in Cairo, Illinois. It described her as an old and well-known woman who had lived nearly all her life in the community. Her remains were to be brought home "for interment in Milton Valley Cemetery."
In February 1923 the paper reported the burial of Edward Jones, 26. He had served in the World War and been gassed at the front. He died in Detroit: he had caught the grip, and his lungs, weakened by gas, gave way to tuberculosis. His father, Isaac H. Jones, was then working in Detroit himself, and "brought the body here."
The churches carried much of the rest. Funeral notices name the congregations and their ministers. In 1935, for Lewis Myers, Berryville's Black lodge of the Knights of Pythias took charge of the burial. He had been an active member.
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1897
In a card of thanks in the Clarke Courier of May 19, 1897, B. R. Blackburn thanked "the many friends, white and colored," who had helped during the illness of a daughter, Ellen C. Blackburn, who died on May 15, 1897, aged about 16; after a funeral at the F. B. Church, "her remains were deposited in the Milton Valley Cemetery."
What the source supports
A burial at the cemetery in 1897, in the family's own notice.
Uncertainty
The family's notice, not a burial record. B. R. Blackburn is not identified with the H. Blackburn or Hila Blackburn of 1926.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The card, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 19, 1897, page 3: "A Card." from B. R. Blackburn
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1897-05-19 (publication)
Locator: Page 3, "A Card." signed B. R. Blackburn
Relevant passageI take this method of returning my thanks to the many friends, white and colored, who rendered me aid during the recent illness of my daughter, Ellen C. Blackburn, who died Saturday morning, May 15, 1897, aged about 16 years. Funeral services at the F. B. Church on May 16th ... Her remains were deposited in the Milton Valley Cemetery.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1917
The Clarke Courier of April 25, 1917 reported that Helan Fields, an old and well-known Black woman who had lived nearly all her life in the community, had died at the home of her son, Dr. William H. Fields, in Cairo, Illinois, and that her remains would be brought back "for interment in Milton Valley Cemetery."
What the source supports
That a woman who died in Illinois was to be brought home for burial at the cemetery in 1917.
Uncertainty
The report says the remains would be brought for interment; it does not report the burial. Her first name is the page image's reading; she is printed with a period form of address that is not repeated.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The report, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., April 25, 1917, page 1: report of the death of Helan Fields
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1917-04-25 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report "Death of Aged Colored Woman." on Helan Fields
Relevant passagean old and well known colored woman, who had lived nearly all her life in this community, died at the home of her son, Dr. William H. Fields, in Cairo, Illinois, on Sunday. The remains will be brought here today for interment in Milton Valley Cemetery.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, 1923
The Clarke Courier of February 8, 1923 reported that Edward Jones, 26, who had served in the World War and been gassed at the front, died in Detroit after the grip, followed by tuberculosis in lungs weakened by gas, and was buried in Milton Valley Cemetery; his father, Isaac H. Jones, then working in Detroit, "brought the body here."
What the source supports
A veteran's burial at the cemetery in 1923, after his father brought his body from Detroit.
Uncertainty
The paper's account of the cause of death; no military or death record was read. On the image his age is 26; the machine-read text gives 20.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The report, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 8, 1923
Clarke Courier · 1923-02-08 (publication)
Locator: Page 4, report "Colored War Veteran Is Buried Here"
Relevant passageEdward Jones, 26 years old, ... who served in the World War and was gassed while on the front, died in Detroit last week and his body was brought here and buried in Milton Valley Cemetery. Edward contracted the grip and the weak condition of his lungs, due to gas, made him an easy victim for tuberculosis ... His father, Isaac H. Jones, who is now working in Detroit, brought the body here.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1935, and three more
Funeral notices in the Clarke Courier from 1897 to 1948 that mention Milton Valley Cemetery commonly name the church and the minister in charge, the Rev. E. T. Johnson among them repeatedly, and several report the dead brought home to be buried there from other places.
What the source supports
A general pattern in the Courier's funeral notices for the cemetery: churches and ministers in charge, and bodies brought home.
Uncertainty
A general statement from this project's held run of about 65 Courier passages, most read as machine text only; only the notices of 1897, 1917, 1923, 1935 and 1945 cited here were read on the page image. No count, list of churches or list of cities is carried, and the OCR readings have not been checked on the image.
Source
Evidence role: supports. A notice naming the church and Rev. E. T. Johnson as minister.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 7, 1935, page 1: report of the death of Lewis Myers
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1935-02-07 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report of the death and funeral of Lewis Myers, headed with his name and "Dead; Respected Here"
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. A notice naming the F. B. Church.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 19, 1897, page 3: "A Card." from B. R. Blackburn
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1897-05-19 (publication)
Locator: Page 3, "A Card." signed B. R. Blackburn
Relevant passageI take this method of returning my thanks to the many friends, white and colored, who rendered me aid during the recent illness of my daughter, Ellen C. Blackburn, who died Saturday morning, May 15, 1897, aged about 16 years. Funeral services at the F. B. Church on May 16th ... Her remains were deposited in the Milton Valley Cemetery.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. Remains to be brought from Cairo, Illinois.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., April 25, 1917, page 1: report of the death of Helan Fields
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1917-04-25 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report "Death of Aged Colored Woman." on Helan Fields
Relevant passagean old and well known colored woman, who had lived nearly all her life in this community, died at the home of her son, Dr. William H. Fields, in Cairo, Illinois, on Sunday. The remains will be brought here today for interment in Milton Valley Cemetery.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. A body brought from Detroit.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 8, 1923
Clarke Courier · 1923-02-08 (publication)
Locator: Page 4, report "Colored War Veteran Is Buried Here"
Relevant passageEdward Jones, 26 years old, ... who served in the World War and was gassed while on the front, died in Detroit last week and his body was brought here and buried in Milton Valley Cemetery. Edward contracted the grip and the weak condition of his lungs, due to gas, made him an easy victim for tuberculosis ... His father, Isaac H. Jones, who is now working in Detroit, brought the body here.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1935
The Clarke Courier of February 7, 1935 reported that the funeral of Lewis Myers was conducted at St. Luke's Baptist Church by the Rev. E. T. Johnson, and that his interment in Milton Valley Cemetery was in charge of the Black lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of which he had been an active member.
What the source supports
That a Black Knights of Pythias lodge took charge of a burial at the cemetery in 1935.
Uncertainty
Paraphrased; the issue's rights are not established. The lodge is not named or numbered and is not identified with any numbered lodge in this collection.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The report, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 7, 1935, page 1: report of the death of Lewis Myers
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1935-02-07 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report of the death and funeral of Lewis Myers, headed with his name and "Dead; Respected Here"
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
B. R. Blackburn thanked friends "white and colored" after the death of a daughter, Ellen C. Blackburn, buried in Milton Valley Cemetery. Clarke Courier, May 19, 1897, p. 3.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), May 19, 1897, page 3. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: The retained PNG image of 950 by 645 pixels, not scaled and re-encoded as JPEG for the web. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 19, 1897, page 3: "A Card." from B. R. Blackburn Open the full image
Helan Fields died at her son's home in Cairo, Illinois; her remains were to be brought home for burial at Milton Valley. Clarke Courier, April 25, 1917, p. 1.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), April 25, 1917, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1300 by 1700 pixels): the rectangle from x 360 to 1040 and y 810 to 1350, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., April 25, 1917, page 1: report of the death of Helan Fields Open the full image
Edward Jones, 26, a World War veteran who had been gassed at the front, died in Detroit; his father brought him home to Milton Valley. Clarke Courier, February 8, 1923, p. 4.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), February 8, 1923, page 4. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1300 by 1700 pixels): the rectangle from x 160 to 820 and y 680 to 1450, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 8, 1923 Open the full image
The funeral of Lewis Myers, and a burial at Milton Valley in charge of the Black lodge of the Knights of Pythias. Clarke Courier, February 7, 1935, p. 1.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), February 7, 1935, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (950 by 2200 pixels): the rectangle from x 115 to 905 and y 160 to 1370, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 7, 1935, page 1: report of the death of Lewis Myers Open the full image
Honoring the dead
By the early 1930s the cemetery had a place in the county's Memorial Day. In 1931, the Lloyd Williams Post of the American Legion planned its service at Green Hill Cemetery. Afterward the Legion would go on to Milton Valley and lay flowers on the graves of the Black soldiers buried there.
In 1934 the Courier described separate exercises at Milton Valley, which it placed in Josephine City, much like those at Green Hill. The gathering opened with "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Rev. E. T. Johnson, principal of the Clarke County Training School, offered the prayer. After "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," Johnson gave the address. "In Flanders Fields" followed, with a reading by Willis Tryman. A firing squad gave its salute, and taps closed the service.
Johnson's own life ran through this ground. The Courier's funeral notices name him again and again as the minister in charge, at St. Luke's Baptist Church and at other churches. When he died in November 1945, at 72, his obituary said he had been pastor of St. Luke's for nearly 25 years. It credited him with founding the county's Black training school in Josephine City and serving as its principal. At his death he was writing a history of Virginia's Black training schools for a second book, which he meant to call On My Way Up. He was buried at Milton Valley.
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1931
The Clarke Courier of May 28, 1931 reported that the Lloyd Williams Post of the American Legion, with its Woman's Auxiliary, planned a Memorial Day service at Green Hill Cemetery on the Friday afternoon, May 29, after which the Legion would go on to Milton Valley Cemetery and place flowers on the graves of the Black soldiers buried there.
What the source supports
That the Legion planned in 1931 to decorate the Black soldiers' graves at Milton Valley after its Green Hill service.
Uncertainty
Paraphrased; the issue's rights are not established. An announcement of plans; it does not report that the flowers were placed.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The announcement, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 28, 1931, page 1: "Legion Service 5 P. M. Friday"
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1931-05-28 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report "Legion Service 5 P. M. Friday", subhead "Memorial Service At Cemetery"
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1934
The Clarke Courier of May 31, 1934 reported Memorial Day exercises at Milton Valley Cemetery, which it placed in Josephine City, similar to those at Green Hill: they opened with "The Star-Spangled Banner," followed by a prayer by the Rev. E. T. Johnson, principal of the Clarke County Training School; "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and an address by Johnson; then "In Flanders Fields" and a reading by Willis Tryman; with a salute by a firing squad and taps.
What the source supports
That Memorial Day exercises were held at the cemetery in 1934, with their order of service and leader, as the Courier reported them.
Uncertainty
Paraphrased; the issue's rights are not established, and only the titles of songs and the poem are given in quotation marks. The report gives no day or attendance.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The report, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 31, 1934, page 1: report of the Memorial Day exercises
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1934-05-31 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report of the Memorial Day exercises at Milton Valley Cemetery
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1935, and three more
Funeral notices in the Clarke Courier from 1897 to 1948 that mention Milton Valley Cemetery commonly name the church and the minister in charge, the Rev. E. T. Johnson among them repeatedly, and several report the dead brought home to be buried there from other places.
What the source supports
A general pattern in the Courier's funeral notices for the cemetery: churches and ministers in charge, and bodies brought home.
Uncertainty
A general statement from this project's held run of about 65 Courier passages, most read as machine text only; only the notices of 1897, 1917, 1923, 1935 and 1945 cited here were read on the page image. No count, list of churches or list of cities is carried, and the OCR readings have not been checked on the image.
Source
Evidence role: supports. A notice naming the church and Rev. E. T. Johnson as minister.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 7, 1935, page 1: report of the death of Lewis Myers
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1935-02-07 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report of the death and funeral of Lewis Myers, headed with his name and "Dead; Respected Here"
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. A notice naming the F. B. Church.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 19, 1897, page 3: "A Card." from B. R. Blackburn
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1897-05-19 (publication)
Locator: Page 3, "A Card." signed B. R. Blackburn
Relevant passageI take this method of returning my thanks to the many friends, white and colored, who rendered me aid during the recent illness of my daughter, Ellen C. Blackburn, who died Saturday morning, May 15, 1897, aged about 16 years. Funeral services at the F. B. Church on May 16th ... Her remains were deposited in the Milton Valley Cemetery.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. Remains to be brought from Cairo, Illinois.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., April 25, 1917, page 1: report of the death of Helan Fields
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1917-04-25 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report "Death of Aged Colored Woman." on Helan Fields
Relevant passagean old and well known colored woman, who had lived nearly all her life in this community, died at the home of her son, Dr. William H. Fields, in Cairo, Illinois, on Sunday. The remains will be brought here today for interment in Milton Valley Cemetery.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: contextualizes. A body brought from Detroit.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 8, 1923
Clarke Courier · 1923-02-08 (publication)
Locator: Page 4, report "Colored War Veteran Is Buried Here"
Relevant passageEdward Jones, 26 years old, ... who served in the World War and was gassed while on the front, died in Detroit last week and his body was brought here and buried in Milton Valley Cemetery. Edward contracted the grip and the weak condition of his lungs, due to gas, made him an easy victim for tuberculosis ... His father, Isaac H. Jones, who is now working in Detroit, brought the body here.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., 1945
The Clarke Courier of November 22, 1945 reported the death at 72 of the Rev. Edward Thomas Johnson, pastor of St. Luke's Baptist Church for nearly 25 years; it said he founded the W. B. T. Williams Training School in Josephine City and was its principal, that he was writing a history of Virginia's Black training schools for a second book to be called "On My Way Up," and that he was buried in Milton Valley Cemetery.
What the source supports
The Courier's account of Johnson's pastorate, school role, unfinished book and burial at the cemetery.
Uncertainty
Paraphrased; the issue's rights are not established. The account of his career is the obituary's; the school's own records were not read for it, and the book was not seen. The school's history belongs to a separate account.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The obituary, read on the page image across two regions.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., November 22, 1945, page 10: "Funeral Services Held Tuesday For Rev. E. T. Johnson"
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1945-11-22 (publication)
Locator: Page 10, obituary "Funeral Services Held Tuesday For Rev. E. T. Johnson", headline, first paragraphs and continuation
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
The Lloyd Williams Post planned to go on from Green Hill to Milton Valley and place flowers on the graves of the Black soldiers buried there. Clarke Courier, May 28, 1931, p. 1.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), May 28, 1931, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (950 by 2100 pixels): the rectangle from x 110 to 950 and y 90 to 2100, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 28, 1931, page 1: "Legion Service 5 P. M. Friday" Open the full image
The Courier's account of Memorial Day exercises at Milton Valley, led by the Rev. E. T. Johnson. Clarke Courier, May 31, 1934, p. 1.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), May 31, 1934, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: The retained PNG image of 840 by 805 pixels, not scaled and re-encoded as JPEG for the web. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 31, 1934, page 1: report of the Memorial Day exercises Open the full image
The Courier's obituary of the Rev. Edward Thomas Johnson, who was buried at Milton Valley. Clarke Courier, November 22, 1945, p. 10.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), November 22, 1945, page 10. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: The retained JPEG image of 1300 by 1700 pixels, scaled to 1200 by 1569 and re-encoded as JPEG for the web. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., November 22, 1945, page 10: "Funeral Services Held Tuesday For Rev. E. T. Johnson" Open the full image
The obituary continues with his pastorate, the training school and the book he was writing. Clarke Courier, November 22, 1945, p. 10.
Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), November 22, 1945, page 10. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (1400 by 1500 pixels): the rectangle from x 60 to 1000 and y 0 to 1500, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, not scaled, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., November 22, 1945, page 10: "Funeral Services Held Tuesday For Rev. E. T. Johnson" Open the full image
Later traces
The newspapers read for this story end in the 1940s. What comes after is a handful of separate traces, not a continuous record. The Clarke County Historical Association's catalog lists a Clarke Courier photograph described as Memorial Day services at the cemetery on May 30, 1991. It also lists a plat of the graves, made in the fall of 2004 to accompany Don and Mary Royston's volume on the cemeteries of Clarke County. Neither item has been examined for this account; they are known from their catalog descriptions. In March 2025, about thirty volunteers spent a Sunday afternoon cleaning the cemetery's headstones and clearing brush.
Source note: Clarke County Historical Association, 1991
The Clarke County Historical Association's catalog lists a Clarke Courier photograph described as Memorial Day services at Milton Valley Cemetery on May 30, 1991.
What the source supports
That a photograph of a 1991 Memorial Day service at the cemetery is catalogued.
Uncertainty
Catalog metadata only; the photograph was not seen and is not reproduced or described beyond the catalog. A single dated photograph does not show that observance continued without a break.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The catalog record.
Clarke County Historical Association catalog record 2005.00023.291.C: "Memorial Day, 1991-Milton Valley Cemetery"
Clarke County Historical Association · 1991-05-30 (creation)
Locator: Catalog record 2005.00023.291.C: title, date, creator and description
Checked: Catalog index only. Original image not independently inspected.
Open sourceSource family: ccha-catalog. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke County Historical Association, 2004
The Clarke County Historical Association's catalog lists a plat of the graves in Milton Valley Cemetery, dated Fall 2004, kept to accompany Don and Mary Royston's volume on the cemeteries of Clarke County.
What the source supports
That a 2004 grave plat of the cemetery is held and catalogued.
Uncertainty
Catalog metadata only; the plat was not seen, so no grave, name or count is taken from it.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The catalog record.
Clarke County Historical Association catalog record 427/2005-#3: "Milton Valley Cemetery-Grave Plat"
Clarke County Historical Association · 2004 (creation)
Locator: Catalog record 427/2005-#3: title, date, extent and summary
Checked: Catalog index only. Original image not independently inspected.
Open sourceSource family: ccha-catalog. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Source note: Clarke Monthly, 2025
About thirty volunteers cleaned headstones and cleared brush at Milton Valley Cemetery in Berryville on a Sunday afternoon in March 2025, in work organized by Jim Weinmann and David Branham of Frederick County.
What the source supports
That the work happened, roughly when, and who organized it.
Uncertainty
The paper gives no exact date, so the letter does not invent one. The volunteer count is the paper's approximation.
Source
Evidence role: supports. The passage the statement rests on.
Clarke Monthly, May 2025
Clarke Monthly · 2025-05 (publication)
Locator: page 10
Relevant passageAbout 30 volunteers gathered in Berryville's Milton Valley Cemetery on a Sunday afternoon in March to clean old headstones and clear overgrown brush.
Checked: Page text reviewed. Original image not independently inspected.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-monthly. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Evidence role: supports. The passage the statement rests on.
Clarke Monthly, May 2025
Clarke Monthly · 2025-05 (publication)
Locator: page 10
Relevant passageThe work was organized by Frederick County residents Jim Weinmann and David Branham
Checked: Page text reviewed. Original image not independently inspected.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-monthly. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check · 2026-09-11. How this project checks its sources
The Historical Association's catalog description of a Clarke Courier photograph of Memorial Day services at the cemetery on May 30, 1991, with the catalog's own small thumbnail. This is the catalog record, not the photograph, which was not examined.
What this image does and does not showA catalog page as it appeared on September 26, 2026. It describes the photograph; it is not a reproduction of it.
Clarke County Historical Association catalog, record 2005.00023.291.C. Rights Changes: The retained JPEG image of 1700 by 705 pixels, scaled to 1200 by 498 and re-encoded as JPEG for the web. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke County Historical Association catalog record 2005.00023.291.C: "Memorial Day, 1991-Milton Valley Cemetery" Open the full image
The Historical Association's catalog description of a plat of the cemetery's graves, made in the fall of 2004 to accompany Don and Mary Royston's volume. This is the catalog record, not the plat, which was not examined.
What this image does and does not showA catalog page as it appeared on September 26, 2026. It describes the plat; it is not a reproduction of it.
Clarke County Historical Association catalog, record 427/2005-#3. Rights Changes: A detail of the retained region crop of the Library of Congress page image (2652 by 1704 pixels): the rectangle from x 20 to 2595 and y 252 to 1545, which leaves out the unrelated items around it, scaled to 1200 by 603, and re-encoded as JPEG. The whole page is at the source link. Nothing retouched or added.
Source: Clarke County Historical Association catalog record 427/2005-#3: "Milton Valley Cemetery-Grave Plat" Open the full image
Clarke Monthly's report on the March 2025 volunteer cleanup at Milton Valley Cemetery. Clarke Monthly, May 2025, p. 10.
Cathy Kuehner, Clarke Monthly (Berryville, Va.), May 2025, page 10. Rights Changes: The retained file itself, shown at its own 640 by 1180 pixels: not scaled, not re-encoded. Nothing retouched or added.
About the accountsWhat the evidence says
The 1909 Courier's account of forty-one founders in 1879, the company's 1910 advertisement and the 1926 board notice, read on the page images, show a Black-run cemetery company with stockholders, a monument and a yearly $1.00 charge on lot holders. Courier notices from 1897 to 1945 record burials there, including people brought home from Illinois and Detroit.
The founding year and seller are the paper's: the Josephine City nomination describes an 1874 agreement recorded in 1880 with A. Moore as seller, and neither account has been checked against the unread deed. The paper names none of the forty-one; the nomination names Thomas Page among them and describes the obelisk's list, which was not examined. The board is tied to the company only by the heading its notice was printed under. The 1910 secretary and the 1924 director share a name but are not joined. The later photograph and grave plat are known from catalog descriptions only.
- An account exists✓ Supported by a source
The same Courier notice says that forty-one Black men and women formed the Milton Valley Cemetery Company in 1879, bought three acres "from Mr. Engle," and laid out there "the first burial ground for colored people in this section of the State," and that only fourteen of the forty-one were still living in 1909.
See the evidence
✓ Supported by a sourceAn account existsThe same Courier notice says that forty-one Black men and women formed the Milton Valley Cemetery Company in 1879, bought three acres "from Mr. Engle," and laid out there "the first burial ground for colored people in this section of the State," and that only fourteen of the forty-one were still living in 1909.
What the source supports
What the Courier said in 1909 about the company's formation, its land and its surviving founders.
Uncertainty
The paper's account thirty years after the event, naming none of the forty-one. The Josephine City historic-district nomination gives a different account: an 1874 agreement for the sale, with the deed recorded only in 1880, from A. Moore, as guardian of the Hebb heirs, not from "Mr. Engle." Neither the deed the nomination cites nor the related deeds were read, so the founding date and the seller are unresolved. "Mr. Engle" is not identified, and the cemetery is not placed on the Milton Valley estate that shares its name. "The first burial ground" is the paper's claim, not a finding here.
Source
Reporting Evidence role: supports. The paragraph on the formation, the land and the survivors.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 30, 1909, page 1: "Colored People to Unveil Monument."
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1909-06-30 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, same notice, the paragraph on the company's formation
Relevant passageForty-one colored men and women formed themsevles [themselves] into an organization known as the Milton Valley Cemetery Company in 1879 and purchased three acres of land from Mr. Engle, on which they laid out the first burial ground for colored people in this section of the State. Only fourteen of the original forty-one survive.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Later historical account Evidence role: complicates. The nomination's citation of an 1874 deed for the three-acre purchase.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 49, footnote 17
Relevant passageClarke County Deed Book P/152-154 (1874); Maral S. Kalbian and Leila O. W. Boyer, "Final Report: African-American Historic Context, Clarke County, Virginia," 55. This parcel may have originally been part of the Milton Valley property.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Later historical account Evidence role: complicates. The nomination names A. Moore, Jr., guardian, as seller, and dates the deed's recording to 1880.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 24 (Section 7 page 24), inventory entry for 313 Josephine Street, the Milton Valley Cemetery
Relevant passageThe ... site dates to at least 1874 when three acres were purchased ... from A. Moore, Jr., the guardian of the children of Edward T. Hebb, although the deed was not recorded until 1880. ... It contains the names of all the original stockholders of the cemetery (41 names are listed).
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Later historical account Evidence role: complicates. The nomination's account of the 1874 agreement and the 1880 recording.
Josephine City Historic District, National Register of Historic Places nomination, DHR 168-5029
Maral S. Kalbian and Margaret T. Peters (Maral S. Kalbian, LLC) · 2014-12-01 (creation)
Locator: PDF page 32, statement of significance on the cemetery's purchase and obelisk
Relevant passage... by A. Moore, Guardian for the heirs of E. Y. Hebbs ... it references an 1874 agreement between the parties for the sale to the Milton Valley Cemetery. ... Names on the base of the obelisk ... include ... Laws, Robertson, Jackson, Page, Carter, and Jenkins.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: dhr-nominations. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
- An account exists✓ Supported by a source
The People's Journal of July 1, 1926 printed a notice from the Cemetery Board of Milton Valley Cemetery saying that under a law in effect since 1922 every lot holder was taxed $1.00 a year, signed by Mrs. M. C. Young as secretary, Joseph Lincoln as treasurer and H. Blackburn as president.
See the evidence
✓ Supported by a sourceAn account existsThe People's Journal of July 1, 1926 printed a notice from the Cemetery Board of Milton Valley Cemetery saying that under a law in effect since 1922 every lot holder was taxed $1.00 a year, signed by Mrs. M. C. Young as secretary, Joseph Lincoln as treasurer and H. Blackburn as president.
What the source supports
That in 1926 the cemetery had a board with a woman as its secretary, and that the board asked every lot holder to pay a yearly assessment.
Uncertainty
The notice was read on the page image, page 4, on 2026-09-26, from Virginia Chronicle's digital reproduction. The notice refers to "a law" without naming it, and no statute is identified here. The notice is printed under the heading "Milton Valley Cemetery COMPANY", which supports identifying the Cemetery Board with the company advertised in 1910 and 1912; no charter or minute establishes it.
Source
Reporting Evidence role: supports. The July 1926 Cemetery Board notice.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 July 1926, Vol. XLI No. 353
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1926-07-01 (publication)
Locator: Page 4, Cemetery Board notice headed "Milton Valley Cemetery COMPANY", lower right
Relevant passageThe Cemetery Board of Milton Valley Cemetery wishes to announce that a law went into effect in 1922 that every lot holder is taxed $1.00 per year. We ask each one to please pay your assessment. Mrs. M. C. YOUNG, Sec. JOSEPH LINCOLN, Tres. H. BLACKBURN, Pres.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Reporting Evidence role: contextualizes. The June 1910 advertisement naming the company.
People's Journal, Berryville, Va., 1 June 1910, Vol. XVI No. 173
G. L. D. Harris, editor and proprietor · 1910-06-01 (publication)
Locator: Milton Valley Cemetery Company advertisement, printed page not recorded
Relevant passageThis Company have erected a beautiful MONUMENT in honor to the Stockholders and their beloved dead. ... G. W. Lightfoot, Sec., Berryville.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: peoples-journal. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
- An account exists✓ Supported by a source
The Clarke Courier of February 8, 1923 reported that Edward Jones, 26, who had served in the World War and been gassed at the front, died in Detroit after the grip, followed by tuberculosis in lungs weakened by gas, and was buried in Milton Valley Cemetery; his father, Isaac H. Jones, then working in Detroit, "brought the body here."
See the evidence
✓ Supported by a sourceAn account existsThe Clarke Courier of February 8, 1923 reported that Edward Jones, 26, who had served in the World War and been gassed at the front, died in Detroit after the grip, followed by tuberculosis in lungs weakened by gas, and was buried in Milton Valley Cemetery; his father, Isaac H. Jones, then working in Detroit, "brought the body here."
What the source supports
A veteran's burial at the cemetery in 1923, after his father brought his body from Detroit.
Uncertainty
The paper's account of the cause of death; no military or death record was read. On the image his age is 26; the machine-read text gives 20.
Source
Reporting Evidence role: supports. The report, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., February 8, 1923
Clarke Courier · 1923-02-08 (publication)
Locator: Page 4, report "Colored War Veteran Is Buried Here"
Relevant passageEdward Jones, 26 years old, ... who served in the World War and was gassed while on the front, died in Detroit last week and his body was brought here and buried in Milton Valley Cemetery. Edward contracted the grip and the weak condition of his lungs, due to gas, made him an easy victim for tuberculosis ... His father, Isaac H. Jones, who is now working in Detroit, brought the body here.
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
- An account exists✓ Supported by a source
The Clarke Courier of May 31, 1934 reported Memorial Day exercises at Milton Valley Cemetery, which it placed in Josephine City, similar to those at Green Hill: they opened with "The Star-Spangled Banner," followed by a prayer by the Rev. E. T. Johnson, principal of the Clarke County Training School; "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and an address by Johnson; then "In Flanders Fields" and a reading by Willis Tryman; with a salute by a firing squad and taps.
See the evidence
✓ Supported by a sourceAn account existsThe Clarke Courier of May 31, 1934 reported Memorial Day exercises at Milton Valley Cemetery, which it placed in Josephine City, similar to those at Green Hill: they opened with "The Star-Spangled Banner," followed by a prayer by the Rev. E. T. Johnson, principal of the Clarke County Training School; "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and an address by Johnson; then "In Flanders Fields" and a reading by Willis Tryman; with a salute by a firing squad and taps.
What the source supports
That Memorial Day exercises were held at the cemetery in 1934, with their order of service and leader, as the Courier reported them.
Uncertainty
Paraphrased; the issue's rights are not established, and only the titles of songs and the poem are given in quotation marks. The report gives no day or attendance.
Source
Reporting Evidence role: supports. The report, read on the page image.
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., May 31, 1934, page 1: report of the Memorial Day exercises
Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1934-05-31 (publication)
Locator: Page 1, report of the Memorial Day exercises at Milton Valley Cemetery
Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.
Open sourceSource family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-09-26. How this project checks its sources
Each statement above is assessed on its own evidence. Nothing here is averaged, scored or voted on, and a well-attributed account can be documented while what it describes stays unconfirmed.
Source note
The account of the company's formation and the planned unveiling is the Clarke Courier's, June 30, 1909, page 1: the 1879 date, the forty-one, the three acres "from Mr. Engle" and the "first burial ground" claim are the paper's. The deed the Josephine City nomination cites, Deed Book P, pages 152 to 154, and the related Deed Books N:361 and 18:506 have not been read, so the date and the seller stay unresolved. The nomination names the seller as A. Moore, guardian of the Hebb heirs (its two passages describe the heirs differently), and describes an 1874 agreement recorded as a deed in 1880. "Mr. Engle" is not identified, and the cemetery is not placed on the Milton Valley estate that shares its name. No report of the July 8, 1909 unveiling has been found; the 1910 advertisement says the monument had been erected. The obelisk's 1909 dedication, its forty-one names, the surnames on its base and Thomas Page's place among the stockholders come from the nomination (PDF pages 24, 32 and 34); the obelisk itself has not been examined.
The company's advertisement is in the People's Journal of June 1, 1910, page 2, right column, read on the page image with its signature. "A MONUMENT" is a display line in large capitals set between the body lines, not part of a sentence, so the story quotes the body text around it. The "i" of "in" in the closing line did not print; the quotation restores it. The flower-strewing line, the two resolutions and Sarah E. Mills's obituary are on the same page, and the directory on page 1. The page prints "Gallean Fishermen" and "Rose of Sharn" (also "Rose of Sharm"); the story keeps the printed forms and gives the standard names beside them. The obituary is dated May 21, 1910 at its foot, while the Rose of Sharn resolution gives her death as May 26, 1910, so the story does not date her death. The directorate comes from George William Lightfoot's obituary in the Courier of December 4, 1924, page 1. The 1910 notice is signed "G. W. Lightfoot, Sec"; nothing read joins the two beyond the name, so the story keeps them as separate records.
The Cemetery Board's notice is in the People's Journal of July 1, 1926, page 4, and reads $1.00 on the page image. The 1922 law it cites has not been identified; a 1922 digest of Virginia cemetery law does not show it. The notice's heading suggests the board spoke for the company, but no charter or minute confirms it. The appeal for the walk is on page 1 of the same issue. "H. Blackburn" of the board notice and "Hila Blackburn" of the walk appeal are not joined here, nor is the 1897 signer B. R. Blackburn.
The burials come from the Courier of May 19, 1897, page 3, the earliest use of the cemetery's name found; April 25, 1917, page 1; February 8, 1923, page 4; and February 7, 1935, page 1. The general statements about congregations and ministers rest on the Courier's funeral notices from 1897 to 1948, most of them read as machine text only. Memorial Day comes from the Courier of May 28, 1931 and May 31, 1934, both page 1, and Johnson's obituary from November 22, 1945, page 10. Items from 1929 onward are paraphrased rather than quoted. The school's history belongs to a separate account and is only summarized here.
The later traces are two Clarke County Historical Association catalog records, 2005.00023.291.C for the 1991 photograph and 427/2005-#3 for the 2004 grave plat, read as catalog descriptions only; neither the photograph nor the plat was seen. Separate attestations like these do not show that observance or care continued without a break. The 2025 cleanup is from Clarke Monthly, May 2025, page 10.
Several questions stay open. The 2004 grave plat and the Royston survey may name marked graves. The full list of founders on the obelisk has not been read, and the 1922 law is not identified. Whether the 1909 unveiling took place as announced, and whether the 1926 walk was built, has not been found. The deed books named above have not been read.
Which forty-one names does the 1909 obelisk carry, and are any of those original stockholders buried in the ground they bought?
Know more about this story, or see something to correct? Help fill a gap. It stays private until it is reviewed.
Remember this place or someone in this story? Share a memory, even if you do not know the date. It stays private until it is reviewed.
Go deeper: every source under this story Follow another threadClarke County Training School: a dollar a year
Another account of Black community life in Josephine City in the same decades, told through the county training school's records.