History of the Graveyard Connected With Cross Creek Presbyterian Church

Dark brown cloth 8vo, 86p. Blind embossed boards with gilt-stamped title. Frontis photograph of the cemetery grounds in 1893, preceded by the author's portrait (2 photographic plates total). Near Fine with very minor rubbing to tips and subtle sunning. "Compliments of the Trustees Cross Creek Presbyterian Church" slip tipped to ffep. The "Cross Creek Cemetery Company" was founded in 1890, a non-denominational organization to oversee the much-needed expansion of the overpopulated cemetery grounds. The book was intended to raise funds for the work: "the old yard will all have to be dug over by hand and leveled up, and the vines and bushes eradicated" (85)

With many biographical notes throughout the register of inscriptions, including remarks on soldiers, church elders, and some notable causes of death: Reuben Philips, killed when an engine exploded (1863); Samuel McCune, thrown from a horse (847); Ella Gault, a 4-year-old who died of smallpox in 1856. 

The entry for Martha Edgar (née Smiley, d. 1783), the first wife of prominent judge James Edgar, though Simpson uses the term "consort". He notes that she was "known as a doctress...sent for from far and near to doctor the sick. She knew more of the healing art than any in her day in the Western country. Her death was regarded as a calamity to the whole community..." (28) Of course, you won't find anything about Martha Smiley Edgar elsewhere in history books—a reminder of how remarkable figures are often buried in obscure local history books. Scarce first edition.