The College Cemetery is located on Blair Road, east of Blow Gymnasium (now Blow Memorial Hall). The cemetery was established at the faculty meeting of January 18, 1859, for the use of professors and their families, and students. At the same meeting, President Benjamin S. Ewell was given permission to transfer the remains of his father and other family members to the cemetery, which he did. The dedication ceremony for the cemetery was held in 1859.
On June 24, 1871, George C. Turner, a student who died of mumps, was buried there. Benjamin S. Ewell was buried there in 1894. In 1925, the graves were remarked, the wall was under construction, and the Ewell monument was erected.
Others buried within the College Cemetery are: Benjamin S. Scott, Elizabeth Ewell Scott, Elizabeth Stoddert Ewell (mother of President Ewell), Rebecca Lowndes Ewell (sister of Presdent Ewell), Matilda Southall, Lucian Minor (professor, died 1858), Thomas Tully Lynch Snead (professor of mathematics, died 1872). In 2007, the remains of W&M benefactor Wendy Reves were interred in the College Cemetery. Although his name appears on the tombstone, the remains of her husband, W&M benefactor Emery Reves, remain in Europe (as of 2017). 1
Material in the Special Collections Research Center
- A guide specifically for researching topics related to William & Mary is available.
- "Buildings and Grounds--College Cemetery" Folder, University Archives Subject File Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, William & Mary.
- The Flat Hat
- Records of the Office the President.
Photographs
- Colonial Echo, 1980, p. 342.
- "Buildings and Grounds--College Cemetery" Folder; P1987.185: Annual Memorial Service; P1979.559: Alumni Day, 1939, University Archives Photograph Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, William & Mary.
References
- "Buildings and Grounds--College Cemetery" Folder, University Archives Subject File Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, William & Mary.
- Celebrating a life: Wendy Reves remembered, W&M News 2 May 2007. Accessed 4 November 2009.
- Herbert Ganter Papers, Box 28, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, William & Mary.
In the News
- Reves first to be buried in College cemetery since 1894, The Flat Hat 23 March 2007.