The churchyard
The churchyard welcomes many visitors and admirers, and still permits burials within the Memorial Garden.
For a definitive accounting of all the graves and a map of where they are located in the churchyard:
DID YOU KNOW?
The oldest marked grave is that of Mrs. Margaret Davison (died 1753), but many earlier graves have uninscribed markers.
How it started
The St. Paul's Episcopal Church cemetery dates from 1722, when Edenton became the capital of North Carolina. Because of a lack of stone along the coast, tombstones were rare and costly. Markers of brick or wood gradually weathered away. The churchyard looks un-crowded today because many of the 700 known graves are not marked. The church yard was never used for church members only, but served the whole community. By 1850, the vestry was begging the town to provide another cemetery. In recent years some gravestones have been moved, but the quiet character of the churchyard still provides an idyllic spot in the midst of Edenton.
Famous graves
Best known are the group of tombstones under the magnolias, called the Governors' Graves (moved here from family cemeteries on the banks of the Chowan River or the Albemarle Sound), which include Henderson Walker, Thomas Pollock, and Charles Eden, for whom the town is named.
Grave markers
The cemetery’s most significant design feature is its assortment of 19th and early 20th century grave markers of varying type, material, age, and ornamentation, and the artistry displayed by many of the hand-cut markers. Marker styles range from simple tablets to elaborately-carved obelisks and sculptures, featuring pictorial symbols and other decorative elements.
Other features
Features often found at other cemeteries that were established during the 19th century are at St. Paul’s, with some family plots enclosed with low iron pipe fencing, stone coping, and wrought-iron fences. Defined walkways once allowed visitors to wend through the cemetery; these were a popular feature during the 19th century, when cemeteries often doubled as parks where people could visit graves, enjoy the peaceful setting, and perhaps have a picnic. The walkways through St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Cemetery gave way during the early 20th century to create space for additional burial plots.
Video credit: Michelle Bowers, Old House Life
Grave of Gov. Charles Eden
Of the many important citizens and leaders interred here at St. Paul’s, probably none is more historically significant than the grave of Governor Charles Eden, the first colonial governor of North Carolina.
Photo credit: Bob Quinn
Eden was appointed governor of North Carolina on May 28, 1714. He is best known for his connections with various locally based pirates. Gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet and the notorious Blackbeard (Edward Teach) surrendered to Governor Eden and received the King's Pardon upon promising to change their ways.
He was made a landgrave of the order of Carolina nobility as provided for by the Fundamental Constitutions of the colony. He was the last person to hold this title.
A staunch member of the Church of England, Eden was made a vestryman of St. Paul's Parish soon after his arrival in the colony. He was solicitous for the welfare of the church and the spread of its work in the colony, corresponding often with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in London on church matters.
Modern burials at St. Paul's
Our memorial garden is the only place available today for onsite burials. Cremains are placed directly inside, with a memorial plaque at each grave. For information about funerals at St. Paul's, please visit our Funerals page.
Beautiful views of the churchyard
