Establishing a Cemetery

Having a cemetery on grounds was not part of original plans for the academical village. The land which now exists as the University cemetery was purchased by Arthur S. Brockenbrough in 1825 as a means of connecting two parcels of land already owned by the University 132 to provide access to reliable springs, woods, and to protect the University’s water supply. The now-existing cemetery was enclosed in 1829 and first expanded by 200 x 228 feet in 1862 to bury Confederate soldiers who had been treated and ultimately died at the University’s hospital. THe third addition of 100 ft on the North side by a width of 185 ft was completed in 1915, along with the removal of trees. From archaeological evidence available, it appears that the 1915 expansion covers the 90 x 50 foot area used at the time as the Black Servants Cemetery, which was considerably smaller than the additions created to accommodate Confederate soldier burials and graves belonging to University associated personnel.

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Further Reading:

Beyond the Walls: An African American Burial Ground at the University of Virginia v. 1-2. Charlottesville, Va.: Rivanna Archaeological Services, 2013.  Uva Special Collections LD5662.9 .B49 2013 v.1-2