THE LYNCHBURG CEMETERY
FAMILIES AT REST
The Lynchburg Cemetery stands as a quiet witness to the faith and perseverance of generations of families who built their lives in and around Lynchburg, South Carolina. Nestled beside the church, the grounds contain not only markers of individual lives but also enduring monuments to family legacies that have shaped the community for almost two centuries. As the only cemetery in Lynchburg, the burials include Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and members of other Christian denominations.
FAMILY LEGACIES PRESERVED
Walking through the cemetery, one is immediately struck by the prominence of family names that recur across the congregation's long history.
Here are some of the family names that appear most frequently, along with the number of gravesites.
McLeod 31
Hickson 31
McIntosh 26
Griffin 23
Stokes 26
McElveen 21
Keels 20
Rhame 16
Frierson 15
Tomlinson 15
Wilson 13
The McLeod family is represented with numerous stones, including the tall marble obelisk erected in memory of William James McLeod (1826–1898). His monument, marked with both scripture and Masonic symbols, reflects the respect he commanded in life and the devotion of his descendants. Nearby paired markers for other McLeods testify to the closeness of siblings and spouses, reminding visitors of the bonds that tie families together even in death.
The several Harker gravestones remind us of the generations of that family who have long held church leadership positions. Mrs. Kathryne Harker (grandmother of board members Stan and Janet) served as the church’s secretary for many years and she was responsible for sending all records of the church to the Harmony Presbytery. Jimmy Harker, Stan’s father, taught Sunday School for many years and was responsible for starting Old Timey Day.
The Frierson name has been closely tied to the church’s heritage, and their plot serves as a reminder of the multi-generational bonds that connect church and family.
Nearby, the McElveen family is remembered with several handsome granite monuments. Wayne McElveen and Barbara Stewart McElveen, who compiled the 2008 Who’s Who in the Lynchburg Presbyterian Cemetery survey, also bear this name, underscoring the deep connection between the work of preserving the cemetery’s history and the families memorialized within its borders.
The book, Memories of Lynchburg South Carolina as Centered in the Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, was compiled by C. Wayne McElveen and Barbara Stewart McElveen. It was published in November 2008 and all profits from its sale were donated to the Lynchburg Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, Inc. The book is copyrighted and may not be copied for sale.
The headstone of Col. John C. Rhame is decorated with the cast iron Southern Cross of Honor, which marks the graves of 36 Civil War veterans who are buried here.
VETERANS AND CIVIC LEADERS
Several markers call special attention to service and leadership. Among them is Colonel J. C. Rhame, whose weathered headstone is flanked by Confederate memorial crosses, honoring his role in the Civil War. A more recent stone commemorates Charles L. Rhame (1853–1924), whose Masonic emblem reflects his place in civic as well as church life. These markers highlight the ways in which Lynchburg citizens have contributed not only to their congregation but also to the broader public life of their times.
These hallowed grounds hold many Veterans who served in various branches of America’s military. Many actively served their country in wars. The Cemetery Board does not have records to designate Veterans’ gravesites. If any current families would like to mark their ancestor’s Veteran status, they should contact a member of the Board of Trustees, who can assist with placing a permanent marker.
Thirty-six Confederate Veterans are buried in these grounds, and their resting places are marked with Confederate Cross stakes in the ground, in front of their headstones. The placement of these crosses was done by a citizen of Lynchburg. Please see the newspaper article about this on the History page.
OTHER HISTORIC FAMILIES
Across the grounds are found the names of other longstanding Lynchburg families. The Harker family plot is just behind the fencing on the west side of the church, and five generations of this family have had strong ties to the cemetery and church. Hickson and Tomlinson family stones; both give evidence of families whose ties to church and town have lasted through generations. Markers such as those for the Wilsons, Phillips, Gibbs, Keels, Kennedys extend the story of Lynchburg Christian fellowship into a wider circle of neighbors and kin.
A PLACE OF MEMORY AND WITNESS
The cemetery is more than a collection of stones—it is a place where memory and faith meet. The inscriptions speak of love, devotion, and trust in God’s promises, echoing the message proclaimed within the sanctuary. Together, church and cemetery testify to the enduring hope of the gospel and to the deep roots of Christian witness in Lynchburg.
For descendants, visitors, and members alike, a walk through the cemetery offers not only a glimpse into local history but also an invitation to reflect on the continuity of faith across generations. The families who rest here remain part of the living legacy of the Lynchburg Cemetery.
ANGEL STONE
This lovely angel and cross have been a cornerstone on our grounds since 1919. Every child visiting our cemetery will love her. Parents must keep a close watch to avoid children climbing onto her large wings. Older visitors who were brought up in this community fondly recall their visits to this angel over many decades.
The statue is a memorial to Mary McKnight Keels (1840-1919), wife of Capt. D.E. Keels. Its inscription reads:
Up in heaven where you abide,
Joy and peace, they may reside;
We but know earth’s gladness died
When you went away from us.
SARAH I. FRIERSON
From the book_Women of the Civil War (in the Camden South Carolina Archives) Mrs. Sarah Frierson is credited as the person most responsible for holding together the church, the community, and the cemetery. She founded the first Lynchburg Presbyterian Ladies Missionary Society. It is reported in the Harmony Presbyterian Records, kept in the Montreat North Carolina Archives, that the strength of this Society kept the Church alive. She is credited with teaching Christian beliefs to the plantations laborers and encouraging them to attend Sunday services in the Lynchburg Presbyterian Church, even though they were seated in the upstairs galleries. These open galleries are visible today. Repairs and reconstruction of the galleries were accomplished in 2025.
Sarah Frierson was also a volunteer nurse, caring for injured Confederate soldiers in the makeshift hospital created in the Durant house on Durant Ferry Road. She, along with Mrs. J.J. Durant and other volunteers took in refugees from Columbia and Charleston when Sherman marched through the state. “(See the newspaper article about this old Confederate Hospital on the HISTORY page)”
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Lynchburg had two DAR chapters in the past. The Lynchburg chapter has been closed and had been named the Jane Campbell Chapter.” Some local DAR members joined the chapter in Bishopville, the Henry Durant Chapter.
HEADSTONE BEFORE CLEANING IN 2025
NEARBY RELATED CEMETERIES
Relatives of families buried in the Lynchburg Cemetery are interred in nearby cemeteries:
Tabernacle Campground Cemetery
Located 4 miles down Highway 341 from the Lynchburg Cemetery and church. It dates from the 1830s – 1850s, and the oldest grave with a marker is William S. Mims, 1861. Circuit riding preachers road on horseback to towns to conduct “camp meetings”. Some of the Lynchburg and Shiloh families that are buried here are: Conyers, Kinlaw, Lane, Locklair, Logan, McClam, McElveen, Truluck, Tyler, and Wilson
Wells Cemetery
Located in Lee County near Elliott, SC, it has records of 871 memorials. It lies approximately 11 miles south of Bishopville. Lynchburg family members buried here include Harker, Atkinson, Player, and Windham.
McLeod Heritage Properties Cemetery
Sometimes referred to as the McLeod-McCoy-Clark Cemetery, it contains 24 gravestones and several unmarked graves. It is located in Lee County near Elliott, SC, on Swimming Pen Road. To find it on a map, it is near Mary McLeod Bethune Road. Cemetery mapping and launching of a website are planned for 2025–2026. The restoration, mapping, and website have been made possible by a donation from the McLeod family.
Saint Luke Cemetery
Associated with St. Luke's Church, it is located in Lee County.
Friendship Cemetery
Located in the Pleasant Grove community.
This list of nearby cemeteries and burial grounds is partial and highly limited. For further study of the more than 24 cemeteries located within 20 miles of the Lynchburg Cemetery and Church, they can be found online:
This site charges a fee for its search services. It will have our cemetery mapping results by mid-2026.
Paid membership is available for $25 a month, but many libraries provide access to this website for no fee. The site offers DNA matching services for a fee.
This site identifies our cemetery as Lynchburg Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
This site has global coverage, charges no fees, and is user-friendly.