
African American Tour
It is impossible to conceive of Kanawha County history without recognizing the vast contributions of African Americans, many of whom arrived as slaves to work in the salt industry. Many of these important people, including William Davis, Elizabeth Gilmore, Charles James, and Mr. and Mrs. John Norman, are buried in Spring Hill Cemetery. We hope you enjoy their stories.
This tour can be explored in four major sections:
2) Top of the Hill (Jeffries Addition)
3) Historic Spring Hill Section 31
One interesting burial without a marker stands outside of these areas in the Jeffries Hill- Land Section.
One burial without a marker stands outside of these areas in the Jeffries Hill- Land Section.
William Edward Davis (1838-1960) was the oldest pensioner receiving social security at the time of his death at age 121. There are no records of his birth, but he maintained he had been born on Christmas Day 1838. He was born into slavery at Winston Salem, N.C., and his parents worked on a tobacco farm. He came to Charleston as a free man after the Civil War and worked on a river boat for 30 years and later for the C&O Railroad. He claimed to have been married twice and had 18 daughters.
All Historical Pictures used in this brochure are courtesy of James Randall Collection at Kanawha County Main Library
Tour prepared by Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum.
Follow us on Facebook