By: Jonesborough Genealogical Society    

One of the oldest cemeteries in Washington County is named Uriel. It is located on Greenwood Drive, Route 3, Jonesborough. Since this cemetery has been cleaned off by the county’s Sheriff Department, 41 tombstones can now be counted. However, it is known that many more graves are there and marked only by large rocks, which was the custom in olden days. Some of the tombstones are so old that the writing on them is almost impossible to read.

     In 1811 Jeremiah Reagan and his wife Abigail set aside the land for a church and graveyard. Reagan died in that year, his wife is buried beside him. In 1934 a marker for the Reagan grave was placed there by the John Sevier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Records indicate that Reagan was born in 1735 in Pennsylvania and lived in Virginia during the Revolution. It has been reported that he furnished supplies for the army and is counted as a soldier.

     It is also thought that soldiers who fought with the Confederacy are also buried there, but many of the stones have long ago crumbled.

     One interesting tombstone has the name of Rev. George Eakin. On this stone is written: born in Tyrone Co., Ireland, May 23, 1782.

     Died in Abingdon, VA, in his 75^th year.

     A Wesleyan Lay preacher at 16 years old.

     He was 58 years an active preacher.

     He received into the church during his 34 years an average of 385 members per year or 13,000 souls.

     His wife Mary and a son George also have tombstones beside his.

     In 1976 descendants of Russell Bean dedicated a monument to him. It reads:

     Russell Bean

     1769-1829

     Married Rosamond Robertson

     Son of William and Lydia Russell Bean

     First white child born in Tennessee

     Erected by descendants in 1974.

     Dedicated July 1976.

     A large number of the Bean descendants attended this dedication in 1976.

     There is a tombstone for John Crampton Harris, who was born in Maryland on Sept. 10, 1773, and died on Sept. 9, 1842. Many of the Harris descendants are buried in Uriel.

     In addition to the names of Eakin, Bean and Harris, there are tombstones bearing the names of Morris, Baylor, Young, Bailey, Miller, Wilson, Armstrong, Naff, Walter and McNicol. Many more people are also buried there, according to the number of large stones indicating graves.

     On many of these old tombstones are some interested tributes. A few of them are: He has gone to the mansion to rest; Mother Thy memory is blessed; Gone to be an angel; Budded on earth to bloom in heaven (On an infant’s stone); Rest Father rest in quiet sleep, When friends in sorrow o’er thee weep; Their life expressed God’s love; Thy trials ended; Thy rest is won; and They are not dead but sleeping.