Peterstown WV Black Cemetery?

The small town of Peterstown, WV has a lot of history but not all of it is documented. Such is the case with a corner lot within the town limits. Older residents remember tombstones in the lot, have seen carloads of African-Americans decorate the graves, and were told it was a slave cemetery, possibly from the Royal family farm. As years passed, a road was built and fill dirt covered the graves.

Interested citizens donated to the Virginia Tech geophysics department in summer, 2021, for students to perform an underground scan. They did so (pictured above) but the results were inconclusive.

GeoModel in Leesburg, VA, an experienced company who works exclusively with cemeteries has agreed to perform another scan for $2900. Afterwards, there will be the cost of removing, documenting, and replacing tombstones at an estimated $300 for a total of $3200. Donations from individuals have totaled $2000, so we are hoping to collect the final $1200 here.

Finally, if positive evidence is found, we intend to add to the written history of Peterstown and erect a marker to honor the lives of those buried here.