Simpson Family Cemetery

Here follows an excerpt from the Fairfax Genealogical Society website:

SIMPSON FAMILY CEMETERY
Back of park at junction of Manor House Drive and Windermere Lane
Fairfax Station, Virginia USA

Original Information from Volume 2 of the Gravestone Books

This cemetery is located in the woods at the back of the small park situated at the junction of Manor House Drive and Windermere Lane in the English Hills area, Fairfax Station. Directly across Manor House Drive from the gate at the driveway of Buckingham Springs (7709 Manor House Drive), walk about 100 yards across the park to the woods. The cemetery is on the overgrown periphery of the well-maintained park.

A 1989 survey indicated that the cemetery had recently been cleared of brush, but in September 1994 the burials were completely overgrown with weeds and brambles. A 24-by-24-foot fence surrounds one gravestone and several fieldstone markers. The gate is broken off the fence. Another gravestone stands outside the fence nearby, but further into the woods, along with fieldstones and many unmarked burials.

(Note: A page from the May/June 1968 “Historic Preservation Bulletin” is on file in the Virginia Room of the Fairfax City Regional Library in the Simpson file. Mention is made of a gravestone for “Nancy Simpson, May 11, 1801,” which was found in English Hills, “buried at the base of a tree in an area that appears to have sunken grave sites in the vicinity.”)

No Updates from Volume 6 of the Gravestone Books


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Here follows an excerpt from the Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association website:

The Simpson family cemetery is located in Fairfax Station at the top of a slight hill in a park owned by the English Hills Home Owners Association. The cemetery has a wrought iron fence around a portion of it, There are commercial and field stones markers in neat rows both inside and outside the fenced area. The newer markers are within the fenced section. The cemetery is covered with leaves and brush. Neighbors stated there are occasional visitors to the cemetery.

William H. Simpson and his wife Ann C.:
William was a farmer and constable for the area. He died at the age of 40. Benjamin Fairfax 's wife was heir to Caleb Stone , neighbor or William H. Simpson. In law suits, Simpson v Stone 1867 and Arundell V Simpson 1872 Benjamin Fairfax was asked if he helped dig up the gold and silver hidden by William H. Simpson, he replied "I dug up two boxes of my own."

Field stone markers:
There are many field stone grave markers to the south and west side of the fence. Two independent surveys, completed in the past, differ in the number of graves outside the fence; one says there are 50 and another says there are over 20 burials. If the area were completely uncovered it would be easier to determine which surveyor was correct..

Fallen markers:
This large flat stone marker has fallen and broken. There is no inscription able to be distinguished on the marker.

More field stone markers:
Neighbors had heard there were slaves buried here also. Although it is recorded that William Simpson voted in favor of secession, there is no documentation that he owned slaves.

Within the fence . . .:
are several graves and depression. One surveyor described that there were at least eight unmarked graves inside of the fence.

Rose W. Simpson and Tyree H. Simpson:
Rose was the youngest of three children of William and Ann Simpson according to the 1860 census. Rose Simpson and Tyree Simpson had two sons, William Jones Simpson and Somer Stone Simpson. Tyree died young and his son W. J. quit school to help support his mother and brother. By the 1900 census, Ann is living with Rose and Rose's two sons. Rose is described as the head of the household and Ann's occupation is shown as farmer.

Simpson House:
Neighbors describe this house which is near the cemetery as being the home of the Simpson family. It is also known as the Caleb Stone house. Mary Ellen Stone Fairfax, wife of Benjamin Fairfax, was listed as an heir of Caleb Stone..