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149    O'KELLY, JAMES [F03.1]

Location - Williams. In Colvard Farms subdivision, off Crimson Oak Dr.

Coordinates: 35d 51m 52.7s N; 78d 57m 16.4s W Click here for Online Maps

A 7-feet-tall obelisk to Rev. James O'Kelly has the following inscription:

"Erected by his Christian friends to the memory of James O'Kelly of N.C. The Southern Champion of Christian freedom, 1738-1826."

In 1989, Robert Hughes recorded 6 grave markers. On 25 May 1994, Will Heiser located the cemetery and noted 13+ field stones in addition to the 6 grave markers. Alexandra Millholland photographed the cemetery in 2015 and 2018.

View #2 of the cemetery. View #3 of the cemetery. View #4 of the cemetery. View #5 of the cemetery.
View #6 of the cemetery. View #7 of the cemetery. View #8 of the cemetery.
Photos from a 2005 survey.

Owner: None of record. Formerly, Charlie Cole, widower, to Cleo Cole, et al..
Legal Description: Parcel 78256. Deed Book 458, Page 139, 21 Jan 1982, "Except, however, a square lot containing one-half acre, the cemetery lot, for an old family graveyard . . .."

Topo Quadrant: Green Level.
Family owned: Yes.
Abandoned: Yes.
Number of graves: 20.
Cemetery size: 65' x 65' within 1/2 acre site.
White: Yes.
Restricted access: Yes. Must be accessed from nature trail in Colvard Farms subdivision. Surrounded by private property.
Condition: Poorly maintained.
Enclosed: Yes.
Enclosed explanation: Very low stone wall and more recently iron fencing erected by developer of Colvard Farms subdivision.
Enclosed conditions: Good.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: Yes.
Number of readable markers: 6.
Last burial: 1890.
First burial: 1826.
Unusual situation: Yes.
Unusual situation: 7' tall obelisk for James O'Kelly.
Markers damaged: Yes, due to neglect.

Significant events: Monument "Erected by his Christian friends to the memory of James O'Kelly of NC. The southern champion of Christian freedom 1738-1826." He was founder of O'Kelly's Chapel, a pioneer of Methodism in NC, and founder of the Christian Church..

Miscellaneous information: Miscellaneous information: In 1989, Robert Hughes recorded 6 grave markers. On 25 May 1994, Will Heiser located the cemetery and noted 13+ field stones in addition to the 6 grave markers. The cemetery was studied by archaeologist John Clauser in 2005 for developer Colvard Farms. Clauser noted 20 graves, six with inscriptions. See his sketch of the cemetery layout here. In 2015 and 2018, Alexandra Millholland photographed the cemetery and markers.

1. Cole, Mary J. (Herndon)   (b. 29 Jan 1838 - d. 18 Jul 1884)
Wife of Joseph B. Cole. Joseph B. Cole buried at O'Kelly's Chapel Cemetery (F04.1). marker in 2017.
2. Fowler, Aurilia D.   (b. Unknown - d. 1887)
3. Herndon, Eugenia T.   (b. 17 Jul 1831? - d. 10 Jul 18__)
4. Herndon, Thomas J.   (b. 21 Sep 1808 - d. 27 Aug 1890)
Husband of Velina B. Herndon. Foot marker.
5. Herndon, Velina B.   (b. 15 Sep 1811 - d. 8 May 1885)
Wife of Thomas J. Herndon.
6. O'Kelly, James, Rev.   (b. 1738 - d. 1826)
"Erected by his Christian friends to the memory of James O'Kelley of N.C. The southern champion of Christian freedom 1738-1826". Close up. It is unclear whether Rev. James O'Kelly is buried here. Revolutionary War marker. - Another view.