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466    WILLCOX [Q56.1]

Location - Gulf Township. 0.5 mile northwest of the Town of Gulf, on the south side of SR 2140, Alton King Road, south of US 421, opposite Bethany Baptist Church

Coordinates: 35d 33m 32.0s N; 79d 17m 36.0s W Click here for Online Maps

In 1982, Wade Hadley recorded 4 grave markers, and noted about 10 markers without inscriptions. In 1989, Reba Cheek recorded 6 grave markers. Julie King-McDaniel photographed the cemetery in April 2010. Willcox descendants cleaned and surveyed the cemetery in March 2022, identifying approximately 34 possible unmarked burial sites. Some photos from 2022 have been added.

View #2 of the cemetery. View #3 of the cemetery in 2010.

Map of the cemetery layout from 2022

Photos from the 2022 cleanup: Southeast Corner --- Southwest Corner ---
Willcox helpers -- Willcox helpers -- Willcox helpers --
Cemetery looking east.

John and Mary Montgomery.
John and Rebecca Willcox.
Mary Alston Palmer Farris.


Topo Quadrant: Goldston.
Legal description: Parcel 80497.0.7 ac. DB 328/460 (2005)
Family owned: Yes.
Abandoned: Yes.
Number of graves: 6 marked, 7 unknown and 34 possible unmarked graves.
White: Yes. Possibly enslaved also.
Unrestricted access: Yes, by foot only.
Enclosed: Yes. Fence in disrepair.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: Yes.
Number of readable markers: 6.
Last burial: 1829.
First burial: 1793.

Other info of interest: Also known as "Old Montgomery Grave Yard," according to deed 328/460. Other names include Old Wilcox/Willcox Cemetery.

Last canvassed by: Wade Hadley, 1982; Reba Cheek, 1989; Julie King-McDaniel, 2010; Willcox descendants (Mary Willcox Betts, Clara Robertson, and Others) March 2022.

1. Farris, Mary   (b. 1756 - d. 6 Feb 1815)
Old stone: "This to the memory Mrs. Mary Farris who departed this life Feb'y the 6th 1815. Aged 58." New stone: "Mary Alston Palmer Farris Born 1756 Died 1815. Wife of Col. William Palmer of Bath, N.C. Mother of Robert Palmer of Bath and Gulf, NC - William Palmer, B1746 D1786, Buried in NY City in Old Trinity Church Yard." Closeup of old stone. [William Palmer was Mary's first husband. He was appointed Colonel of Beaufort County Militia by Governor Josiah Martin on October 10, 1772. He took the Oath of Allegiance on May 22, 1778. Revolutionary Patriot ID#49573.]
2. Montgomery, John   (b. 1732 - d. 14 Feb 1818)
Husband of Mary Willcox Montgomery. Sacred to the Memory of John Montgomery who died February 14th 1818 in 86th year of his age." [Revolutionary Patriot ID#A079028.]
3. Montgomery, Mary Willcox   (b. 1736 - d. 22 May 1824)
[Wife of John Montgomery. Sister of John Willcox.] "Sacred to the Memory of Mary Montgomery who died May 22nd 1824 in the 88th year of her age."
4. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
fieldstones
5. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
fieldstones
6. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
man made stone
7. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
fieldstones
8. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
man made stone
9. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
man made stone. [One of these unknown graves is most probably that of Joseph Lea Willcox, 1801-1803, infant son of John II and Mary Lea Willcox, grandson of John and Rebecca Willcox. Documentation available.]
10. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
man made stone
11. Willcox, John   (b. 1728 - d. 1793)
[Husband of Rebecca Butler Willcox.] "Revolutionary War Patriot John Willcox 1728 1793. Placed by the Army and Navy Chapter DAR." Old stone is illegible but may be the original marker for John Willcox. [Home of John Willcox may have been located nearby. Revolutionary Patriot ID #A126397.]
12. Willcox, Mary Ann   (b. 28 Oct 1790 - d. 30 Jul 1829)
Wife of George Willcox. Old stone: "Sacred to the Memory of Mary A. Willcox. It is sown a mortal body. It is raised a spiritual body. Wife of George Willcox of Moore County, N.C. Born 28th October 1790, Died 20th July 1829. Aged 38 years 9 months and 2 days." Old stone has lovely and unusual moth and leaf design.

New stone: "MARY A WILLCOX OCT 28, 1790 JULY 30, 1829 WIFE OF GEORGE WILLCOX".

[Mary Ann may have been Mary Ann Tysor, according tp Wade Hadley, or Mary Ann Tyson, according to Margaret Palmer, before she married George Willcox.] Closeup of old stone. [Mary Ann Willcox's maiden name was Tyson. She was the first wife of George Willcox (1784-1857), son of John and Rebecca Willcox. He was the first person to be interred at Euphronia Presbyterian Church Cemetery.]
13. Willcox, Rebecca Butler   (b. 1746 - d. 2 Sep 1808)
New stone only: "Rebecca Butler Willcox; Wife of John Willcox; Died September 2, 1808; Age 62." [Rebecca was the niece of John Barry, Revolutionary Patriot who was issued Commission Number 1 by President George Washington and his title was thereafter "Commodore." He has been called the "Father of the United States Navy."]