ST. LLOYD PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1867

ADDITONAL NAMES: Cemetery #1 and Cemetery #2

AFFILIATION(S): N/A

HISTORY:

In October 1867, a group of African-American members of Sharon Presbyterian Church, in what was then known as Sharon Township in Charlotte, NC, appeared before the Church Elders. According to minutes of that Session, these members requested "advice and aid in building a house of worship for the colored people." Though the names of the petitioners and the church they wished to establish are not in the church's minutes, it is believed that these African-American members were the subsequent founders of St. Lloyd Presbyterian Church.

The church moved to a new location in Grier Heights after the SouthPark land was sold to Sarah and Cameron Morrison, who had been governor of North Carolina, around 1926. At this time the five trustees were James Rodman, Hall Price, Thomas Knox, Walter Davis and Frank Price for Lloyd Presbyterian Church. A second church and cemetery was formed on 2 acres plus from E.W Wallace and Katie C. Wallace when it was possible for blacks to own land at the Grier Heights location. The Wallace's were members of the Colony Road church who had become landowners in Mecklenburg County.  Over time, as church members merged with other local congregations, the church building at cemetery #2 was removed in the mid-1970th. 

Today what remains of the church are these two cemeteries: one in SouthPark and one in Grier Heights. The foundation, representing Grier Heights and SouthPark residents, will ensure the long-term care and preservation of these historic sites, continuing the legacy for future generations.

BCN Contact Information:

St. Lloyd Presbyterian Cemetery Foundation, Inc.

Wayne Johnson

wayne@waynejohnsonproperties.com

PROMISE LAND CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1880

ADDITONAL NAMES: N/A

AFFILIATION(S): N/A

HISTORY:

The Promise Land Community was established and settled by former slaves from the Cumberland Furnace during the Reconstruction Period (1870-1875) in Charlotte, Tennessee.

Deed records and Census reports reveal that some of the early settlers were Nathan Bowen, Joe Washington Vanleer, William Gilbert, John Grimes, Jeff Edmondson, Charles Redden, George Primm, and U.S. Colored Troop Veterans brothers, John and Arch Nesbitt, Clark Garrett, Landin Williams, and Ed Vanleer. These early settlers went on to become landowners with their descendants continuing to own the land.

The Promise Land Cemetery was established in 1880. John Nesbitt purchased property with backed pension funds. U.S. Colored Troop Veterans are buried at this site like John Nesbitt and Arch Nesbitt.

Today, only the St. John Promise Land Church and the old Promise Land School Building remain. In 2007 the Promise Land School Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In July 2010 a Civil War Trails Marker was placed on the site of the historic school building in recognition of the Civil War records of John and Arch Nesbitt and their contributions to the community.

BCN Contact Information:

Promise Land Heritage Association

TuesRd2@gmail.com

www.promiselandtn.com