SPEEDWELL CEMETERY

FOUNDED: Unknown; 1942 Reinternment

ADDITONAL NAMES: Park Cemetery/Cemetery B

AFFILIATION(S):

• Friends of the Bluegrass Memorial Cemeteries

HISTORY:

Speedwell Cemetery, located on Speedwell Road, is an approximately 7.5-acre site explicitly designated as the segregated final resting place for the African American community whose homes and ancestral burial grounds were seized by the Army in order to make the Blue Grass Army Depot in 1942. This site powerfully embodies the deep-seated racial hierarchies of the era, extending even to the treatment of the deceased, as they were segregated with white individuals buried in the Bluegrass Memorial Cemetery. Speedwell Cemetery received a substantial number of relocated remains, approximately 900. Though the identities of many are tragically lost—a direct consequence compounded by decades of neglect that disproportionately affected this site. At its entrance, a chain-link fence with a gate provides access. Beyond the grave markers themselves, no other structures are present within the cemetery. Among those identified is Private Edward Francis (1830-1897), a U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) veteran of the 114th USCI, born into slavery, who gained freedom through his courageous service in the Civil War. His personal letters home vividly reveal his deep longing for his enslaved wife and three children, his gratitude for health and strength during his service, and his determination to learn to read and write. Francis's story, alongside those of other USCT veterans interred here, such as Edmond D. Collins (1845-1903), Lewis Gilbert (1839-1909), Charles H. Todd (1836-1902), and Smith Todd (1838-1891), powerfully underscores their fight not only for freedom but also for civil rights and a place of equality for their families post-emancipation. The vast majority of Speedwell Cemetery is characterized by severe overgrowth, which has obscured countless graves, further exacerbating the historical erasure of marginalized communities. This overgrowth has also threatened and damaged any remaining grave markers. Many graves are humbly marked with only a fieldstone. While a small percentage of graves are still visible in an open grassy area, many more remain completely hidden beneath dense overgrowth and underbrush, rendering them inaccessible and tragically lost to memory.

BCN Contact Information:

Brenda Burton

breburton@gmail.com

Speedwell Cemetery Facebook Page

MAPLE GROVE CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1901

ADDITONAL NAMES: N/A

AFFILIATION(S): N/A

HISTORY:

On June 19, 1901, Articles of Incorporation for the Richmond Colored Cemetery Company were signed and filed with the Madison County Court. Four African American men, Private Grandson Boggs, BP Langford, Thomas H. Broaddus and John L. Francis filed the document to be effective July 1st, 1901 for the purpose of conducting business as a cemetery for 50 years on the site.

Maple Grove Cemetery is the largest African American cemetery in Richmond and is located at the corner of East Main and Spring Streets. Additional land was added in 1910 and also several years later.

There are over 1700 grave stones and many unidentified gravesites within the cemetery. There are over 250 Military members interred in the cemetery (Buffalo Soldiers – Spanish American War, United States Colored Troops, US Navy – Messmen, Seaman and Reservist, US Army Air Corp/US Army - Tuskegee Airmen and support staff, U S Army Reservist, Marines, U S Coast Guard member and 2 female military members).

We know that this land was used as a burial place many years earlier than 1901 because the earliest stone is of Sarah Clay dated 1889.

The name of Maple Grove is also a mystery, this land has no formal document that contain that name. Richmond citizens have always referred to the cemetery as Maple Grove but the description does not refer to that name.

Many individuals and groups have maintained the cemetery over the many years. Much history has been uncovered about the people, places and occupations of the many individuals interred in the cemetery. The current caretaker – The Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery have placed historical markers at over 67 gravesites and researched their contributions to Richmond and Madison County.

The Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery, INC was established in October 2020 as a non-profit corporation, operates exclusively as a 501 (c)(3) to provide for perpetual care and maintenance of Maple Grove Cemetery. The Corporation is governed by 11 Board members and is solely supported by donations.

BCN Contact Information:

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