Page 33 - WPA Book
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Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
CEMETERIES
1. SUBJECT:
Kersh-Wise Graveyard.
St. Michael’s Graveyard.
2. LOCATION:
Four miles southwest of Bridgewater, Virginia, off the highway.
3. DATE:
1836.
4. OWNERS:
German Reform Congregation.
5. DESCRIPTION:
Now in good condition, under the care of German Reform Congregation. From the dates and inscriptions you
will note that this is one of the oldest burying grounds in this part of Virginia.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Rev. “Fete,” the first German Reform preacher at St. Michaels Church, was first buried beneath the pulpit of the
original church but his body was removed to the graveyard when the present brick church was erected in 1876,
but the grave is only marked by a small limestone rock with no inscription.
(1) Jake Light born October 1, 1782, died Feb. 23, 1856, age 73 years 4 months 23 days.
(2) John Lite born April 9th 1771, age 48 years, 1 month, 23 days.
(3) Wm. Lite born August 30, 2024 died July 24, 1855.
(4) Martin Orebaugh born July 31st, 1776 – died June 7, 1860.
(5) Susanna, wife of Martin Orebaugh born 1796, died, 1860, age 66 years 7 months 27 days.
(6) Lieutenant A. M. Craun (son of D. & L. Craun) member of Co. F. Va. Volunteers.
(7) Jacob Plecker died June 30. 1855. Age 22 yrs.
(8) Amanda K. wife of John Smith born Dec. 3, 1825, died April 27, 2024 age 34 yr. 4 mo. 24 days.
(9) Susanna, wife of Jacob Kersh born October 6, 1776, died January 30, 2025
(10) Jacob Kersh, born June 3rd 1793, died June 30th 1837.
(11) John W,. son of T. and Mary C. Wise died February 4th. 1865 age 18 years 4 months 18 days.
(12) David Wise, died November 1st, 1856, age 69 years.
(13) Abigail Wise, died 1836 age 49 yr. 1 mo. 18 da.
(14) Jacob L. Kersh, born June 3, 2024 died June 20, 1837.
(15) Margaret L. Craun, born December 23rd 1821, died January 26th 1849.
(16) Esther Landis, died January 27th 1862 age 77 – 3 mo. & 3 da.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informant: Mr. H.J. Wise, descendant.
Tombstone inscriptions. Visit by worker.
Page 32 of 482
CEMETERIES
1. SUBJECT:
Kersh-Wise Graveyard.
St. Michael’s Graveyard.
2. LOCATION:
Four miles southwest of Bridgewater, Virginia, off the highway.
3. DATE:
1836.
4. OWNERS:
German Reform Congregation.
5. DESCRIPTION:
Now in good condition, under the care of German Reform Congregation. From the dates and inscriptions you
will note that this is one of the oldest burying grounds in this part of Virginia.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Rev. “Fete,” the first German Reform preacher at St. Michaels Church, was first buried beneath the pulpit of the
original church but his body was removed to the graveyard when the present brick church was erected in 1876,
but the grave is only marked by a small limestone rock with no inscription.
(1) Jake Light born October 1, 1782, died Feb. 23, 1856, age 73 years 4 months 23 days.
(2) John Lite born April 9th 1771, age 48 years, 1 month, 23 days.
(3) Wm. Lite born August 30, 2024 died July 24, 1855.
(4) Martin Orebaugh born July 31st, 1776 – died June 7, 1860.
(5) Susanna, wife of Martin Orebaugh born 1796, died, 1860, age 66 years 7 months 27 days.
(6) Lieutenant A. M. Craun (son of D. & L. Craun) member of Co. F. Va. Volunteers.
(7) Jacob Plecker died June 30. 1855. Age 22 yrs.
(8) Amanda K. wife of John Smith born Dec. 3, 1825, died April 27, 2024 age 34 yr. 4 mo. 24 days.
(9) Susanna, wife of Jacob Kersh born October 6, 1776, died January 30, 2025
(10) Jacob Kersh, born June 3rd 1793, died June 30th 1837.
(11) John W,. son of T. and Mary C. Wise died February 4th. 1865 age 18 years 4 months 18 days.
(12) David Wise, died November 1st, 1856, age 69 years.
(13) Abigail Wise, died 1836 age 49 yr. 1 mo. 18 da.
(14) Jacob L. Kersh, born June 3, 2024 died June 20, 1837.
(15) Margaret L. Craun, born December 23rd 1821, died January 26th 1849.
(16) Esther Landis, died January 27th 1862 age 77 – 3 mo. & 3 da.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informant: Mr. H.J. Wise, descendant.
Tombstone inscriptions. Visit by worker.
Page 32 of 482
