History of Fairview

Fairview Cemetery was founded in December 1854 during the settlement of the estate of William Strickland by Admiral William W. Boyd. During this time, under the terms of the will, a piece of real estate "lying in and near the town of Buchanan and Pattonsburg, in said County of Botetourt" was to be set aside as a public burying ground. Prior to this, most people were buried either in a family cemetery on private land or in a church cemetery. The establishment of Fairview provided a place where anyone could be buried. As part of the land transfer, the land was sold at auction and purchased by what are now known as the Fairview Cemetery Trustees. The original trustees were: Edward Valentine, William D. Couch, Thomas J. Obenshain, William Rock, John Crawford, John S. Wilson, and William M. Lackland.

These seven trustees were appointed to lay out the burial plots and walkways, maintain a fence around the cemetery, and to manage the sale of the burial plots. Private citizens who contributed at least $5 to the purchase of the land were given a plot, and other individuals who paid at least $5 were also eligible to become the owner of a plot. While the cost of a plot has obviously increased since 1854, the cost is still very small compared to many other cemeteries. The trustees were also required to assign a separate portion of the 2 acre cemetery for the burial of strangers and other persons who were not an original subscriber or an owner of a lot.

Another separate and distinct section was set aside for the burial of POC as was the norm at that time. This section was named Mountain View and is on the slope above the highest entrance to the cemetery. A number of years ago, Mountain View was "reunited" with Fairview and the two areas are now considered one cemetery.

To raise money to maintain the cemetery fence, the trustees were given the authority to exact a tax or compensation for the burial of each person, white or POC, who was not the owner of a private square (10 plots) or a member of an owner's family.

The earliest markers in Fairview date from 1857 indicating that the cemetery was put into use soon after being established. It is possible that there are earlier markers, but many of the older stones are no longer readable.