Includes the town of Cary.
Township Instructions
Within a township, review
- Notes - This describes the digitization results and special considerations for a township.
- Original Index - This is the 1978 index of the cemeteries.
- New Index - This is a current index. We will add new cemetery information as it is discovered. These new indexes include Enhanced directions Road names added to the SR numbers GPS data - to the original site or as close as the information and changes in real estate would allow Links to online memorial databases including Find a Grave, Cemetery Census and others.
- Individual Listings and Files - Look for families of interest.
Please note: OCR was attempted, but due to the predominate use of handwriting and old manual typewriters, documents may not be fully searchable. OCR exists for some larger and more clearly typed files.
01 Surname Finder File
This file indexes surnames found in smaller family cemeteries in all townships across Wake County. Thanks to Cynthia Gage for creating this useful tool for us. Note: this list does not include names in Church or Community cemeteries.
02 New Index for Cary
This should be one of the first files you read.
The New Index Spreadsheet for Cary township allows for updates and corrections as well as the opportunity to add GPS Co-ordinates and links to outside sources. We have also improved how the roads are referenced by including Road Name with the SR#. -- We now have a vehicle to make additions as other cemeteries become known as is the wish of the co-ordinator of the original project, Irene Kittinger. If you know of any additions or corrections please let us know.
02 Original Cary Index and Roads
Index as it appeared in the original survey files. Always compare to the new index.
Atkins, George
Two inscriptions plus 6 markers and 5 stones. These graves were reported moved from their original moved from site at SR 1300/Kildaire Farm Rd. on W side past last entrance to MacGregor Downs, to a location further to the west. Originally was next to the John Atkins cemetery location.
GPS - 35.75115367035617, -78.7830607789621 marked to 2nd intersection into MacGregor Downs from Kildare Farm Rd based on original directions.
Atkins, John
Grave moved moved from site at SR 1300/Kildaire Farm Rd. Said to have been side by side with the Geo. W. Atkins Cemetery.
GPS - 35.75115367035617, -78.7830607789621; marked to 2nd intersection into MacGregor Downs from Kildare Farm Rd. See Geo. W Atkins file.
Beddingfield Family
Adjoins Reedy Creek Baptist Cemetery (SR 1719/Reedy Creek Rd (now Research Dr/added 2023)). East .4 mi off SR 1652/Harrison Ave. As of 2023, these graves appear to be included in the online listings for Reedy Creek Baptist Cemetery.
GPS - 35.82250, -78.76500 Marked to Reedy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. See directions and notes.
View Reedy Creek Baptist Cemetery online cemetery links at Find a Grave
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2358885/reedy-creek-baptist-church-cemetery
Blake
File notes that enslaved persons were buried here. It may be located within Reedy Creek Park, but has not been found. Original Directions read "Old Reedy Creek Rd. Cross bridge and I 40. 1st brick house (Mr Beals). Cemetery in this area. (Added 2023)
Dalton, Rev John W.
One inscription. This grave was buried originally at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Original directions -
750 ft. N of SR 1656/Trinity Rd. at a point .5 mi W of SR 1664/Blue Ridge Rd.
(added from Find A Grave in 2023)-- Buried at Carter-Finley Stadium in a small grove of trees in the middle of the east parking lot near space 93034-B.
04/22/2014: FYI - the gravesite of Rev John W Dalton, along with 3 other unmarked individuals, was disinterred and removed today to make way for construction of a practice facility next to the NC State football stadium. I am not sure where they are to be re-interred, but that information will be available through the Wake County Register of Deeds. (courtesy of T. Manshack)
GPS - 35.79876182412683, -78.71726524775264 Marked to intersection Trinity Rd and Youth Center Rd.
See directions.view online cemetery links
Find-a-Grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36287195/john-w-dalton, see also Cemetery Census.
This news clip probably refers to these graves. https://www.wbtv.com/story/29792475/graves-at-entrance-to-nc-states-carter-finley-stadium-moved/
Day
One inscription originally located N side SR 1656/Trinity Rd. .7 mi W of SR 1664/Blue Ridge Rd. (added 2023 - probably moved at the same time as Rev. Dalton's Grave.)
GPS - 35.79876182412683, -78.71726524775264 Marked to intersection Trinity Rd and Youth Center Rd. See directions.
This news clip probably refers to these graves. https://www.wbtv.com/story/29792475/graves-at-entrance-to-nc-states-carter-finley-stadium-moved/
Edwards-Yates
One inscription. See Yates Cemetery. This grave located in the parking lot of old Austin Food Co. N side of Chatham St./NC 54 (511 E Chatham St)
GPS - 35.79092600690487, -78.77112646022564
See Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2712914/yates-family-cemetery
Goodwin
Thirteen inscriptions, added after the original survey. Originally located North side of Farm Gate Rd 2 mi W of Buck Jones Rd, within Greenbelt Condo Community. (private property)
GPS - 35.773713721017764, -78.73634967122084 Marked to intersection Buck Jones and Farm Gate Roads. See directions.
See Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2468440/goodwin-farm-cemetery
Hicks
Two stones, six unmarked graves. Original location was off Lawrence Rd. SW off Walnut St.
GPS - 35.76496959926664, -78.7522401266845 Marked to intersection Lawrence and Walnut Streets. See directions and original survey image.
High House
Location only. No survey forms exist. Cemetery at the house that gave High House Road its name. It has a storied and colorful history. Much can be found about the property with a Google search. Added 2023 - Site discovered in 2020 and shared on the Friends of Page-Walker blog. https://friendsofpagewalker.wildapricot.org/Cary-Me-Back/9342448
Location given as High House Road. See new information and link in notes.
GPS - 35.783288343577496, -78.81021097365925 Marked to SW corner of intersection High House Rd and NW Maynard Rd based on Page Walker blog post.
Hillcrest Cemetery
Twenty-three page index listed alphabetically. Also, OCR searchable.
From S. Academy St. go W on Dry Ave. one block past school to Harrison Ave. Turn left at Page St.
GPS - 35.78009964075803, -78.78454277464665 Marked to point where Page St turns into the cemetery. See Directions.
See Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2255502/hillcrest-cemetery
Holleman, Christopher
Location only. See detailed notes in the survey image.
From S. Academy St. go W on Dry Ave. one block past school to Harrison Ave. Turn left at Page St.
Original location E side of SR 1300/Kildaire Farm Rd. Destroyed: paved over (no graves moved) when Cary Parkway was built. Previously a brick barn was built over the 5 or 6 graves.
GPS - 35.75822876887607, -78.78329656918416 Marked to intersection Kildare Farm Rd and SE Cary Parkway. See notes on original survey form.
Howell-Spence
Eight or ten graves. Handwritten report. No inscriptions. Burials for Herbert Lee Spence and Maggie Howell and family reported. (There are two surveys, three pages all together.)
Original location at Old Apex Rd. Near RR tracks between subdivision and shopping center at Cary Parkway. Take path by old service station.
GPS - 35.76398877857733, -78.81744616444571 marked to pt between Triangle Forest subdivision and Parkway Point Shopping Center. See directions and notes on original survey sheet.
Howell, Haimer aka Lewis Family Cemetery
Ten unmarked graves. Lewis Family Cemetery on Find a Grave.
Original location SW quadrant Lake Pine Dr./Helmsdale Dr. between houses #1308 / #1304. Saved and fenced in by garden club years ago; homeowners assoc. plan to add park.
GPS - 35.75928141803028, -78.80417715375998 Marked to 1306 Helmsdale drive.
See Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2657847/lewis-family-cemetery
Jones, Nathaniel aka White Plains Cemetery
One obelisk and one vault plus about 20 other graves. Historic preservation. Was saved by efforts of Cary Historical Society (aka White Planes cemetery/2023 see newspaper link)https://carycitizenarchive.com/2016/08/08/cary-history-nathaniel-jones-of-white-plains/ | https://www.friendsofpagewalker.org/Cary-Me-Back/9228399
Original location On Seabrook Ave., S of traffic circle, go one block and turn W on King Fork Ct. Next street S is Dorchester Pines Ct. First cul-de-sac on left (to its right).
GPS - 35.75980377582899, -78.76601891661743 marked to 100 Tolliver Court. See directions.
See Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1978249/white-plains-cemetery
Jones, Tom
Location only. Site was known as former Asbury Methodist Chapel. See original survey form. Aka site of old Asbury Methodist Chapel. https://www.ncdar.org/AsburyStation_files/html/activity.html | https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/241/rec/10
Original location W side of Trinity Rd. just N of RR (site of old Asbury Meth Church cemetery).
GPS - 35.79080423692994, -78.75202683244709 Marked to spot north or RR tracks at Trinity Rd. See directions, web link and Fendol Bevers Map link.
Morris-Jones-Booze
Seven inscriptions plus 20+ other graves, some with markers. Not on original index. AKA Benjamin Jones Cem. (aka Morris Family Cemetery, 2023)
Original location reported as NCRR tracks E of Morrisville Pkwy. Then bike trail along RR right of way.
GPS - 35.80681, -78.82294
See Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2346469/morris-family-cemetery
Old Reedy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery
About 100 graves, 85% inscribed but not indexed in this record.
Original location listed as SR 1719/Reedy Creek Rd (now Research Dr/added 2023). E .4 mi off SR 1652 Harrison Ave.
GPS - 35.82250, -78.76500
See Find a Grave Find-A-Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2358885/reedy-creek-baptist-church-cemetery
Olive-Harris
OLIVE, John Wesley/HARRIS, W.J. |
Five inscriptions plus five more unmarked. Site destroyed. (A park there now?) Only 3 of about 10 burials had stones (some already vandalized). Unknown number moved in 1988 to Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
Original location was N side of Apex-Cary Reservoir (N of US 64) up from Stonehigh Ct.
GPS - 35.75494502302704, -78.82112145345755 marked from end pt of Tarbert Dr that is north of Apex Lake. See directions on original survey form.
Sorrell-Cain
One inscription and other unmarked graves of some Sorrell enslaved persons and some children of the Cain family. There are detailed notes listing some persons buried there.
NE quadrant of SR 1652/Harrison Av and SR 1719/Reedy Creek Rd.
GPS - 35.65560, -78.74860
See Find a Grave Find-A-Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2724718/willis-sorrell-family-cemetery
Turner-Evans
African American. Sixty grave sites, most with inscriptions. Plus 3 graves for a white Allen family, two of whom died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. Mr. Evans gave permission to the father. See full details in the images.
Original location stated as W side of Old Apex Rd.; S side of Reformed Church.
GPS - 35.78497, -78.79931
See Find a Grave Find-A-Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2347384/turner-evans-cemetery
United Church of Christ Cemetery
African American. The survey provided location only but much has been learned through this project.
Cary’s first African-American religious congregation, originally known as Cary First Christian Church Cemetery. Many stones vandalized through the years.
Added 2023 - link https://carycitizen.news/2020/07/10/cary-history-restoring-a-black-cemetery/ | https://caryfirst.org/aboutour-history/cemetery/ | https://www.townofcary.org/services-publications/historic-preservation/first-christian-church-cemetery#ad-image-4 | https://friendsofpagewalker.wildapricot.org/resources/Documents/innkeeper%20summer%202021.pdf
From Kildaire Farm Rd., turn W on Cornwall Rd. N side next to west side of Glenaire retirement community. Current restoration going on with hopes of finding names of those buried in unmarked and vandalized graves. Many stones vandalized through the years.
GPS - 35.77553, -78.78826 (from Find a Grave. W.Cornwallis Road at Pond Street.)
See Find a Grave Find-A-Grave: 35.77524743355326, -78.78786898914946 marked to 300 West Cornwall Rd. See newspaper link in notes and directions.
Unknown
Reported fall '91 but cannot be found. (added 2023 - Carriage Lane and Francisca do not connect, but do back up to each other. No 510 on Francesca. There is a 510 Carriage Lane.)
Original instructions stated take Carriage Ln. to 510 Francisca Ln. (last house on right) on hill.
GPS - 35.772807760992585, -78.79365786089784 Marked to 510 Carriage Lane. Cemetery is likely to be in wooded area between Carriage Lane and Francesca Lane. See notes and directions.
Walton
Location only. Likely moved or destroyed. Not in original index.
Original instructions stated from SR1010 go about .25 mi on Sr 1300/Kildare Farm Rd. West side cluster of cottonwoods, crepe myrtles and roses.
GPS - 35.699685080565374, -78.79483473283 marked to point .25 mi from intersection Ten-Ten and Kildare Farm Rds. See directions.
WILCOX, Rev. Camlin J.
Location only. Likely moved or destroyed. Not in original index.
Original instructions stated located beyond former Butane Gas Co. on N side of E. Chatham St. Walled-in area. More details needed for GPS location.
Yates
See Edward-Yates Cemetery
Original instructions stated located in parking lot of old Austin Food Co. N side of Chatham St./NC 54 (511 E Chatham St)
GPS - 35.79092600690487, -78.77112646022564
See Find a Grave Find-A-Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2712914/yates-family-cemetery
Young
Nine inscriptions plus several other marked graves. Family cemetery within bounds of Reedy Creek State Park.
Original instructions stated located E side of parking lot after entering Reedy Creek Park from N. Harrison Ave. There are other graveyards to be recorded in the park.
GPS - Unable to locate. Modern map does not match original directions.