Friday, June 7, 2019

The Old Cemetery at Peyton's Point

Last August, just before Hurricane Florence, I had the pleasure of spending the day with my cousin Richard Lewis of Elizabeth City.  Richard had come "home" for a week to spend time at his home, the former Jonah and Ollie Lewis homeplace, to do some fishing and visit with friends and family.

One day while Richard was home, me and Joe launched the pontoon boat at Oyster Creek and Richard hopped aboard for a cruise around the Island.  The day was absolutely beautiful.  We headed out Oyster Creek and then turned into the River.  We stayed close to shore as we traveled towards Goose Creek.  We marveled at how much River Shore had changed. The ever present Indian Island in the distance was no longer that grand island of yesteryear, but still held the same presence of mystery in its decline.

A couple of sailboats were making their way across Pamlico River and soon fell in behind us as we entered Goose Creek.  We passed Fulford's Point, talking about the days of swimming there and how many souls were baptized in those shallow waters.  We soon made our way to Dixon Creek and "foot the road".

As we got closer to Peyton's Point and entering Dixon's Creek, we began searching for the old cemetery located on Peyton's Point.  Eventually, I was able to spot a headstone along the shore. We eased the boat up to the shore and tied up to a tree.  Me and Richard climbed out and within a few steps we found the cemetery I had always heard about, but had not ever visited.

Laying at rest among the pines and scrub oaks are Edward and Sarah Clark, along with Martha Buck, Henry and Thomas Clark. Although the cemetery is starting to decline from the elements of erosion, nearby flowers still bloomed that had been planted many years ago.

I am glad we took the time to visit Peyton’s Point and to witness the final resting place of these folks on this little secluded peninsula over looking Goose