Sparta, Alleghany Co., NC

The Old Toliver Cemetery on the Homer Rector Farm in Alleghany Co., NC was used from about 1800 until 1875.  John Toliver's (1760-1863) son, George, was buried there about 1827.  John's wife, Tabitha, was buried there in 1845 and John in 1863.  This picture was taken in July 2006.  It does not look like this now.  Since that date Donald Tolliver from Whitesburg, KY and James Oxford from VA have cut the weeds, bushes, and dead trees.  Donald has put up a 5-foot high fence around the cemetery.  James and Roz Oxford have dug up about 46 grave stones.  Many were still standing but had sunk down into the soft ground several inches.  James Oxford has made concrete bases for all of the stones.  David and Paul Tolliver from Virginia have also helped.  John served in the Revolutionary War in Capt. Martin Gambill's Co. in Col. Benjamin Cleveland's NC Regiment.  We have ordered a Veteran's tombstone for John with a bronze plaze from the SAR.  On October 21, 2006, the Sons of American Revolution led a Memorial Service at the New River Baptist Church in Alleghany County at 11:00.  This was followed by a picnic lunch.  Then we drove about two miles to the Rector Farm where the SAR dedicated the tombstone in honor of John Toliver.  We had about 80 persons in attendance.  It was an event to be remembered.

	Lorene Sturgill standing behind the old stones of John and Tabitha Toliver.
	One can see the frame and concrete base that Jim Oxford has used to set about 46 stones.  David and Paul Tolliver also helped with the project.  The five-foot high fence is also new.  Don Tolliver from Whitesburg, KY is responsible for this.  He did a fantastic job!
	Paul Tolliver, David Tolliver, Jim Oxford, Don Tolliver, A Worker
	The Old Toliver Cemetery as of September 2006.  What a difference!  Since this picture was made, John's military stone was set and also Tabitha's new stone.  The marble sign was put up by Don Tolliver.
	John's new military tombstone.  The bronze plaque is on the back.
	Tabitha's new tombstone.
	The Old Toliver Cemetery on October 7, 2006.  The tall stone is John's.
	Don Tolliver and Joe Harris unveil John's stone.  Don descends from John 1760 to James 1795, to Lytte, to Melvin, to Link, to Gus.
	Sabrina Kiser presents the Tolliver Family wreath.  Sabrina descends from John 1760 to James 1795 to Lytte, to Melvin, to Elcaney, to Ellis.
	Joe Harris, President of the NC Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
	The Paul Tolliver (b. 1914) Family; Paul descends from John 1760, to James 1795, to Drury, to Noah B., to Paul. There are 4 of Paul's children here:  David, Paul Jr., Tim, and Iris with their families.  The youngest in attendance was Stella Martinez, held by her father in the back row.  She and the other children are great-great-great-great-great grandchildren of John 1760.  This family had a total of 19 in attendance on October 21, 2006.
	Jim Oxford's family Jim descends from John b. 1760 to James 1795, to Lytte, to Remington, to Charles, to Priselander. The three youth are great-great-great-great-great grandsons of John b. 1760.
	Descendants of John Toliver b. 1760. Present but not pictured:  Patrick Tolliver and Jim Tolliver
	The Old Toliver Cemetery in May 2007.  Don Tolliver cleaned it, put new flowers on each grave, and put up a flag.

You may order a John Toliver Memorial Service and Grave Marking Ceremony DVD for $15. plus postage.

For information contact:  Jim Tolliver, PO Box 818, Loveland, OH 45140 or email him at jimtolliver@roadrunner.com.

There is also a cemetery book available with colored pictures for $25.  Email to ELT1000@aol.com.