Mysterious Knights Tomb Oldest Gravestone in America
Jonathan Appell, a conservator of monuments, works on conserving and stabilizing the “knight’s tomb” in the memorial church at Jamestown. The tombstone likely belonged to Sir George Yeardley, an early Jamestown leader, who was buried in the town in 1627. The tomb had been moved from it’s original location at sometime in the colonial period, and then rediscovered in the early 20th century when the church was rebuilt. To learn more about Jonathan’s work please visit the following website http://gravestoneconservation.com/ Please consider supporting the archaeology. The Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation is a non-profit with no public tax dollars supporting general operations.
The Knight’s Tombstone in Jamestown, Virginia, stands as a significant artifact from early American colonial history, believed to be the oldest surviving tombstone in the United States. Dating back to 1627, this black limestone slab is thought to mark the grave of Sir George Yeardley, an influential figure in the early Virginia colony.
Sir George Yeardley, born in Southwark, England, in 1588, arrived in Jamestown in 1610 after surviving a shipwreck near Bermuda. He played a pivotal role in the colony’s development, serving as governor and being knighted by King James I in 1617. Yeardley returned to Jamestown in 1621 and remained until his death in 1627. The tombstone’s design, featuring depressions that once held brass inlays of a shield, scroll, and an armored figure, aligns with the funerary art of English knights of that era, supporting the attribution to Yeardley.
Recent studies have shed light on the tombstone’s origins, revealing that the black limestone, often referred to historically as “black marble” due to its polished finish, likely originated from Belgium. Researchers analyzed microfossils within the stone, identifying species consistent with those found in Belgian quarries. This discovery highlights the extensive trade networks of the 17th century, suggesting that the stone was quarried in Belgium, transported to London for carving and the addition of brass inlays, and then shipped across the Atlantic to Jamestown.
The tombstone’s journey reflects the colonists’ desire to replicate English customs and status symbols in the New World, even amidst the challenges of early colonial life. Importing such a prestigious material demonstrates the lengths to which settlers went to commemorate their leaders and assert their cultural identity. The presence of this tombstone in Jamestown underscores the colony’s connections to European trade routes and the settlers’ determination to establish a sense of permanence and tradition in unfamiliar territory.
The Knight’s Tombstone was rediscovered in 1901 during preparations for constructing the Jamestown Memorial Church. At that time, it was found in several pieces and missing its original brass inlays, likely removed or destroyed during events such as Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. Early restoration efforts used materials like Portland cement, which are now known to be detrimental to the stone’s preservation. In 2017, a comprehensive restoration project was undertaken to conserve the tombstone properly. Led by monument conservator Jonathan Appell, the process involved removing the old cement, cleaning the stone, and reassembling it using modern conservation techniques. The restored tombstone was then placed on display at the National Park Museum before being returned to its original location in the Memorial Church, where visitors can view this tangible link to America’s early colonial past.
The Knight’s Tombstone not only serves as a memorial to Sir George Yeardley but also offers insights into the cultural and economic landscapes of early colonial America. Its preservation allows historians and visitors alike to connect with the personal histories of the individuals who shaped the early narratives of the United States. The tombstone stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Jamestown settlers and their efforts to establish a new society while maintaining ties to their European heritage.
