Bratton Cemetery

Locality: Roanoke County Temporal Period: 20^th century

Realty Map: 44.02-2-24.3 Cultural Affiliation: African-American

USGS Map: Salem Landform: Ridge bench

Grid Locus: B-9 Elevation: 1260 feet

UTM Easting: 578940 Aspect: Southeast

UTM Northing: 4128820

Site Dimensions: 40 by 50 feet

Survey Description: Site consists of a small family cemetery with at least 27 graves arranged in five rows. Observed graves consisted of 13 with uninscribed fieldstone markers and 14 unmarked graves identifiable as ground surface depressions. All of the observed graves were oriented to 70 degrees east of north. Site is located in a young deciduous forest and no historic plantings were observed. Site was field inspected and characteristics of the cemetery were noted. Site size was estimated by pacing the horizontal extent of the observed graves.

Survey Date: 11/98

Field Notes: _x_Yes ___No

Photographs: ___Yes _x_No

References: None

Additional Comments: Site location was provided by Charles Jackson and Anita Firebaugh. Site is located on a parcel to the rear of 2555 Wildwood Drive, Salem that may undergo residential development in the near future. The family name associated with this cemetery and the assigned temporal period were based on Charles Jackson’s report. Although he is certain this cemetery was in use through the second quarter of the 20^th century he was not sure when it was established. The cemetery may have been in use during the 19^th century. Collection of oral histories and documentary research may provide additional social and temporal information regarding this site. The cemetery is not marked on the USGS Salem map sheet and or on local realty maps.

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