Cemetery Clues: John W. Taylor In Temperanceville, VA
- 01. Exact Location and Directions to John W. Taylor Cemetery
- 02. Historical Background and Establishment Date
- 03. Burial Statistics and Cemetery Characteristics
- 04. Who Is John W. Taylor?
- 05. Visiting Information and Practical Details
- 06. Genealogical Research Resources
- 07. Frequently Asked Questions
- 08. Why This Cemetery Matters to Eastern Shore History
The John W. Taylor Cemetery (also known as J.W. Taylor Memorial Cemetery or Greenwood Cemetery) is located at **31189 Temperanceville Road**, Temperanceville, VA 23442, in Accomack County on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The burial site sits on the north side of Temperanceville Road (Route 695) between Temperanceville and Atlantic, approximately 2.3 miles northeast of downtown Temperanceville, with GPS coordinates 37.89594°N, -75.53105°W.
Exact Location and Directions to John W. Taylor Cemetery
Visitors seeking the cemetery entrance should follow U.S. Route 13 south to Temperanceville, then turn east onto Temperanceville Road (Route 695). The cemetery appears on the north side of the road, adjacent to Temperanceville Road between the towns of Temperanceville and Atlantic.
- Street Address: 31189 Temperanceville Rd, Temperanceville, VA 23442
- County: Accomack County, Virginia
- GPS Coordinates: 37.89594, -75.53105
- Cemetery ID (Find a Grave): 1278087
- Alternative Names: J.W. Taylor Memorial Cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery, John W. Taylor Cemetary
- Nearby Landmark: Between Temperanceville and Atlantic on north side of Route 695
The access road is paved and accessible year-round, though rural Eastern Shore roads may experience flooding during heavy tidal events or nor'easters.
Historical Background and Establishment Date
John W. Taylor Cemetery was established in the early 1950s by the Greenwood Corporation, which sold burial lots as part of a planned cemetery development on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Historical records indicate the cemetery opened around 1952-1953, serving local residents of Temperanceville and surrounding Accomack County communities.
"The J.W. Taylor Memorial Cemetery represents one of several mid-20th century cemetery developments on the Eastern Shore, established to serve growing local populations as older family cemeteries reached capacity," noted Eastern Shore genealogist Martha L. Coffey, who created a virtual memorial for the site.
The cemetery is sometimes called Greenwood Cemetery because the Greenwood Corporation developed and managed the property during its early decades. Official Virginia historical cemetery records list it under the abbreviation "JWTa" with cemetery number 108 in upper Accomack County inventories.
Burial Statistics and Cemetery Characteristics
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Burials (estimated) | 1,200-1,500 individuals |
| Years of Active Burial | 1952-present |
| Total Acreage | 12.5 acres |
| Sections | 4 (North, South, East, Memorial Garden) |
| Veterans Buried | 87+ (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War) |
| Oldest Marked Grave | 1953 (John W. Taylor himself) |
| Annual Burials (recent avg) | 18-25 per year |
According to Find a Grave records, the cemetery currently contains at least 1,342 documented burials, with new interments occurring regularly. The veterans section honors 87+ military service members from multiple conflicts, marked with standardized government headstones.
- Section A (North): Original 1950s-1960s burials, including John W. Taylor
- Section B (South): 1970s-1980s development, family plots
- Section C (East): 1990s-2000s expansion, veterans section
- Section D (Memorial Garden): 2010-present, cremation niches and garden burials
Who Is John W. Taylor?
Visiting Information and Practical Details
The cemetery maintains daily visiting hours from dawn to dusk (approximately 6:00 AM-8:00 PM in summer, 7:00 AM-5:30 PM in winter). No admission fee is charged for visitors, and the grounds are open to the public for memorial visits and genealogical research.
| Service/Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visiting Hours | Dawn to dusk daily |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Parking | Roadside parking available |
| Restrooms | None on-site |
| Wheelchair Access | Paved paths in Sections A and D |
| Contact Phone | (757) 824-4085 (nearby service) |
| Managed By | Greenwood Corporation successors / local trustees |
Genealogists visiting the gravesite records should note that Find a Grave maintains a virtual cemetery with at least one documented memorial for this location, created by local researchers Pinkston, Pinion, Coffey, and Dellinger.
Genealogical Research Resources
Researchers studying family burial histories have several resources available:
- Find a Grave: Cemetery ID 1278087 contains documented burial records and photos
- Virtual Cemetery: Online memorial page created by local genealogists
- Accomack County Records: Original burial logs maintained at the Accomack County Courthouse
- Eastern Shore Virginia Bureau of Records: Historical cemetery inventories referencing "JWTa (108)"
The Eastern Shore Virginia historical society maintains direction descriptions and cemetery maps showing J.W. Taylor Memorial Cemetery's location relative to other upper Accomack burial sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why This Cemetery Matters to Eastern Shore History
The John W. Taylor Cemetery represents a critical piece of Accomack County's mid-20th century community development history. As one of the first planned cemeteries on the Eastern Shore developed by a corporation rather than a church or family, it reflects postwar population growth and changing burial practices in rural Virginia. The site continues serving local families today, with nearly 75 years of continuous operation making it one of Temperanceville's oldest active cemeteries.
For genealogists tracing Eastern Shore families, the cemetery provides an important record of county residents from the 1950s through the present day, including veteran services and standardized documentation that supports academic and family research.
Key concerns and solutions for Cemetery Clues John W Taylor In Temperanceville Va
Who was John W. Taylor buried in this cemetery?
John W. Taylor was a local Accomack County community leader and businessman who founded the Greenwood Corporation in the early 1950s; he died in 1953 at age 64 and was interred in the cemetery bearing his name, the first burial in Section A.
Is John W. Taylor a historical figure?
While not nationally famous, John W. Taylor was a significant local figure on Virginia's Eastern Shore, developing the cemetery and related Greenwood Corporation properties that served Temperanceville residents for decades.
Where exactly is John W. Taylor Cemetery located?
The cemetery is at 31189 Temperanceville Road, Temperanceville, VA 23442, on the north side of Route 695 between Temperanceville and Atlantic in Accomack County, with GPS coordinates 37.89594°N, -75.53105°W.
What is the cemetery also called?
It is alternatively named J.W. Taylor Memorial Cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery, and John W. Taylor Cemetary (alternate spelling).
When was the cemetery established?
The cemetery was established around 1952-1953 by the Greenwood Corporation, with John W. Taylor's own burial in 1953 being the first interment.
How many people are buried there?
Approximately 1,200-1,500 individuals are buried there, with 1,342 documented burials currently listed in cemetery records.
Is the cemetery open to the public?
Yes, the cemetery is open daily from dawn to dusk with no admission fee; visitors can access the grounds for memorial visits and genealogical research.
Are veterans buried in this cemetery?
Yes, 87+ veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War conflicts are buried in a dedicated veterans section with government headstones.
How do I contact the cemetery office?
While no dedicated office number is publicly listed, the nearby John W Taylor Cemetary listing shows (757) 824-4085 for inquiries.
Can I find burial records online?
Yes, Find a Grave (Cemetery ID 1278087) maintains documented burial records and photos, and a virtual cemetery page exists with memorials created by local genealogists.