Take a few minutes to wander through the cemetery and admire the many styles of headstones. But also be aware that an unmarked “Potters’ Field” here contains the remains of indigent and unidentified souls.
This beautiful piece of property, and all the land that you can see across the cove from here, was once part of Plimhimmon, one of several large tobacco plantations in the 17th-century. The brick portion of the house was built in the early seventeen hundreds by Captain Richard Coward of Bristol, England and his son, Capt. John Coward. John’s son, Capt. Thomas Coward sold it in 1787 to Matthew Tilghman, for his daughter Anna Maria Tilghman, who was the widow of Col. Tench Tilghman. Anna Maria and her two young daughters remained at Plimhimmon until the eighteen seventies, 57 years!!
Until the middle of the 19th century, landowners and their slaves were usually buried on the family property, but gradually public cemeteries were established. The Tilghman family donated this cemetery land to the town of Oxford.
“...Pale death comes at last, even to the resident of Oxford. It is not strange that no provision was made, until of late, for an event which seemed uncertain, or at least always remote: no place of burial was ever set apart. The dead were interred in corners of gardens, in the graveyards which may be found upon almost every farm in the neighborhood, or later in the grounds around the new stone church. In the present year, land has been purchased, part of the Plimhimmon estate adjoining the town, and embracing the burial grounds of the Tilghmans, who had long permitted the internment of those nowise connected to the family, for a public cemetery, and where the few who die at Oxford will hereafter be laid.” - Oswald Tilghman
Though Col. Tench Tilghman never lived at Plimhimmon and was buried in Baltimore where he died, his remains were moved here in 1971, along with the restored 18th century cenotaph that marks the gravesite.
When you are ready, return to the Oxford road and turn left. Drive or bike the short distance to Evergreen Road on your right. (Stop 35)
