The history of the Cavett’s Station site dates back to 1790, when Alexander Cavett purchased 640 acres of land on Sinking Creek, in what is now Knox County, TN. On September 25, 1793, Alexander, his family, and two Sullivan County militiamen, were attacked and killed by a force of approximately 1,000 Cherokee and Creek warriors. This event was known as the Cavett's Station Massacre.
After the massacre, the victims were buried on a hill where Alexander had buried his mother the year before, in 1792. Alexander Cavett's brother, Moses Cavett, along with his wife, Agnes, moved onto Alexander's land, and upon their deaths, were buried in the same area. This burial ground was then referred to as the Cavett Family Cemetery.
Mars Hill Baptist Church, established in 1855, was built nearby, and soon began to use the cemetery for their church graveyard. The majority of the burials in the cemetery date to the time of the church's use of the land. After the church burned down, and a new one was built up the road, the name of the cemetery became Mars Hill Cemetery, and we still use that name today.
A monument dedicated to the memory of the massacre victims was erected in 1921 by the Sons of the American Revolution. It stands proudly in the center of the cemetery. There are many unmarked graves in Mars Hill Cemetery. The headstones that remain in the cemetery are organized into family groupings, primarily at the eastern and western ends of the cemetery.
We are so proud to have 12 known veterans buried in Mars Hill Cemetery, especially 4 veterans of the American Revolution! Our veteran status designates Mars Hill Cemetery as a Veterans Heritage Site. Since 2021, we have participated in Wreaths Across America, sponsored under the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation.
If you would like to sponsor a wreath to honor one of the veterans buried in Mars Hill Cemetery, please click on the link below.
https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/159531/Overview/?relatedId=175193
After you click on the link, it will take you to the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation, Inc. page. Click on the red SPONSOR WREATHS button.
1. You will select the number of wreaths that you would like to purchase.
2. Confirm that it says you are purchasing from VHSF, and click Next.
3. Confirm that you are supporting Revolutionary War Veterans Cemeteries & Small Cemeteries of East Tennessee. Click Next.
4. If you would like to make your donation in honor or memory of someone, check that box. You will click Next and fill in that information. If you don't wish to donate for someone, just click Next.
5. Confirm that everything is correct, then click the red Add to Cart button.
Thank you so much for supporting the veterans of Mars Hill Cemetery!
The last known burial in Mars Hill Cemetery was James Alfred Roberts. James was a veteran of the Civil War.
James was buried with his wife, Clara, his daughters, Ida and Margaret, and his parents, Joshua and Sallie Roberts.
Inscription: JAMES A. ROBERTS
OCT 15, 1844-NOV 3, 1931
CLARA J HIS WIFE
SEPT 22, 1851-SEPT 3, 1907
The ink on the Declaration of Independence was barely dry when Alexander Cavett enlisted in the militia of Fincastle County, Virginia. His first acts of service were those of a Patriot Spy, and then of a conventional militia soldier. After his move to Sullivan County, North Carolina (now Tennessee), he immediately joined the newly created Sullivan County militia, where he served until the end of the Revolutionary War.
After his service as a delegate for Sullivan County in the creation of the state of Franklin, Alexander acted as a Corporal in the Commissioners Guard of North Carolina, where he surveyed land to be granted to officers and soldiers who served in North Carolina's Continental Line during the American Revolution.
After all of his years of military service, Alexander never fought harder and with more bravery than he did on the last day of his life.
Mars Hill Cemetery
Mars Hill Cemetery is the final resting place for 12 known veterans. Join us as we honor them with flags for Veterans Day.
Mars Hill Cemetery
Mars Hill Cemetery
Mars Hill Cemetery has honored its veterans with wreaths since 2021. Please join us as we honor our veterans with wreaths. Information on ho...
Mars Hill Cemetery
Mars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett's Station: Biographies and Stories of the Men, Women, and Children Interred in Mars Hill Cemetery details the lives of the people known to be buried in the cemetery. It can be purchased on Amazon or from the author (fill out the Contact Us form below to purchase a copy signed by the author).
The Veterans of Mars Hill Cemetery discusses the lives and military service of the 12 known veterans buried in the cemetery. Our veterans served in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Philippine-American War. It can be purchased on Amazon or from the author (fill out the Contact Us form below to purchase a copy signed by the author).
Massacre at Cavett's Station: Frontier Tennessee during the Cherokee Wars, written by Dr. Charles H. Faulkner, gives insight on the chain of events that led up to the Cavett's Station massacre, as well as its aftermath. Dr. Faulkner also provides an archaeological perspective to Cavett's Station, as well as to Mars Hill Cemetery.
The mission of Friends of Cavett Station is to preserve and maintain Mars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett Station. In addition to providing perpetual care for the cemetery, we also endeavor to provide opportunities for historical events, including heritage, historical, and educational programs about the cemetery and Cavett Station site for current and future generations.
Mars Hill Cemetery is located at 438 Broome Road in Knoxville, TN. It is a landlocked cemetery, and is accessible only through the driveways of private residences. If you visit the cemetery, please be respectful of where you park, and do not block driveways or mailboxes. Also, please adhere to the rules of the cemetery, which are posted on signs at the east and west ends of the cemetery.
Donations are vital to the maintenance and preservation of Mars Hill Cemetery and the Historic Cavett Station site. We appreciate your support! Donations can be made online (by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below) or can be mailed to our P.O. Box.
Friends of Cavett Station
P.O. Box 50241
Knoxville, TN 37950
Copyright © 2024 Friends of Cavett Station - All Rights Reserved.
Friends of Cavett Station is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
Amy Mays emert, president
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