Friends of Cavett Station

The History of Cavett's Station and Mars Hill Cemetery

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.

Wreaths Across america

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!

veteran spotlight

John Covington

John Covington is our only known veteran of the War of 1812. He enlisted in Captain John Lewis's Company of the 5th Regiment of the East Tennessee militia. John served from November 13, 1814 to June 5, 1815, which was slightly longer than his appointed six month enlistment.

John received both land grants and a monetary pension for his service. His wife, Catherine Stickley Covington, received a widow's pension after John's death.

John's service to his country inspired the military service of both his sons and grandsons. Two of John and Catherine's sons, John and William, served in the Union Army during the Civil War. John Jr. was captured, and was sent to Andersonville Prison, where he died in 1864. His grave can be found in the Andersonville National Cemetery. Three of John and Catherine's grandsons, Andrew, James, and Benjamin, all served together in the same company of the Union Army during the Civil War.

We thank John, his sons John and William, and his grandsons Andrew, James, and Benjamin for their service!

Did you know...

Did you know that two of the men buried in Mars Hill Cemetery were members of a masonic lodge? Isaac and Walter Wittenbarger were members of the Free & Accepted Masons.

Isaac Wittenbarger was a machinist for Southern Railway in Knoxville. This occupation earned his membership into the Free & Accepted Masons, whose seal can be seen at the top of Isaac's headstone.

ISAAC H. WITTENBARGER

MAY 18, 1856

JAN. 27, 1912

Walter Wittenbarger

Walter W. Wittenbarger was the son of Isaac Wittenbarger and Mary Parsons Wittenbarger. He worked as a machinist and mechanic for Southern Railway in Knoxville. Walter was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons. The F & A M seal can be seen on Walter's headstone.

WALTER W. WITENBARGER

Born Sept 29, 1892

Died June 12, 1927

Gone but not forgotten

WITENBARGER

books about 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.

About Friends of Cavett Station

Our Mission

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.

Mars Hill cemetery rules

We appreciate everyone who respectfully visits Mars Hill Cemetery, especially when they leave single, small flowers on the headstones of some of our babies (whomever that was, it was sweet). Due to some recent acts of vandalism though, we would like to take this opportunity to post the rules of the cemetery.

Do not damage or deface any part of the cemetery (which includes the headstones, the monument, the trees, the old fence posts, etc.).

Do not put anything on the headstones, including water, soap, cleaners, shaving cream, chemicals, brushes, etc.

No headstones, markers, monuments, etc. are to be placed in the cemetery.

No ceremonies or events are to be held in the cemetery without prior permission from Friends of Cavett Station.

Mars Hill Cemetery at Historic Cavett Station

The History of Cavett's Station and Mars Hill Cemetery

Veterans Day 2024

Wreaths Across america