10/28/2021
Welcome to our Page! We are a group of dedicated volunteers who are organizing to fundraise for and preserve the William and Margaret Love Ewing cemetery. One of our organizers will have an article in November's Ewing Family Association Journal which discusses the cemetery and why preserving it is important.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
1.) Why is this particular cemetery worthy of preservation?
William Ewing was the son of "Clerk" Andrew Ewing, who played a critical role in the early success of our city, from its very earliest days. Andrew Ewing traveled to French Lick, which our area was initially called, with James Robertson. He signed the Cumberland Compact - Nashville's earliest form of government - and was one of those elected to its Tribunal of Notables via the three votes from Fort Nashborough. (The Tribunal of Notables was a 12 person committee elected by the eight initial Nashville-area forts prior to the establishment of Davidson County for the purposes of law enforcement and land claims.) He became its Clerk as well. After Nashville was established in 1784, Andrew Ewing recorded and facilitated everything from business registrations to marriage licenses and land transactions for 30 years, likely working likely 12 hour days by coal oil lamp. He also built the city's first jail and acted as its initial treasurer. Andrew Ewing helped James Robertson as an emissary to the Creek Indians and allied Spain, which helped keep our city part of the United States before Tennessee was a state. Descendants of “Clerk Andrew” served Nashville as members of Congress, Mayors and Councilmembers for more than 100 years.
William Ewing was a member of Nashville's very first militia, working to defend and protect the city - which at that time was on the very edge of the United States, separated by national leadership by distance and a mountain range. William's brother and nephew were the city’s second and third clerks. Organizers feel that given the contributions of this family to our city, we should attempt to maintain the stones which were erected in their honor upon their deaths.
2.) What kind of condition are the stones in?
About what you might expect after 200 years! Some of the stones have fallen over and need to be re-erected; at least one box tomb is falling apart. We also need to remove some tree roots and branches.
You can see photos and descriptions of each grave in the cemetery at BillionGraves here: https://billiongraves.com/cemetery/William-Ewing-Cemetery/329903
2.) What can I do to help?
Right now we are fundraising for the initial preservation of the cemetery, estimated to begin November 1. If you can help, please visit Metro Nashville Historical Commission Foundation at nashvillemhcf.org. Click Donate at the top of the page, then "Use this donation for other specified in comments.” Please enter “William and Margaret Ewing Cemetery” in the space provided.
We will continue to solicit funds to meet maintenance and other needs of the cemetery in future years.
3.) I'd like more information about the cemetery's location at the Ellington Agriculture Center.
The William Ewing Cemetery is located on a portion of the original preemption land grant of 640 acres deeded to Andrew Ewing by the state Legislature of what was then Nashville, North Carolina on February 28, 1786. Portions of the 640 acre grant owned by Andrew Ewing stayed in his family for more than 120 years. A large section of the property eventually came into
the possession of the state of Tennessee which houses a facility there called Ellington Agricultural Center.
Since walking trails at the Agricultural Center grounds are a popular spot for local families to walk and explore, recently management erected a map display which includes the old cemetery and its eponymous Cemetery Loop Trail. It is important to note the Ag Center does mow and provide safe access to the cemetery - which is a big job! - but no funds are currently available to repair the stones. There is discussion the Ag Center may place a decorative fence around the property sometime soon but details have not yet been determined.
4.) Who are you?
We are a group of longtime Nashvillians who have family ties to the cemetery, or are passionately interested in preserving the city's history - or both! As many know, historic preservation is often conducted by private citizens. Feel free to DM our page for more information; in addition, one or more of us are available to address groups about the cemetery.
