East Hill Cemetery

Cemetery Services

Finding graves
The cemetery offers a service to assist individuals in locating specific graves. This service helps visitors by providing directions or information about the desired burial site.
For assistance with locating graves or other inquiries, please contact:
- D. E. Baines
  - (423) 764-6718
  - bainesdee@gmail.com
East Hill Cemetery Ghost Walk
Join us for the annual East Hill Cemetery Ghost Walk, held every year on the third Friday and Saturday of October. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore the cemetery after dark.
For private tours, please contact:
- John Hawthorne
  - (423) 797-1820
- Dr. (Rev) Phil Blevins
  - (423) 360-6639

Memorial Day

Every year, on the Friday before Memorial Day, Camp 52, Sons of Confederate Veterans, place flags on all military graves in East Hill Cemetery. Over 400 military personnel are buried here, and each grave is honored with either an American or Confederate flag.

On the Saturday before Memorial Day, at 10:00 AM, a special ceremony is held at the Confederate Field of Honor. The event features guest speakers, the decoration of the Confederate Memorial, and a rifle salute. If available, a bugler will also play Taps.

About Cemetery

East Hill Cemetery is a historic site dedicated to honoring the lives and legacies of those interred within its grounds. Known for its serene environment and rich heritage, the cemetery provides a place for reflection and remembrance. Its historical significance is marked by notable graves and memorials, including the story of Nellie Gaines, the first person buried here in 1857.

First burial in East Hill Cemetery

This cemetery began late February 1857 with the burial here of 5-year-old Nellie Gaines. She was born in early January 1852, a daughter of tenant farmers who then lived on the Samuel Goodson plantation on Beaver Creek about two miles upstream from present downtown Bristol Virginia. At the time this location was known as Round Hill and was covered with large trees and brush. It had then been laid aside as a future burial ground for the new town of Bristol Tennessee/Virginia. Soon after her death, her family moved to Texas. In 1887, her father returned here and built a small shed over the grave. It so remained as a sole marker for several years. Later her only marker was a huge poplar tree that stood at the head of the grave.

Noteworthy Burials In East Hill Memorial Cemetery

The grave of Joseph Anderson in East Hill Cemetery

Joseph Anderson, Civil War Soldier merchant, and founder of Bristol, Tennessee.

The grave of Colonel Samuel Goodson in East Hill Cemetery

Colonel Samuel Goodson, Spanish American Soldier, land owner and founder of Bristol, Virginia.

The grave of General Evan Shelby in East Hill Cemetery

General Evan Shelby, Revolutionary War Soldier, Explorer, Land owner and early settler in Bristol area.

The grave of Charles St John Moore in East Hill Cemetery

Charles St John Moore, Rear Admiral and chief of staff to the commander of the Fifth Fleet during WW II in the Gilberts, the Marshalls and the Marianas Islands campaign.

The grave of Billy Wood in East Hill Cemetery

Billy Wood, Civil War soldier, student. He was the last surviving member of Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson’s last students at VMI who walked from Lexington, VA to New Market, VA to fight as soldiers for General Jackson.

The grave of La Fayette Johnson in East Hill Cemetery

La Fayette Johnson, land owner who donated the first 2 acres of East Hill to Ladies Memorial Society to ensure preservation of soldier’s graves.

The grave of Nellie Gaines in East Hill Cemetery

Nellie Gaines, five-year old child, was first person Interred on what was then called “Round Hill” In February 1857.

The grave of V. N. “Bud” Phillips in East Hill Cemetery

V. N. “Bud” Phillips, designated the Official Historian of Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee in 2006. He authored several books about his adopted home, gave lectures and tours sharing our history.