Old Scotch Graveyard
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One of the oldest graveyards in Moore County is a Scottish burial ground that was established in 1775, the same year the American Revolutionary War officially got underway. Ironically, the graveyard was started by one of the earliest of the Skye families to come to the providence of North Carolina in 1771, and one of the wealthiest: career soldier Captain John Martin who was a Scot leader of the British during the American Revolution.
He and his wife Marion MacLeod came to Cumberland (now Moore) County and lived near what is now Carthage. In 1775 the Captain bought more than 100 acres of land from Thomas MacClendon and tradition states this old burial ground was laid out by non-other than Captain Martin himself. He chose the highest spot of land around, and he wished to be buried there, but unfortunately, the Captain ended up years later dying in Nova Scotia. However, his wife was buried there in the graveyard that he had purchased and laid out for himself.
Later on, it was Peter Bethune who purchased the land, and it became known as “The Peter Bethune Place.” It is reported that Peter was the first person to be buried in the new graveyard. Subsequently and over the years, others may have owned it, and eventually, it was sold to Samuel Barrett; later to be known as the “Old Barrett Place.”
In December 1974, a land deal agreement creating the Colin G. Spencer, Sr., Family Trust was established, and the graveyard was parceled-out from the surrounding timber and farm lands, thus it remained under their control until 2022 when the Spencer Land Trust donated the small, mostly run-down graveyard to the Moore County Historical Association.
Sadly, the Old Scotch Graveyard, which sits upon one of the highest peaks in Moore County, has over the many years, suffered from utter disregard due to fallen tree damage, malicious vandalism, and just time that has weathered so many of the grave’s memorial stones. The positive news is that a good many of the markers have been restored, and it’s well worth reading the interesting epitaphs and history information.
It's called a graveyard because such early burial grounds were typically unorganized, and generally not associated with any church or civic organization. The Scots usually worshiped in the woods or at someone’s home. This gravesite was so popular that Scot and Irish families would bring their dead from up to 50, or more miles to bury them in this sacred place. Some of these relatives would stay at the site for days on end to celebrate the life of their loved ones, all the while enjoying their Scotch beverages. And they, mostly the Irish folks, would enjoy horse racing at the back of the property.
Some interesting information about the burial ground is that it has about 130 known internments, and of those about 8 documented burials were done in the 1700s, perhaps hundreds in the 1800s, and only 8 or so in the 1900s. Of course, there are probably many, many more undocumented burials there, but we don't have information on those. Later, however, the historical association plans to conduct ground penetrating sonar studies to hopefully discover other possible burials.
The graveyard is primarily in an area populated by deciduous and evergreen trees which makes it a rather unique graveyard, but this situation also creates a hazardous situation for the memorial markers because of trees being toppled over by bad weather or simply age. Of course, there are always rotting, cracked, and damaged limbs that fall and cause problems too. Again, some good news: Since the graveyard is now owned, and under the care of the Moore County Historical Association, these matters are taken care of as soon as possible. Additionally, sometimes the damage can be minimized; it is hoped that future damage is remediated via regular maintenance.
He and his wife Marion MacLeod came to Cumberland (now Moore) County and lived near what is now Carthage. In 1775 the Captain bought more than 100 acres of land from Thomas MacClendon and tradition states this old burial ground was laid out by non-other than Captain Martin himself. He chose the highest spot of land around, and he wished to be buried there, but unfortunately, the Captain ended up years later dying in Nova Scotia. However, his wife was buried there in the graveyard that he had purchased and laid out for himself.
Later on, it was Peter Bethune who purchased the land, and it became known as “The Peter Bethune Place.” It is reported that Peter was the first person to be buried in the new graveyard. Subsequently and over the years, others may have owned it, and eventually, it was sold to Samuel Barrett; later to be known as the “Old Barrett Place.”
In December 1974, a land deal agreement creating the Colin G. Spencer, Sr., Family Trust was established, and the graveyard was parceled-out from the surrounding timber and farm lands, thus it remained under their control until 2022 when the Spencer Land Trust donated the small, mostly run-down graveyard to the Moore County Historical Association.
Sadly, the Old Scotch Graveyard, which sits upon one of the highest peaks in Moore County, has over the many years, suffered from utter disregard due to fallen tree damage, malicious vandalism, and just time that has weathered so many of the grave’s memorial stones. The positive news is that a good many of the markers have been restored, and it’s well worth reading the interesting epitaphs and history information.
It's called a graveyard because such early burial grounds were typically unorganized, and generally not associated with any church or civic organization. The Scots usually worshiped in the woods or at someone’s home. This gravesite was so popular that Scot and Irish families would bring their dead from up to 50, or more miles to bury them in this sacred place. Some of these relatives would stay at the site for days on end to celebrate the life of their loved ones, all the while enjoying their Scotch beverages. And they, mostly the Irish folks, would enjoy horse racing at the back of the property.
Some interesting information about the burial ground is that it has about 130 known internments, and of those about 8 documented burials were done in the 1700s, perhaps hundreds in the 1800s, and only 8 or so in the 1900s. Of course, there are probably many, many more undocumented burials there, but we don't have information on those. Later, however, the historical association plans to conduct ground penetrating sonar studies to hopefully discover other possible burials.
The graveyard is primarily in an area populated by deciduous and evergreen trees which makes it a rather unique graveyard, but this situation also creates a hazardous situation for the memorial markers because of trees being toppled over by bad weather or simply age. Of course, there are always rotting, cracked, and damaged limbs that fall and cause problems too. Again, some good news: Since the graveyard is now owned, and under the care of the Moore County Historical Association, these matters are taken care of as soon as possible. Additionally, sometimes the damage can be minimized; it is hoped that future damage is remediated via regular maintenance.
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Why did the Highland Scots Come to North Carolina?
Gabriel Johnston, Royal Governor of North Carolina, offered tax breaks to early Scots to migrate to Carolina. Subsequent offers by Johnston attracted Highland Scots to North Carolina primarily for economic and political reasons, for in Scotland, they had difficulties paying the increasing land rents and had experienced defeat against the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1745. Want more? Here’s extra to tell the full story. BTW, some have asked why it is called the “Scotch” graveyard. The likely answer is that during the 17th and 18th centuries the descriptive word ‘Scotch’ was used as an adjective to describe the Scots people; thus, the graveyard is known today as the Old Scotch Graveyard. We hope you will visit the graveyard and leave your comments. |
The Old Scotch Graveyard is located just off Bethlehem Church Road (SR-1261) at 113 Scotch Burying Road (SR-1263), Carthage, North Carolina. From the Pinehurst Traffic Circle, exit West toward Cantor on NC highway 211 about 2 miles to the Harris-Teeter Shopping Center stoplight, and turn right onto Beulah Hill Church Road (SR Road 1210; also called Main Road through Taylortown. Continue on Main/Beulah Hill Road crossing highways (don’t turn at any of the crossings, continue straight) 73, Carthage Road (8.8 miles), and Dowd Road (10.6 miles) at which Beulah Hill changes to Mount Carmel (SR-1218); continue straight until you pass the Bryant House on the right (11.4 miles), and go another 2 miles to a blinking yellow caution light; turn right, go .7 miles to Old Scotch Graveyard sign, turn right and graveyard is top of the hill at end of the .2-mile road. You will have traveled 15.4 miles from Pinehurst Traffic Circle.