the rigsbee cemetery
By Mary Aline Fertin
Rigsbee Cemetery is tucked among the parking lots of Wallace Wade Stadium. “A three-foot high stone wall and steel gate encloses approximately 12 graves set around two small pine trees.” This is the cemetery of the Rigsbees, sweet potato farmers who helped organize Durham’s earliest schools and municipal government.[1] As part of the sale agreement, the Rigsbees specified that the graveyard be surrounded by a “brick enclosure and cared for by family descendants.”[2] As such, this remains the only private property on the Duke campus. One grave belongs to Jack Rigsbee, who died during the Civil War. Three others belong to unnamed Confederate soldiers found in the forest.[3]
[1]. Turken, Sam, “Tombstones in the Blue Zone,” The Duke Chronicle, February 24 2016.
[2]. “The Rigsbee Graveyard,” Building Reference Collection, Duke University Archives, 1972-ongoing.
[3]. Pyatt, Tim, “T. J. Rigsbee Family Graveyard, Selections from the University Archives,” Duke Magazine, January 31, 2009.
[2]. “The Rigsbee Graveyard,” Building Reference Collection, Duke University Archives, 1972-ongoing.
[3]. Pyatt, Tim, “T. J. Rigsbee Family Graveyard, Selections from the University Archives,” Duke Magazine, January 31, 2009.
