In the spring of 2009, surveyors were invited by Mrs. Mary Kincheloe to her home and the family cemetery, located on Kincheloe Road in Clifton, Virginia. The original plantation was named More Hill. The cemetery is cared for with respect and beautifully landscaped. There are several burials of infants, with simple stones marked “BABY.” Two of the markers are labeled as Confederate soldiers, Capt. J. Cornelius Kincheloe and his brother William Simpson Kincheloe. The cemetery is in current use.
The Kincheloe family are early settlers of the Clifton area, buying property as early as 1772. The 1860 census lists John Kincheloe (age 62) farmer and wife H.F. [Harriet] ( 49) and three sons: Cornelius (27) constable; W.S. Kincheloe (23) farmer; John R (21) farmer. In the 1860 agricultural census, John Kincheloe was reported raising Indian corn, oats, peas, beans, Irish potatoes and hay. He also had cows, sheep, hogs and owned 7 slaves.
The two older Kincheloe brothers fought for the Confederacy. The Alexandria Gazette reported that in 1863: “It is said that the raid on Saturday night week, at Springfield Station, on the O. & A. R.R. was made by a number of Confederates from Prince William and Fairfax Counties, under command of Cornelius Kincheloe of Fairfax. . . They tore up some of the rails, but a train of U.S. soldiers coming up, they dispersed.” Also, during the war, Cornelius was entrusted with delivering gold spurs from friends and admirers to General Robert E. Lee. The spurs were delivered by dependable men chosen by Cornelius Kincheloe; one of those men was W.W. Kincheloe, another brother. The spurs arrived while Lee was at a general review of his army near Culpeper Courthouse. Sgt. William Kincheloe, Corenelius’ brother, also buried at the cemetery, served with Colonel John C. Mosby.
