FIELDSTONE OF EZEKIELYOUNG (1734-1800)
Oldest Known Marked Gravestone of Grayson County, VA


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WY
Ezekiel Young (1734-1800)


A later Stone was erected at the Young's Chapel Baptist Cemetery.





According to legend passed down through the generations, Ezekiel Young was born in Bristol, England, about 1734-35 and stowed away on a ship and came to America, probably around 1751, when he was in his early teens (about 16 or 17). It is not known where he disembarked. He is alleged to have been sold as an indentured servant to pay for his passage, an event which was common in those days.

Ezekiel Young joined the Colonial Militia and is listed on “A Necessary Roll of Captain Thomas Wagener’s Company on the South Branch for the Month of September 1757” which names troops from the Colony of Virginia in the French And Indian Wars. In Washington’s manuscripts, Req. C 7170, Ezekiel is listed as being from Prince William County, age 20, size 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall, country – England, and trade – farmer. An old family diary indicates that he fought in the battle of Fort Duquesne where General Edward Braddock was defeated on July 9, 1755. He was one of about 459 men out of 1386 who survived the battle under Colonel George Washington’s command.

Ezekiel was a member of Captain Enoch Osbourne’s Company of Montgomery County (which then included what is now Grayson County) during and after the Revolutionary War. The muster roll of those who took the oath of allegiance on September 29, 1777 lists his name first as recorded in records in the county archives. Enoch Osbourne’s Company of Militia, Muster Roll dated 1781, lists “Enoch Ozburn, Captain” and “Ezekial Young” heading the names shown fit for duty. A list of Capt. Enoch Osborn’s Company – general muster of 1783 shows Ezekiel Young as 1st Lieutenant “1st Lieut”.

Later legend shows him around Saltlick (now Saltville, Smyth County, Virginia) where he killed and skinned deer. He earned his first horse this way. Deer became scarce in that area so he moved into what is now Grayson County, Virginia. He intended to stay only as long as the game was plentiful, but married a girl named Ruth Whitehead from North Carolina. They settled near the mouth of Little Fox Creek, in present Grayson Co., VA, raised five sons, and Ezekiel died there in 1800. Ezekiel Young’s will dated April 13, 1800; Grayson County, Virginia lists his wife Ruth and his sons: Robert, Joseph, Ezekiel, William and Thomas in that order.

Ezekiel is buried on a nearby hill in what became known as the Ezekiel Young Cemetery, also known as the Thomas (Young) Cemetery (about 3/8th of a mile north of the mouth of the Little Fox Creek. This which was part of his original farm and later (1950’s) became the property of George Reeves and later James Holdaway. His headstone contained only his initials. The cemetery was discovered within the past 50 years but his grave marker was no longer visible. On October 8, 2005, Ezekiel’s grave marker was uncovered by a descendant, Dale Young.

On loan courtesy of Bill & Maxine Young, 2024 Oak Hill Road, Mouth of Wilson.



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