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222    NAPTON (sometimes called NAPKIN) [H63.1]

Location - Matthews Township. 2695 Siler City Glendon Road, Siler City, NC 27344 Cemetery is located approximately 1025 ft from the highway. It sits directly off the driveway on the north side.

Coordinates: 35d 40m 16.0s N; 79d 28m 11.0s W Click here for Online Maps

The Napton graveyard was associated with the Quaker Napton Meeting, set off from Cane Creek in 1780. It is not known when non-Quaker burials were added to the cemetery.

In May 1957, someone compiled 34 grave markers and filed in the Siler City Library. On 27 Jan 1992, the cemetery was inspected by Will Heiser. Wade Hadley, and Jeff Davis. Wade reported that an enslaved man named George, a hatmaker enslaved by Samuel Dowd, is buried here. Bev Wiggins provided some photos in 2008. Paul Wilson provided some photos in 2010.

In February 2026, the cemetery was cleaned up by a crew of volunteers from the J. R. Lane Society, enabling a CCHA cemetery team headed by Julie King-McDaniel to thoroughly document the site and exposing many more gravesites than had been previously recorded. King-McDaniel made several visits to flag and photograph all gravesites, record inscriptions and map the cemetery. Photos provided here are from 2026 unless otherwise indicated.

2010 views of the cemetery 2010 View 1 - - - - 2010 View 2.

2026 views of the cemetery Before cleanup. - - - Cleanup crew from JR Lane Society. - - - After cleanup - - - Fieldstone markers exposed after cleanup.

Cemetery layout.

Owner: Bryan Lucas Wood.
Legal Description: Parcel 13593. Current deed 2067/586 (2019). Deed Book JH, Page 129, 30 Jan 1945. Plat 21-73 and 12-54 show Napkin Graveyard. Previous owners include T. C. Dowd, James A. Jones, heirs of H. Q. Jones, and Margaret R. Houston.
Topo Quadrant: Siler City.
Abandoned: Yes.
Number of graves: 179.
Cemetery size: 0.431 ac according to plat 21-73.
White: Yes.
Restricted access: Yes. Along lane to private residence
Overgrown and easy to identify: Yes.
Enclosed: No.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: Yes.
Number of readable markers: 55.
Last burial: 1931.
First burial: 1774.
Markers damaged: Yes.
Other damage explanation: Neglect.
Hazards: Neglect, treefall.
Listed: Yes.
Listed explanation: Ring Binder, Wren Memorial Library, Siler City, 18 May 1957.

Significant events: Earliest marked gravestone in Chatham County for Hannah White, died 9 Nov 1774. Some graves may have been moved from Edmund Jones Cem. (H44.1).

Miscellaneous information: "Earliest dated death on gravestone at Napton Cemetery," Wade Hadley, The Chatham Historical Journal, Vol. 3, No. 1, April 1990. Sometimes called "Napkin Graveyard."

Photographs: Several marker photos provided by Bev Wiggins 2008. Cemetery and 11 photos provided by Paul F. Wilson in 2010. Julie King-McDaniel photographed the site and all inscribed markers in February-March 2026.

Last canvassed by: Julie King-McDaniel, Feb-Mar 2026.

1. Bray, Mary W. (Jones)   (b. 5 Nov 1813 - d. 29 Sep 1851)
Row 5 Wife of N.B. Bray "Age 37 years, 10 months, and 24 days." Photo of marker from 2010.
2. C., A.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 5
3. C., M.   (b. Unknown - d. 1798)
Row 11
4. D., N.   (b. Unknown - d. 1827)
Row 10
5. D., S.   (b. Unknown - d. 1830)
Not found in 2026 survey. Reported in earlier surveys
6. Dixon, Elizabeth F.   (b. 21 Jan 1857 - d. 5 May 1857)
Row 9 Age 5 months. Photo from 2010.
7. Dixon, Elizabeth Jane Straughn   (b. 26 Dec 1826 - d. 30 Oct 1908)
Row 9 Wife of Nathaniel Hadley Dixon. "A true, faithful, loving mother." Photo of marker from 2010.
8. Dixon, James W.   (b. 1860 - d. 1930)
Row 10 Flat granite stone. Photo of marker from 2010. - - - Another 2026 view.
9. Dixon, Nathaniel Hadley   (b. 17 Jul 1827 - d. 11 Mar 1863)
Row 9 Husband of Elizabeth Jane Straughn Dixon. N. H. Dixon on marker. Photo of marker from 2010. - - - - Photo of marker from 2006.
10. Dowd's, George   (b. Unknown - d. 1858)
Row 2 Man named George enslaved by Samuel Dowd. "In memory of Dowd's George, d.1858." According to local lore, on Dowd's death his executors attempted to sell George, but neighbors refused to buy him remembering Dowd's will provision that George be cared for and allowed to continue craft of the hat-making, at which he was an artisan. Photo of marker from 2010.
11. Dowd, Elizabeth   (b. 3 June 1831 - d. 8 June 1891)
Row 2 Wife of Horace Q. Dowd, "Aged 60 years, 5 days," "Gone but not forgotten."
12. Dowd, Horace Q.   (b. 6 Nov 1824 - d. 1 Apr 1911)
Row 9 Husband of Elizabeth A. Dowd. "This hard to give thee up, but they will, O god be done." Photo of marker from 2008.
13. Dowd, John Alston   (b. 1 Aug 1857 - d. 1 Aug 1928)
Row 1 Photo of marker from 2010.
14. Dowd, John C.   (b. 5 Sep 1849 - d. 18 May 1905)
Row 1
15. Dowd, Patrick H.   (b. 20 May 1867 - d. 19 May 1873)
Row 2 "Son of H.Q. & E.A. Dowd", "
16. Dowd, Polly   (b. 9 May 1804 - d. 14 Oct 1879)
Row 2 Wife of Thomas Dowd. "Our Mother", "Aged 75 Ys, 5 Ms, & 3 D."
17. Dowd, Thomas   (b. 5 Sep 1802 - d. 3 Dec 1863)
Row 2 Husband of Polly Dowd
18. Edwards, Sophia W. (Dowd)   (b. 6 Apr 1819 - d. 30 May 1857)
Row 3 Wife of W.S. Edwards. Daughter of Thomas S. and Polly V. Dowd. "Aged 38yrs.1m.14days", "Heaven is the idol of my heart."
19. Fields, Jennie   (b. 21 Feb 1853 - d. 21 Apr 1931)
Row 1 Photo of marker from 2010.
20. Fox, Emeline   (b. 16 May 1828 - d. 7 Jun 1870)
Row 2 "Our Mother" "Age 42 Ys & 21 Ds" "Beloved one farewell."
21. Fox, John G.   (b. 17 Jul 1834 - d. 28 Oct 1836)
Row 4. "Aged 2yrs, 3 mos, and 11 days"
22. Fox, John M.   (b. 19 Mar 1839 - d. 7 Sep 1887)
Row 4 Son of Allen and Margaret Fox.
23. Fox, Josiah   (b. 1799 - d. 20 May 1857)
Row 4 Husband of Margaret A. (Dowd) Fox.
24. Fox, Margaret A. (Dowd)   (b. 31 Oct 1803 - d. 14 Nov 1879)
Row 4 "Sacred to the memory of", "Wife of Josiah Fox. Daughter of Samuel and Hanah Dowd." "Aged 76 Yrs, & 13 Ds" Stone has makers mark of H. Jordan, Greensboro. - - - Another view.
25. Fox, Samuel A.   (b. 19 Mar 1839 - d. 8 June 1851)
Row 4 "Aged 12yrs, 1 mo, and 19 days."
26. Graves, Amy   (b. Unknown - d. 1785)
Row 8 Wife of W.C. Graves. Another view. - - - Photo of marker from 2010.
27. H., I.   (b. Unknown - d. 1799)
Row 11 I.H. 20 FMO 1799 Closeup.
28. H., I.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 11 Fieldstone with I.H.engraved.
29. H., J.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 2 Fieldstone with J.H. engraved.
30. H., M.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 11 Fieldstone with M.H. engraved.
31. Johnson, J.W.   (b. Unknown - d. 1857)
Row 12.
32. Jones, A. D.   (b. 6 Apr 1807 - d. 17 Oct 1875)
Row 3. Husband of Eliza (Dowd) Jones. Stone has "A.D. Jones." David White, Marlborough, NH says first name is "Allen" WMH/8-16-93.
33. Jones, Eliza (Dowd)   (b. 24 Mar 1811 - d. 24 Oct 1853)
Row 3. Wife of A. D. Jones.
34. Jones, Jofry J.   (b. 1822 - d. 1827)
Row 5 Photo of marker from 2008. - - - Photo of marker from 2008.
35. Jones, W. H.   (b. Unknown - d. May 1843)
Row 5 This marker is not anchored, and it is unclear which grave it should mark.
36. Lambert, George T.   (b. 20 Sep 1867 - d. 20 Jul 1869)
Row 7 Son of C.R. and M.J. Lambert. Photo of marker from 2010.
37. M   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 6 Fieldstone with M engraved. Other initials are illegible.
38. M., A.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 8 Fieldstone with A.M. engraved.
39. Sam   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 3
40. Underwood, Margaret   (b. Unknown - d. 24 Mar 1808)
Row 12
41. Underwood, R.   (b. Unknown - d. Jan 1821)
Row 12
42. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 15 Three metal crosses. No additional information.
43. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 3 Carved stone but unable to read inscription.
44. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 10 Carved stone but unable to read inscription.
45. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. 1795)
Row 12. Fieldstone with 1795 engraved.
46. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. 1811)
Row 12 Portion of marker broken off. Can make out "BP 2 1811."
47. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. 1827)
Row 14 Fieldstone with 1827 engraved.
48. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 5. Carved stone but unable to read inscription.
49. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 12 "Sacred" Possible date of 1840 or 1849. Closeup - - - Closeup 2 - - - Closeup 3 - - - Closeup 4 - - - Another view after cleaning with D2 .
50. W., C.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 9 Discoid marker with C.W. engraved. Date looks like 177?. Photo of marker from 2008.
51. W., D.   (b. Unknown - d. 1799)
Row 10 Fieldstone with D.W. and 1799 engraved. According to Paul Wilson, D. W. is Daniel Winters. DW marker photo from 2010.
52. W., M.   (b. Unknown - d. 1788)
Row 10 Fieldstone with M.W. engraved. Possible date of 1788.
53. W., S.   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Row 4 Fieldstone with S.W. engraved.
54. White, Hannah   (b. 26 Nov 1758 - d. 9 Nov 1774)
Row 9 Daughter of Charles and Margaretta Von Cullen White. Only birth and death years are legible on the marker. Day and month recorded earlier, possibly from other records. To date, this marker has the earliest death date recorded on an original marker in Chatham County-1774. Another view. - - - Another view. - - - Another view. - - - Another view.
55. Wren, Sarah S.   (b. 31 Aug 1850 - d. 15 Jul 1852)
Row 4 Daughter of William and Ruth Wren. Parents bur. Mineral Springs Bap. Ch. Cem. "In Memory of Sarah S, Infant Daughter of William & Ruth Wren" "Born August 31?, 1850, Died July 15, 1852"