Gray – Poff – Kropff Family Cemetery, Check, Floyd Co., VA. On a hilltop along Hwy 221, across road from the Check County Store. (Verified June 2021 by Floyd County Hx Society)

N37.034016 W80.173276

37.034016, -80.173276

Last visited by Floyd County Hx Society June 2021

Google Maps using coordinates 37.034016, -80.173276

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014 with the note “The Poff & Kropff stones are within the cinder block area”

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014 with the note “The stones of the Gray, Sowder & Collins family stones are laid flat in the field surrounding the blocked in stones.”

Original Source: Compiled by Mary Conner Williams from lists compiled earlier by: Charles Gray, Gordon Obrecht, David Shank and Edgar Vest on separate occasions. (Mary did not personally see these stones and does not vouch for the accuracy)

GRAY-POFF-KROPFF CEMETERY is a link to Mary Conner Williams work.

The Grays of London, England

Find A Grave Name: Gray Cemetery, Simpsons, Floyd Co., VA

aka

The GRAY/POFF cemetery located in the Check area, Floyd Co, Va.
Coordinates: 37.2'2.71"N, 80.10'24.45"W

charlesgray128 Posted: by Charles Gray - 1 Mar 2011 3:02PM:
This cemetery is located on a hilltop alongside hwy 221 and across from the Check Country store. It was in use from 1830 until about 1930. It contains about 30 graves. All the stones except for a few were laid flat as this hill is used as a large hay field. Charles Gray was back there in 2008 and all the laid down stones had become sodded over with grass and weeds. Charles Gray had all the buried stones uncovered and cleaned. Some are no longer readable. but Charles Gray had copied the inscriptions some 60 years ago.

On the 1st and 18th of March 2014, Find A Grave Member - 48269220 verified all the headstones in and around the block wall of this cemetery.

Note: Joseph Howard "Joe" Gray Jr., likely buried in the grave next to his wife Elizabeth "Terry" Gray.

The Kropff Family were victims of the 1862 Diphtheria Epidemic

Annotations – added by Barb Camery Reininger

Annotations in Red – correction to original text by Barb Camery Reininger

+ indicates on same tombstone

& indicates a relationship

Notes:

Photo

NAME

Original survey

BIRTH

DEATH

MARKER NOTES

ANNOTATIONS

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Collins, Lucy B.

yes

22 Mar 1872

25 Aug 1886

Lucy B. Collins, d/o James Madison “Mat” & 1^st wife Sarah Ann (Conner) Collins. [1886 Floyd Co., VA Death Cert] DOD June 18^th in register. [Collins_Thomas_Elizabeth]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Collins, Mary F.

yes

29 Aug 1878

10 Aug 1886

Mary F. Collins, d/o James Madison “Mat” & 1^st wife Sarah Ann (Conner) Collins. [1886 Floyd Co., VA Death Cert] DOD Jun 25^th in register. [Collins_Thomas_Elizabeth]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Collins, Sarah A.

yes

22 Apr 1850

29 Nov 1914

nee Sarah Ann Conner, d/o Peter & Mary Jane (Martin) Conner. [Death Cert] [Conner_Peter_Mary]

m. 1865 Floyd

James Madison “Mat” Collins, s/o Thomas & Elizabeth Collins. [Death Cert] [Collins_Thomas_Elizabeth] James m. 2^nd 1919 Floyd, Eva Sarah Elizabeth Boyd nee Boothe, 1861-1935, d/o Cornelius & Cynthia Ann (Jarrels) Boothe. [Death Cert] [Booth_Other_fcva] Eva 1^st m. 1883 Floyd, Peter Thomas Jefferson Boyd, s/o Abram Moore & Polly Boyd. (doesn’t appear Abram & Polly were married) [no file]

Marker not found but was noted in original survey

Custer, Henderson

yes

2 Dec 1899

18 Dec 1907

s/o J. M. & Sallie Custer

Henderson Custer, s/o Joseph Montgomery Gray & Sallie Hanna (Ellis) Custer. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [no file]

FAG only; not noted in original survey; if he is, then his 1st wife is most likely buried here too BUT CANNOT CONFIRM

Custer, Mark Henry

30 Jul 1843

04 Nov 1931

Mark Henry Custer, s/o Henry & Eliza (Willis) Custer. [Death Cert] Does give “Gray graveyard” as place of burial and there are other Gray cemeteries, this one would make the most sense to this compiler. [no file]

1^st m. 1863 Floyd, Rhoda Ella Gray, d. 1889, d/o James Hampton & Rhoda (Wilson) Gray. [Gray_JamesH_Rhoda]

2^nd m. 1891 Floyd, Mary Catherine Prillaman d/o Jacob & Martha A. (Gray) Prillaman. [Prillaman_Jacob_Martha]

If her husband Mark Henry Custer is buried here, then his 1st wife is most likely buried here too BUT CANNOT CONFIRM

Custer, Rhoda

19 Aug 1889

nee Rhoda Ella Gray, d. 1889, d/o James Hampton & Rhoda (Wilson) Gray. [Gray_JamesH_Rhoda]

m. 1863 Floyd

Mark Henry Custer, s/o Henry & Eliza (Willis) Custer. [Death Cert] Does give “Gray graveyard as place of burial. [no file]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, Anna

yes

01 Mar 1780

03 Jan 1850

Wife of Joseph Gray

69y 10m 2d

nee Anna Custer, b. New Jersey, d/o unknown. [1850 Floyd Co., VA Mortality Schedule] [no file]

m. can’t find, as 1st wife of

Joseph Howard Gray Sr, s/o unknown. Death not recorded in 1853 Floyd Co., VA Death Register. [Gray_Joseph2]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, Arlington Rumburg

yes

17 Nov 1888

22 Apr 1930

Born Rockbridge Co., VA

Died Roanoke, VA

nee Margaret Alice Elizabeth “Arlington” Rumburg, 1888-1930, d/o John Kirtz & 1st wife Margaret L. E. "Maggie" (Graham) Rumburg. [Death Cert] [no file] Arlington will m. 2^nd Benjamin William Martin, b. Franklin, s/o Austin & Lucy J. (Sink) Martin. [Death Cert] [no file]

m. 1905 Floyd

aka James Abner Maynard Howard Gray, s/o James M. & Nancy Ellen “Nannie” (Lester) Gray. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Gray_JamesH_Rhoda]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, Edward

yes

30 Jan 1830

Age 86 yrs

Edward Gray, s/o unknown. Brother of Joseph Howard Gray Sr. First known burial in this cemetery. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Gray_Other_fcva]

Hand drawn map depicts early Gray family sites in Floyd & Montgomery County Virginia. Note top of map is South.

(src Find A Grave – added by Kenmare)

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, Elizabeth

yes

24 Feb 1805

05 Jan 1880

Wife of Joseph Gray Jr

74y 10m 11d

nee Elizabeth Terry, d/o Silas & Catherine (unknown) Terry. [1880 Floyd Co., VA Death Register] Parents surname does not look like Terry to this complier. [no file]

m. abt 1828 can’t find

Joseph Howard Gray Jr, s/o Joseph Howard Sr & 1^st wife Anna (Custer) Gray. [Gray_Joseph2]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, J. Maynard

yes

02 Dec 1881

24 Sep 1910

aka James Abner Maynard Howard Gray, s/o James M. & Nancy Ellen “Nannie” (Lester) Gray. Died Dayton, OH. [Gray_JamesH_Rhoda]

m. 1905 Floyd

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, James Hampton

yes

15 Oct 1808

21 Aug 1870

Age 62 yrs 10 mos

James Hampton Gray, b. Augusta, s/o Joseph Howard Sr & 1^st wife Annie (Custer) Gray. [1870 Floyd Co., VA Death Register] [1870 Floyd Co, VA Mortality Schedule] [Gray_JamesH_Rhoda]

m. 1830 Montgomery

nee Rhoda Ella Wilson, d/o Peter & Rhoda (Hathaway) Wilson. Death not recorded in 1872 Floyd Co., VA Death Register. [Wilson_Peter_Rhoda]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, Joseph

yes

Mar 1779

Sep 1853

Aged 74 yrs 6 mos

aka Joseph Howard Gray Sr, s/o unknown. Death not recorded in 1853 Floyd Co., VA Death Register. [Gray_Joseph2]

1^st m. can’t find, Anna Custer, b. New Jersey, 1780-1850, d/o unknown. [1850 Floyd Co., VA Mortality Schedule] [no file]

2^nd m. 1851 Floyd, Nancy G. Walton 1851, d/o unknown.

Joseph was a brother of Edward Gray.

marker not found

Gray, Joseph Howard Jr

yes

01 Oct 1803

07 Aug 1870

Illegible stone thought to be that of Joseph Howard Gray Jr

Joseph Howard Gray Jr, s/o Joseph Howard Sr & 1^st wife Annie (Custer) Gray. Death not recorded in 1870 Floyd Co., VA Death Register or 1870 Mortality Schedule. Note how dates closely match those of James Hampton Gray. [Gray_Joseph2]

m. 1828 can’t find

nee Elizabeth Terry, d/o Silas & Catherine (unknown) Terry. [1880 Floyd Co., VA Death Register] [no file]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Gray, Rhoda

yes

(1809)

Mch 1872

Age 63 yrs

nee Rhoda Ella Wilson, d/o Peter & Rhoda (Hathaway) Wilson. Death not recorded in 1872 Floyd Co., VA Death Register. [Wilson_Peter_Rhoda]

m. 1830 Montgomery

James Hampton Gray, b. Augusta, s/o Joseph Howard Sr & 1^st wife Annie (Custer) Gray. [1870 Floyd Co., VA Death Register] [1870 Floyd Co, VA Mortality Schedule] [Gray_JamesH_Rhoda]

"A voice is stilled, a place in our home which never can be filled”

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kelley, Asa H.

yes

01 Mar 1886

28 Feb 1905

Asa H. Kelley, s/o George Nathan & Jane Ann (Dewese) Kelley. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Kelly_GeorgeW_2wives]

"Budded on earth to bloom in heaven”

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kelley, Odessa I.

yes

22 Jun 1891

Nov 1904

Odessa I. Kelley, d/o George Nathan & Jane Ann (Dewese) Kelley. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Kelly_GeorgeW_2wives]

Broken stone

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Ann

yes

24 Jun 1826

20 Jul 1898

Wife of R.W. Kropff

nee Mary Ann Gray, d/o Joseph Howard Jr & Elizabeth (Terry) Gray. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Gray_Joseph2]

m. 1844 Floyd

Robert William Kropff, s/o Henry & Barbary (Jenkins) Kropff. [Death Cert] [Kropff]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Asa

yes

12 Mar 1855

20 Jul 1862

Age 7 yrs 4 mos 8 dys

Asa Kropff, s/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [1862 Floyd Co., VA Death Register text] Image [Kropff]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Eli

yes

27 Apr 1850

17 Jul 1862

Eli Kropff, s/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [1862 Floyd Co., VA Death Register text] Image [Kropff]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Elizabeth

yes

25 Apr 1857

09 Jul 1862

Elizabeth Kropff, d/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [1862 Floyd Co., VA Death Register text] Image [Kropff]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Ira

yes

20 May 1856

30 Jun 1862

Ira Kropff, s/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [1862 Floyd Co., VA Death Register text] Image [Kropff]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Lafayett

yes

18 Sep 1852

18 Jul 1853

10m 5d

Lafayett Kropff, s/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [1853 Floyd Co., VA Death Register] Surname spelled Cropff. [Kropff]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Martha L.

yes

2 Feb 1848

7 Jul 1862

14y 5m 5d

Martha L. Kropff, d/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [1862 Floyd Co., VA Death Register text] Image [Kropff]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, Robert William

yes

09 May 1824

03 Mar 1913

Robert William Kropff, s/o Henry & Barbary (Jenkins) Kropff. [Death Cert] [Kropff]

m. 1844 Floyd

nee Mary Ann Gray, d/o Joseph Howards Jr & Elizabeth (Terry) Gray. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Gray_Joseph2]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Kropff, William J.

Kropff, Alice

yes

25 Dec 1859

19 May 1860

31 Jan 1927

His Wife

aka William Joseph Kropff, s/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [Death Cert] [Kropff]

m. 1880 Floyd

nee Matilda Alice “Alice” Poff, d/o Joseph Andrew & Emily (Sumpter) Poff. [Death Cert] [Poff_Henry_Sarah]

*Edgar Vest said this couple died within minutes of each other. First, Mr. William Kropff died and then as his wife was summoning help, she also died.*

Alton Poff

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Poff, Alton

yes

17 Aug 1904

18 Jan 1906

Son of J. J. & M. E. Poff

aka Alton Brooks Poff, s/o Joseph Johnson & Miriam Ellen (Kropff) Poff. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Poff_Henry_Sarah]

Arvell Terry Poff

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Poff, Arvell Terry

yes

19 Nov 1907

21 Oct 1911

Son of J. J. & M. E. Poff

Arvell Terry Poff, s/o Joseph Johnson & Miriam Ellen (Kropff) Poff. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Poff_Henry_Sarah]

Marker not found but was noted in original survey

Poff, Gladys

yes

1898

1906

Can’t id but don’t believe she is a d/o Joseph Johnson & Miriam Ellen (Kropff) Poff unless dates are wrong. BUT my be gravesite of Alma Gladys Poff, d/o John A. Lee & Angeline R. (Hall) Poff but that a different Poff family – related, but a couple generations back. Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911.

1910

continuation on next page

Helena Maude Poff

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Poff, Helena Maude

yes

9 Mar 1900

18 Apr 1900

Infant Daughter of J. J. & M. E. Poff

Helena Maude Poff, d/o Joseph Johnson & Miriam Ellen (Kropff) Poff. Floyd Co., VA Death Records not available pre 1853 except 1850 Mortality Schedule; 1863-1864; 1896-1911. [Poff_Henry_Sarah]

Dr Herman Lee Poff

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Poff, Herman Lee Dr

yes

23 Jun 1887

6 Aug 1921

Herman Lee Poff, s/o Joseph Johnson & Miriam Ellen (Kropff) Poff. [Death Cert] [Poff_Henry_Sarah]

m. abt 1912 can’t find

Alma Florence “Allie” Poff, 1890-1932, d/o William Anthony Lemuel & 2^nd wife Cordelia C. “Della” (Wimmer) Poff. [Death Cert] [Poff_Anthony_Sarah]

Newspaper Article 1: Dr. Herman Lee Poff Homicide (PDF)

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Poff, Ileta

yes

13 Sep 1918

15 Jul 1924

Dau Of

Dr. H. L. Poff

Ileta Allie Poff, d/o Herman Lee & Alma Florence “Allie” (Poff) Poff. [Death Cert] [Poff_Henry_Sarah]

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Poff, J. J.

Poff, Miriam E.

yes

16 Feb 1864

20 May 1866

17 Jan 1933

9 Apr 1925

Joseph Johnson Poff, s/o William Henry & Mary Jane (Carr) Poff. [Death Cert] [Poff_Henry_Sarah]

1^st m. 1883 Floyd; nee Miriam Ellen Kropff, d/o Robert William & Mary Ann “Ann” (Gray) Kropff. [Death Cert] [Kropff]

2^nd m. 1930 Floyd, Beulah Ann Vest nee Yeatts, 1892-1962, d/o John David & Ruth Ellen (Ingram) Yeatts. [Death Cert] [Yeatts_John_Mary] Beulah 1st m. Andrew Jackson Vest, 1893-1925, s/o John Henry Armistead & Eula Mae (Akers) Vest. [Death Cert] [Vest_Samuel_3wives]

"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord"

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Sowder, Peter A.

yes

11 Dec 1852

23 Dec 1917

aka Peter Auston Sowder, single s/o Jacob & Rhoda (Gray) Sowder. [Death Cert] [Sowder_Jacob_Rhoda]

“A tender mother and faithful friend”

(src: Find A Grave; Tracy C. added Mar 2014)

Sowder, Rhoda

yes

19 Sep 1824

07 Apr 1913

Erected by her son Peter A. Sowder.

nee Rhoda Gray, d/o Joseph Howard Sr. & Annie (Custer) Gray. [Death Cert] [Gray_Joseph2]

m. 1848 Floyd

Jacob Sowder, b. 3-19-1819 Floyd, s/o Anthony & Catherine (Snuffer) Sowder. He died 1862 in a Richmond, VA hospital of measles.

Original Survey:

GRAY-POFF-KROPFF CEMETERY

N3702.042 W8010.399 Check, VA
Compiled by Mary Conner Williams from lists compiled earlier by:
Charles Gray, Gordon Obrecht, David Shank and Edgar Vest on separate occasions.
(Mary did not personally see these stones and does not vouch for the accuracy)

notes: ( ) from other source




Lucy B	Collins	22 Mar 1872	25 Aug 1886	d/o James Matthew Collins
				and Sarah Anne Conner

Mary F	Collins	29 Aug 1878	10 Aug 1886	d/o James Matthew Collins
				and Sarah Ann Conner

Sarah A(nn Conner)	Collins	22 Apr 1850	29-Nov-1914

Henderson	Custer	2 Dec 1899	18-Dec-1907	s/o J(oseph) M & Sallie Custer

Cary	Gray	27 Oct 1805	9 Mar 1890	74y 4m 12d

Anna (Custer)	Gray	1 Mar 1780	3 Jan 1850	69y 10m 2d
				Erected by Rhoda Sowder

Joseph	Gray	Mar 1779	Sep 1863	h/o Anna, 84y 6m

Arlington Rumburg	Gray	17 Nov 1888	22-Apr-1930	b: Rockbridge Co.
				d: Roanoke Co.

J Maynard	Gray	2 Dec 1881	24-Sep-1910	h/o Arlington
				b: Floyd Co d: Dayton, OH

Elizabeth (Terry)	Gray	24 Feb 1805	5 Jan 1880	w/o Joseph Jr
				74y 10m 11d

Illegible stone

James H	Gray	15 Oct 1808	21 Aug 1870	62y 10m
Rhoda (Ella Wilson)	Gray	1809	Mar 1872	63y

Ann (Eliza Kelley)	Gray	10 Jun 1825	30 Mar 1897	71y 8m 20d

James	Gray	19 Sep 1832	25-Oct-1919	h/o Ann, s/o Cary Gray
				and Rebecca Sowder

Edward	Gray	no date	30 Jan 1830	age 86
				(first known burial in cemetery)

Mary	Gray	no date	21 Mar 1835	w/o Edward, age 82

Mary (Jane Moore)	Hollans	6 Sep 1826	15-Jan-1917	w/o W R Hollans

Annie G	Howery	4 Jul 1897	6 Jan 1898	d/o John Howery & Mary Gray

Asa H	Kelly	1 Mar 1886	28-Feb-1905	"A voice is stilled, a place in our
				home which never can be filled"

Odessa I	Kelley	22 Jun 1891	Nov 1904	"Budded on earth to bloom
				in heaven"

(Matilda) Alice (Poff)	Kropff*	19 May 1860	31-Jan-1927	w/o Wm J

William J(oseph)	Kropff*	25 Dec 1859	31-Jan-1927

*Edgar Vest said this couple died within minutes of each other. First, Mr William Kropff
died and then as his wife was summoning help, she also died.*

Ann (Gray)	Kropff	24 Jun 1826	20 Jul 1898	w/o R W

Robert William	Kropff	9 May 1824	3-Mar-1913

Asa	Kropff	12 Mar 1855	20 Jul 1862	7y 4m 8d

Eli	Kropff	27 Apr 1850	17 Jul 1862

Elizabeth	Kropff	25 Apr 1857	9 Jul 1862

Ira	Kropff	20 May 1856	30 Jun 1862

Lafayett	Kropff	18 Sep 1852	18 Jul 1853	10m 5d

Martha L	Kropff	2 Feb 1848	7 Jul 1862	14y 5m 5d

Gladys	Poff	1898	1906

Dr Herman Lee	Poff	23 Jun 1887	6-Aug-1921

Ileta	Poff	13-Sep-1918	15-Jul-1924	d/o Dr H L Poff

J(oseph) J(ohnson)	Poff	16 Feb 1864	17-Jan-1933

Miriam E (Kropff)	Poff	20 May 1866	9-Apr-1925	w/o J J

Alton B	Poff	17-Aug-1904	18-Jan-1906	s/o J J

Arvell Terry	Poff	19-Nov-1907	21-Oct-1911	s/o J J

Helena Maude	Poff	9-Mar-1900	18-Apr-1900	d/o J J

Peter A	Sowder	11 Dec 1852	23-Dec-1917	"Blessed are the dead that
				die in the Lord"

Rhoda (Gray)	Sowder	19 Sep 1824	7-Apr-1913	"A tender mother and faithful
				friend, erected by her son
				P A Sowder"