This page contains 3 surveys of the H.W. Harrington Cemetery

H.W. HARRINGTON FAMILY CEMETERY
Surveyed and shared by Richmond County Historical Society.  
Contact:  Myrtle Bridges  Posted January 9, 2016.

Directions from Rockingham in 2015: 
From US #1 and business US #74 intersection in Rockingham follow US Hwy. #1 South about 6.5 
miles to Osbourne Road. Turn right. Go about .7 of a mile to the stop sign and turn right. 
Go about 500 feet to the gated dirt road on the left. The cemetery is about three-fourths of a 
mile down this road on the left. Look for a small orange sign on a pine tree. The cemetery is 
about 75 feet in the edge of the woods marked by two huge oak trees.

General H.W. Harrington (1747-1809)
Raleigh Register, and North-Carolina Weekly Advertiser - April 13, 1809 - Died at his seat in Richmond county, on the 31st ult. in the 
62d year of his age, General Henry W. Harrington. He was an active and useful officer, and acquired honour in the Revolution which secured 
to this country its Independence. In private life, he exercised all the virtues which recommend a man to our confidence and regard, the 
nicest sense of honour, and strictest principles of justice, regulated every transaction of his life. In his more domestic relations, he 
was eminently amiable-the most tender and affectionate husband, the kindest and most indulgent father, a sincere and zealous friend. His 
memory will ever be cherished by all the virtuous and the good of his acquaintance.  May 21, 2016 - Bridges

Rosanna Harrington (1754-1828)  (wife of General Harrington)
"Col." Henry William Harrington (1793-1868) son 
Harriet Harrington I (died: 16 Sept 1780 age 10 mos. & 18 days) daughter
Harriet Harrington II (died 2 Oct. 1791 age 3yrs 8 mos. 9 days) Daughter
Henry William Harrington I (1791-1792) son
Michael Harrington (1790-1794) son
Cynthia Cole (1814-1888) common-law wife of "Col." H.W. Harrington
Mary Ella with no last name (died 1849 at 4 years of age) some records indicate she is a daughter of "Col." H.W. Harrington 


HARRINGTON FAMILY CEMETERY
Surveyed December 2003 by John Burns    Myrtle Bridges
About 5 1/2 South of Rockingham, NC on US 1, on the right hand side of the road is a Historical 
Marker (K-28) which reads "Henry William Harrington Brigadier General of Militia 1776 - 81, 
State Senator, & Commissioner to locate State Capital. Grave one mile NW".

To get to the cemetery:
Go South on US 1 out of Rockingham, NC for about 5 1/2 miles, turn right onto Osborne Rd. At the end 
of this road is a stop sign, turn right, go about 2/10 mile. On the left is a well defined loggers 
access road labeled "South Gate". There will probably be a gate over the trail. But, park your
car and follow this trail for about 3/4 mile. As you travel down this trail you will notice two large oak 
trees to the left of the trail. The cem. is below these two trees. There is a drive cut out of the brush 
and trees leading off this trail into the cemtery. 

Mrs. Rosanna Harrington was born Dec. 2, 1754 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Died a Communicant 
of the Episcopal Church Oct. 13, 1828 in ___?___ She was for 33 years the loved consort of Gen. H.W. 
Harrington (Poem below this but too faint to read)(Where I have underscored above is where the concrete 
cover of the brick crypt is cracked and unable to read)

Sacred to the Memory of General Henry William Harrington A Native of the City of London and a Distinguished 
Officer in the American Army. Who departed this life on the 21st of March 1809. In the 62nd year of his Age. 
(More below this but too faint to read without chalk which I ran out of) (This inscription is in a concrete 
covering of a concrete vault.)

In Memory of Michael Harrington Son of Henry Wm. and Rosanna Harrington. He Departedthis life on the 13th 
of January 1794 Aged 3 years one month and 8 days. (Stone carved by T. Walker) 

In Memory of Henry William Harrington Son of Henry Wm. and Rosa Anna Harrington. He Departed this life on 
the 23rd of March 1792  Aged 10 years and 9 Days (Stone carved by T. Walker) (This would explain why there 
is a 3rd Henry William, born 1793 - below)

Henry William Harrington
Born July 5, 1793
Died March 2, 1868 (This is a red brick vault with a concrete cover)

The Young, the loved, the beauteous fair,
With deep blue eyes and yellow hair
Of kindly heart and mind most bright

Her grieving friends may wish in vain
to call her back to life again; 
For that long sleep will ne'er be o'er
Till fleeting time shall be no more.

But when in that Great Promised Day
The loud last trump shall call away
O, then again they'll meet above
In never ending perfect life
Her name was Mary Ella
She departed this life September the 7th AD 1849(Stone
broken off below this last line and det in ground. Unable to
read rest?

In Memory of Cynthia Cole
Born Feb. 6, 1814
Died Jan. 30, 1888
She sleeps beneath her Native Earth
And near the spot that gave her Birth.
Her Youthful feet trod flowers
That bloom o'er her early tomb.

Here lies the remains of Harriet Harrington Second child and Daughter of Henry William & Rose Anna
Harrington. This little Innocent in Fleeing with her Fond Mother from the British Tyrants being Exposed 
to the inclemency of a fickle Season fell a Sacriface to the Cruelties of a vindictive Foe and Departed 
this life the 16th of September 1780. 
Aged 10 Months & 18 Days. 

Also
The Body of Harriet Harrington Fifth Child and Third Daughter of Henry William & Rose Anna Harrington 
Who departed this life the 2nd of October 1791 aged 3 years, 8 months & 9 days
Grim Tryant Death, Oh how couldest thou Destroy their parents Hope and Their Loved Kindred's Joy.
(Beautiful Gray Slate stone shaped and etched. Angel carved in stone across top)

This cemetery is with-in a small enclose consisting of 6" x 6" by 4 ft. long concrete pieces 
laid end to end. There are two gigantic oak trees in this cemetery. It is well off the road, not maintained, 
but little liklyhood of being damaged unless by the occassional hunter. All the stones are in excellant 
shape, with one exception in which the stone has broken off and then stood back up-right againt the bottom
part of the stone. 

According to the Richmond County, NC GenWeb site there are others buried here but a good search of the 
enclosure and surrounding area gave forth no additional stones, cemetery markers or any indication of 
any other graves. 

Cemetery surveyed and transcribed by John V. Burns
Page created December 29, 2003
Revised January 2, 2015


HARRINGTON CEMETERY
Surveyed by Woodford Sherrill and Jack Ingram

1- Go south from Rockingham on US # 1. --you will cross over the #74 bypass of Rockingham & Hamlet
2- Continue for approximately one mile, turn right on paved road to Cordova, (I believe it is 
state rd #1108, but not certain of the number.)
3- As you approach Cordova bear left and you will run into state road #1103
4- Bear left on state road #l103 and you will pass Diggs Chapel Church on your right
5- Continue past Diggs Chapel Church for about 3/4 or 1 mile, and on right will notice an unpaved road 
with a chain blocking entrance.
6-Park car here & walk about 3/4 mile down this unpaved road and two large poplar trees can be seen off 
to the left. The Harrington Cemetery is at the Poplar trees. R.C. McLean 
Contact: Myrtle Bridges
Cole Cynthia	2-6-1814	1-30-1888	 
Harrington Gen. Henry William	No Date	No Date	(1809)  REV. War General
Harrington Harriet	d. 1791
Harrington Henry William Jr.	5-14-1782	5-23-1792	s/o Henry W. & Rosanna Harrington
Harrington Henry William  b. 1793
Harrington Michal	12-5-1790	1-13-1794	s/o Henry W. & Rosanna Harrington
Harrington Rosanna	12-2-1754	10-15-1828	w/o Gen. Henry William Harrington

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This page created February 25, 2002
Revised December 18, 2014
Revised January 9, 2016