Established 1888. Chestnut Hill Cemetery is located at 1134 S. Main Street, consists of 19.3 acres and is still open for burials and purchase of cemetery plots. The first burials recorded were Luke Blackmer and Moses Holmes, both in 1889. The Cemetery houses many names central to Salisbury: Overman, Beard, Boyden, Craige, Steele and Ramsey. It housed the fountain that was once located on the “Square” at Main and Innes Streets. In 1946, it was removed and a magnolia tree was planted in its place. During 1933 and 1934 the Civil Works Administration built the two room chapel which served as the administrative office until April 30, 2021. The Cemetery administrative office is now located at 303 W. Franklin Street.
Famous Internments:
Blackmer, Sidney
b. July 13, 1895 d. October 6, 1973
Actor. Born in Salisbury, North Carolina, he studied law before making his New York acting debut on Broadway, followed by his screen debut in the silent film Pearl White serial, "Perils of Pauline" (1914). After serving the U.S. Military in World War I, he returned to the theatre and motion pictures and went on to be a major character actor in more than 120 films. His credits included "Little Caesar" (1931), "Heidi" (1937), "Nazi Agent" (1942), "Duel in the Sun" (1946), "High Society" (1956), "Rosemary's Baby" (1968) and "Revenge Is My Destiny" (1971). For his contribution to the motion picture industry, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died in New York City.
Cause of death: Cancer
Henderson, John Steele
b. January 6, 1846 d. October 9, 1916
U.S. Congressman. During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army. He was a member of the State legislature before being elected as a United States Representative from North Carolina for five terms (1885-1895).
Kaaren, Suzanne
b. March 21, 1912 d. August 27, 2004
Star of stage and screen in the 1930s and 1940s, she appeared alongside such luminaries as Clark Gable and Joan Crawford. She made over 30 movies, 8 with The Three Stooges. Her legs were known as the "Toast of Broadway" and were insured for $1 million during her heyday. She held the world's record for the standing high jump in the early 1930s. She was known in later life for her battles with Donald Trump over her Central Park South apartment, which she and her husband bought in the 1940s. Wife of Sidney Blackmer from 1943 to 1973 (his death).
Kluttz, Theodore Franklin
b. October 4, 1848 d. November 18, 1918
U.S. Congressman. A former state judge, he served three terms as a United States Representative from North Carolina from 1899 to 1905.
He was the son of Caleb Kluttz and Elizabeth Moose.
Overman, Lee Slater
b. January 3, 1854 d. December 12, 1930
US Senator. He graduated from Trinity College in 1874 and was the son-in-law of US Senator Augustus Summerfield Merrimon. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1878 and began a law practice in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1880. He served as a member of the North Carolina State House of Representatives (1883, 1885, 1887, 1893, 1899) and was president of the North Carolina Railroad Company in 1894. In 1903, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served until his death at age 76 in Washington, D.C..
Shober, Francis Edwin
b. March 12, 1831 d. May 29, 1896
US Congressman. During the Civil War, he served in the North Carolina State legislature. In 1869, he was elected as a Democrat to represent North Carolina's 6th District in the United States House of Representatives, serving two terms from March 4, 1869 to March 3, 1873.
Steele, John
b. November 16, 1764 d. August 14, 1815
U.S. Congressman. He was a member of the North Carolina state legislature for many terms. He served as a United States Representative from North Carolina for two terms (1789-1793). Presidents John Adams and Jefferson both appointed him as the Comptroller of the Treasury. He died on August 14, the same day he was re-elected to the State house.