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SMITHFIELD

“Cemeteries and Historic Figures in Isle of Wight County and Smithfield” will be the topic of the next meeting of the county’s Historical Society. The group, along with the Isle of Wight County Museum, will host the discussion on Sunday, Nov. 3, beginning at 2 p.m. The program will be in the Smithfield Center, 220 N. Church St.

Albert P. Burkard Jr., who is the society’s vice president, is also the site coordinator for the Gravesite Survey Task Force. He will discuss the history learned from the survey — its mission and accomplishments.

The focus of the program will begin with Col. Josiah Parker, who lived from 1751-1810, and is buried in the Macclesfield Family Cemetery. Dan Duvall, a historian and descendant of Parker, will speak about his ancestor.

Jennifer L. England, director of the museum, will next talk about Capt. Mallory Todd, who lived from 1742-1817, and is buried in Wren’s Cemetery; and Pembroke D. Gwaltney Sr., who lived from 1836-1915, and is buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery.

Josiah W. “Joe” Jordan Jr., who lived from 1843-1933, and is buried in St. Luke’s Cemetery, will be the focus of Burckard’s talk.

Kathy Mountjoy, who served as group tour coordinator for Smithfield and Isle of Wight County Tourism, will present the history of Ivy Hill Cemetery.

The meeting is open all people interested in local history and preservation. There’s no charge.

For more information, visit www.iwchs.com, or email Carolyn A. Keen at vahistorichouses@aol.com.