Clio Logo
The Dils Cemetery is believed to be the first racially integrated cemetery in Eastern Kentucky. Colonel John Dils, who was opposed to slavery, provided employment for many formerly enslaved persons at his tannery and general store. He later provided gravesites for these individuals and their descendants. Graves of soldiers from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I can be found at the cemetery along with the graves of members of the Hatfield and McCoy families. Dils Cemetery also includes lovely botanical gardens, a walking trail and an overlook.

The historical marker for Dils Cemetery.

The historical marker for Dils Cemetery.

Dils Cemetery is part of a Hatfield and McCoy driving tour.

Dils Cemetery is part of a Hatfield and McCoy driving tour.

A portrait of Col. John Dils

A portrait of Col. John Dils

Col. John Dils's tombstone

Col. John Dils's tombstone

A receipt, signed by Col. John Dils, showing his purchase of the cemetery and the supplies necessary to upkeep it.

A receipt, signed by Col. John Dils, showing his purchase of the cemetery and the supplies necessary to upkeep it.

1st sign marking the resting place of Col. John Dils

1st sign marking the resting place of Col. John Dils

2nd sign marking the resting place of Col. John Dils

2nd sign marking the resting place of Col. John Dils

Believing that this part of Kentucky was poised for economic growth, Colonel John Dils, Jr. moved from northern Virginia to Pike County, Kentucky in 1840. Dills settled in the community of Piketon which is now the city of Pikeville and found employment as a teacher. Dils saved his wages and later became a successful merchant.  

Dils was an extremely outspoken opponent of slavery and later became a supporter of the Union. Although Kentucky remained in the Union and eastern Kentucky sent many men to put down the rebellion, Kentucky was contested territory and Dils was targetted and captured by men who aligned themselves with the Confederacy. Dils spent a year at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, but was able to return to Piketon. At that time, he recruited a group of men to form the area's first Union regiment. This regiment fought against Confederate forces and Dils was discharged in 1863. 

After his discharge, Dils once again continued his work as a merchant. In 1871, he purchased property fro the Syck family which ran several miles up Chloe Creek and included a cemetery. Dils later sold all of the property but during the time he owned the land members of the Dils family and people who worked for Dils, including African Americans, were buried here along with other residents of the community. 

Dils employed many formerly enslaved persons at his tannery and general store. He also allowed other members of the community to be buried here regardless of race. As a result, one hundred and thirty African Americans were buried here. To date, forty-nine of those graves have been positively correctly identified. The cemetery also contains graves of soldiers from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I

This cemetery is also the final resting place of McCoy family leader Randolph McCoy, his wife, Sarah, their daughter, Roseanna, their son, Sam and his wife, Martha McCoy. The cemetery is sometimes referred to as the Hatfield & McCoy Feud Cemetery. During the feud, Dils himself served as a guardian and benefactor of Perry Cline whose actions led to government intervention in the feud. 

Andrew Patrick, “Col. John Dils, Jr.,” ExploreKYHistory, accessed June 13, 2019, https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/796

Hatfield-McCoy Feud/Dil Cemetery. Roadside America. July 19, 2015. Accessed June 12, 2019. https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/48366. 

Historic Dils Cemetery. Tour Pike County. Accessed June 11, 2019. https://www.tourpikecounty.com/things-to-see-do/history_culture/historic-dils-cemetery/. 

The Dils Cemetery. Waymarking. September 10, 2012. Accessed June 11, 2019. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMF8F7_The_Dils_Cemetery.