[Because Quaker headstones do not have individual names on them (See the Cemetery Introduction), PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS].

There is some uncertainty as to the dates of the first Monthly Meetings as well as the first burials here.

The Historical Marker at the Little River Cemetery says, "The Meeting up Little River in Perquimans began in 1715 in the house of Christopher and Mary Nicholson, descendants of Nicholsons persecuted in Massachusetts in the 1660's. In 1744 the property was conveyed to Quaker trustees. John Woolman, antislavery leader from New Jersey labored to a crowd in 1757. The meeting nurtured Thomas Nicholson, minister and antislavery advocate in the 1700s. NC Yearly meeting convened here for nine sessions between 1786-1812. Social problems and migrations to lands West were largely responsible for the sale of the meetinghouse lot in 1856."

The cemetery itself has many unmarked graves and many others marked with simple fieldstones. The reason for the lack of personal gravestones was their desire for simplicity and humility in death as in life. Rather than permanent personal memorials in stone, early Quakers preferred for the record of their lives, particularly their opposition to slavery, to stand witness instead. At the same time they kept meticulous records in their Monthly Meetings, so we do know the major life events of each Friend including their death dates. No mention was made however, of actual burial locations.

Though the Quakers have long since moved away and the Meeting House sold and disappeared, the cemetery has been preserved as part of the early history of the state since the very first religious services in colonial North Carolina were Friends Meetings.

Directions:
Take Old US 17 (SR1367) east towards Woodville. Stay on this road past Woodville, then take the last road off to the right which is still in Perquimans County.

Little River is the boundary between Perquimans and Pasquotank Counties.

This road leading to the right (south) is called Nursing Home Road, or SR 1330. Follow it a short piece (half mile or so), then take the first left, which is SR 1371 / Gregory's Lane. This road was gravel in 1991.

About half way between the beginning of the road and its end on Little River, the burial ground is located on the southern side of the road.

.