Thornton, Charles Irving, Tombstone
Also known as: Thornton Tombstone
Why it's listed
A small marble headstone in a family burial ground in Cumberland County, Virginia, marks the grave of Charles Irving Thornton, an infant who died in March 1842 at about thirteen months old. The rounded-shoulder stone, set among giant boxwood, magnolias and periwinkle near the old Thornton homestead, now lies within Cumberland State Forest. Its inscription was written by Charles Dickens, who was visiting Richmond on his American tour when the child died. The family's physician, a Cumberland County native, asked the author for an epitaph, and Dickens replied by mail from Cincinnati in April. The stone is regarded as the only physical reminder of Dickens' visit to Virginia, and only one other epitaph by him is known. The cemetery also holds an obelisk for Little Kate, two Allen family markers, and unmarked graves that may be those of enslaved people. At last report the stone had broken from its base and awaited repair.
Significance in brief: The stone carries an epitaph written by Charles Dickens during his 1842 American tour. It is described as the only tangible reminder of Dickens' visit to Virginia. Only one other Dickens epitaph is known, that of his sister-in-law, which makes this one unique among his American writings.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80004186, listed November 25, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W of Cumberland on Oak Hill Rd., Cumberland |
|---|---|
| County | Cumberland County |
| Listed | November 25, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004186 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1842 |
| Architect / builder | Carver unknown |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good, although the stone has broken from its base and was scheduled to be repaired. The cemetery is now part of Cumberland State Forest. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 37.49269, -78.31324 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80004186.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5079300
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.