While the 1946 Richmond city telephone directory does not list this funeral home, the 1944 directory lists it as Peoples Funeral Home, John M. Hewlett, Funeral Directors [sic], Free Chapel, 24 hour ambulance service, at 609 E. Leigh Street.  He had apparently moved from his previous address, 608 N 2nd Street, where he was mentioned in a 1939 telephone directory. 

We do not have a 1945 directory on the shelf, but do have many older directories since the 1880s almost every year, and several before that.  It may be worth your while to stop by LVA to see more of these directories.  Hope this helps.

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lyle E. Browning
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Peoples Funeral Home

I'm working on the delineation and recording of a slave and post- Civil War African-American cemetery in Hanover County east of Ashland. In it are metal markers with a 1946 burial date from the Peoples Funeral Home, East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA.

I've called all the Richmond homes and although one owner was out, none of the rest had heard of the company.

Has anyone got any info on this company and where its successor company might be for a records search?

Both marble tombstones in the 100± grave cemetery have Grand United Order of Knights of Damon inscriptions.

The Library of VA has their governing documents but apart from a few Google hits on their role in dismantling Jim Crow, general information is a bit sparse. Has any one recommendations on further reading?

Thanks in advance.

Lyle Browning