More than 112 people are buried in the Historic Fitzgerald Family Cemetery, including Robert G. and Richard B. Fitzgerald, pioneering Affrican American citizens of Durham. Robert G. Fitzgerald was the grandfather of Pauli Murray, the well-known activist, writer and lawyer.

The Fitzgerald men served as laborers supporting the Union during the early years of the Civil War. After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued 150 years ago in 1863, Robert enlisted first in the Navy and then the Union Army. He saw action at the Battle of Petersburg but was discharged soon afterwards in 1864. His decision to come to North Carolina after the war was in his mind, enlisting as “a soldier in a second war, this time against ignorance”.