One of the first settlements in Surry County was Indian Graves. This name was later changed to Indian Grove. Indian camp sites were located about one-half mile from what is now Highway 89 East, on the Indian Grove Church Road. The Indians set up camp near a small creek which runs behind the home of Orby and Marie Johnson. This Native American group had a burial place on the hillside behind what is today the home of Clayton and Marlene Johnson. Thus, the settlement was appropriately named Indian Graves. Legend has it that an Indian princess is buried here.
Present residents of the Indian Grove community like to think that their ancestors played an important part in the freedom we enjoy today. During the Revolutionary War, Surry County militia men fought the Tories on the hills of Chestnut Ridge. Their heroic efforts gave soldiers time to get here from Guilford and Rowan Counties.
Education was very important in this settlement. Jonathan Benjamin Pittman taught school in the old Goodwyn Taylor home around 1820 or 1830. Mr. Pittman was a stern teacher who demanded strict attention from his students.
At the end of Indian Grove Church Road stands a foreboding two-story house. It was built by William Daniel "Dean" Haymore and his wife, Kissa Ann Hall Haymore, around 1850. This historical house was used to hide southern troops during the Civil War.
The settlement did not suffer for lack of business opportunities. William Haymore operated a general store located just across the road from his home. Evidently, this was the center of the community in the mid 1800s. Meady Anderson Hall built well crafted furniture for the settlers in the area. The excellent design and craftsmanship of the furniture Hall built can still be seen today. Furniture he made in 1855 is presently being used.
The Indian Grove settlement was not without a means of mail service. A post office was established in the area. Daniel Love, Esquire received letters addressed to Indian Grove, N.C., around 1850 and 1860.
Churches were located in Westfield and Holly Springs. This was quite a distance for the Indian Grove settlers to travel. While attending a brush arbor meeting, the community's people began talking about a church of their own. In 1895, Wilcher Haymore donated the land for Indian Grove Baptist Church. The church is a branch of Holly Springs Baptist Church. Today, the church thrives under the leadership of Pastor Tommy Floyd. Indian Grove Baptist Church celebrated its centennial in 1995. God has greatly blessed the church which was once a dream for early settlers.
Love's Grove Primitive Baptist Church was built in 1964. The land for this place of worship was donated by Garnie and Margie Love. This is the same land that the brush arbor meetings were held on in the 1800s.
As residents of this historical community, we stand proud and tall. We acknowledge with deep appreciation the determination and fortitude of our ancestors in establishing the Indian Grove settlement. Today, the community is filled with the wonderful heritage they have left for us.
("Mary Frances Love Frye, Pat Johnson, Brenda Beasley")