The oldest documented graves in Laurel Hill Cemetery date to the 1860s. However, the oldest reported grave is that of Eliza Margery Fetz, born in 1808 and died in 1833. William J. McDonell and his wife, Agnes Melrose McDonell are the oldest graves with headstones. William was born in March of 1806 and died in March of 1867. Agenes was born in March of 1807 and died in June of 1867. Sammie McDonnell, the son of S. P. and Julia McDonell, was born in 1864 and died in 1869. There are two documented Confederate veterans buried at Laurel Hill; James W. Williams and William Geiger, and one Union soldier; Charles Wigglesworth. There are also several World War I and II veterans buried in the cemetery. Despite the fact that there are graves in the cemetery dating back to the 1860s the land was not sold to the trustees of the Laurel Hill Cemetery until 1885. Samuel Swann, from the Town Improvement Company in Fernandina, sold 2-1/2 acres to the trustees for $225.00. The trustee sold the cemetery to the City of Archer in 1934, and in 1941 the Venable family sold the city approximately 5 acres for $10.00 for cemetery purposes. The Archer Womens Club was actively involved in the maintenance and enhancement of Laurel Hill Cemetery. They helped get donations to build the entrance gate in 1964 and a cherry laurel tree was dedicated to them for their service near the gate on Arbor Day in 1974.