The Hickory Grove Cemetery began with a gentleman by the name of Elder John Miller; Miller, a 32 year old preacher moved to Waverly, then known as Abington Center, in 1802 from Upstate New York and built a log cabin home along what is now known as Miller Road.

From his home, Miller established the First Baptist Church of the Abingtons and held meetings in the homes of members until a formal site for the First Baptist Meeting House was erected in 1821. In 1807, the cemetery was officially established in the village by Miller on a portion of his 326 acre farm. In 1847, the tract was then enlarged and Elder Miller donated another acre and a half parcel towards its development, and the Cemetery Association was organized. The location was then formally named Hickory Grove Cemetery, and chartered in 1883 due to the large grove of hickory trees surrounding the area.

The first board of trustees for Hickory Grove were village residents: Thomas Smith, Dr. Andrew Bedford, Nicholas Reynolds, Reuben Sherman, Nathan Sherman, John Stone, Norman Phelps, Isaac Sherman, Leonard Batchelor, and James Stone. In 1875, the cemetery was expanded again when an additional half acre was purchased from village residents Charles and James Tinkham.

In 1883, a lot was purchased for the burial of Civil War soldiers from Waverly; land was purchased again following World War I by the Joseph Bailey Post American Legion for the internment of its members. Subsequent land purchases were made throughout the 20th century as well as efforts to beautify the property. The Hickory Grove Cemetery is located along Miller Road and is currently featured on the Waverly Community House’s Destination Freedom Map. Many of the village members represented on the walking trail are also buried in the cemetery including: Dr. Bedford, Leonard Batchelor, and Rodman Sisson.

Hickory Grove is one of the oldest known cemeteries associated with African Americans in Northeastern PA. The cemetery is the burial ground for many fugitives from slavery who came to the area via the Underground Railroad in the mid-19th century. By the end of the 19th century there were 75 former slaves in Waverly. The grave sites of the freeborn residents and former slaves who later went on to join battle in the Civil War are all located in Row 5.

The Hickory Grove Cemetery is a complex cultural landscape encompassing and representing many elements of both national and local history. Since 1807, the location has withstood the test of time and remains commemorative of both individuals and historical time periods within the United States.