North Carolina Cemetery Preservation - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Save our Cemeteries

CarolinaRoots2 — 2013-01-29 00:13:41Z

I was told back in 2001 that laws have been enacted that will be enforced and that this situation would improve.

http://www.archaeology.ncdcr.gov/ncarch/reporting/cemetery.h...

Re: Rev. Soldier Zebulon Hollingsworth of Sampson Co., NC

frostfreedet — 2013-01-23 17:32:32Z

If the property owners who moved the stone were descendants of Zebulon, why would that not satisfy the law? It does not say "all of the next of kin."

Rev. Soldier Zebulon Hollingsworth of Sampson Co., NC

CECarroll1945 — 2013-01-20 06:07:25Z

I was just notified that the Revolutionary War gravestone, of Zebulon Hollingsworth was removed from his grave and moved to a more convenient location by the property owners.

I would like to think this is in violation of NC law, specifically:
§ 14-148. Defacing or desecrating grave sites.
(a)It is unlawful to willfully: (1) Throw, place or put any refuse, garbage or trash in or on any cemetery; (2) Take away, disturb, vandalize, destroy or change the location of any stone, brick, iron or other material or fence enclosing a cemetery without authorization of law or consent of the surviving spouse or next of kin of the deceased.
I understand the property where the grave is located fell to the hands of grandchildren and they had the gravestone removed.
This is the grave of Zebulon Hollingsworth, a patriot of Sampson County.
I encourage anyone to contact Officials of Sampson County if they are concerned about this grave desecration.

gravestone for Sara DeLane Macemore Dunn

rogersppse — 2012-03-22 19:43:29Z

Today I went to New Hope Baptist Cemetery on Hwy 21 in Yadkin County to find the grave of Sara DeLane Macemore Dunn and her husband William Dunn. The stones are very pretty and at first seem to be in good shape. However, when I put my hand on Sara's stone, it is obvious that it is in danger of falling over.

If I were a direct descendant, I would undertake to have the stones straightened and fixed, but that is not the case. I just hope a family member can be alerted to the need to have these stones repaired.

William L. and Rebeccah Gunter Lasater

CarolynKnott40 — 2011-08-02 01:23:50Z

Our cousin, Linda Lassater Edlow of Lake Oswego, OR. is planning to install a tombstone on the gravesite of William L. and Rebeccah Gunter Lasater (Lassiter).William L. was the son of William J. Lassiter and wife Keziah Walton.Does anyone know where William J. and Keziah are buried? I had assumed that they were buried in this Lassiter Cemetery in Chatham Co., NC that was flooded by the dam; probably in an unmarked grave.

The area of Chatham County, NC
where most of the Lasater clan was buried was flooded when the state of NC built Lake Jordon. All of the remains were moved to an area across the road from Gum Springs Church in Chatham Co. Linda and I visited this area a year ago and found the graves of William L. and Rebeccah.
Linda later contacted DURHAM MARBLE WORKS
PO Box 3535
Durham, NC 27702
919-489-2134
and obtained a bid for this tombstone which will list the names of the children of William L. and Rebeccah . I suggested to Linda that other descendants of William and Rebeccah might be willing to contribute to this undertaking of hers. If you are descended from this couple and wish to contribute, you may make your contribution to Durham Marble Works. She hopes to have the tombstone in place in either May or June of this year.
If you ever visit the grave-site of those Lasater/Lassiters who had to be moved from their Lassiter cemetery before the flooding, you will certainly understand Linda's feelings concerning the subject. She is very reluctant to ask for any help but I am not.
It will benefit all of us and OUR descendants.
The bid for the stone is as follows.
========
Attached are drawings of the front and back for the monument for William J. and Rebecca Gunter Lasater, to be placed at the Gum Springs Cemetery. The specifications on the monument are as follows:

Material: Grey Granite, quarried in Elberton, GA
Tablet: 48" x 8" x 28", "steeled" (matte) finish on front and back, rustic
"rock pitch" finish on top and ends.

Base: 64" x 14" x 8", steeled finish on top, rock pitch sides

The steeled finish is an unpolished surface, which would complement the look
of the older monuments in the cemetery, which are mostly white marble.

The cost of the monument is:

$1934.24
135.40 NC tax
$2069.64

This would be the total cost, including lettering and installation. Please
feel free to call me if you have any questions about this.

Best wishes,

Ron Bartholomew
DURHAM MARBLE WORKS
PO Box 3535
Durham, NC 27702
919-489-2134
==========
If you are interested in seeing the sketch of the front and the back of the stone, either of us will gladly send you a zip file by email.

Please let me know (seaknott@mindspring.com) or advise Linda (linlow@attbi.com)

Thank you for considering this option.

Re: William L. and Rebeccah Gunter Lasater

linlow — 2011-04-25 22:10:48Z

New email address:
Linda Lassater Edlow

linlow24@frontier.com

Henderson County Cemetery Restoration and Clean Up

mosmom3 — 2005-01-22 16:03:48Z

Hello Fellow Researchers!

I wanted to make all of you aware of a the project that has begun in Henderson County.

The Walter M. Bryson Camp #70 of The Sons of Confederate Veterans is heading up this project. The project leader is Norman Miller (828) 674-6996.

Norman is currently going out to all the of counties old and endangered cemeteries in an effort to do several things:

*Locate and Identify all Civil War Vets (Union & Confederate)

*To compile a list of those men that fought & do not have a Federal Grave Marker.

*To restore and clean up those that are in need of attention.

The Edney Cemetery, where Asa Edney is buried, was the first cemetery to be restored, it was completed on November 12, 2004. This was done with the assistance of many volunteers and the SCV.

The next scheduled clean up is the Townsend Cemetery, on Saturday December 18, 2004. It is located in Henderson Co. just off of Mills Gap Rd. in the Edneyville area. Anyone with ties to this cemetery is invited to join in on the restoration and preservation of this cemetery.

There are approximately 50 or more graves in the cemetery, with only a few marked. The surnames are: Featherstone, Nix and Conner.

For more information:
visit - www.geocities.com/norman_leroy_miller
or write me at: mosmom3@aol.com

REMEMBER! The SCV is fighting to preserve many endangered cemeteries. If you know of one in the county, please contact them! This is our heritage, our responsibility to protect our beloved family members! Our children are watching, and this is a great life lesson to teach them!

Show your support by volunteering or donating supplies for the preservation of our old family cemeteries!

Thanks so much!

Wanda E. Case

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-03-21 16:32:20Z

Judy,

Does Currituck Co., have a Pioneers of, or Pioneer Families of...? If so, they's be the most likely to take this cause up, and they're local, not 3,000 miles away like I am.

I get e-mail everyday about which bills are being discussed that day.

Jolene

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-19 17:31:33Z

Here's the answer from Debbi Blake:

Dear Ms. Noteboom:

Unfortunately there is no blanket permission to enter property. The landowner has the right to refuse to allow people onto his property. Anyone wanting to visit a cemetery without permission needs to get a court order.

The legislation that was introduced in the general assembly has not been passed yet. It is still being discussed. It is scheduled, if it passes, to go into effect in July or whatever date they want to switch it to.

I hope this helps.

Debbi Blake

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-18 19:58:17Z

http://www.findagrave.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Numb...

Jolene

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-18 19:08:59Z

Thank you Judy, but I'm not done yet. Who are the County Officials that are supposedly in charge of the cemeteries?

I didn't know Charlene Dowdy was the Register of Deeds for Currituck Co. She certainly went on the defensive. I sent her another e-mail telling her it wasn't a personal attack against her or the County.

I'm sure a lot of graves, plots, cemeteries have been overlooked. That's not pointing a finger at anyone. Some people that look at headstones or the like, are not as detail oriented as others. Some are satisfied with what is in front of their eyes, others need to make sure there's not more. Everybody misses things at times, it's not a put down, it's a fact.

The impression I got from Debbie after re reading her e-mail, is that when she says 'grave' it means private. But that's certainly a question I will ask.

I wish other people, especially in your own County, would have more or at least some passion and respect for their Ancestors, and history. From what I have read in other Counties, it's the same there as it is in Currituck. There were a couple of exceptions, which I can't remember off the top of my head. That's true of what I read in Princess Anne Co., VA. too, and in Sacramento Co., CA. So, I have to think this is pretty much the norm. That NEEDS to be turned around in every Co., and State. I've never started a 'grass roots' movement or petition before, so I don't know where to begin. I'll have to see what else I can find.

I'm sorry nobody else is helping you and Ben, I personaly don't get it.

It feels almost homey to see the same surnames now, in the same County, as when I'm researching the 17th and 18th century.

Jolene

By the way, I still think Currituck Co. web site is the best web site there is.
Jolene

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-17 19:11:49Z

Bear with me.........

maintain or visit a private grave or an abandoned public cemetery without consent.

(a) If the consent of the landowner cannot be obtained, any person listed in G.S. 65‑74(1), (2), or (3) may commence a special proceeding by petitioning the clerk of superior court of the county in which the petitioner has reasonable grounds to believe the deceased is buried, or in the case of an abandoned public cemetery, in the county in which the abandoned public cemetery is located, for an order allowing the petitioner to enter the property to discover, restore, maintain, or visit the grave or abandoned public cemetery. The petition shall be verified. The special proceeding shall be in accordance with the provisions of Articles 27A and 33 of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes. The clerk shall issue an order allowing the petitioner to enter the property if the clerk finds all of the following:

(1) There are reasonable grounds to believe that the grave or abandoned public cemetery is located on the property or that it is reasonably necessary to enter or cross the landowner's property to reach the grave or abandoned public cemetery.

(2) The petitioner, or his designee, is a descendant of the deceased, or that the petitioner has a special interest in the grave or abandoned public cemetery.

(3) The entry on the property would not unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of the property by the landowner.

(b) The clerk's order may:

(1) Specify the dates and the daylight hours that the petitioner may enter and remain on the property;

(2) Grant to the petitioner the right to enter the landowner's property periodically, as specified in the order, after the time needed for initial restoration of the grave or abandoned public cemetery; or

(3) Specify a reasonable route from which the petitioner may not deviate in all entries and exits from the property. (1987, c. 686, s. 1; 1991, c. 36, s. 1; 1999‑216, s. 12.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jolene Noteboom [mailto:jojo.not@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 5:06 PM
To: Charlene Dowdy
Subject: My Ancestor's Graves

Sir;

I've been reading a lot lately about cemeteries disappearing, and have seen pictures of a few. I'm extremely concerned, as I have Ancestors buried somewhere in Currituck Co., those being Robert Heath, b ABT 1706 in Princess Anne Co., VA. D 1762 in Currituck Co., Robert Heath, b 1750 Currituck Co., d 1795 Currituck Co. He was married to Elizabeth Cooper.

Ryland Heath is my direct line, he is Son of Robert Heath #2 and Elizabeth Cooper. When his Father died, and his Mother remarried to Benjamin Beesley in Craven Co., in 1797. Ryland was then about 16 years of age. He and his step father didn't get along, he left home, going first to GA. Then to KY. Some of his siblings ended up in KY too.

I have a difficult time believing, in these days, a person can buy property, and think they own a grave or cemetery on their property, and refuse to let anyone in to take photos, document who the headstones belonged to, set right headstones that have fallen?, and do a minimal search with a poker to see if anything lies directly below.

How can a person, outside of family, think they own some families Ancestors?

Why isn't it cordoned off, separate from the rest of the property, and the purchaser informed that the cemetery, grave site, plot, does not come with the purchase?

My immigrant Ancestor, James Heath, came to America ABT 1685. The first recorded event in the new country, was 21 Oct 1687, receiving 550 acres head right for transporting 11 persons to the colony of VA. In Charles City Co. With all of the name changes of counties, I'm not sure where the land is, other then Currituck Co., having come from a portion of Princess Anne Co., VA.

If you check the "Eighteenth Century Tax and Militia Records of Currituck Co., NC, my family Heaths names appear frequently. Robert #2 was in Wiiliam Bray's Regiment and Shergold's Regiment in 1748 and 1754. Robert #3 was in the "Battle of Big Bridge" fighting the English before the Declaration of Independence.

You see, these are not irrelevant bones. These are people with a lot of courage, coming to a new land, embracing it, working the land, fighting for it, and finally resting in it.

You could read this a million times over, from other descendants, if they knew what was going on.

I want to know what can be done, how fast it can be done, as I'm sure more graves will have come up missing, if it doesn't happen FAST. Who or what Government Agency is responsible? Please don't shrug me off.

Jolene Noteboom

Temecula, CA. 92592 jojo.not@verizon.net

Received e-mail from Charleed Doudy;

Our geneology group took it upon themselves, and did a grand job, of going to every grave site in Currituck County and recording the graves and contacting the known families to help also and they did a ceremony book listing every grave that was found. We also have people who watch to make sure that graves are not disturbed. So I really feel good about our county. Charlene

The Senate calendar has been posted to the NCGA Internet site.

http://www.ncleg.net/Curcal/CurrentSenateCalendar.pdf

HOUSE CALENDAR
15th Legislative Day
Monday, February 19, 2007
House Convenes at 6:30 pm

http://www.ncleg.net/Calendars/CurrentCalendars/CurrentHouse...

e-mail from Bill Owen;

Dear Ms. Noteboom,

I am forwarding your email to Ms. Debra A. Blake, Supervisor, Public Services Branch, Office of Archives and History for response.
I feel sure Ms. Blake will be able to assist you with your concerns.

Thank you for contacting me.

Bill Owens
Representative

e-mail from Debbie A.Blake;

Dear Ms. Noteboom:

Thank you for your recent email. Your inquiry about cemeteries was transferred to me from Representative Owens' office.

The staff of the North Carolina State Archives shares your concerns about the disappearance of cemeteries in our state. The Archives has conducted a cemetery survey project for over twenty years. We have done this for genealogical and historical purposes, hoping to record the information in cemeteries before they disappear.

As you may know, there is legislation introduced in the NC General Assembly this session that will strengthen the state's laws regarding cemeteries and their protection. Currently the law does give landowners the right to restrict access to cemeteries on their property and this does raise some potential problems with interested researchers. State law does provide for deed exceptions for cemeteries but this is a fairly recent provision of the law and many people do not know that this is possible. In North Carolina there is no state agency that handles cemeteries; it is left to county officials to carry out the statutes pertaining to cemetery preservation and protection.

I hope that this email addresses some of your issues, but if you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me again. If you would like to see the text of the state's laws related to cemeteries, check the North Carolina General Assembly's webpage (www.ncga.state.nc.us) and type in Chapter 65 in the box provided on the webpage. This will bring up the full text of the law.

Again, thank you for your concerns for the cemeteries in our state. We certainly share them as well.

Best wishes for a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Debra A. Blake
Public Services Branch Supervisor
Office of Archives and History
4614 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4614
Phone: 919.807-7301 FAX: 919.733-1354
debbi.blake@ncmail.net
Opinions expressed in this message may not represent the policy of my agency.
Email to and from me, in connection with the transaction of public business, is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/Statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapt...

Debbie,

Would it be possible to get 'blanket cover permission' for someone in the county, that is going to these cemeteries, taking pictures, putting headstones and/or foot stones back where they belong, righting fallen headstones, picking up pieces of the headstone or foot stone or debris? You know, I'm sure that you know that this is done by volunteers, because they also have the passion of wanting to make certain to document every name on every headstone.

If an owner won't, for whatever reason, let a volunteer inside the gate to do that, it's so time consuming to get the paper work, etc. Time is our enemy right now. I'm very happy the bill was passed, but how long does it usually take to come out of session, and become a law?

Respectively,

Jolene Noteboom

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-10 08:00:07Z

REPORTING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

North Carolina's Archaeological Resources

Archaeological Site Forms

Human Remains & Unmarked Burials

North Carolina Cemetery Survey

North Carolina's Archaeological Resources
North Carolina's archaeological resources represent over 12,000 years of culture and history. Today these resources are becoming increasingly rare as archaeological sites are lost to construction and urban expansion. Even worse, important archaeological sites are threatened by vandalism. Each year hundreds of sites in North Carolina (and thousands over the United States) are damaged or destroyed by unscrupulous collectors who dig for artifacts to sell or to add to their own collections. These activities destroy historic and scientific resources.

It is important that amateur archaeologists, who enjoy collecting Indian artifacts, understand the fragile nature of archaeological sites and practice proper techniques when investigating them. First and foremost, the collector must understand the difference between collecting artifacts from the ground surface and digging into a site. Digging an archaeological site without the supervision of a trained professional destroys most of the information that archaeologists need to interpret a site and should never be attempted. On the other hand, responsible amateur archaeologists can engage in surface collecting of sites and contribute to the knowledge of the prehistory of our state.

You can help save our archaeological heritage by accomplishing the following, and TOGETHER, WE CAN SAVE THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE.

1. Everyone can help record archaeological sites; thousands of the recorded sites in North Carolina were reported by amateur collectors. If you know about or have found an Indian site (campsite, village, burial) please report its location by filling out an "Amateur Site Form" and putting it in the mail. You will receive notice of the official state number assigned to your site. (Download the form or send an e-mail report of a site to the Office of State Archaeology at archaeology@ncmail.net).

2. If you collect artifacts from an archaeological site it is very important to keep good records. You should mark each of your sites on an accurate map, such as a USGS topographic map or a highway map. Keep artifacts from different sites separated. Label each of your pieces in a way that will tell you from which site they came. For example, mark your own site name or number on artifacts with indelible ink.

3. Report any construction, destruction or land-altering plans which involve an archaeological site as soon as the plans are made so that the information found there may be collected and saved.

4. Refrain from digging on archaeological sites. The locations of artifacts and other fragile archaeological remains are evidence of the behavior of the people who made them. Only careful, scientific excavation enables the archaeologist to recover and interpret this evidence. Remember, once a site is excavated or disturbed in some way, it is gone forever.

5. Know the laws pertaining to the collection of archaeological remains. It is against the law to collect artifacts from state or federal property without proper authorization. It is against state law to disturb marked or unmarked graves or burial sites on private or public property. It is illegal to collect artifacts from the bottoms of navigable bodies of water if the artifacts are more than ten years old. It can be a trespassing violation to gather artifacts on private property without the permission of the landowner.

6. Become knowledgeable about the prehistory of our state and the people who lived here for thousands of years. Respect archaeological sites and support programs aimed at the proper management of these cultural resources.

You are encouraged to join the North Carolina Archaeological Society.

N.C. ARCHAEOLOGY HOME

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-11 23:19:45Z

Judy,

Trying to get the public the information about the grave sites, only works if they know about it, and apparently that doesn't always work either.

I'm going to try to find some newspapers to pick this up as a public interest story.

Please read the following link, if you haven't read the article before.

http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200...

I guess it doesn't want to take the link. It's 5 pages long though, so too lengthy to copy/paste.

Jolene

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-11 00:07:11Z

Judy,

I sent copies of all of the messages to an advocate/activist at Saving Graves.

I decided, in the meantime, to go to Princess Anne Co., VA. to check their cemeteries. This is what I found....I find it very upsetting.

Princess Anne Co, VA - Kellam, Murden, Fisher, Herrick

This family graveyard was exposed during the construction process of a
new housing development located south of Oceana NAS, in the new
development of "Castleton", on London Bridge Road (between Dam Neck
Road & General Booth Blvd.). The cemetery is near the front of the
development, within sight of London Bridge Road & the front entrance of
the neighborhood. I spoke with a representative of the development
company on 9/14/1998 and he assured me that they will be landscaping &
preserving the site and that it will be in a "common area" of the
development so that it will be readily accessible to any interested
person.
The cemetery appears to have been partially destroyed at some point in
time, either during the construction process or more probably before
that time while the land was being farmed. It appears to me that the
cemetery was fairly large at one time. There are now seven gravestones
placed side by side with no more than a foot between them. The
footstones for these graves have been moved so that they now sit just
in front of & slightly to one side of each headstone. The footstones
are not all grouped with the appropriate headstone. The representative
to the development company told me that these seven graves were moved
by the developer from another small family plot nearby on the same
property. A short distance from these seven headstones are two other
headstones. Some distance from these nine standing headstones is one
headstone, broken into several pieces & laying flat on the ground.
Then again, some distance from all the other headstones, are two more
headstones, both laying flat on the ground. One of these two stones is
very legible but the second stone was so worn that I was only able to
see fragments of words. It did appear that the etching on the
illegible stone was different from all the others, more like it was
done by an inexperienced hand. Overall, the arrangement of the stones
that I found, basically form a large triangle with the ground on the
inside of the triangle having been recently graded. I observed a large
number of small, broken stones littering the entire area that, to me,
appeared to be the remains of broken headstones.
In addition to the transcriptions of the stones listed below, I took a
number of pictures of both the gravestones and the site in general. I
will be happy to scan any of these pictures and send them, via e-mail
or postal mail, to any interested persons. A set of these pictures
will also be donated to the Virginia Beach Main Library to be added to
the Princess Anne County Archives collection.

The layout of the stones & their transcriptions:

Area A - group of seven standing headstones and six footstones - all
standing within one foot of each other -- this is the group of stones
that were moved from a nearby location:

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
1 3 5 7 9 11 13
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
2 4 6 8 10 12
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

1. James F. Murden / Born / Feb. 2, 1840 / Died / May 7, 1919
2. J. F. M.
3. Annie R. Murden / Born June 20, 1842 / Died Apr. 15, 1888 / My
wife! how fondly shall thy / memory Be shrived within the /
chambers of my heart! Thy vir / tuous worth was only known to me
/ And I can feel how sad it is to part
4. A. R. M.
5. Olevia J. / Kellam / Oct. 13, 1847 / Aug. 6, 1903
6. J. A. K.
7. Ann E.(?) Kellam / Died / May 7, 1885 / Aged 63 yrs 11 mos
27 days
8. O. J. K.
9. Jonathan A. Kellam / Died / April 9, 1881 / Aged 25 yrs 5 mos
7 days
10. A. E. K.
11. Michael P. Kellam / Died / Jan’y 22, 1881 / Aged 62 yrs 10
mos 10 days
12. M. P. K.
13. Margaret E. / Kellam / Born Feb. 15, 1857 / Died Feb. 2,
1858

---------------------------------

Area B -- two standing headstones, within several feet of each other
and a short distance from Area A stones:

----- -----
14 15
----- -----

14. Our Darling / Lola Fisher / Dec. 8, 1930 / Aug. 7, 1931 /
Asleep in Jesus
15. In Memory of / John T. Fisher / Born Sept. 16, 1868 / Died
Feb. 3, 1936

----------------------------------

Area C - one stone, a good distance from the standing stones, laying
flat on the ground and broken into several pieces - because of the
breaks in the stone, it was difficult to make out all of the words on
the stones - where I am unsure of the correct reading of a word, I have
followed the transcribed word with (?).
-----
16
-----

16. James R. Herrick / Born / Sep. 7, 1826 / Died / Dec.
26(?), 1891 / This(?) granite(?) marks the resting place / of a
friend, parent and husband more dear(?) / ____ cannot shroud his
face / From memories tender and sincere

-----------------------------------

Area D - two stones, both laying flat on the ground, stone #17 is
intact & very legible, stone #18 is slightly broken and mostly
illegible - these two stones are some distance away from all the other
stones

-----
17
-----
-----
18
-----

17. Caleb R. Fisher / Co F 41 VA Inf / Confederate States Army
/ 1833 1905
[My Note: This stone has a Christian cross inside a circle inscribed
above the name]
18. This stone is too worn to be legible except in fragments. It
does, however, appear to be a different type of lettering than any
of the other stones. From what I could see of the lettering it
appeared to me to have been hand lettered by a non-professional
hand.

-------------------------------

Overall layout of the cemetery:

Area A Area B

Area C

Area D

-----------------------------

File submitted by JoAnn Seifert - email address: Rseif34270@aol.com
OR seif1234@exis.net

USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free
information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial
entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material AND
permission is obtained from the CONTRIBUTOR of the file. These
electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other
presentation.

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-10 20:06:25Z

Judy,

The only information I have on the location of the property for James Heath, are the locations they have on the headright. It means nothing to me because I don't understand it.

Not knowing where my Heath's are buried, has started me on a campaigne to 'Save Our Cemeteries'. I listed a form on Rootsweb, for reporting new endangered cemeteries. Unfortunately, living in California, my hands are tied. But I intend to write to everyone I think might be able to help save these treasures of our history.

It seems like there may be hope according to an article the 8th of Feb. in the Times, Hendersonville?

Jolene

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-10 05:10:06Z

jojo.not@verizon.net

I got ahead of myself.

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-10 05:09:08Z

Hi Judy,

James Heath,d 1702, Ann Heath, d in 1723 James Heath Jr, d in 1728....their wills were all in Princess Anne Co. So was Mary Foster Heath, d in 1728.

I haven't even found the will yet for Robert Heath #1 d bef 1740, Robert Heath #2 d in 1762, Robert Heath #3 d in 1795, the last two died in Currituck Co.

Thank you for asking.......

It makes me ill when people haven't any consideration for graves, cemetery's, or anything old and/or having to do with history.

Jolene

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-09 18:05:12Z

Hi Judy,

My Ancestor's came from Princess Anne Co., VA...Currituck Co., NC, right on or near the border. I don't know where any of my Ancestor's are buried, so I'm all for saving the cemeteries. I live in California, so I can't physically be ther, but I could call people, or write to people. A cemetery shouldn't be on anybodie's property, unless the owners of the land are within that family.

Jolene

jojo.not@verizon.net

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-04-23 18:14:59Z

Hi,

Thomas, depending on the date of birth, would be Robert Heath's Brother. They have another Brother James, and a sister Elizabeth Heath Eiland. Their Father is James Heath and their Mother is Ann Unknown. Thomas is the eldest Son.

I haven't been able to locate very much information on Thomas. There are some land grants in Chowan Co., NC in 1713, and I have a few documents, but...because there are so many Thomas', James', Roberts' and Johns' in our family, it's a hassle. I know James settled in Craven Co., and Robert in Currituck Co.

My e-mail address is jojo.not@verizon.net

Jolene

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sabraham113 — 2007-04-23 17:47:14Z

I saw your message regarding James Heath. Ihave a James Heath with the same dates in my family. I also have a Thomas Heath. Can't tell if he was James' brother or a son.Our family comes from the Thomas side.My Heaths left what was known as Linhaven(Lynnhaven)in Virginia and migrated to Duplin County (Magnolia), NC. Any info?

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-04-06 16:39:01Z

Rebecca
If you have Capps ancestors you can be sure you will find some in Currituck and Princess Anne Co., unfortunately I wouldn't bet on gravesites any more.
I have Shelia Romm's email, she is the Clerk of Court for Currituck, and tried to be helpful when we got into the problem of accessing cemeteries. She is not going to just "Blow you Off" as she has an interest in genealogy and respect of Cemeteries also. If you would send her the Kentucky laws concerning the "No Hassle" section and your insight into this problem, I think this might help some, (maybe) her email is shelia.romm@nccourts.org.
I think at the beginning of this particular email post "Save our Cemeteries" I included the email of Carolyn Justus and Tim Spear both on the Cemetery Committee to change and protect the laws governing our "Private or Family" Cemeteries. Like I told Jolene I am not finding where they are coming up with rules or laws for our Private, Family Cemeteries but again only dealing with Public Cemeteries. Ben and I have yet to find a "Public" Cemetery endangered!!! They are too large for anyone to destroy without detection, while "Private, Family" cemeteries are smaller and can be destroyed easily without detection, and this is what Justus and Spear can't seem to understand.
I too think they need to realize the Historical value of these Cemeteries even though their meaning of Historical only applies if there are Presidents or Senators etc buried there. The information on these tombstones is all that is left, if there aren't birth records, death records, Wills or Deeds on the deceased then their tombstone is their only LEGACY to their existence. How sad that their existence isn't important enough to preserve!
Anything you can do Rebecca would be greatly appreciated.

Judy Merrell Brickhouse

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-04-06 16:19:48Z

Jolene
Currituck does not have this organization, I wish that they did, or at least any group that cared about the Cemeteries. You know I find it funny that when I looked into the by-laws (if you will) of the preservation of cemeteries it list "HISTORICAL CEMETERIES" and that is with Presidents, Senators etc. now to me any tombstone 50 years old or better IS HISTORICAL!!!! but I have written to Carolyn Justus about it and have not received a reply. I did tell her that if causes weren't vote getters then no one in Raleigh was interested. The rules and by-laws are still mostly involving "PUBLIC" and is doing nothing to protect the so called Private or Family cemeteries. You have to read between the lines when reading their admendments but this is how I see it.
Anyway Ben and I and others like you will just keep batting our heads against the wall, but being a Bull Dog Ben and I will not give up running our mouth to try and do what we can.

Judy

Re: Save our Cemeteries

DorothyHocutt — 2007-03-21 11:20:48Z

Judy,
If you could send me an article about what is going on about the cemeteries in Currituck County and surronding areas, I will put it in the Albemarle Genealogical society's newsletter. You can e-mail me at waterlily@peoplepc.com

Dorothy Hocutt

Re: Save our Cemeteries

reba219 — 2007-03-16 23:52:35Z

Hi,

I have just started researching Currituck for my Capps ancestors. I too would like to help you in your quest. I am sure that I have ancestors buried in Currituck somewhere and would like to be able to visit them when I locate where my ancestors are buried, without a hassle. Perhaps we could get the officials to take a look at the Kentucky laws regarding cemeteries (private and public). They are trying to eliminate the problem you ran into- and the problem of neglected cemeteries. They even have a program where if you can prove that a veteran of either the revolutionary war, or the war between the states- you can submit that cemetery to be renovated and kept up by the government.

Rebecca

Re: Save our Cemeteries

lanewalker4 — 2007-02-23 03:22:58Z

Another note about the plight of our cemeteries in Currituck and other counties: I have written a letter to Governor Easley, and the legislators Spear and Justus. Here's hoping all who read the letters on this site do the same.

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-18 17:41:31Z

Jolene, Thanks for all the letters you have written, "You are alot like Ben and I, you don't give up easily"
I would like to translate some of the responses you got....
(1)Register of Deeds (Charlene Dowdy)Itis true there is a cemetery book done for Currituck County, this was started in 1969 by Mrs. Walker and at her Death the genealogical society took it over and transcribed her findings and supposedly revisited the gravesites and verified her transcribtions. My view on a book of transcriptions... it is better than nothing but transcriptions are subject to error by the transcriptionist, plus a "Book" of transcription isn't like a photograph, which is "VISIBLE PROOF" (Documentation if you will)that this grave, and tombstone was in existence at year and date of photograph, you look at the photo and transcribe it for yourself, no question as to errors of transcription!! Ben and I started our photographing because of such errors in "This Book" some tombstones said there were no dates, when in fact if you dug the earth away from the tombstone, you would find the tombstone had settled into the earth and the dates were below ground (error on part of transcriptionist). The "Book" only deals with what the EYE can see...If there is 2 tombstones standing that is all they think is there, when in fact there might be more tombstones buried just beneath ground, Ben and I have probed and found tombstones that were not listed in the "Book" simply because they were not "VISIBLE" to the eye. Verifing cemeteries is alot like archeology you have to dig for what you DON'T SEE !!!! We have gone in the woods and found a cemetery that was in the "Book" and further into the woods more tombstones that were not listed in the "Book" and were within sight of the first cemetery (another error) We have gone into a clump of trees and brush that was in the middle of a field looking for tombstones, we had to get down on our hands and knees(in the briars)and crawl to get to the tombstones. It was so thick we couldn't stand up to probe, RESULT...we found a tombstone that was not in the "Book"! This has happened on more than one occassion, so while Ben and I find the "Book" a good referrence for some of the cemeteries, it in itself IS NOT what I would call DOCUMENTATION of cemeteries in Currituck County. In the 1980's all North Carolina counties were suppose to survey all cemeteries in their county and in Currituck this was NOT done, and the "Book" is being called the "Cemetery Survey" of sorts, not what was originally intended by the State.
(2) As far as what was written by Debra Blake....if you read the new "wordage" of the regulations that they are trying to change.....they are still concerned with "Public" Cemeteries (which is what I see as a maintained mass community Cemetery)I don't know about other Counties but Currituck County doesn't have a problem with "Public" Cemeteries being abandoned. The word all state officials RUN from is "PRIVATE" Cemeteries, these are the ones on private property that the landowners can give us grief over. These are the ones that are being destroyed in order to "Beautify owners landscapes" PRIVATE cemeteries are what are in jeopardy disappearing forever!!! Why won't State Officials speak on the word "PRIVATE abandoned Cemeteries" but if you pay attention they will run a mile to ignore this word and impose the word "Public".
From what I can read of the new wordage that the House of Representatives have enacted and introduced for passing is of little help to Saving the Private, aka Family Cemeteries.
You may, while you are on a roll, email, write etc. the County Commissioners of Currituck County especially Owen Etheridge, and also the Clerk of Court Shelia Romm. The County Commissioners may or may not be able to give us blanket permission as a special interest of the County, in that we are documenting through photograph (Visible proof)the remaining "PRIVATE, aka FAMILY" Cemeteries. Also what they plan on doing if and when the House appropriates monies for the upkeep and preservation of abandoned and negelected cemeteries, and are these only going to be neglected cemeteries visible to the public eye, or also include those that are so overgrown that a landowner can bull doze it up claiming that he wasn't aware the cemetery was there.
I have plans of contacting Owen Etheridge and others of the County Commissioners and also the County Prosecutors office, to see what their take is on our Private Cemeteries and Blanket Permission.
Thanks Jolene, it appears that not many are interested in this venture, as I have received scant support via this board, so yours is refreshing in that Ben and I don't feel so alone.
Thanks
Judy Merrell Brickhouse

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-10 21:02:32Z

Jolene, Carolyn Justus and Tim Spear are unusual Politicians in that they "truly" believe in this cause. Tim Spear is a retired Clerk of Court and if you noticed he has listed his home address and phone number which means he is more than willing to listen. Herein lyes the problem, YES they are dedicated to the protection and the rules and regulations of our endangered cemeteries. YES they are trying to change the gray area of the wording of such laws YES they have implemented changes, but for now it is still in the Legislature and nothing has been passed and no law enacted.HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE to enact a law? How do you get the message to the County Officials? How willing are the County Officials going to be to prosecute offenders? Just what Ben and I get told.."Did you actually see him destroy the tombstone?" This was on the Bell Cemetery (Shawboro 004)that with obvious plow marks in the tombstones we dug up that had been broken into several pieces and this was the remarks we were met with when we approached authorities for prosecution. The Bell Cemetery look at the photos 2004, then look at the 2006 photo of cemetery before we began unearthing what had been destroyed and plowed under, then look at photo after what we managed to unearth. 2 of the tombstones we unearthed (one the wrought iron one at bottom of after photo) and the one of Charlott Ferebee the Cemetery book didn't know was there and didn't even have in the book.
So Yes Justus and Spear are making progress but if someone doesn't allow us some kind of Special Permission in Currituck (because of its valuable property and mass enflux of ignorant people)by the time all this becomes a law, Currituck will not have many PRIVATE cemeteries to record. This is the very reason Ben and I got started doing this 2 years ago. Since the Cemetery Book was published Ben and I on a conservative estimate believe that 25 to 30% of the cemeteries in the book no longer exist and that is just the ones that he and I know of where we grew up in Poplar Branch,Aydlett, Coinjock, Grandy area.
To get back to your Heath's unfortunately you probably will not find their tombstones (not in Currituck) Ben and I have found only a few dating back that far. I was hoping that maybe we would run across them for you, but have my doubts considering the age of them.

It certainly isn't going to hurt to write to Congressman, Senators, and House of Representatives of North Carolina and we learned from the Willis Gallop campaign if you have enough mass behind you, they will take notice of you and your concerns. Please do try to get Ben Bateman and I this special permission. We of course will keep doing what we do, but we can't fight each individual landowner, it is just to time consuming, plus bars don't seem attrative to us at our age.

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-10 20:38:58Z

Here is the old law I found in the Higher-Court records from 1707. I would be willing to bet you it is still on the Books, but this tells you why "private" or "family" cemeteries was created in the first place.
I failed to mention and Ben reminded me that on a good day of photographing tombstones we have done as high as 400 tombstones and during the two days that we dealt with the police, irate land owner, Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds to do the Josiah Perry tombstone and others, in those 2 days we photographed "6" tombstones. We only got to the one that caused us so much grief, so you can see why we can't deal with Clerk of Court Orders and looking up of deeds for every irate landowner we run up with.
Don't let Governor Easley shoot you a line of Bull, HE is the ONLY one who has the Power to extend Ben and I (jointly) "BLANKET PERMISSION" to access all properties for the purpose of photographing and documenting the cemeteries and their tombstones in Currituck County.

Here is the Law!
July 30th 1707 - Thomas SNODEN Esqr. Her Majesties Attorney Generall and prosecutor for (illegible) Desires this Cort to understand and be informed that whereas in and by an Act of Assembly Entituled private Burialls prohibited as is Enacted on these Words videlicet Whereas the private Burialls of Servants and other persons may give (illegible) of Much Scandall (torn) of being guilty of their Deaths from which of the persons be in Recent which are Suspected there (illegible) and if guilty noe punishment by reason they are the most part Buried without the Knowledge or venire of any other than Such of the Family as by (illegible) of Relation husband Wife or Child are (illegible) or Servants are Fearfull to make Discovery if Murder were committed for prevention whereof as alsoe for takeing away of that barbarous custom of Burying the Bodys of the Dead in Comon and Unfenced places to the prey of Hoggs or other Vermine Be it Enacted by the palatine and Lords proprietors by and with the advice of this present Grand Assembly and the Authority thereof and its hereby Enacted that there be in Every plantation a place Sett (torn) for burral of Such as Dye upon the plantation and before the Corps be buried there be att least Three or four of the Neighbourhood called who may in Case of Suspicion view the Corps and have Suspicon yet according to the Decent Custom of (illegible) they may accompany the Corps to the Grave (NOTE: This case is about the burial of an orphan boy named John Deal who was buried against the above parameters set by the Act of Assembly and not a Currituck Case. This was copied as a point of insight into our so called “family cemeteries”.)
Judy Merrell Brickhouse

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-10 19:58:28Z

Jean, The addresses for Carolyn Justus and Tim Spear, as well as Michael Easley as listed if not on this query board then on the Currituck Board. It would be a note of interest to remind Justus and Spear that they want these cemeteries documented on a County level and by allowing Ben and I Blanket permission to access all properties for the soul purpose of just that Documenting existing cemeteries in Currituck County. By Documenting I don't just mean saying this cemetery is there at such and such GPS locations but also how many tombstones we can find (even if we have to dig them up which like I said is only a matter of 4 to 6 inches below ground)Documentation should also entail the information on the tombstones, which the photos will produce and will last beyond the destruction of "PROGRESS???!!!!"
I personally agree with Jolene, no landowner should be able to "OWN" a cemetery or the perimeters of land it is on. All "PRIVATE" or "FAMILY" cemeteries should be EXCLUDED off of all property deeds, this would alleviate the destruction to some degree.
I found in a Book of Higher-Court Records the actual recording of the law that started "Private" or "Family" Cemeteries and I will locate it and post it shortly.
So yes Jean please do send your letters, and YELL as loud as you can. Any help would be great
Judy

Re: Save our Cemeteries

ThreeGuards — 2007-02-10 17:29:20Z

When the controversay arose over the moving of Willis and Mary Gallop graves, I wrote to the Governor's office and other local Currituck Co. officials. My response from the Governor's office was polite but indicated that he did not have any influence over a local matter.

I, too, do not live in NC but would be happy to write a letter to someone of influence. Please post the name/office and address of officials who can take action on this matter and I feel sure you will get a great deal of response from those of us who have ancestors buried in Currituck Co.

Jean

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-10 16:47:14Z

INDIAN artifacts and burial sites you have a better chance or delaying and or preserving untill archeologists can evaluate them. We have one in Currituck that is on land slated for development, back in the 70's my Brother found a skull along the waters edge, the result of him reporting it to various authorities was the landowner had the property listed on the National Historical Landmarks. Now that landowner has passed away and within days the heirs sold the property and now the developer who bought it is on hold from developing until futher evaluation can be done. It is not always a saving grace to have an Archeology Dig done because like this site, they run out of funding, most of the time, before the entire area can be evaluated. What is a shame about this site, aka "The Baum Site" is the archeologist did run out of funding and they realize from what little they did find that there is artifacts before the Indians civilization it goes back hundreds and hundreds of years, but the developer will be able to develop this portion of land because it isn't on the Historical Places register. That is why if the novice archeologist or anyone else just happening to find a "bone" whether you think it could be animal or not, or any other artifacts, but the bones will get you immediate attention, should call your local Law Enforcement, they in turn will have the bone evaluated as to whether it is human or not, and if we are lucky enough for it to be Indian or very very old, all development or building is put on hold and the Archeologists are brought in to do a dig and find out what is in the area. PLEASE do not take the bones or skulls home call Law Enforcement!!! We know of a novice walking on the Baum Site that found a skull recently and he took it home, and if he had followed procedure and archeology dig would have been arranged, as it sits now, he won't admit to it and we are just waiting for the money of the Developer to get past the barriers that some in the Community are putting in front of him.
Think before you remove what you think is NOTHING.
Judy M. Brickhouse

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-10 04:03:24Z

Jolene, who are your ancestors? Ben and I have done a few cemeteries along the border, but concetrate on ones we feel are endangered by development for now. There was a Morris Cemetery that a farmer has TOTALLY destroyed in 4 months since I was last in Moyock (which is on the border of Virginia via Princess Anne). There were 4 or 5 perfect tombstones there with daffodills covering the whole cemetery and he has totally plowed everything under. I used to deliver the mail through there for 10 years so I KNOW what good shape they were in and have been by there and when I went back about 5 months ago I was SHOCKED....Nothing but a bean field, if you didn't know you would never guess there once was a cemetery.
I was just curious about your ancestors and Ben and I will keep an eye out for them when we go out again.
Judy

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-10 03:47:09Z

Everyone, The problem has not been handled, I suppose we will continue to have to deal with it on a one on one situation, and the Clerk of Court has assured us that she will issue us an order to go on any property to take photos. We are not always there just to take photos if we have reason to believe that other tombstones might be there we have a long probe (long metal pole) that we always punch into the ground looking for tombstones that has broken off and buried into the earth or in some cases a whole cemetery that the tombstones were physically broken off and laid down to make mowing the grass easier, and Ben and I dug up all of those tombstones (luckily for us there was no one living on the property to give us grief). Keep in mind while the Clerk of Court is understanding and believes in what we are doing, we first have to be run off of a property by the landowner, then we have to go to the Clerks Office, she in turn goes to the site (cemetery)and decides that what we are doing is not harming the property and then issues an order for us to go on the property against the owners wishes....We are wasting a lot of time running up and down the road back and forth to the Court House when we could be photographing 2 or 3 Cemeteries. It just isn't time efficent for us when Ben comes all the way from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and only has a day or two in which to photo as many as possible while he is here. It is so Sad but True but Currituck County has become such a highly valued Real Estate area and a bunch of pardon the expression IGNORAMUSES are moving in that #1 have no family members buried in these cemeteries #2 have no understanding of the historical information obtained from the tombstones #3 have no MORALS and have never been taught to RESPECT the Final Resting Ground of the Deceased #4 Just Plain Don't Give a Rats A-- about anything or anyone but themselves and the appearance of THEIR surrounding property.
As far as I am concerned anyone that would destroy a cemetery and its tombstones should never be allowed a final resting place to be interred in and should just be chopped up and fed to the Wild Animals!!!!! Cause that is just what they are a BUNCH OF HEATHENS!!!! To me they have no claim to be laid to rest OR any last wishes on their behalf to be kept
The Lady that called the Police on us and caused so much commotion told us Point Blank that she wished the Cemetery would just DISAPPEAR!!!! Ben and I know of several Large Cemeteries that have done just that since we have grown up, people have moved in and actually destroyed and demolished a whole cemetery. I know what you are going to say...BUT-- by law you have to see them doing this and PROVE that THEY actually destroyed the tombstones and then what is going to happen to the offender, even though there are suppose to be "Strict Regulations and Laws" forbidding this.....nothing!!! The State Representatives has a committee suppossedly trying to change the gray areas of the Laws and Regulations governing the destruction of Cemeteries but in the last year that I have been in touch, nothing that I have been made aware of has been done except just TALK, which is par for the course in our government and by the time they get around to actually doing something are we going to have any "PRIVATE" cemeteries left? This is the big thing, you don't have to worry about a PUBLIC Cemetery someone will definitely protect them and the Laws will be most definitely enforced but supposedly no one wants to jump on the band wagon for the "PRIVATE" or as we call them "Family" Cemeteries, no one (in authority or government) will admit that they have power concerning OR governing "Private" but are quick to tell you that they do have power over "Public", do any of you see any "Public" Cemeteries disappearing? When Ben and I were rallying for support to save the Willis Gallop grave site, we called Marc Basnight's office, and while his office got us attention in places we needed (we assume) they too were quick to tell us that their office had no power over PRIVATE cemeteries ONLY "Public",
Go to www.rootsweb.com/~ncccc/cemeteries Go to Shawboro 004 then click on Cemetery Information...you will see a 2004 photo then (2) 2006 photo's and if you saw the newspaper article that was done on Ben and I doing the cemeteries you will see another photo of this same "Private" Cemetery done 4 months later and in 4 months time how much the farmer has destroyed since we photographed it in April. This is why Ben and I are trying so hard to get these cemeteries photographed not for our own gratification but to document their existence before they become extinct. We approached the County Level trying to get them to give us Blanket Permission to photo and dig if necessary for any buried tombstones, and when I say dig I only mean usually about 4 to 6 inches below ground (trust me Ben and I are not into physical labor), this was not granted, just with what I previously said about the willingness of the Clerk of Court to help. I called Governor Easley's Office and have not received a reply, but of course I was only ONE at the time. I have been in touch with House Representative Carolyn Justus and Tim Spear who are both on the Committee to change the wording of the Laws and Regulations and I will include both their addresses and Tim Spear's phone number.
What would be realy nice is to bombard Justus, Spear, and Governor Michael Easley with request to give Ben and I blanket permission to go on any property to take photos and or dig up tombstones in Currituck County. It is no different than sending a Census Taker door to door, we are only gathering information that soon will no longer exist.
Here are the addresses
Carolyn Justus
1023 Legislative Building
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
Phone: 919-733-5956

Tim Spear
Home Address: 612 Mt. Tabor Rd
Creswell, NC 27928
Home Phone: 252-797-4481
Office Phone 919-715-3029
Office Address
403 Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Govenor Michael Easley
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301

Fax.919-715-3175

Phone: 919-733-4240, 919-733-5811

I believe ONLY Governor Easley can give this kind of Blanket permission, and when they tell you that they are working on changing the Laws let them know WE DON'T HAVE TIME on our side.

Thanks Everyone for your help, I feel like I finally have someone on our side.
Judy

Re: Save our Cemeteries

lanewalker4 — 2007-02-09 18:53:31Z

Thanks for the reply. I will alert others I correspond with concerning Currituck Co. Maybe we can get some others interested. Perhaps many are not reading the message boards but once notified of the problem would want to help.
Glenda

Re: Save our Cemeteries

jojonot — 2007-02-09 18:06:12Z

Re: Save our Cemeteries

sesdvs — 2007-02-09 17:19:09Z

Glenda, I appreciate your interest in helping us, believe it or not you are the ONLY one who has offered to help us!! We had a real hum dinger of a mess with one supposeded landowner of a cemetery we went to at the REQUEST of someone else!! We had an altercation with the woman on the first day we arrived at the cemetery, and just on a hunch Ben and I went to the Courthouse and dug through the deeds to find the cemetery had been EXCLUDED off the property (which meant the cemetery was NOT on the woman's property) and Ben and I unknowingly had went on the wrong driveway and were not on her property to begin with but on her neighbors. Anyway we went back the second day knowing we were in the right, (we had already dug up one tombstone) before all HECK broke loose, the woman's husband arrived on scene and called the police (which we had alerted the police, and the Clerk of Court that am that we expected further problems from this landowner)We didn't have 1 police officer We had "6" cars of Police to show up, "2" sets of neighbors (with their deeds in hand)all arguing with this landowner that they had nothing to do with this cemetery. Ben and I both believe that there are other tombstones there underground about 6", but we were asked to await the decesion of the Magistrate, because this property owner and his Wife were so unreasonable and refused to accept that this property was not on their deed.
LONG STORY SHORT...The man's whose driveway we were on and who takes care of the cemetery told us we could come on his property ANY TIME and he would love for us to find the other tombstones BUT....the magistrate wants the other Property Owners off his back and would rather we not go back without an order from the Clerk of Court (which we do not have time to get orders from the Clerk for every cemetery we might run into trouble on). Ben and I thought if we approached the Govenor of North Carolina and asked for BLANKET permission to photograph and if necessary dig up the buried tombstones we could aleviate any futher ordeals of this magnitude. Unfortunately as I said before YOU are the only one to reply to our out reach of support.
Ben and I will continue to do our thing untill we run into another problem and decide at that point if what we are doing is worth all the grief.
Thanks again Glenda

Re: Save our Cemeteries

lanewalker4 — 2007-02-08 02:38:31Z

Judy, I am late reading the notes here, so I am wondering what is happening now. Would it still help if I wrote as per your request, or has permission already been granted? Garland and I were down last week to search for some graves and the old Currituck cemetery book was a great help. Luckily some locals answered questions and pointed out the graveyards, many now hidden from view by new development. We had to enter private property for two grave sites and the owners were helpful and gracious, even asking us to come back. I was really surprised as I had expected grudging approval at best. We would like to send letters if they are still needed.

Glenda and Garland Walker Newport News, VA.

Save our Cemeteries

2006-11-02 00:58:05Z