On January 24, 2009, several members met at Vitt-Burckhardt Cemetery to tidy up and replace a large stone back on its base. The weather was cold and brisk, but the mission was accomplished.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Vitt-Burckhardt Cemetery Revisited
On January 24, 2009, several members met at Vitt-Burckhardt Cemetery to tidy up and replace a large stone back on its base. The weather was cold and brisk, but the mission was accomplished.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
The Franklin County, Missouri Cemetery Society will not meet in December 2008. Please enjoy the Holidays and plan to join us at our next meeting, Tuesday, January 27, 2009. We have had a very successful year and sincerely appreciate each and everyone who has given of their time and assistance to improve a number of cemeteries.
We continue to make the public more aware of the existence of the many small country cemeteries. It is hoped they will be protected and preserved for future generations.
We continue to make the public more aware of the existence of the many small country cemeteries. It is hoped they will be protected and preserved for future generations.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
FINNEY CEMETERY - CLEANUP - REPAIRS
The Finney Cemetery was revisited on Saturday, September 27, 2008. Accomplishments were removal of small brush and weed eating, clearing of the roadway area in front of the cemetery, repairing sections of the old fence and resetting several of the old rock markers that had sunken into the ground.
The large Finney tombstone was reset upon its base on Sunday and two other stones straightened.
One more work day is to be scheduled later in the Fall.
The large Finney tombstone was reset upon its base on Sunday and two other stones straightened.
One more work day is to be scheduled later in the Fall.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Bryan Cemetery Needs Work; Original Resting Place of Daniel Boone
A meeting was held recently at the Washington Historical Society to discuss the replacement of the destroyed Boone Monument plaque by the Missouri State Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In a nutshell, the D.A.R. will replace the plaque and perhaps do some repairs on the red granite base.
At the same meeting, discussion arose regarding the condition of the cemetery itself. A few people remained after the D.A.R. meeting and discussed using the monument’s vandalism to our advantage to begin an earnest fund raising campaign to restore the entire cemetery to a more pleasing appearance. Also, the graves of Flanders and Jemima (Boone) Callaway have never been marked; an oversight that should be rectified. According to recorded deeds of the “Bryan Farm” the cemetery contains one acre (of which about 1/3 is currently fenced) and that acre has been exempted from the surrounding property since at least 1860. In other words, the cemetery is a stand-alone ‘entity’, as required by state law.
The difficult part of this project is everyone wants to do it but no one wants to initiate the process. Then, we all end up doing nothing! This is a unique opportunity. No one would argue that the site is one of historical significance. A lot of recent attention has been given the site due to the theft of the plaque. Let’s strike while the iron is hot.
A meeting has been set for September 11 at 7:00 p.m., location to be determined. See this site for additional details or call the Washington Historical Society at 636-239-0280.
At the same meeting, discussion arose regarding the condition of the cemetery itself. A few people remained after the D.A.R. meeting and discussed using the monument’s vandalism to our advantage to begin an earnest fund raising campaign to restore the entire cemetery to a more pleasing appearance. Also, the graves of Flanders and Jemima (Boone) Callaway have never been marked; an oversight that should be rectified. According to recorded deeds of the “Bryan Farm” the cemetery contains one acre (of which about 1/3 is currently fenced) and that acre has been exempted from the surrounding property since at least 1860. In other words, the cemetery is a stand-alone ‘entity’, as required by state law.
The difficult part of this project is everyone wants to do it but no one wants to initiate the process. Then, we all end up doing nothing! This is a unique opportunity. No one would argue that the site is one of historical significance. A lot of recent attention has been given the site due to the theft of the plaque. Let’s strike while the iron is hot.
A meeting has been set for September 11 at 7:00 p.m., location to be determined. See this site for additional details or call the Washington Historical Society at 636-239-0280.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
GRISWOLD CEMETERY REPAIRS
On Thursday, June 5, 2008 the society met at the Griswold Cemetery at Marthasville, Warren County. The group chose to tackle the Griswold Cemetery even though it’s not in Franklin County. Several of the group’s members had worked at Griswold a number of years ago and had intended to go back and finish it, but that hadn’t happened.
About twelve volunteers, including the Marthasville Police Chief, showed up to help. Nine tombstones were firmly re-set in their bases and several more stones were leveled out. In the Wilkinson family plot, the bases for Samuel and Martha Wilkinson’s stones were uncovered after the area was thoroughly weed-eated. The police chief offered to try and find a less than average citizen who needs to do some community service work and who may be able to reinstall some of the brick wall that originally surrounded the two Wilkinson graves. Samuel Wilkinson’s stone was re-set and the stone of Martha, which is beyond repair, was neatly stacked as best we could on her grave. The gravestone of William Shaw Hughes, which had been repaired by volunteers a number of years ago, had fallen and broken again. Repair work was done to this stone and will be finished on the next visit. Some hand-cleaning of four tombstones was accomplished as well.
The Griswold Cemetery will be revisited on Thursday, June 12 with work beginning at 4:30 p.m.
About twelve volunteers, including the Marthasville Police Chief, showed up to help. Nine tombstones were firmly re-set in their bases and several more stones were leveled out. In the Wilkinson family plot, the bases for Samuel and Martha Wilkinson’s stones were uncovered after the area was thoroughly weed-eated. The police chief offered to try and find a less than average citizen who needs to do some community service work and who may be able to reinstall some of the brick wall that originally surrounded the two Wilkinson graves. Samuel Wilkinson’s stone was re-set and the stone of Martha, which is beyond repair, was neatly stacked as best we could on her grave. The gravestone of William Shaw Hughes, which had been repaired by volunteers a number of years ago, had fallen and broken again. Repair work was done to this stone and will be finished on the next visit. Some hand-cleaning of four tombstones was accomplished as well.
The Griswold Cemetery will be revisited on Thursday, June 12 with work beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Monday, April 14, 2008
MT. CARMEL REVISITED
Our hardiest members showed up to begin a probe of Mt. Carmel Cemetery to locate other stones that may lie beneath the surface. The weather was extremely cold and strong winds prevailed. Three rock markers were found about four feet apart in perfect line with the graves in the row. All were near the area where Sarah Kellison's multi-piece stone was found under the soil last fall.
A burial spot thought to be that of Henry Kelso who died in St. Louis in 1939 was also found. It was between the graves of Martha Kelso and her son Stephen Kelso.
A burial spot thought to be that of Henry Kelso who died in St. Louis in 1939 was also found. It was between the graves of Martha Kelso and her son Stephen Kelso.
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