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Volunteers give local cemeteries some TLC
Published Thursday, November 19, 2009
The resting place of Chilton County’s first sheriff is getting some much needed attention this weekend.
Williams Goodgame Cemetery, located in Jumbo, contains the grave of Thomas H. Williams (1837-1904). Williams was commissioned as sheriff of Baker County (later named Chilton) in 1869 and was also a 2nd lieutenant in the Civil War.
Unfortunately, vandals have destroyed the headstones of Williams and all others buried in the historic cemetery. Now, the Chilton Cemetery Association is enlisting volunteers to clean up the site.
“We know everyone who’s buried in the cemetery,” said Kat Reece, member of CCA. “There’s an obelisk that was not destroyed that had the names of all Williams family members buried in the cemetery except for one.”
The headstones were broken up into mostly fist-size pieces and scattered about the grounds. Fortunately, many of the graves had flat ledger stones marking the original burial sites. One that didn’t have a permanent stone, the grave of Joseph Ellison, was located again by descendant Dennie Ellison.
Volunteers have been asked to bring tools Saturday to help clear brush, pour new slabs and clean stones. Others are needed to man “jigsaw puzzle” tables to reassemble the broken headstones.
“We’re hoping that people raking will find more pieces of headstones,” Reece said. “Those who cannot do strenuous work can help put them together.”
The group will attempt to mortar some of the original headstones to the flat ledger stones. New slabs will be poured for the graves of Joseph Ellison, as well as two children’s graves.
Reece said the clearing of brush may help prevent future vandalism by making the cemetery more visible from County Road 61.
“Vandals can go up in the cemetery and be fairly hidden from the road,” she said.
A new headstone from the Veterans Department has already been placed for Sheriff Williams. Others will be placed in the future. A $50 donation will buy one new stone, Reece said.
For more information or directions, contact Reece at (205) 294-2197 or visit www.chiltoncemeteries.org.
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Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For a map to the cemetery and more information please go here:
http://www.chiltoncemeteries.org/modules...
All volunteers will have lunch, snacks, and drinks provided at no charge. Please bring your own chair as well as tools.
Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Due to the rain supposed to come through the area tomorrow this event has been canceled and we'll reschedule. Rain and concrete don't mix well.
Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on November 22, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm really disappointed that we had to call this one off. There's a lot involved in getting these things organized, and this one was especially problematic. Plus, every time I have to reschedule a workday we lose interest from some of volunteers.
I've been wanting to get into Williams Goodgame and do something for a long time. For some reason there's repeat vandalism at this cemetery, years ago someone actually dug the deceased up.
We have 13 of 14 graves in this cemetery whose headstones were destroyed, we have already purchased 8 replacement stones. If anyone wants to donate for a headstone only a $50 donation will buy one (I made a deal with a monument company). If anyone can donate please send it to the Chilton Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 2523, Clanton 35046
I wonder if KW will let me borrow some of those swatters if I ever find out who is busting up headstones.....
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