The Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) recently added Hardeman Cemetery in Clanton and Ousley-Boggs Cemetery in Pletcher to the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register.

“The cemetery register is a prestigious listing of historic cemeteries in Alabama,” said Lee Anne Wofford, cemetery program coordinator. “The AHC considers the notable historic cemeteries in this register to be particularly worthy of preservation and appreciation, and therefore deserving of this special recognition.”

There are now 17 cemeteries in Chilton County listed in the register, which features 217 cemeteries statewide.

Hardeman Cemetery holds the burials, in unmarked graves, of CSA veterans William Hardeman and Edward T. Rhodes. Those graves that are marked are members of settler families who came here as early as 1820 and represent some of Chilton County’s first European landowners. The earliest marked grave is that of Lucy Collins, who died in 1856.

Ousley-Boggs Cemetery, originally part of Autauga County, contains the earthly remains of descendants of Points Ousley who was born in Georgia in 1790. He and his wife, Martha “Patsy” Tingle, migrated to Alabama in about 1824. In 1863, Points Ousley died, and although his burial place is not recorded in the family Bible, the family has passed down that he and Martha are buried in this cemetery in two unmarked graves. The first marked burial is that of William A. Ousley, who died March 27, 1856. The last marked burial is that of L.S. Ousley, who passed away Jan. 4, 1894.

The Alabama Historical Commission administers the Alabama Historic Cemetery Program that gives aid to the general public, government officials, civic groups and others in identifying, documenting, registering and conserving Alabama’s historic cemeteries. The Alabama Historic Cemetery Register officially recognizes and honors family and community cemeteries that were established at least 40 years ago.

Listing in the state cemetery register is an honorary designation imposing no restrictions on property owners. State law protects all cemeteries from willful desecration and destruction.