Historical Researcher's Blog !

News_Richlands, N.C._June 7, 2009

Richlands, North Carolina Ruritan Club donates $100.00 to Jack Robinson, Director of Resurrection Mission, an organization that locates, documents and preserves once endangered cemeteries.




Pictured (L-R) Jack Robinson; Ted Stamey, President Richlands' Ruritan Club; Dolan Oakley, Liberty Cheverlet and life-long resident of Richlands and Mary Jane Heath, Life-time member of Ruritan.

The Grave yard of the first official Mayor of Richlands, North Carolina, L.W. Hargett, and his family was encrusted with briar brush, vines, fallen trees and multiple inches of debris and compost when first visited by Jack Robinson. He has since cleaned this family grave yard, as with his other once endangered cemeteries, with care and respect. Now the Hargett family will rest in peace in a clean and protected environment.

You can reach Ted Stamey & Mary Jane Heath at 1-910-324-7369. To ask Dolan Oakley, a strong advocate in community support, questions pertaining the his dealership, you can reach him at 1-910-324-3101.

To make a finacial donation to Resurrection Mission please click on this article's title; you will then be taken to the Resurrection Mission Website. Thank you.



Compare before and after by reviewing above image's back & foreground.

Just a short update as to why I will start an exciting new phase for Resurrection Mission.

Our goal, as established by Ssgt. Anthony Goodwin, U.S. Marine Corps KIA, is to locate endangered cemeteries, identify "forgotten" veterans, Slaves & Former Slaves and to ensure these Hallow Grounds will be protected from urban Sprawl.



Starting next week, due to two exciting discoveries, I will be on the threshold of identifying veteran graves who served during the American Revolutionary War. Two endangered cemeteries were recently rediscovered, by accident, by county officials who, in turn, contacted me. There are not-less-then two hundred pre-1860 era graves within these two cemeteries.




Many males within these grave yards were born prior to 1780--suggesting at least some, through detailed research, will be confirmed as veterans. These men will include early American militia.



Over the next weeks, months and year, I will post updates on these and other once endangered cemeteries that Resurrection Mission is stabilizing, maintaining and preserving.

I am currently doing 100% of labor, costs and research fees at my own cost. The goal outways the financial hardship. If anyone, however, do wishe to make a financial donation it will be welcomed, warmly, to ease the borden of expsense.

To date, fourteen cemeteries are now protected and being saved for our next generation.

The adventure continues...

Best wishes,

Jack

Jason Rice, a gifted local woodcrafter, has become the exclusive woodsman for Resurrection Mission. His talent in creating custom art will be used in making grave markers and other needed wood or stone items, for the numerous cemeteries within Resurrection Mission projects.



One of J&B Custom Woodscraft's grave markers within the "Mars Road" Cemetery. This gravyard was established ca.1870. This is a small Caucacian family cemetery with an estimated 140 graves--90% without headstones. Not less than five War Between the States veterans have now been confirmed buried with this graveyard. More veterans from all American Wars may be re-discovered through R/M detailed analysis of official records.

For more product information or, if you need a wooden grave maker produced, for a fee, please contact J&B Custom Woodcrafts and Laser Etching at - 1-910-938-4478. You can also visit his Weblog by clicking on the link above.

To learn more about Resurrection Mission or, to make a financial donation, click on the link within this article. Lectures pertaining to Resurrection Mission are available within the southeastern region of North Carolina.

When you click on either of the two "Facebook" icons you will be taken to updates pertaining to my cemetery preservation project in southeastern North Carolina and other issues.

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The quest to finding the solution to the contest dated January 18 2009, within this blog is now complete. Analysing the rusted and worn metal name plate numerous clues have evolved. It can now be said, hopefully, with the help and comments from viewers of this article, that the suggested answer to this puzzle is correct.



On 19 March 2009, I escorted Kathy West, noted southeastern multi-family genealogist, to numerous "endangered" cemeteries that I have been stabilizing.

Kathy West posing next to a headstone (ca.1840) within

the "Chevey" cemetery, located on the outskirts of Richlands, N.C.

(image copyrighted and courtesy of Kathy West--March 2009)

At the Marshburn family cemetery Kathy and I discussed the name plate of Jack, noted through family oral history, to be a slave of the family and buried in the rear of their family cemetery. This type of burial was not uncommon among favored slaves, to be entombed with the plantation family but, in back of the cemetery.

As Kathy and I carefully reviewed the inscription on the metal name plate attached to an old decayed wooden post, we notice the first line of lettering, "Franks_ _," gave way to the name "Frank." What we could not decipher was the meaning of the remaining three letters on the first line. Then, in a split second, after reading the entire wording on the metal plate over and over again, I realized the answer. Kathy soon agreed with me--with a smile of approval.

The conclusion wording on the old metal plate read, "In God We Trust JACK." Numerous people have attempted to solve the first line of the name plate but, failed. I now believe the reason for all of us not to come up with a solution was that we were thinking in modern terms of the final words on the name plate--In God We Trust--found on our modern currency.

I put my self into the "shoes" of an illiterate slave and re-read the entire inscription,
which reads:


A) FRANKS _ _ IN GOD WE TRUST JACK

B) Frank [i] s AT [,] IN GOD [,] WE TRUST [.] JACK

C) Frank is at, in God, we trust. [signed] Jack


This new interpretation of the grave maker adds to the mystery and puzzle. We now have two slaves. Frank, who was buried and Jack, who was illiterate and the author of the name plate.

Please take the time to visit the article on this site dated 18 January 2009, and see if you agree with my findings. I am eager to hear your valued opinions.

Kathy West is in search of numerous Caucasian and African American surnames of within southeastern North Carolina. You can contact her for additional information through this site.

Best wishes,

Jack
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
Researcher of local History (southeastern N.C., USA)

Hello to all,

I have come up against a brick wall on my most recent find in regards to my cemetery preservation project. I was taken last week to a remote part of our county where a developer located an old Caucacian cemetery on a new plot of land he had recently purchased. He wanted me to walk through and then determine the actual size of his cemetery.

While there he pointed out a wooden grave marker, leaning against an old pine tree and stated that it was believed the grave stake belonged to a Slave who was buried behind the cemetery. To date, to my knowledge, there has been no Slave graves confirmed within Onslow County. There are numerous "former slaves" graves who died after the War Between the States (WBS) but, none have been confirmed as being a slave grave (dying pre-WBS).


Here is my dilemma. The image below shows the slave's grave marker (Jack) leaning against the tree. You will notice that the top line of the metal plate has been whitened. This area has a word, or phrase, stensiled into the plate and I can not read the letters. The remaining words are visable, "in God we trust Jack."

I am offering a signed copy of my book, "Captain Otway Burns and His Ship Snap Dragon" to the person who can identify the top row of lettering on the Jack's grave marker metal plate (USA residents only). I hope the offer of my book will be an accentive to help with my cemetery preservation project.

I am now associated with a "Not-For-Profit" cemetery preservation organization homebased in Florida. If you know of anyone who would like to make a financial donation please give them this site's address. People can also make a monatary donation through PayPal (use jackrobinson@hotmail.com).

Bye for now,

Jack

With 2008 ending and the new tax season starting, check out my pre-1900 cemetery preservation projects to see if it warrents your finacial donations.

Click on the links below to find an easy way to help --Resurrection Mission--
You can also donate through PayPal by using --jackrobinson@hotmail.com--

Have a Happy New Year--




My latest stuff for sale on
Lejeune Yard Sales, that aids in obtaining financial assistance:

Taxes-local charity needs help
A good cause seek donations!
Capt. Otway Burns- War of 1812
Simbar: Fr. Slave; Wit. 2 WWII
Veterans' Memorial Stockings
Help a worth while charity!
Read for a charity cause !
Buy a book to help a charity!

See all my items for sale!

http://home.gibralter.net/~jackrobinson/

Labels: African American history, books, Carolina Now, cemetery, CNN, financial gifts, genealogy, Graves, tourism, vacation, veteran, war

Doing some paperwork before my book signings

Due to the fabulous and hard work of the staff members of the Onslow County Crafters' Guild the books signing and display pertaining to my current and long-term research project was a successful adventure.

Wall displaying showing examples of my current cemetery work

Linda Bergman-Althouse was beside me, selling her book, " Save them all, " an intriquing look at how people share a common concern in protecting our local natural resources which, includes our precious wildlife. Linda has a "Holiday Gift Basket" contest going on; why don't you drop her a line or two to see how you can enter.

Display by Linda Bergman-Althouse

Cindy Wozniak was selling some wonderful award winning photography during the Guild's craft fair too. Visit her site to view her intriquing photography.

My on-going research project is now being referred to as--Resurrection Mission--now associated with a "Not-For-Profit" organization home-based in Florida. Similar to my work, the International Association of Preservationists, inc (501-c) promotes, in an educational venue, the idea that older cemeteries need to be protected.

Individuals laid to rest, many forgotten veterans, community officials, or "former slaves," are being forgotten and not officially recognized for their sacrifices and contributions to their community and to our Nation.

The adventure continues...

Preserving Brick Mill Cemetery

Tall grass visible in image contain grass seeds

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I was using a gas-powered "weed-wacker" since there were no headstones within this sunken grave area where I allowed the grass to grow. I finished the eight feet by thirty feet of over grown area of the cemetery very quickly and found myself standing on a very pronounced flat area of ground.

Suddenly, I was almost knock down, off of my feet, and I practically dropped my weed-eater. An electricfing wave went through my entire body, simutaniously, from finger tips of one hand to the other and from head to toe.

To say the least, I was taken back by the experince. After I regained my composure, I looked to see if I had been bitten by a snake, an hazardous part of any cemetery work since, they are everywhere in the cemetery. There were none when I looked around. Then, to talk myself out of the un-natural sense I was feeling, I looked at the height of the remaining grass; less then ankle high and far from where I was standing. I also looked to see if I had walked into a spider web but, due to the low grass this possibility was very quickly ruled out.

I can not explain what occurred to me on that day. What is known is that my hair on my arms stood up and I was very nervous, for over twenty minutes. Since then, I have marked off the exact spot where I was standing. When I return to the Brick Mill Cemetery to continue my care and stabilization project, one of the first things I will be doing is attempt to see if there is a "forgotten" grave within that flat piece of ground.

On an average within this one cemetery sunken headstones have been re-discovered under nine to twelve inches of dirt.

There are not-less-than 900 individuals buried within the Brick Mill Cemetery which was established ca.1900, if not before. There are only one hundred and twenty "visiable" headstones. A "medium" came to the cemetery a few months ago and declared that there are many more graves, "waiting to be found," deep within the woods.

I care and preserve seven cemeteries within Onslow county, none are as large as the Brick Mill grave yard. There are many veterans within these cemeteries. Many were never officially recognized for their sacrifices and services, until I started my projects.

We must not forget our Veterans!

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After I validate the spot where I was standing when this event took place, hopefully, I can come back to this blog and post an update in regards to the events that occurred. Wish me luck.

If anyone wishes to donate funds, or gift cards towards my cemetery preservation projects visit my primary Internet dealing with my work. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Jack
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
Researcher of local History

Hello

Due to the recent heavy rain and winds from Tropical Storms and pending hurricanes, my preservation projects have been put on hold. I will restart my independent work when the tree limbs stop falling and the grounds dry up, hopefully in a few days to a week.

Until then, check out some images that I have put together on the most recent cemetery project. It is a Caucacian cemetery that dates to the late 18th century.

Best wishes to all and hold prayers for the people in the line of the upcoming hurricanes.

Best wishes

Jack
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
Researcher of local History

Labels: Carolina Now, CBA, CNN, HBO, Ireport, NBC, News

Mr. Dalton Odell Petteway (wearing hat) stands with members of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Anthropology Department. Odell told a few stories of his Grandfather, George Washington Petteway, former slave of the Petteway Plantation.

After leaving the Petteway cemetery our group went to what is believed to be the largest all African American "Community" cemetery within Onslow County, North Carolina. Although there were no bones to identify within this grave yard, I gave the Anthropologists a guided tour of the cemetery and discussed the site as I first saw it in December 2006, comparing to what it looks like today.

Later, before Dr. Albert and her associates left we stopped at Arnold's Resturaunt in Richlands, N.C. , had lunch and talked about the two tours and future projects of working together.

By the way, the exposed bones within the shallow grave that I located were eventually declared non-human, however, Odell Petteway recalls through family history handed down to him by his father, that slaves may have been buried within the same area of the sunken grave where the animal bones were located. Dennis Jones, a respected local historian has confirmed this possibility.


The adventure to stabilize the Petteway family cemetery and the Brick Mill cemetery continues to bring new information about the people who once lived in the surrounding communities.

Updates will follow...
______________________

Labels: African American history, carolina, cemetery, College, Forensic Anthropolgy, genealogy, Graves, Jacksonville, Onslow, Richlands, tourism, UNCW, veteran, war

I have continued my research dealing with All African American cemeteries that I started in January 2007. I spend, on average, forty hours per week documenting, promoting, and stabilizing seven cemeteries. I pay all expenses, such as, labor, research fees, supplies and equipment. Yes, the cost is a challenge but, the rewards for the community is worth the strain
on my limited budget.

The hardest part of my work is locating graves where headstones were never placed but, evidence suggest a grave exists. In certain areas of a cemetery, for example, nearly
perfectly spaced graves with headstones (or metal nameplate markers) are located along
with an open flat area, between the headstones.

(Image B: Same location as image A but, measured)

Image C: Same as previous images with "Memorial Rock."

Located three inches under known surface, which suggests a grave site.

Throughout each of the cemeteries I have worked on have this unique challenge.

To find a grave within a flat area which has been over grown by weed or traditional grass over the grave is a tedious job but, when done properly, the results will be extremely rewarding.

Rediscovered grave. Notice the depth of metal name plate

Which, after decades under ground, still maintains a partially handwritten identification label--

Eddie Rhodes (date of death was unreadable.

Currently, at my own time, labor and expense, I am stabilizing the following all African American Cemeteries:

Brick Mill Cemetery:

Now recognized as the largest all African American cemetery within Onslow County. It has been in continous operation since ca.1900 or, as evidence suggest, even earlier.

Petteway family Cemetery:

Located just outside of Richlands, N.C., this cemetery appears to be the largest all African American "Family" cemetery in Onslow County. Est. ca.1880, it is still being utilized by Petteway family members. Descendents of the "Plantation Owner's Petteway family," are buried adjacent, within a separate plot of land, next to the African American Petteway cemetery.

Parker/Mills' family cemetery:

Located just north of Richlands, N.C., this small family cemetery contains one of the oldest African American graves dating 1874. There are at least five "missing" graves that may predate the still standing 19th Century headstone.

Toudle/Toodle family cemetery:

Located within thick woods and over growth of vines and brier bushes, this is a small but, historical valuable cemetery. The only known Spanish-American War African American veteran, from Onslow County is laid to rest in these Hallowed Grounds.

My research on African American cemeteries is growing each month. I am gathering a great deal of information from the local communities. My projects are not "non-profit" or associated with any church, "non-profit" organization or museum. The citizens from the various communities where these cemeteries are located, along with N.C. historians and other national researchers are helping me with my research.

The highest challenge is obtaining "financial gifts," of any kind in aiding in my research work. Replacement of dirt, missing headstones, and other things such as tools, gas, and grass seed or sod is costly. If you wish to give a financial gift you can use "PayPal" using my email address which is: jackrobinson@hotmail.com.

Here is my personal address if, you wish to send a comment or gift:

Jack Robinson

Gysgt., U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

P.O. Box 1501

Richlands, North Carolina 28574 (USD only please)

Any financial gift will be put toward needed supplies and equipment for each projects. Anyone who gives a gift will be added to my "Friends of cemetery preservation" list.

Please be aware that I am not a "Not-For-Profit" organization.

Click here to review books that I have written

Labels: African American history, carolina, cemetery, death, financial gifts, genealogy, Graves, Onslow, tourism, veteran, war

Labels: African American history, books, cemetery, Graves, Onslow, preservations, tourism

I have had a very busy summer with the all African American cemetery preservation project and research that I have exclusive rights to conduct.

I have also been attending some of the largest family reunions held in Richlands, Onslow County, North Carolina this year. The Sanders/Saunders reunion is known to the be largest family reunion of its type in Onslow County. They even hold a street parade through town.

During family reunions ask Elders questions about their past--the good, the bad and the ugly. Instead of just listening to them, write or record their response to your questions.

Later you can transcribe their comments and make a wonderful keepsake for your next family reunion.

The adventure continues...

Jack

Books written by Jack

The first official African American Spanish-American War veteran known to have lived in Onslow County, southeastern North Carolina, has been relocated, after his grave site had been "misplaced" for not less then fifty years.

James M. Blackwell, lived near Swansboro, North Carolina. He joined, like many African Americans, to fight for their nation against a common enemy. What we do not know is why he joined the 3rd N.C. Infantry during a time when African Americans were split as to where their National loyalties were tied. Many African Americans who did volunteer felt the nation deprived them of their rights while others believed by serving, even in the lowest of positions with the American Armed Forces, that they could "prove themselves" to the people of the nation that civil rights were warranted.

For decades there has been only one known Spanish-American veteran (Caucasian) to live in Onslow County-- based on only oral history (family talk). At this time, no historian can specifically state as to where this veteran is buried.

I educate people, through my books and lectures, that official documentation, either documents or photographs, is quality proof of an issue.