Historical Researcher's Blog !

This series of images, along with other images representing decades of this family's ancestry, was located in an old dried out box during an estate auction. No one attending the auction wanted the box so, it was destined to be thrown away.

I adopted the box.

Here is a farmer and his team of horses:

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I do.

Jack

L.W. Hargett was the first official Mayor of Richlands, North Carolina. Due to lack of maintainance and care, this endangered cemetery (image at left) has been unkept. It is now surrounded by "Urban Sprawl," in every direction, just feet from the edge of woods.

One of the many pleasures I have, when conducting my Resurrection Mission cemetery preservation projects, is to meet direct descendents who can provide an oral history of the individuals laid to rest in the cemeteries that I research and maintain.

The Price family, from Richlands, North Carolina, provided me with some family heirlooms while visiting with them. These are one-of-a-kind images of their Ancestors.

Here is an image of Grandma Norman Price. Yes, I said Norman.

Take a few moments and think of what her life was like growing up.

Grandma Norman is laid to rest next to her husband Alonzo and twelve of her immediate family, within the Brick Mill Cemetery, just outside Richlands, N.C.


I hope you enjoy the image.



If you know a story or have another image of Grandma Norman Price, please let me know. Her family would greatly appreciate stories and images.

Inscription on left side, facing stone

Here are a few of the African American Veterans who are buried within the Brick Mill Cemetery, est. ca.1900.

As you review the headstones, take a moment to reflect on how it was like for these men to serve, fight, and sacrifice for various American Freedoms, that they were not allowed to enjoy.

Then ask yourself the following question: Why did they serve?

Unknown lady from Pennsylvania

[Date: Unknown; R.J.M. Little, photographer, Columbia, PA]

Take a moment and think of what these two lady's lives were like. Were they rich, educated, happy or, just the opposite?

Pennsylvania lady standing next to chair

[Date: Unknown; C, E. Wallin, Premium Photographer, York, PA]

I hope you enjoy the images. As before and always, if you know these ladies drop me a line or two.

Best wishes,
Jack
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, ret.

Cemetery preservation projects

Wade Thomas, (African American)

Pvt., U.S. Army, WWI
Brick Mill Cemetery, Richlands, N.C.
(Cemetery is located on private property & protected)

Edgar Parker (Caucacian)

Pvt., CSA, North Carolina

Half Moon Cemetery, Jacksonville, N.C.

(Headstone deliberatly shattered; same as his wife's marker)

Pvt. Wade Thomas, served his Nation with honor, during a time when he, himself, did not have the oppurtunity to share in all of the Freedoms that he fought to gain for his country.

Pvt. Edgar Parker's headstone, along with his wife's marker were damaged over the decades since they were laid to rest.

The Half Moon Cemetery, where they and other ancesters are buried, was established ca. 1880. Nearly all of the original headstones are missing. Many were broken by man or machine and then carried away to be disposed.

Take a moment during your busy schedual and thank a veteran, past and present, for their service to their Nation.

Jack

GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, ret.

Image shows what appears to be a sunken grave.

Removing the "known" surface carefully with a metal shovel.

Notice the one inch root.

Removal of soil reveals a grave marker.

Located, roughly, nine inches below "known" surface.

Closer view of discovered grave marker.

Removal of all soil, by hand, with use of wooden tools.

Louisa's grave marker; located roughly eleven inches under ground.