Rural cemeteries need maintenance
By PAMELA BRUST, pbrust@newsandsentinel.comPARKERSBURG - There are more than 300 documented rural cemeteries, and local history buffs say there are many more with many in dire need of tender loving care.
Wood County Historical Society spokesman Bob Enoch met with county commissioners recently seeking support for efforts to rescue, maintain and sustain lost and forgotten rural cemeteries. Enoch said a public meeting has been set for 7 p.m. Aug. 26 in the Fort Boreman room of the Wood County Courthouse Annex to discuss the problems. Everyone is welcome to attend. Enoch said he plans to invite state historic preservation officials to attend to answer questions.
"We will be talking about the problem, making everyone aware of the situation, and brainstorming about ways we could save these cemeteries and assure continued maintenance. It will be a big job. Some have already been saved. Many are being taken care of, but we need to document each one, who is the property owner, the access, whether it's being maintained or not, then we can see what we have to deal with. Then we need to look at potential means of funding to help cover the cost of maintenance," Enoch said. "There are some that have completely been lost, there was one out at Cedar Grove that's gone. At Davisville, there was one there, it was recorded, but it's just a yard now, the stones are gone."
One of the lucky ones is the Maddox Cemetery, which was restored by Eric Showen of Boy Scout Troop 16. In 1995 the property was cleared and cleaned as part of his Eagle Scout project. The cemetery includes the grave of Revolutionary War soldier Matthew Maddox. The cemetery is now being maintained by a group of trustees and in 2006 a fence was erected around the plot. The James Wood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has placed a new marker on the gravesite.
Other sites are not so lucky, one is the Posey Cemetery off Larkmead Road, passersby would not even know the tombstones are there. The grave markers are completely covered by weeds, amid a stand of trees.
Enoch said local historian Mike Rinehart took the time a few years ago to compile a list of more than 320 documented local rural cemeteries.
"We feel certain there are many more, family cemeteries that have been lost over time on people's private property," Enoch said. "Cleaning them up initially isn't so much a problem, it's keeping them cleaned up, and making sure they are maintained in the future. Mike used a GPS to get the coordinates, which is very helpful. We don't have any kind of coordinated effort and we need to get this information out to the libraries, at the courthouse so people doing their genealogy can find them."
He noted local genealogist Darrell Conger had drawn a map showing many of the local rural plots.
"He also did a lot of research, in his writings, there are some family histories, and their contributions to the area," Enoch said.
"West Virginia passed a law a few years ago that a property owner cannot deny access to a cemetery, so that's helpful," Enoch said.
Following the recent meeting with county commissioners, one local resident wrote, volunteering to help out.
"Each one of these cemeteries is a resting place for someone's mother, father, brother, sister, from the elderly to the infant. Each marker holds a unique story and because of those stories, we who are still here are able to enjoy what we have. It's simply our responsibility to honor and protect these final resting places," said Stephen Conley.
"I think that pretty much says it all," Enoch said.
