JamesCemetery Progress to Date and Restoration Project Goals
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JamesCemetery Progress to Date and Restoration Project Goals |
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July 2010
Progress to Date
November 2005 - Participated in the Make a Difference Day
program, launching the JCOGS project to clean up, restore, and protect from
further damage the James Cemetery. Began effort to locate and unearth
buried or partially buried gravestones. The city of Jackson removes the majority
of the massive oak
tree
December 2005 - Dug holes and poured concrete footers for the
four stone-faced block piers along the front (Broadway Street) side of the
cemetery
February 2006 - Completed installation
of the four stone-faced block piers
April 2006 - Continued locating and unearthing gravestones in
the northeast quadrant of the cemetery. Re-erected to their proper position the
first eight gravestones that had been most likely been buried for
decades
May 2006 - Awarded a Make a Difference Day grant given
by the Governor's Office of Appalachia and Ohio's
Appalachian Country Director Linda Basye
June 2006 - Walked down the cemetery and transcribed all
legible gravestone information
July 2006 - Raised money from local veteran's
organizations/individuals and installed a high quality
30' aluminum flagpole. The city of Jackson installs a dusk-to-dawn light to
illuminate Old Glory
Summer and Fall 2006 - Continued excavating and erecting
gravestones. To date, approximately 30 gravestones previously concealed for
perhaps decades have been uncovered and 14 have been reinstalled to their
upright position. This is slow, painstaking work that takes a great deal of time
and caution...
January 2007 - Began construction of the JCOGS James Cemetery
website in order to increase awareness to Jackson county area residents on
the significance of the cemetery, it's ancient Indian mound, and the importance
of many individuals buried in the cemetery who were instrumental in the early
exploration and development of Jackson, Ohio. It is important that we "protect,
preserve and maintain' this significant local landmark before the winds of time
cause it further destruction!
February 2007 - The National Park Service has expressed
an interest in visting the James Cemetery site in order to perhaps take a closer
'non-invasive' look at the ancient Indian mound, which is the only significant
mound remaining within the city limits of Jackson, Ohio. More developments to
come in the spring or summer hopefully...
March 2007 - The three small insect-infested ash trees
along the Broadway Street side of the cemetery have been removed with the city
of Jackson's permission. Volunteer help was used to cut the trees and city
employees removed the debris from the site
May 2007 - The JCOGS is awarded the grand prize in the Time
Warner Mid-Ohio Cable's 'Save Our History' contest
July 2007 - Patriot's Row is established
honoring the Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Jackson county in unconfirmed
locations
Fall 2007 - An application for an Ohio Historical marker
denoting significance of the cemetery was granted by the OHS. Marker was
received late in the year. Work continues on locating buried gravestones.
High-grade metal fencing is chosen and purchased for the front of the
cemetery
Spring 2008 - The Ohio Historical
marker is installed by Larry Patrick, Charles Weese & Anthony Coyan. A
new 6' x 10' flag is purchased and a ceremony held to change it on Memorial
Day
Summer & Fall 2008 - Front fencing is
installed. Gravestone work continues.
Spring thru Fall 2009 - Gravestone cleaning begins. Family
research begins on those buried in James Cmetery. Veterans memorial grave
markers are ordered from the Veterans Affairs for some of the Civil War &
War of 1812 soldiers buried in the cemetery. The City of Jackson installs a much-needed new
sidewalk in front of the cemetery
Spring & Summer 2010 - Front steps into the cemetery
are installed by the City of Jackson. Handrailing is purchased by the JCOGS and
installed by the city.. Gravestone cleaning and straightening continues. VA
markers are installed. James Cemetery photos are added on Find-a-Grave
Additional project
goals and plans for 2010
It is important to mention that virtually all work to date has been accomplished by generous volunteers who have provided labor as well as donors and sponsors who have provided materials for the work done thus far. In the fall, we shall continue unearthing toppled and buried gravestones, with the ultimate goal being to restore as accurately as possible the condition of the cemetery as it may have existed a century ago, when the last known burial in the James Cemetery took place. Small mechanical lifting devices will be needed to lift some of the large stones and obelisks back onto their proper foundations, which will be leveled and shored up as needed.
Our immediate goal for Fall 2010 is to concentrate on restoration of the toppled gravestones and obelisks on and around the base of the Indian mound. Among those are the gravestones of Major John and Nancy James, John Denison James and family, Daniel and Nancy James Hoffman, et al. Daniel Hoffman was the man responsible for contructing the local Gibson House, a National Historic Register landmark, which was unfortunately recently demolished.
The damage caused by vandals and neighborhood children through the decades is significant and, quite frankly, sickening to see when one stands on the crest of the ancient Indian mound and surveys the grounds. Major John James would be appalled to see what time and neglect have done to this sacred area he established for his family and friends in 1828.
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