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From: John Mallory Land <>
Subject: [GA-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION] Clapp's Factory Cemetery graves
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 09:06:51 -0500
References: <054001c6cbd8$6160dbf0$3f3ce404@yourd56fa23e19>


All,

Our organization, the Clapp's Factory Cemetery Preservation League,
hopes soon to have a formal archaeological survey of the cemetery site
conducted. This is expected to tell us the locations of the estimated
300 to 500 graves, only one of which is still marked. After we place a
fence around the cemetery to protect it, we will begin making
improvements.

One change we are considering is somehow marking each grave to show it
is a grave. Some possiblities include framing each with wood, concrete
or stone, and filling in with fine gravel. One member reported a
restored cemetery where the graves were marked with PCV pipe. One
alternative is marking each with a small, neutral headstone. Many of
the graves are sinks and present a hazard if accidentally stepped into.
For this reason, we have talked about filling these in to level them -
this also might be necessary in order to mark them, depending on what
method we choose. However, we wonder if this might be considered
obtrusive, disrespectful of the deceased, or damaging to the cemetery as
a historic site. We would not make any changes until a full survey has
been carried out.

Although we have discovered the names or identities of close to 80
persons known or believed to be buried in the cemetery, we will probably
never know who is buried in what grave in most cases (unless the formal
survey reveals markers that have sunk down or been covered over). We
plan to erect cenotaphs or other memorials, placed where we know there
are not graves. But it's not clear how -or if -we should go about
marking the graves themselves. If anyone has any suggestions or
thoughts on the matter, I would be interested to know of it. Also, if
there is a website or other resource that deals with this issue, I would
like that reference as well.

Thank you,

John in TX

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