Archaeological Summary of Cemetery Study

This letter briefly summarizes my work at the old cemetery that is partially on your property. The goal of the work was to establish the southern and eastern boundaries to ensure that no graves would be disturbed by development. First, I obtained copies of aerial photographs dating to 1944 and 1973. The earlier photograph depicts the cemetery as a wooded area that extends across the property line onto your acreage. The southeast corner of this wooded area is directly in line with the roof ridge of the old barn. On the 1973 photograph the cemetery cannot be so well delineated; it appears that the trees had been cut back to the property line.

The field investigation was conducted on March 1. Using a steel probe, I tested a known grave and found that the grave shaft was much softer than the surrounding undisturbed soil. Next, I flagged several of the known graves in order to see the alignment of the rows. This is a typical cemetery where the rows are oriented north-south, and the graves are east-west. Starting at the last known grave in each row, I then systematically probed to the south, in line with the row, to identify unmarked graves and determine the limits of the cemetery. Enclosed is a map, roughly to scale, that shows the limits of the cemetery. I also drove two wooden stakes at the southern edge of the cemetery. I am confident that all of the graves are north of these stakes. I am also confident that no graves extend  beyond the wooden fence that forms the eastern boundary of the cemetery.

There are at least nine rows of graves on your property. I counted a minimum of 45 graves, but I know there are many others. Probably the historical society's estimate of + 80 graves is a reasonable figure. Finally, the cemetery probably was associated with a church; there are far too many graves for just one family.