Touching the Past

My father, Jim, is the family historian. As the proud owner of a flip phone so old the numbers are wearing off the buttons, he is not one to be on the ragged, bloody edge of technology. And yet, when he sits down at his laptop and opens up Ancestry.com, he can navigate the hidden currents of time with amazing ease. It just goes to show, if you have an interest in something, you will make the effort to learn ways to explore it. Now, if I could only convince him have an interest in getting a smart phone.....

Last summer, Dad mentioned he had located and visited an ancestral burial plot about an hour north of Raleigh. He said the plot was on private property and was a bit neglected and overgrown. He asked if I could help him clean it up and of course I said yes. And that was that. In the coming months, he would mention it again and my response was always "Sure, just let me know in advance when you want to do it." 

Well two weeks ago, I got the call. Dad got permission from the landowner, Mr. Higgs, and I updated my calendar to block out the time on February 1 for a grave cleaning day. When the morning arrived, we had a quick country style breakfast at Big Ed's then headed north. We were fortunate that the weather was perfect for strenuous work and I was eager to get started.

Of course, my romantic notion of an ancestral burial plot is a hilltop plot, surrounded by old stone work and Gothic wrought iron fencing with perhaps a few crows sitting on the gate. Obviously my romantic notions are more informed by old movies that real life. In my imagination, I thought we would spend the day digging out some weed trees, mowing the grass, raking some leaves, and having a lovely day in the sun. What I did not expect was a few barely marked graves in the woods next to a field. Only two of the graves were clearly marked. Others had a rock as a headstone and another rock marking the foot of the grave. Several others were completely unmarked and were identifiable only as rectangular depressions in the ground.

My first view of the burial plot

Over the years the forest has taken over the plot. Trees have grown between and around the graves. A large tree, having been blown over many years ago, now has its roots upthrust in the entrance while its trunk molders across the plot. Our work was cut out for us.

With grubbing hoes, pruning sheers, a chain saw, wheel barrow, and rakes we went to work. The landowner, Mr. Higgs, joined our efforts for a few hours. By the end of the day, we had removed the dead tree and it roots, cut down and removed five other trees, raked the entire area, mapped the graves, and paid our respects.

My Dad, Jim, and Mr Higgs working to remove the fallen tree.

 

Glenda Bell Smith Hunt

Within the plot, we found 18 grave sites we could clearly see. The most prominent site was for Glenda Bell Smith Hunt, my Great Grandmother, who in her short life had 10 children, one of which is buried next to her. In the same plot, in unmarked graves are my Great Great Grandparents, approximately five other child graves, and eight graves marked only with field stones. I asked my Dad why Bell's grave was so prominently marked while the others were nearly invisible. He told me that many years after her death, my Grandfather and his brothers all chipped in to buy a marker for her grave. My dad hopes to one day also add a marker to the site as a memorial for all of those buried there.

Once we raked the area, we could clearly see the stones marking the location of grave sites

It was a tough day out in the woods for this city boy. But, in addition to the lifting, dragging, digging, and raking, my Dad shared stories told to him by my Grandfather. He also told me some of the history he has discovered about the area. These are the things I will remember. As a story teller, I get lost in all the dates and names. For me, it is the stories and events that I remember. Now I feel I have just a bit more of a connection to my history. So next time Dad starts a conversation with, "I found some information about your Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, (pause) Great Grandfather...." I will at least be able to connect this day with two of those Greats.

The result of our efforts

Thanks to Mr Higgs for allowing us onto his property and for his assistance. And a big thanks to my Dad for dragging me out into the wilderness to touch a part of our family history. It is a day I will always remember.    

Selfie in the woods