Good evening,
My name is Michael Taylor. I live on Lyndon Road in Cranston, Rhode Island next door to a
Carpenter burial site with a monument reading:
"ERECTED IN 1860 BY EARL CARPENTER, YOUNGEST SON OF NATHANIEL,IN MEMORY OF THOSE OF
HIS ANCESTORS BURIED HERE, AND OF HIS OLDEST BROTHER DANIEL BORN JULY 4, 1773 : DIED DEC.
25, 1775.HIS GRANDFATHER BENJAMIN, A DESCENDANTOF WILLIAM, ONE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS OF
RHODE ISLAND, DIED DEC. 16, 1766, AGED 73 YEARS. AND HIS GRANDMOTHER PRUDENCE, DIED JULY
29, 1801, AGED 87 YEARS."
My neighbor and I have been paying to maintain this property for many years. We pay for
lawn maintenance, tree removal from storm damage, reseeding, fertilization, etc. The City
of Cranston has neglected this property for decades and does not want any part of it.
Because my neighbor and I are maintaining this property, we wish to claim ownership of it
due to a RI law of adverse possession. I have contacted the City and the Cranston
Historical Society, and both deny ownership of the property. I then contacted my City
Counselor, Steve Stycos, and was told that the Carpenter family of the above lineage owns
the property and that we would need their permission to take it over. Therefore, I am
searching for descendants of those named above for their permission to obtain this
property.
I would like to explain why we would like claim ownership of the property. It has
absolutely nothing to do with paying for its maintenance. That is something that we choose
to do, and will continue to do regardless.
Our concerns are that the property is being disrespected by people in the neighborhood. We
have seen parents allowing their children to climb all over this historic monument like
it's a jungle gym, heard rumors of neighbors wanting to turn it in your area
children's play area, and I have seen people allowing their dogs to use the property
as their personal potty.
What we would like to do is plant trees around the open areas (there were multiple trees
on the property which needed to be removed due to storm damage) to discourage people from
using the property as a recreational area, plant flowering shrubs, flowers, place bird
feeders and houses, etc.
We would also like to erect a short wrought iron fence around the monument to keep people
off of it, and have proper signage to make people aware that this is a historic
cemetery.
Of course, Carpenter family members would ALWAYS be welcome. I have met many ancestors
over the years who have come from all over the country to visit the cemetery.
Now, if ancestors are not willing to let us take ownership of the property, all we ask is
that you grant us permission to manage the property and continue with our outlined plans.
Thank you for your time and hope to hear from as many ancestors as possible to address any
questions or concerns. I can be reached at michaeltaylor682(a)gmail.com or 401-837-4822.
Kind regards,
Michael Taylor123 Lyndon RoadCranston, RI 02905
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