I was cruising around for information on cemetery restoration and there you were. I had
no idea such a site existed, but I'm certainly glad you do.
I browsed through your archives, but didn't seem to find answers to three of my more
pressing questions. They are:
(1) What is your definition of a 'Pioneer' cemetery? Just how old does it have to
be?
(2) I can easily find out who owns the property, but who, by law, owns the tombstones
themselves?
(3) Has anyone had any experience in forming a 'Cemetery Association' composed
entirely of descendants of those buried there?
My interest in these questions stems from my desire to have a proactive group ready to
protect Weston Chapel Cemetery in Section 2 of Wayne Twp., Noble County, Indiana. There
is currently no threat that I know of (other than the depredations of bored adolescents),
but from reading your archives I know that isn't any sort of guarantee for the future.
Weston Chapel is a lovely little cemetery smack-dab in the middle of a farmer's
fields. Mercifully, it's on a rather inaccessible hill (hence it's local name of
'Spook Hill'). It's fairly well maintained by the Township Trustee, who mows
it several times a year, and a completely wonderful guy named Scott who has taken it upon
himself to look after the markers.
I don't think it's right for Scott to have to shoulder this burden alone, so
I'm interested in starting some sort of association for those of us descended from
those buried there (I have some sort of connection to at least 75% of them). It would
need to have some sort of legal entity in order to collect monies for improvements or to
take legal action if the need arises. (My question about ownership of the tombstones has
to do with possible suits against vandals.)
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Caroline Carter