African Ancestored Cemeteries - We Must Protect Them

Friends & Family,

Historic African American cemeteries are under attack.
They risk being dug up to make room for developers.
This is happening all over the country.

We must find, identify and protect them!

Those cemeteries that are under seige, like the one in Lake Panasoffkee, Sumter county, Florida, need our help. See: http://tinyurl.com/yz2hceg

We must lend our voices and support to the local communities who are fighting to preserve the final resting places of our Ancestors!

Please post here any African Ancestored Cemetery that needs attention and acknowledgment.
Include the state, county, and township. Upload pictures of headstones. Tell us the stories!

Peace,
"Guided by the Ancestors"

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard Bynum on October 9, 2009 at 7:36pm

George-
Funny that you posted this today. I was speaking with my mother this morning after her recent visit to Murfreesboro, TN. She mentioned that one of the most historic African American cemetery s in central TN is currently in dis-repair and under threat to be re-developed. I've posted about it on my site because several of my ancestors are buried there. The name of the cemetery is Benevolent in Tennessee, Rutherford County, the city of Murfreesboro. A history of the cemetery can be found here. A recent news story on how bad things have become can be found here.

My mother spoke to the gentleman in the news story and he is working to exert more pressure on the local pastor to fix the problems.

Permalink Reply by George Geder on October 9, 2009 at 9:28pm

Richard,

Yikes!

How imminent is the re-development?
What are the names of the genealogy societies in/near Murfreesboro?

Permalink Reply by Angela Walton-Raji on October 9, 2009 at 10:25pm

Just sent you message on Twitter. One of my ancestors Dr. J.S. Bass was active in that church, and mentioned on the church's website.
Incredible to read about the cemetery. I believe that one of his daughters is buried right there, before they moved west to Kansas. How tragic!

Permalink Reply by Angela Walton-Raji on October 9, 2009 at 10:23pm

Zion Cemetery in Memphis--an ongoing project. Watch video on that site.

http://www.zioncemeteryproject.org/about.php

Permalink Reply by Angela Walton-Raji on October 9, 2009 at 10:31pm

An on going cemetery in Maryland. Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Baltimore MD

http://preservationalliance.net/_wsn/page2.html

Permalink Reply by George Geder on October 10, 2009 at 10:40am

Check this video out -- Panasoffkee Cemetery (Sumter County, Florida) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu3udnNDIuM

Here's an opportunity to actually see the cemetery.
Big thanks to the videographer. (unknown)

Permalink Reply by Richard Bynum on October 12, 2009 at 6:20pm

George-

Sorry for the late reply, been out of town. Don't have an answer to either of your questions, but did share your site with the gentleman in the video and (hopefully) he'll reach out to answer your questions and get other involved.

Permalink Reply by Toni Carrier on October 12, 2009 at 11:33pm

FOX13 Tampa's new story today about the Sumter County cemetery:

http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?073+article+News+20091007104347...

Tomorrow night is the Commissioner's meeting. One Commissioner's heart has definitely turned. Please urge the other Commissioners to join him:

Dick Hoffman:

Dick.Hoffman@sumtercountyfl.gov

Doug Gilpin:

Doug.Gilpin@sumtercountyfl.gov

Don Burgess:

Don.Burgess@sumtercountyfl.gov

Garry Breeden:

Garry.Breeden@sumtercountyfl.gov

Randy Mask:

Randy.Mask@sumtercountyfl.gov

Blessings,
Toni

Permalink Reply by Alane Roundtree on October 13, 2009 at 12:58pm

Toni,

I have written to Commissioners Mask, Breeden, Burgess, Gilpin and Hoffman expressing my deep concerns and objections to any vote they may cast which supports the removal and relocation of the persons laid to rest in Lake Panasoffkee Cemetery in Sumter County, Florida.

I am with you there in spirit.

Alane

Permalink Reply by George Geder on October 14, 2009 at 9:20am

The Panasoffkee Cemetery will be preserved and restored!!!

Word from Tuesday's County Commissioner's meeting has been confirmed.

Thanks to all who prayed, wished, dreamed and contributed time, resources and 'Letters To The Editors' for the preservation of this Historic African Ancestored Cemetery !!!

Peace,
"Guided by the Ancestors"

Permalink Reply by Angela Walton-Raji on November 6, 2009 at 10:30am

Any update to the Benevolent Cemetery in Tennessee? I found a video about that burial ground.
http://www.wsmv.com/video/20655080/index.html

Permalink Reply by George Geder on November 6, 2009 at 1:30pm

Hi Angela,

I was wondering the same thing.
Had the church, in the news story, been contacted?
Has the local historical society got involved, etc.?