One local historian is asking for the public’s help as he seeks to restore Revolutionary Era gravesites.
Fleming Town Historian Brian Lynn is working with the Fleming Rural Cemetery to restore gravestones in the cemetery’s oldest section. According to Lynn, this section contains approximately 200 graves of pioneer families who settled in the area, with graves dating from the early to mid-19th century, including those of 15 of the 29 Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the town.
“Long term, I’m trying to restore as many graves as I can up in the cemetery. There are over 1,500 graves up there, but short term, [I’m] more focused on the older section, and that’s the early pioneer families that came here,” Lynn told FLX Local Media.
He also said he’d like to create an interactive memorial for the Revolutionary War soldiers in commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Lynn said his interest in the cemetery began when he was about seven years old. His mother and grandmother were researching their family’s history, taking Lynn along with them to the library for research and to the cemetery to find the graves of relatives, including his 3x great-grandfather, who fought in the War of Independence.
When Lynn returned to the cemetery to prepare for the upcoming planned celebrations in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, he was saddened to see the toll time had taken on these older graves, prompting him into action.
While Lynn is happy to take on the task of helping preserve the gravestones and has already begun repairing stones, he needs help offsetting the costs of supplies. To this end, he has started a GoFundMe to help fund supplies, such as stone cleaner and epoxy to repair broken stones.
Anyone wishing to support the grave restoration project can donate here. Lynn added that he is also seeking volunteers to help with the repair project once he starts up again next year. Those wishing to volunteer are asked to email Lynn at [email protected].
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