We have just experienced a similar situation concerning a family cemetery in another VA County. Our family cemetery that dates back to the late 1700s, holds many of our ancestors, including our Revolutionary Patriots and their families and several of our Confederate Soldiers with CSA tomb stones. The cemetery has been maintained and is enclosed with a very high quality wrought iron fence that was installed in 1890 and remains in excellent condition. The land was sold about 50 years ago and no longer is owned by the family, but the cemetery was always maintained with no problems. Three years ago when a group of family members went up for a spring clean up day they were approached by a very large man unknown to any of the family. He had a very large ax in his hands and ordered everyone off of the property and refused to allow them to gather the paint and equipment they had brought for the clean up. It was all left in the cemetery. Later in the week a family member went back to attempt to recover some of the power equipment that had been left. Again, he was approached by the man -- this time with a shotgun. After much research at the Court House, we discovered that the land had been purchased 20 years before by a couple in PA. Their son had recently moved into and renovated the home that is located on the land and sits beside the 4/10 mile road leading to the cemetery. I guess since none of the owners had lived on the property in the 50 years or so that it had fallen out of the family, we were never challenged by anyone when we went to the cemetery. The first thing we did was talk to the Commonwealth's Attorney for the County and he told us the law was on our side and he didn't think anyone could keep us from the cemetery. He suggested that we hire a real estate attorney. That sounded expensive and time consuming! Since we live in Richmond, we spoke to several attorneys in the Commonwealth Attorneys office and they told us that NO ONE can prevent us from visiting a family cemetery. They told us of a case where a landowner built a home and fenced off the access road to the cemetery in order to prevent a family from visiting their cemetery and the landowner was told to provide another access or TEAR his house down! I took the easy way out and called the property owners in PA and they have written us a letter allowing us access any time and permission to park on the cemetery road as well as another gravel road that runs through the property. We are still trying to work our a permanent access of some type because the owners are elderly and we are uncertain as to what the son may do when they pass away and he becomes the land owner. At least I now know that access can not be denied legally! It may take a court order. Hopefully you can get the landowners cooperation. I used HONEY and not THREATS and was successful for now. I am not certain just what the future holds! The program for my last DAR meeting was about SAVING these old family cemeteries. Wonder if your local DAR, SAR, etc could help apply some leverage? Good luck! Anne

This is a good reminder for families who own land with old cemeteries on them. I have copy of a deed in Bourbon Co KS where my great-grandmother deeded her farm to her daughter, "with the exception of the cemetery". Then when the daughter deeded the farm to someone else she didn't put that exception in the deed, and the farmer tore down the good woven wire fence with a gate to protect the cemetery and let his cows rub against the stones and break them down. He didn't try to keep the family from coming in, and they kept finding stones where he had thrown them down the hill and used them as rip rap on the banks of Mill Creek. They found the broken stone for the Great-Grandfather who had died in 1866 and brought it back up the hill and propped it against a tree, where the owner then left it. Since then they have had it moved to a cemetery. It might be well if someone local would check the deed records and see whether there was an earlier deed that stated "with the exception of the cemetery". I believe even if a later deed didn't show that exception that it would still be a legal exception. Marian

Several years an attempt was made to close the road to the Odd Fellow Cemetery at Woodway.Someone stoped it somehow, Maybe there is someone that knows about it.

If there are any residents of Virginia who are concerned about this cemetery, you might try contacting your State legislators to see if they can help with this. They may not care much about someone living in another state (unless they have a particular interest in genealogy or local history!), but they do like to please their local constituents! Janet At 10:15 AM 3/22/2005 -0500, you wrote: >In a message dated 3/22/2005 7:11:22 AM Pacific Standard Time, >[email protected] writes: > > > Why not go to Richmond with this problem as well? The state might have > > more clout. > > > >Who does one go to in Richmond, VA? > >Brenda Reed > > >==== VALEE Mailing List ==== >Need to reach Yvonne, the discussion coordinator? Send her an email at ><[email protected]>. > >============================== >Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the >last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: >http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx Janet Zengel Messer Micanopy, Florida

I admire the concern, quick response and resourcefulness of folks on the list! I might add another resource for information--WKU in Bowling Green has an excellent folklore/folklife program with a renowned Historic preservation track and a Southern folklorist who heads it--Michael Ann Williams. Graveyard preservation is part of her program. The folks in these departments are often well-informed about legal ins-and -outs of preservation--it's their job. Just a thought when situations arise. I have had good success with reaching the staff/faculty by email. Good luck! Carol

In a message dated 3/22/2005 7:11:22 AM Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > Why not go to Richmond with this problem as well? The state might have > more clout. > Who does one go to in Richmond, VA? Brenda Reed

Hello Everyone, I am writing to you concerning the imminent possible closure of the road to what is listed in the Lee County Cemetery Book as the Robinette Cemetery at Upper Wallens Creek in Lee County. This is a remote cemetery with many families having ancestors and relations buried there who may or may not be listed in the Cemetery Book. I received an urgent letter from Gene Smith of Duffield yesterday. He states that two land owners, Joey Cooper & Dick Jones, are trying to close the road that goes to the cemetery. A meeting was held in Jonesville about the problem and they thought they had resolved the issue but apparently had not. Supervisor Claude Ray is trying to help keep the road open. If Mr. Cooper and Mr. Jones have their way, the Robinette Cemetery and the road will be closed -- and there will be no way to get to the cemetery. I do not know how to contact Claude Ray but some of you out there may know. We need your help to prevent the closure of this road. Aren't there laws in Virginia to prevent this sort of thing from happening? Also bear in mind that sometime between 1998-2000 the property owner attempted to bulldoze this cemetery under. Buried in this cemetery is my Great-grandmother, Eliza Barbara "Lyde" Chafin Ward (18715-1903), her infant son Robert Ward, her mother Jerusha July Edens Chafin (1846-1916 in unmarked grave), & the following which is an incomplete list: Martin Drake (1805-1887); Elizabeth, wife of Martin Drake, 1804-1883; James L. Robinette, son of Michael & S. A. Robinette (1874-1875); E. W. Pennington (1903-1922); Robert Pennington, son of Hugh L. & Rebecca Pennington (1886-1903); Martha E. Lawson (1888-1921); W. J. L. Holbrook, son of Wilson & Sarah Holbrook (1876-1877). There are other graves in the cemetery. I myself have had the cemetery cleaned through Curt Lawson & Angie Lawson numerous times over the years though I live here in California. My grandmother, Pearl Ward Castle, tended the graveyard throughout her lifetime. I have visited this cemetery many, many times during my lifetime & did help my grandmother tend the graves. The cemetery is in a remote location & is very beautiful in the spring, especially when the wild lilies are in bloom. It is a wonderful peaceful place & the graves are virtually undamaged by mowers, etc, only suffering from erosion from the natural elements. Please help keep the road and the cemetery open. Thank you. Brenda Reed 510 601-9837 Oakland, CA

Probably the legislature. You would need to find out who represents the Lee Co. district. They might know something or someone to contact in the Dept. of Transportation since they put out the maps with cemeteries and roads on them. [email protected] wrote: > > In a message dated 3/22/2005 7:11:22 AM Pacific Standard Time, > [email protected] writes: > > > Why not go to Richmond with this problem as well? The state might have > > more clout. > > > > Who does one go to in Richmond, VA? > > Brenda Reed > > > ==== VALEE Mailing List ==== > Need to reach Yvonne, the discussion coordinator? Send her an email at > <[email protected]>. > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

I think there are laws in just about every state. The problem is trying to get them enforced. If this guy tried to bulldoze it before, then that is his prime purpose now because no one will be able to get on his land to check if there is no road. Why not go to Richmond with this problem as well? The state might have more clout. [email protected] wrote: > > Hello Everyone, > I am writing to you concerning the imminent possible closure of the road to > what is listed in the Lee County Cemetery Book as the Robinette Cemetery at > Upper Wallens Creek in Lee County. This is a remote cemetery with many families > having ancestors and relations buried there who may or may not be listed in > the Cemetery Book. I received an urgent letter from Gene Smith of Duffield > yesterday. He states that two land owners, Joey Cooper & Dick Jones, are > trying to close the road that goes to the cemetery. A meeting was held in > Jonesville about the problem and they thought they had resolved the issue but > apparently had not. Supervisor Claude Ray is trying to help keep the road open. > If > Mr. Cooper and Mr. Jones have their way, the Robinette Cemetery and the road > will be closed -- and there will be no way to get to the cemetery. I do not > know how to contact Claude Ray but some of you out there may know. We need your > help to prevent the closure of this road. Aren't there laws in Virginia to > prevent this sort of thing from happening? Also bear in mind that sometime > between 1998-2000 the property owner attempted to bulldoze this cemetery under. > > Buried in this cemetery is my Great-grandmother, Eliza Barbara "Lyde" Chafin > Ward (18715-1903), her infant son Robert Ward, her mother Jerusha July Edens > Chafin (1846-1916 in unmarked grave), & the following which is an incomplete > list: Martin Drake (1805-1887); Elizabeth, wife of Martin Drake, 1804-1883; > James L. Robinette, son of Michael & S. A. Robinette (1874-1875); E. W. > Pennington (1903-1922); Robert Pennington, son of Hugh L. & Rebecca Pennington > (1886-1903); Martha E. Lawson (1888-1921); W. J. L. Holbrook, son of Wilson & > Sarah > Holbrook (1876-1877). There are other graves in the cemetery. I myself have > had the cemetery cleaned through Curt Lawson & Angie Lawson numerous times > over the years though I live here in California. My grandmother, Pearl Ward > Castle, tended the graveyard throughout her lifetime. I have visited this > cemetery many, many times during my lifetime & did help my grandmother tend the > graves. The cemetery is in a remote location & is very beautiful in the spring, > especially when the wild lilies are in bloom. It is a wonderful peaceful > place & the graves are virtually undamaged by mowers, etc, only suffering from > erosion from the natural elements. > > Please help keep the road and the cemetery open. Thank you. > Brenda Reed > 510 601-9837 > Oakland, CA > > > > ==== VALEE Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the list send your message to <[email protected]> > for individual list messages; <[email protected]> for digest messages. > Then put the word unsubscribe in the subject line and send your message. > > ============================== > Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for > ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx >

Can anyone give a documented source, other than the History of Lee County, for the claim that George Ely was gteh son of Thomas Ely the Revolutionary War soldier and that Preston was teh son of George? Thanks. Jim

Dear folks, I see the ELY family on the screen of late--I have a question. My grgrgrandmother was Nancy Napier: her mother was an ELY--Jane (who married a NAPIER). They are all buried at Miller's Chapel. Nancy Napier first married a Bill Haynes; they had my grgrandmother Alice Haynes (eventually WILLIAMS). Alice eventually married a BURGAN. Does anyone know where Nancy's mother, Jane, fits into this ELY picture? I believe she married a doctor who eventually got his hands on the property she owned around Millers Chapel. Ring a bell with anyone? I also wonder if anyone in the area knows Sherm Williams and if he is still around, living hard by the MC cemetery? I would like to contact him. Thanks a lot. Carol

Nola, I will be glad to check on the status of the book. Did you pay for the book by check? Has your check cleared your bank? We have mailed out the books that were preordered. It could possibly be Monday before I can check so if you do not hear from me by Monday, please write me again. I am sorry you haven't gotten it yet. I will let you know something real soon. We appreciate your ordering the book and feel you will really enjoy it. Thanks again, Judy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nola" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 11:15 AM Subject: [VALEE] Pictorial History Book > I've been patiently waiting for my copy of the Pictoral History of Lee Co. which I ordered back in Oct or Nov. I've been watching the mail every day since you all started receiving yours. Anyone there connected to mailing the books?? > > Nola L. Thompson > Fredericksburg, TX > > > ==== VALEE Mailing List ==== > Please avoid flaming (attacking) any single person or the group. This infraction will earn you immediate removal from the list. > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx >

Hello Nola My name is Don Burke, my GGGrandmother Minverva Thompson married Cordy Pendergrass. Their daughter Letitia Pendergrass married George Washington Burke. My question is are we from your line of the Thompson family from Va.. If so who married Minerva's sister Nancy and what was their parents names? Do you have any information on the Burk(e)s from Lee Co. Va.? Sincerely, Don Burke [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Nola [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 2:15 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [VALEE] Pictorial History Book I've been patiently waiting for my copy of the Pictoral History of Lee Co. which I ordered back in Oct or Nov. I've been watching the mail every day since you all started receiving yours. Anyone there connected to mailing the books?? Nola L. Thompson Fredericksburg, TX ==== VALEE Mailing List ==== Please avoid flaming (attacking) any single person or the group. This infraction will earn you immediate removal from the list. ============================== View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find marriage announcements and more. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx

What is DAR mentioned by [email protected]? Is this an online searchable data base? Thank You for any information on this. Sharon

As someone noted it is Daughters of American Revolution and SAR is Sons of American Revolution. Their standards for proof are pretty tough but you can get a copy of the material used for proof by a descendent by paying a sum, I think $30. Jim -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] Sent: Mar 19, 2005 11:49 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [VALEE] DAR? What is DAR mentioned by [email protected]? Is this an online searchable data base? Thank You for any information on this. Sharon ==== VALEE Mailing List ==== Please do not send messages with attachments, HTML, MIME, or any other enhanced text to the list. RootsWeb does not allow messages with those settings through their servers and will only return them to you. ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

I've been patiently waiting for my copy of the Pictoral History of Lee Co. which I ordered back in Oct or Nov. I've been watching the mail every day since you all started receiving yours. Anyone there connected to mailing the books?? Nola L. Thompson Fredericksburg, TX

DAR is a shortened way of referring to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Anne

Hello... New to list. The following names I am researching... MUNCY, FLETCHER, JAYNE, RANDOLPH HOPE TO MAKE A NEW CONNECTION WITH THESE NAMES. Michael Reck [email protected]

I have lost the address of the person I was communicating with re Thomas Ely, Revolutionary War soldier, whose wife moved her family to Lee county. Thomas also had a son William in the war. A quick search at DAR indicates someone has used the Thomas Ely line to enroll. The records/proof of the member are in the DAR files. ELY, Thomas Birth: EN Circa 1728 Service: VA Rank: Pvt Death: VA 10 Nov 1782 Patriot Pensioned: No Widow Pensioned: No Children Pensioned: No Heirs Pensioned: No Spouse: (1) Jane Smith

> Carter, > If you will send me your snail mail address I will send what Elizabeth > Carpenter has found for you. > > Judy Judy My address is: Carter L Combs 105 Hawthorne Ct N Versailles, KY 40383 I appreciate your help on this. Thanks Carter