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Commissioner Quote in N&O Unfounded in Accuracy
Mrs Brown,
I would like for you to review this video of the Commissioners meeting on Oct. 6th and please tell me and everyone else, where you heard any 'ASSURANCE' from the School Board that the cemetery will be 'cordoned off and preserved'?
I have listened it to several times and cannot find that segment as you are quoted in the N&O. I did hear the School Board say they will look at it, and they will try, but..I did NOT hear any 'Assurance to it's preservation' as you claimed.
I doubt you will respond to this email, since you have NOT responded to any others.
Also, go back and listen to your concerns of the August Meeting. Your concerns were of the community, and you stated, 'the system has failed the community and needs to do a better job'...please advise us of how 'You', as a Commissioner have improved in doing a better job and 'what is right for the community', especially since you were personally given the information concerning the 'Slave Cemetery', and 'did not' seem concerned of it's importance.
You were the one that initiated this agenda back on the table. After it was voted against in August.
DKK stated 'it's a done deal' a few weeks before it even went to vote in October. Would you happen to have any knowledge of why this statement was made? I do believe this falls in your lap now.
You could have been a champion for this 'Cemetery of Forgotten People' but, instead, you voted to build on this site anyway.
What a disgrace you have done in 'Historic Preservation', even if a high school is built, what will save these people now, from teenagers vandalizing this sacred ground?
Do you honestly think a student parking lot built around this cemetery will add to it's beauty and peace, these people are finally now in? with the boom box stereos blasting in the parking lot only a few feet from their final resting place...
We are very disappointed in you as a Commissioner, and you will 'NOT' be getting our support during election time. Just as people today should 'NOT Forget The Slaves' we will 'NOT' forget you.
Brown added, "We were assured by the school board that the cemetery will be cordoned off and preserved." Commissioners Meeting on Land Acquisition for Forestville Rd. High School:
Number 16 on the Agenda
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My letter to the board....
Dear Sir or Madam,
As a descendant of slaves, it is most difficult to try to fill in the missing pieces to your heritage. It is discouraging to know that there are people and places that you will never know or find that are lost with time because of the disaster of the middle passage and decades that follow. I am one of the more fortunate African Americans who have access to a small piece of my family’s history. I have traced my family back to 1785- a Mulotto woman named Hannah- through Census records, family stories from elders and yes, grave markers in grave yards and records throughout
I proudly share this information with my 8 year old daughter and anyone else who is interested. I wish I could go further back, but a fire in the town hall some years ago destroyed what records were left.
As a 38 year old Black Woman, I stand proud and strong with a sense of responsibility that rests on the shoulders and backs of my ancestors. I know without a doubt, I would not be here today, living and breathing if it were not for my ancestors who were strong enough to make through the terror of slavery. I believe that it is an extremely vital part of history which all Black Americans should have access too. It develops a since of pride and understanding. It gives young Black children a peek into the history of this country and explains to so many of them that they can accomplish anything… no matter what their present situations are.
While I strongly believe in growing our education system, I do not and can not support a school system that is willing to excavate, trample and disrespect such a historic and valuable asset to this world. It bewilders me to no end because I see trees, wild animals, insects, birds, BUILDINGS and shacks being protected and preserved… but why not the remains of human beings who HELPED not only BUILD this county and country, but who also paid in blood, sweat and tears. I urge you to make a decision in this matter that will satisfy both parties… the WCPSS and the HUMAN VETERENS OF SLAVERY WHO REST ON THAT SMALL PIECE OF LAND. After all, would you build atop of your ancestor’s final resting place… or better yet, would you allow or expect your family to allow someone to build atop of your final resting place.
Respectfully,
Charna
Ms. Millberg's complete response....
We haven’t received any credible information regarding who is buried in the cemetery. As far as I know, one person made an unsubstantiated guess and the paper printed it. The graves are simply marked with field stones and could as easily be the graves of the plantation owners as slaves. Frankly, it doesn’t matter who is buried there. The graves will be handled with respect. We currently have grave sites on several campuses that have been preserved. It appears as if we will be able to work around this one and leave it in place as well. Worst case scenario, it will be relocated in an honorable manner.
Lori B. Millberg
Wake
District 1
Voicemail 850-8865
Fax 365-1566
We are requesting that a Professional Archaeologist be hired to delineate the burial site on the property of the new proposed H6 high school on Forestville Rd. When the burial site was first brought to our attention on October 3, 2008 we thought there were approximately 9 to 10 graves. At that time we pulled out broken limbs and debris and we discovered approximately 30 to 40 grave markers. As time passed, and we have raked leaves, we are, as of today, November 28th 2008 up to approximately 81 graves with distinct head stone markers, and there may be more undiscovered burials within the project area, and also outside of the current survey of the cemetery that was done at the time of finding the 30 to 40 marked graves. Based on the new evidence, we are requesting that the county planner re-evaluate and review the existing plans. Because of the new evidence, and particularly because the new evidence increases the size of the cemetery boundary beyond what information may be in the possession of the county planner. We are requesting that a professional archaeologist be hired by the developer to insure an accurate boundary for the cemetery. This particular course of action increases the chance that no burials will be disturbed during any of the ground disturbing activities associated with the construction of the new school. The avoidance of inadvertent discoveries of human remains is of interest to all parties involved and is a reasonable request. There may be other burial sites on this property at different locations that we have found that will need to be determined by a professional archaeologist as well. Sincerely,
Ms. Millberg,
I would like to thank you for your prompt response. I would however like to address a few things you stated in your reply.
First, I understand that we do not know exactly who is buried in the cemetery, however, if it were the plantation owners I would concur that having owned over 200 slaves, the owners would have been able to afford themselves better burial conditions. Traditionally, Plantation owners were not buried with or near their slaves (hence, the high number of graves). In addition to that, Plantation owner’s grave markers were far more “advanced” than that of the slaves’ grave markers. It is noted through proven facts, data and history records that slaves used everything from “common field stones” to lead & metal pipe pieces, pottery, shrubbery and other common “weather proof” items to mark the graves of their loved ones. Further more, it was noted in the interview of Lucy Dunn that the slave cemetery on the Dunn Plantation was marked by a Cedar Tree in each corner. Please take note that one cedar tree still exists and is now a stump and sits directly next to a few graves. Also, Slaves traditionally buried their dead facing the East (rising sun) for religious reasons. The graves in this cemetery all follow this pattern as well.
It is also to my understanding that the Purefoy Dunn Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Locations, once again proving that the bodies that lay here are most likely to be the remains of slaves from that plantation. One of the sources is as follows. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brownandmeares/nc_plantations.htm
As well as the acknowledgement and professional input from Mr. Darin Waters, who is a Historian with 'The Institute of Historic Preservation and Education' that this is indeed a slave cemetery.
Next, I also understand that there are cemeteries on other campus’ around the area that have been preserved. That’s wonderful. However, My concern, along with a lot of other people, is that with this site being next to a high school student parking lot (if I’m correct), or on the grounds of a high school period, would not be safe from possible vandalism, desecration and disrespect. We all know that these are very common acts and with the state of the nation being what it is now, We fear that the cemetery would be an easy target from random acts of violence and ignorance. At least now, where it sits and how it sits, it is out of the way and safe. And in regards to moving it, how can you guarantee that every body that rests there can and will be moved without fault. With records showing there were 200 slaves living on that plantation and only 73 (yes, we found more graves this past weekend), how can you be sure to successfully move everyone. Depending on their burial traditions or customs on that plantation, they may not have been buried in coffins; they may have been shrouded and buried. Because the graves are unmarked, how can you be sure that families will not be split up, Husbands from Wives, Children from Parents and so forth? I have never heard of a successful relocation of a Slave cemetery. Also, if the cemetery is going to be “worked around”, why is there surveying tape in the middle of the site?
Last, Ms. Millberg, if you have not personally visited this cemetery, I urge you to do so. It is undeniably one of a few well preserved Slave Cemeteries left in this country. It is unmistakable in that the Grave Markers are all within the same area and are erect and visible. There are no other “groups” of field stones in the East to West arrangement that display those patterns anywhere close. Meaning this, no matter who is buried there... they deserve to REST IN PEACE, un-disturbed, un-vandalized, un-harmed, un-desecrated… just peaceful. They (whoever they are) deserve, after the price they have paid to this country, to lay where they now rest with their family members surrounding them. Most likely the only place they ever knew, Their place of Freedom. The same respect you would want for your family.
Again, Respectfully,
Charna
http://www.SavetheSlaves.com
We did send Lori Millburg an email offering to take her to the Cemetery. Sadly we received no reply.
Dear Commissioners,
This was sent to the Wake County Commissioners on Saturday November 28, 2008
Please help us by sending your request to have a professional archaeologist delineate this burial site.
The Wake County School Board paid $10,000 of your tax payer money to The Chicora Foundation to delineate the burial site and never asked them to study the other possible sites. WHY?
In their report the states "This is a very tight schedule was mandated by the School Boards Design and Planning requirments.
"Because of design schedules, the work was placed on an accelerted schedule due by January 2, 2009"
I emailed Michael Trinkly in December and was told we have been out their almost a week and have completed our study.
Less than a week...and they never even looked at the other possible burial sites. Their is such GREAT HISTORY out their that needs to be preserved for ever.
The report also states: "In spite of detailed studies, it is not possible, based on the outward manifestations of the graves, to conclusivly identify the ethnic affiliation of the cemetery. While african American roots have been ascribed to the cemetery, its layout and use of local stone could just as easily reflect Euro-American origins.
We paid $10,000 to hear it is not possible and could. That is not due diligence!
http://www.wakegov.com/commissioners/boc/default.htm