Cemetery Project Status Reports
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January 2024 Cemetery Status Report
While working in coordination with the Thomson Memorial Cemetery Committee, Thomson Guards Camp 91 Compatriot Ron Awe volunteered to replace 35’ of crumbled and fallen brick wall that encloses the plot of a Confederate soldier. Mr. Epp Wilson’s fence crew removed the old structure and Compatriot David Moore cleaned many of the old bricks. Ron formed and poured the concrete foundation and replaced the wall. He did a wonderful job out of respect to the history, heritage and honor of our ancestors. Because the committee receives no financial support from the county or city for the cemetery, Camp 91’s volunteer work has been essential to returning the cemetery to its former glory. The Thomson Memorial Cemetery encloses the gravesites of 110 Confederate veterans. Thank you for your service Ron.
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September 2023 Cemetery Status Report
In the last few months several things were accomplished in the Thomson Memorial Cemetery:
- The Thomson Guards began an ambitious plan to wash and clean the 110 Confederate veterans and other veterans gravestones. After three work days 48 of the gravestones look like new.
- The United States flag, the Georgia flag, and the military service flags were flown along Tom Watson Way over the extended 4th of July holiday. The United States and the Georgia Flag remain flying full time.
- The Thomson Memorial Cemetery committee has again sent letters to the community asking for donations. The letter explained what has been accomplished to date and what is next on the agenda. The committee collected $4,360.
- The remaining 50’ of security fence has been installed between the two buildings on Main Street. This completes the security fence effort.
- The Magnolia tree on the central east end died. It was removed.
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July 2023 Cemetery Status Report
In May and June several things were accomplished in the Thomson Memorial Cemetery:
- The Thomson Guards began an ambitious plan to wash and clean the 110 Confederate veterans gravestones. After two work days 32 of the gravestones look like new.
- The United States flag, the Georgia flag, and the military service flags were flown along Tom Watson Way over the extended 4th of July holiday.
- The Thomson Memorial Cemetery committee has again sent letters to the community asking for donations. The letter explains what has been accomplished to date and what is next on the agenda.
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April 2023 Cemetery Status Report
In March and April several things were accomplished in the Thomson Memorial Cemetery:
- Twenty-six grave plots were refreshed with new granite gravel chips. Many required spraying herbicide to kill the weeds and a new ground cover to prevent weed growth.
- Six tombstones that had toppled have now been re-erected with new concrete foundations.
- A new cemetery booklet has been created that accurately reflects grave locations. The first section gives all the information on each gravestone. The second section gives complete location information. The third section concentrates on the 110 Confederate Veterans graves. For a nominal charge, this booklet will be for sale at the Thomson-McDuffie Museum and the Thomson-McDuffie Tourism Bureau.
- Routine maintenance has continued nicely.
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January 2023 Cemetery Status Update
- Our financial condition has greatly improved. This will allow us to accomplish more of our goals. Knox Foundation $10,000 Hall- Knox Foundation $10,000 Public response to donation letter $10,250 from 45 individuals. Thank you letters have been sent to all.
- Removal of cedars and oak trees by Mr. Chris Palmer’s tree surgeon company is complete. They did a fantastic job without disturbing the grounds. Cost $12,650
- Bids are being secured to re-gravel the 26 sites that need refreshing. And seven stones need to be stood back in position.
- The grounds keeper continues to do well with cutting the grass and removing leaves.
- We are very pleased with the progress.
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December 2022 Cemetery Status Update
- As of December 15, the Thomson Memorial Cemetery committee has collected $8,885 from 45 patrons.
- The committee has not received a report from the Hall-Knox Foundation.
- A grant request to the Junior Board of the Watson Brown Foundation is being written. It is due in February.
- The tree contractor is approximately 65% complete cutting and removing the oaks and cedars.
- The lawn maintenance crew continues to do an excellent job.
- Winter will no doubt slow further cemetery work activity.
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November 2022 Cemetery Status Update
- Three of the interior family plot iron fences were cleaned and painted in August and September.
- August 25, a letter was sent to the Knox Foundation requesting financial assistance. On October 22, the cemetery committee received a very generous contribution of $10,000.
- October 1, over 250 letters were sent to local citizens describing the work done to date and requesting donations. As of November 1, $6,450 has been received.
- The Thomson Guards, SCV, flagged United States veterans’ graves October 29, to commemorate Veterans Day on November 11. They also placed new large armed forces service flags along Tom Watson Way.
- Due November 1, a letter was sent to the Hall-Knox Foundation requesting financial assistance. We hope to hear back by December 15.
- It was decided at the November 3 cemetery committee to go forward with removing the oak trees that are causing grave site destruction.
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August 2022 Cemetery Status Update
Commander Tom Holley was elected to the Thomson Memorial Cemetery Board of Directors. He has been working very closely with compatriot David Moore, the Chairman of the Board to achieve significant results:
- A lawn maintenance crew was hired and the results have been extremely promising.
- Compatriot Jimmy Crawley trimmed many more limbs from the oak trees.
- Mr. Epp Wilson’s fencing crew furnished the labor to fill in with dirt each of the sunken graves.
- Mr. Jimmy New’s paint crew has begun the tedious work of painting the internal fences. He will also do some minor welding.
- Each of the plots that had gravel topping have been sprayed with herbicide to kill the weeds.
- There is a plan in place to add a “talking box” at the entrance that will explain the history of the cemetery and information about who is buried within.
- Several concrete bumpers are ordered to place at each end of the center walking path to prevent car traffic.
- Several different directories of the persons buried in the cemetery are being consolidated so that the website will be more accurate.
- Since the cemetery receives no financial support from the city or county, a new letter asking local citizens for financial support is being crafted for mailing by mid September.
- A grand reopening of the cemetery is being planned for the Spring of 2024.
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Phase 1 -- February 2022
In coordination with The Thomson Memorial Cemetery committee, Camp 91, Thomson Guards, 5th Brigade, Georgia Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, has completed the first stage of cleanup in the Thomson Memorial Cemetery. The cemetery covers approximately 3.5 acres and the first person buried in it was in 1854. There are 110 Confederate veterans buried within the confines.
Since starting the project in mid-June 2021, thirteen 30 cubic yard capacity dumpsters full of debris have been removed. To date, roughly 300 man hours of work have been expended. The graveyard had fallen into extreme disrepair.
The first phase included removing all fallen leaves and limbs from Magnolia trees and oak trees. This debris had accumulated for many years and was two feet deep in many areas. All of the volunteer trees including crepe myrtle, sweet gum, pine and wild cherry were removed. All remaining trees were pruned and the shrubbery was trimmed. All grave sites have been mowed, raked and string trimmed to improve their appearances. More than twenty grave sites that were totally hidden by debris have been uncovered.
On Saturday, April 2, Camp 91, Thomson Guards will be honored after a short memorial service to mark with small Confederate battle flags the graves of the 110 Confederate heroes interred.
The Thomson Memorial Cemetery is truly a time capsule of the families original to the Thomson, McDuffie County area. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a history, heritage and honor society. Camp 91 is dedicated to knowing our history, preserving our past and protecting our Southern heritage.
We look forward to further coordination with the cemetery committee; much more work needs to be done.
Respectfully submitted: Commander Tom Holley
Since starting the project in mid-June 2021, thirteen 30 cubic yard capacity dumpsters full of debris have been removed. To date, roughly 300 man hours of work have been expended. The graveyard had fallen into extreme disrepair.
The first phase included removing all fallen leaves and limbs from Magnolia trees and oak trees. This debris had accumulated for many years and was two feet deep in many areas. All of the volunteer trees including crepe myrtle, sweet gum, pine and wild cherry were removed. All remaining trees were pruned and the shrubbery was trimmed. All grave sites have been mowed, raked and string trimmed to improve their appearances. More than twenty grave sites that were totally hidden by debris have been uncovered.
On Saturday, April 2, Camp 91, Thomson Guards will be honored after a short memorial service to mark with small Confederate battle flags the graves of the 110 Confederate heroes interred.
The Thomson Memorial Cemetery is truly a time capsule of the families original to the Thomson, McDuffie County area. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a history, heritage and honor society. Camp 91 is dedicated to knowing our history, preserving our past and protecting our Southern heritage.
We look forward to further coordination with the cemetery committee; much more work needs to be done.
Respectfully submitted: Commander Tom Holley
