Stoner's Cemetery Plaque Dedication Ceremony

October 15, 2022

Prior to the fall of 2019, maintenance of the Stoner's (Steiner's) Cemetery had been sporadic. Vegetation was growing over every part of the cemetery, completely engulfing the tombstones and the fence that surrounded the cemetery. For images, click this link.

Beginning in October 2019, a very dedicated group of descendents of people buried in the cemetery and other interested persons, joined together in what is now called the Stoner's Preservation Committee. The function of the committee is to restore the cemetery and preserve its history. The committee, of over 20 people, has had zoom meetings on a regular basis for several years.

To accomplish the goals of the committee, first the cemetery and fence were cleared of trees, weeds, and vines. Tombstones were revealed and cleaned. The grass is now mowed on a regular schedule.

Next, all six patriots of the Revolutionary War who are buried at Stoner's ... Henry Albright, Jacob Albright, John Efland, George Foust, Johanne Foust, and George Nease have had a plaque designed that describes their history. These plaques are mounted on a piece of slate in front of their tombstones. Each Revolutionary War patriot's tombstone has been recognized by either the DAR or SAR, and a medallion from that organization is attached to the patriot's stone.

In addition, a Revolutionary War loyalist... John Jacob Graves ... has a plaque, as have two civil war patriots... Alfred Sharp and Anderson Sharp, and the oldest person's tombstone found to date in the cemetery... Isaac Sharp II.

A large new plaque was designed and placed near the entrance of the cemetery to describe the history of Stoner's Cemetery.

On October 15th, 2022, a beautiful fall day, these plaques were dedicated in a very special ceremony, to which 75 people attended.

Below: Invitation to the Ceremony.

Below: The Program.. front cover, inside left page, inside right page, back cover.

Below: Drone images of the event, as it was taking place. (Photographs courtesy of Kristin Fearn)

Below: Flags line the entrance of the event (Photograph courtesy of Kristin Fearn)

 

(Photographs below by Susan Snyder)

Below: Dr. Sam Powell, President of the Alamance Battleground chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, speaks to the crowd of people.

Below: A new plaque for Stoner's Cemetery is revealed. Below this image is a transcription of the plaque.

Below: Dr. James B. Powell, Ph.D presents the dedication of patriot grave markers.

Below: Memorial Wreathes

(Photographs below courtesy of Kristin Fearn)

Below: a member of DAR curtsied in respect to the wreathes.

(Photographs below by Susan Snyder)

Below: The Benediction is performed by Pastor Nathan Hooks

Below: The next two images show some of the many stones in the cemetery.

Below: John Sharp performs a mirror demonstration for reading tombstone inscriptions.

Below: George Nease was a prisoner of war during the Revolutionary War.

Beside the image of the stone is a transcription of his new plaque.

Below: Henry Albright was another prisoner of war during the Revolutionary War. His original stone is laying on the ground in front of the plaque.

Beside the image of the stone is a transcription of his new plaque.

 

Below: John Efland was another Revolutionary War soldier. Under the brown towel is the unrevealed medallion presented by the Sons of the American Revolution. (This photograph is courtesy of John Sharp)

Beside the image of the stone is a transcription of his new plaque.

 

(Photographs below by Susan Snyder)

Below: Isaac Sharp II is the oldest stone found to date in the cemetery.

Beside the image of the stone is a transcription of his new plaque.

 

 

Below: Jacob Graves fought for the British in the Revolutionary War.

Beside the image of the stone is a transcription of his new plaque.

Below: Left to right: Joel King (invited guest speaker), Sandra Henson, Terry Leach, and Kristin Fearn.

Below Left: Catherine Foust Andrews, ?, James Andrews, John Sharp, and Lisa Cox (with her back to the camera).

Below: Gavin Stevens, Executive Director Alamance Community Foundation.

Below: The Battle of Alamance Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution. Kristin Fearn is standing at far right. (Photograph courtesy of Kristin Fearn)

(Photographs below courtesy of John Sharp)

Below: People gathered to talk, and enjoy refreshments

Below: Members of the Stoner's Cemetery Preservation Committee posed for a photograph.

Below: article written about the Stoner's Cemetery dedication by Pat Dorward, DAR. It appeared in Mebane Enterprise. Mebane is a city located mostly in Alamance County, NC. and partly in Orange County. The Mebane Enterprise is a weekly community newpaper.

If you are not already a member of the Stoner's Preservation Committee, but are interested in joining us to help preserve Stoner's cemetery, please contact the webmaster or James (<james.andrews@triad.rr.com>).

 

Contact person for this website is Susan Snyder: susanleachsnyder@gmail.com