Spotlighting the Repair of the Joseph Hull Gravestone - Old Burying Ground - Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

Thanking Scott Andersen for sharing these "before" and "after" photographs shown below of the Joseph Hull gravestone at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio. 

Scott first saw this 1875 white marble gravestone on October 12, 2013 and began his work to repair (re-piece!) it immediately.  

The top photograph is an 'as found' picture of the Joseph Hull stone as it lay on the ground in a state of several broken pieces.  

Scott said that fortunately the base for the stone was still intact, however, there was an added problem of a broken off stub from the gravestone itself still stuck in the base.

The next photograph documents the progress of the restoration work applied to the gravestone now seen repaired and ready to be installed back in its base.  

The last two photographs were taken after the work was completed showing the cleaned and repaired gravestone securely back in its slotted base.  

The last photograph shows the stark contrast between the Joseph Hull gravestone standing straight and tall next to a 'neighbor' gravestone that is leaning to its side and in dire need of cleaning.  

Thanks to Scott, the Joseph Hull gravestone has resumed its stately stance to once again properly honor the person whose name is inscribed on it.     

 

Gravestones Standing Straight and Tall at the Dean Cemetery, Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio

    Scott and Venus Andersen report on their latest restoration work at the Dean Cemetery in Ross County, Ohio that they began in 2011.  

Their accomplishments include:  removing a large portion of the plant life overgrowth and trees that were encroaching around the gravestones, uncovering and cleaning long buried gravestones, with repairing, re-setting and straightening several that needed the additional attention.  

Their efforts have brought about a reformation that is remarkable!   

     Today, we'll take a look at the gravestones for John Cadwellander Wallace and his son, Alexander Wallace, both buried at the Dean Cemetery. 

     And, the final two photographs tell the amazing story of how the appearance of straight and tall standing gravestones, no matter how old or even chipped they may be, profoundly affect our senses as we admire their resiliency.  

We realize that such an improved condition was created by dedicated human hands.  This concern and caring of the living for the dead invites our respect for both. 

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(Gravestone Photographs below)

John Cadwellander Wallace, top photograph, as found by Scott and Venus in 2011, middle photograph taken in September, 2011 and lower photograph taken October 21, 2013

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 (Gravestone Photographs Below)

Alexander Wallace as found by Scott and Venus in 2011, middle photograph taken in September, 2011, and lower photograph taken October 21, 2013

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  (Gravestone Photographs Below )

Top Photograph taken in December 2012 before some of the gravestones were straightened.  

The leaning stones were also sinking further into the ground.  If left as is, they would eventually sink out of sight.

 The lower photograph shows more gravestones standing tall in straight rows.  

Mary Dickey's gravestone is closest to the camera.

 

Thanking Scott and Venus Andersen for sharing their photographs that exhibit the evolution of the Dean Cemetery -- an early Southern Ohio burial ground that has progressed from being almost invisible to looking lovingly cared for because of their continued improvements.  

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