John King has provided the latest - and most exciting - progress updates for the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio!

On September 4, 2025, John King, an original volunteer who has devoted countless hours working at the Old Burying Ground since 2014, has provided an updated progress report for this decade-plus long program entitled: 
"Old Burying Ground Preservation Project".  

This historic and scenic cemetery is located in beautiful Greenfield, 
Highland County, Ohio.  

This project is an all-volunteer cemetery preservation / restoration / conservation endeavor that ensures it addresses all of the needs of the cemetery, including resolving the negative issues 
impacting the grave markers and monuments that grace
the sacred grounds of this early Ohio cemetery's landscape. 
This all encompassing focus includes repairing
the cemetery's fencing and gates. 

"Old Burying Ground Preservation Project"

"As mentioned in the last update, weather played a major role  in our preservation efforts.  Too hot and humid for so many days we  did not think we should schedule time  for people to come out and stress  from the heat.  However, John King and Michael Lee Anderson  did have a few spur of the moment sessions  to see what we could get done.  We did manage to repair a few stones,  some in multiple pieces! " "We'll notify you when we have a  cleaning session scheduled." **************** All Photographs below provided by  John King on September 4, 2025: Gate Update . . . "A local person has taken the left side of the gate  that was severely damaged as reported  in our last update to his shop  and believes he can repair it.  We hope he can.  It will probably be a couple months  before we know anything." "We now have a beautiful sign near the entry gate.  It gives an overview of the cemetery,  shows a grid map of the burials,  and lists all the known burials  with reference to the map.  If you are in the area, stop by to see it." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Michael Lee Anderson  standing by the beautiful new sign.: "Since 2014, the Old Burying Ground (OBG)  in Greenfield, Ohio, has been undergoing work by a group of dedicated volunteers. Throughout each year, work sessions have been  held by key volunteers.  informing you of any upcoming work sessions, and offering information about this historic cemetery. We encourage your continued support in this effort and your sharing of this information with your friends. Thank you for caring." "How Can YOU Help? "Join us for an upcoming volunteer session.  You can stay as long as you like.  We will help you get started if you have not participated previously. Tasks range from cleaning stones, straightening stones, recording information, etc.  We post our scheduled sessions on the GHS website calendar  If you are unable to attend a session and still want to help, donations are always welcome as we do have to  purchase gravel and other supplies for cleaning and  repairing the gravestones.  Donations can be made payable to the Greenfield Historical Society and include a note that it is for the cemetery project.  Thanks for the support." Friends of OBG website The Old Burying Ground on Find a Grave

Sharing news of the 2025 "Scenic Ohio" Award Recipients for Ohio's Scenic and Historic Cemeteries & Spotlighting the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, one of the seven cemeteries chosen for this award.

"Preservation Project" Old Burying Ground Greenfield, Ohio

 

 

 

"Since 2014, the Old Burying Ground (OBG) in Greenfield, Ohio, 

has been undergoing work by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Throughout each year, work sessions have been held by key volunteers. 

This email is our way of sharing the progress 

informing you of any upcoming work sessions,

and offering information about this historic cemetery. 

We encourage your continued support in this

effort and your sharing of this information

with your friends.

"2024 marked the completion of our mapping of the cemetery.  By working in 50'x50' sections we identified the burials in each section,  took pictures of the gravestones and updated the Billion Graves website and our Master List of Burials and Working List. A map was also created showing the individual sections that we created. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When the spring weather finally arrives this year we will survey the cemetery to see if there has been any winter damage to any gravestones and determine what our work plan should be for the year.  We would also like to schedule a time  when volunteers can help in cleaning gravestones. This is not a difficult process,  but we do need to know if you want to help so we can provide enough items to perform the cleaning.  ***** If interested, please email:      (jfking@earthlink.net), and we will put your name on the list and let you know when we can schedule that session. Thanks! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* This month we received exciting news that our efforts to preserve the Old Burying Ground will be recognized by Scenic Ohio as  one of the recipients of this year's ***Scenic Ohio Award.*** ******* "Scenic Ohio's awards program recognizes  the work of organizations, agencies, and  individuals that conserve, restore,  maintain and manage Ohio's scenic places.   ******** Our Historic Cemeteries are treasures  to be honored as true  "Gardens for the Living".   ******** The restoration work at Old Burying Ground Cemetery is exemplary and an important example of what many historic cemeteries need.  ******** The work of restoration, preservation and maintenance of historic cemeteries is work of the highest order and to be encouraged throughout Ohio."  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The Old Burying Ground will be recognized at an event in April with six other cemeteries in Ohio: 2025 AWARDS RECIPIENTS:   1.  Lake ViewCemetery, Cleveland   2.  GreenlawnCemetery, Columbus   3.  Spring GroveCemetery, Cincinnati   4.  FerncliffCemetery, Springfield   5.  Mt. Tabor Church Cemetery, Mingo   6.  Old BuryingGround, Highland County   7.  StratfordCemetery, Delaware County AWARDS LUNCHEON EVENT: DATE:                    April 4 LOCATION:          Newark, Ohio The Historic Buckingham Meeting House    5 North 6th Street   Newark, Ohio  43055 TIME:              11:30 am - 1:30 pm KEYNOTE:  Krista Horrocks,                         Ohio History Connection BOOK SIGNING: 11:30 - Noon                                  and 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm,                                  Ian Adams, photographer "This Place of Silence"  Ohio's Cemeteries and Burial Grounds" POST EVENT TOUR: 2:30 pm The Octagon World Heritage Site  Newark,  Jeff Gill ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Thank you all for being supporters and volunteers to help make this happen! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Throughout each year, work sessions have been
held by key volunteers. 
We encourage your continued support in this
effort and your sharing of this information
with your friends."

Thank you for caring!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* (Above photo by Jackie Doles  September 30, 2018)

"Determine the ownership and future preservation of the historic pioneer Black Cemetery that holds the graves of the founding family of the Hansborough Settlement - The Hillsboro-Gazette - July 22 2024."

 Sharing from the Hillsboro "Times-Gazette" in Highland County, Ohio - July 22, 2024.:

Excerpt.:

"I recently discovered our family history was connected to these freed slaves and the heroic story of their journey from a Virginia plantation to Ohio and how they worked to succeed in building this community 22 years before the Civil War. Beyond my family connection, I believe this is an important piece of Ohio history. I wish to preserve and protect the Cemetery, which is now all that physically remains of the Hansborough Settlement, to honor these pioneers and their final resting place, so future generations may know their story. We’re hoping more Hansborough descendants will join and support this effort.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

**James Stearns contact: James Stearns, 1519 Bradley Drive, Boulder CO, 80305. 

720-317-695 stearns.james1112@gmail.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

**Book reference: 

"Black History of Highland County, Ohio", by Kati Burwinkel, Myra Cumberland Phillips and John Glaze, Highland County Historical Society.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

**Highland County Ohio Court of Common Please, Civil Division, Case Number 24 CV 0157; Judge Coss, Complaint to Quiet Title, filed 6-11-2024"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

For further reference, here is the Hansbrough Cemetery on Find a Grave.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Announcement from the Friends of the OBG - Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio. Next session is a mapping session scheduled for May 14th, 2024 - weather permitting.

2024 Next Session **************** This will be a mapping session May 14th, weather permitting.

 "We are slowly getting back to our work at the OBG for 2024, but rains have limited us, as has lack of volunteers. However, Amanda K. and John K. have continued our mapping efforts on April 30 and May 7. 

It was work between rain, but we did get many burials mapped.

We will make another attempt on May 14th, but predictions seem to indicate more rain. So cross your fingers that we will be able to get some work done before the drops (or downpours) begin.

We would also like to schedule a time when volunteers can help in cleaning gravestones. 

This is not difficult, but we do need to know if you want to help so we can provide enough items to perform the cleaning. 

If that is something of interest to you, please email, and we will put your name on the list and let you know when we can  schedule that session. Thanks."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Since 2014, the Old Burying Ground (OBG) in Greenfield, Ohio, has been undergoing work by a group of dedicated volunteers.  Throughout each year, work sessions have been held by key volunteers Scott and Venus Andersen, John King, and Michael Anderson.  We encourage your continued support in this effort and your sharing of this information with your friends.  Thank you for caring. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Friends of the OBG Website  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Old Burying Ground on Find a Grave ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Taking a look at the discoid markers - AKA "ring headed Celtic" markers at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio.

The Old Burying Ground sits on the West side of the gently flowing waters of the Paint Creek separating Greenfield, Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio and Buckskin Township of Ross County on the East side. 

Since 2014, this early to mid 1800s burial ground, where some of the town's pioneer settlers rest in peace, has become a most prominent place to be and witness the unfolding  preservation progress that is so evident in this conservation project that I'm sure is the pride of Greenfield. 

The landscape of cleaned, repaired, and re-set markers and monuments welcome visitors to linger awhile to read their epitaphs and marvel at the unique carvings of motifs and symbols as well as learn their names, dates of death, and their ages at death.

********* 

Thanking all of the dedicated volunteers who have worked to make this transformation possible!  

Those hearty souls are primarily from the Greenfield Historical Society who have been trained to properly clean, repair, and re-set the markers and monuments at their town's pioneer cemetery.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

Here we'll focus on three special white marble markers that are admittedly small in size but hold a mighty presence at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield! 

These markers were created in the distinctive discoid design not often seen at most Ohio cemeteries!    

These rather rare discoid markers are sometimes referred to as "ring headed Celtic markers".:

Cordelia Macey DePoy

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Corporal Thomas Coffey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ellenor Coffey

*******

Adding this possibility for another discoid marker at the Old Burying Ground. 

It is not known at this time if this marker was actually repaired and epoxied back together.  

It appears it was taken apart for restoration so it may appear to be as seen in the photograph on the left if the process wasn't completed.:  

It is listed on BillionGraves as an unknown marker.  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sharing this Youtube video about discoid markers here in America entitled.:

"The Necked Discoid Grave Marker - An Archaeologist's Study to Learn More about the Unique Headstone" 

by Rich Kuenneke

Sharing the progress report for the September 7, 2023 work session conducted by long-time volunteers John King and Michael Lee Anderson at the Old Burying Ground, Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio.

"John King and Michael Leee Anderson continued preservation efforts at the "OBG" Thursday, September 7th, 2023. 

We were able to repair and straighten four gravestones."

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Remember we have a website! 

"A website has been created to highlight our preservation efforts and to use as a vehicle to provide more information about the OBG." 

Visit the Friends of OBG Website.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Join us next time and hopefully we can continue to make repairs to the stones we flagged for repair in our August session."

************

Below:

Left: 

Michael Lee Anderson cleaning a grave marker.:

*********************

Below:
Two markers being reset in their slotted bases.:

**********************

"REMEMBER": 

"The Greenfield Historical Society will host their annual Ghost Walk Monday, October 9th, beginning at 6 p.m. 

Plan to attend to hear the "ghosts"; and see the progress we have made at the cemetery."

***************

The Old Burying Ground on "Find a Grave."

***************

John Cameron Thompson's "Find a Grave" memorial.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"How Can YOU Help?"

"Join us for an upcoming volunteer session. You can stay as long as you like. We will help you get started if you have not participated previously. Tasks range from cleaning stones, straightening stones, recording information, etc. 

We post our scheduled sessions on the GHS website calendar and through communications such as this email." 

"If you are unable to attend a session and still want to help, donations are always welcome as we do have to purchase gravel and other supplies for cleaning and repairing the gravestones.

*************** 

"Donations can be made payable to the Greenfield Historical Society and include a note that it is for the cemetery project. Thanks for the support."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Greenfield Historical Society's Cemeteries Section on their website.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Announcing the next scheduled work session at the Old Burying Ground (OBG) in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio.: Thursday, September 7, 2023 - starting around 9:00a.m.

John King and Michael Lee Anderson will be at the OBG - Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio - Thursday, September 7th, around 9:00 a.m. to continue their 2023 work sessions.

********

"Please stop by to join us or to just see the progress at the cemetery. 

You can email to let us know you are coming."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sharing a link to the website.:  

"Friends of OBG"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Old Burying Ground on the website.:

"Find a Grave."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

New Report from the Friends of the Old Burying Ground "OBG" - Visit of August 10, 2023 - Assessments made by John King and Michael Lee Anderson.

 Links to the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, on: 

Find a Grave and Billion Graves.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"It was an overcast morning, but the rain had stopped so John King and Mike Anderson worked at the OBG Thursday, August 10th. We decided, due to the wet grass, we would primarily identify stones in need of repair, those in need of re-mounting in their bases, and those needing re-aligning so that on our next visits we would know what stones to focus on."

"We played "complete the jigsaw puzzle" on many of the stones, searching for the missing parts (with much success) and we even tackled a couple small box tombs - finding the pieces of the base that had slid off or that were hidden around it."

"Join us next time and hopefully we can make some repairs to the 12-15 stones we flagged for our next few work sessions."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"We found the missing triangular piece to this stone (middle, left) and placed all three components together to see how they fit. 

We will soon get it repaired and once it is cleaned it will be a beautiful monument."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Walls uncovered and positioned for this small box tomb. Once put back together it will look very nice. Notice the beveled ends of the sides and end walls."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"After much searching and playing with the pieces we were able to find everything that will be needed to repair this box tomb."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The website of the Friends of the Old Burying Ground (OBG) in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio.