"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.

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

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

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**Book reference: 

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

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

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

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Mother Thompson - From the Hillsboro Times-Gazette, Highland County, Ohio

Mother Thompson

Eliza Jane (Mother) Trimble Thompson

Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio and Understanding Its Active Yet Unregistered Status

Taking a look today at the Hillsboro Cemetery in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio which is operated by a private cemetery association.  

The Hillsboro Cemetery is an active cemetery, however, a currently un-registered one.  These are important points to remember especially when negative issues arise impacting a cemetery's care and/or condition and direct action is likely to be needed to resolve the situation.

If there are unresolved issues at a cemetery that is not registered, then complaints cannot be filed against the owners/operators of that cemetery, via an official Cemetery Complaint Form, with the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission.  

Only registered cemeteries are eligible, per the Ohio Department of Commerce's regulations based on the Ohio Revised Codes, which state the types of cemeteries where complaints can be filed against those responsible for their ongoing care, deteriorating conditions, or with regard to other negative issues.

  

Thus, even if a cemetery is deemed to be active but if it is currently not registered, then no complaints can be filed against those responsible for its maintenance, etc. with the Ohio Department of Commerce's  Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission.

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**"Pursuant to ORC 4767.03, registrations expire annually on June 30^th"

^{**"However, registrations for cemeteries maintained by political subdivisions do not expire."} 

 ^{Please read the message from Laura Monick below regarding this issue -- thanking Laura for her help with my questions.}  

From: "Monick, Laura"

Laura.Monick@com.state.oh.us

Sent: Monday, October 6, 2014 8:21 AM Subject:

RE: Asking a question regarding the Hillsboro Cemetery in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio

"I have looked up Hillsboro Cemetery in our system.  Currently, this is an unregistered cemetery.  We have already attempted to reach out to the association to bring them into compliance with the registration requirements.  However, ORC 4767.07 only permits us to take complaints against cemeteries that are registered.  While we work with the cemetery on the registration process we are unable to open a complaint."

You may look-up registered cemeteries here: 

https://elicense3-secure.com.ohio.gov

https://elicense3-secure.com.ohio.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx

The system allows you to search by city and zip code.  The prefix on the license number that you would be interested in are as follows:

CEO – cemetery operator

CRC – cemetery associations

CBR – religious/benevolent/fraternal cemeteries

CGR – political subdivision cemeteries

Pursuant to ORC 4767.03, registrations expire annually on June 30^th

^{However, registrations for cemeteries maintained by political subdivisions do not expire. "}

 

Laura A. Monick Registration and Resolution Section Chief 
Ohio Department of Commerce Ohio 
Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing 
77 South High Street, 20th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 
614-466-5384 
www.com.ohio.gov

Update on Hillsboro Cemetery Vandalism - Reward raised to $2,500.00

Click on title to read an update in the October 19, 2011 issue of the Hillsboro "Times Gazette" (Timesgazette.com) about an increase in the reward being offered following the destruction of approximately 50 gravestones at the city cemetery in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio.

 The story was written by Assistant Editor, Jeff Gilliland. 

Abstracted from the story:

"Another anonymous donation has raised the reward to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for damaging headstones in the Hillsboro Cemetery on Oct. 7."

Reporting Extensive Vandalism damage at the Hillsboro Cemetery in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio

Click on title to link to an October 9, 2011 story published in the "Highland County Press" about recent vandalism damage of at least 50 gravestones at the Hillsboro Cemetery in Hillsboro.

A follow-up story ran on October 12, 2011 with an offer of a reward of $1,250 for information that leads to the arrest of those who are responsible for the destruction.

http://highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=73&articleID=10056

"All calls will be kept confidential.

Please call Sgt. Ron Priest at the Hillsboro Police Department at 393-3411."

Ghost Walk - Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio - Thursday - August 26, 2010 - 6:00p.m.

For more information contact:

Highland County Historical Society

151 East Main Street, Hillsboro, OH 45133-1450

(937) 393-3392 

Hillsboro Cemetery - Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio

Views of the area by a downed tree at the Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio - June 22, 2010