There is a graveyard near Ripplemead Virginia which dates back over two centuries, but was (until recently) unmarked, essentially lost in the forest above the New River in Giles county. It is not even listed officially among cemeteries for the county in which it is located. It contains the graves of several of our ancestors, including the Revolutionary War soldier John Chapman (for whom there is a DAR Chapter) and Major William Cecil (a Mason and Confederate soldier). Other surnames include Pendleton, Mullins, and Strother.
I am concerned that, having virtually disappeared into the woods, it might vanish altogether under the bulldozers of developers (who are known to make such "mistakes"). A few years ago, the ruins of John Chapman's homestead nearby were bulldozed, so that the property owner could sell the stones. I and thousands of Chapman descendants would certainly regret something like that happening to the cemetery.
Giles county seems minimally interested in preserving (or even acknowledging) the cemetery. Emails to various county officials over several months have gone unanswered. The regents from the DAR who are supposed to maintain a chapter for John Chapman appear to have vanished. And the Giles county Historical Society is sympathetic, but seems to have few resources and are providing no direction.
What can be done?
Rees Chapman
Dahlonega, GA
January 2009
