Walking Tour of Goose Creek Island Cemeteries - To See, To Remember

Photo by William Odell Spain, January 2010

     Goose Creek Island's cemeteries are our most important historic resource.  If you ask any Islander what the Island's most important historic resources would be, they will say our churches, working waterfronts (landings) and our cemeteries.  Our Island history is in our cemeteries and preservation of them will be vital to keeping our history alive.
     The cemeteries on the Island is our most sacred places, but they are also places for educating and learning.  At rest, our former neighbors and family are a source of history and our Island stories. Strolling through the cemeteries provides not only a window into our past, but the serenity and reverence of its location, the quiet wildlife amongst it, and the beautiful outdoor sculptures of the markers.
     If we desire to tell our stories to future generations and visitors, our cemeteries offer the best opportunities.  From the hallowed ground lays stories of Island characters, their triumphs, their tragedies.  They offer the opportunity to gather genealogical information and the history that is revealed.
    I am planning a Walking Tour of Goose Creek Island Cemeteries for the fall.  Several folks have mentioned they would like to visit the Brickyard Cemetery at Middle Bay.  I've never been and I would love to bear witness to the history that is there.  We can pick a day and all gather at the Hobucken Marina. We'll drive to each cemetery on the Island and share stories, record any information one would like and take pictures.   But most importantly, we will gather to learn, to record these memories, to honor our fellow Islanders. 
     If you are interested in joining me, please send me an email at tinabeacham@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook.  I will try to pick a Saturday for all of us to come together.  Your thoughts and suggestions are most welcomed.