Abandoned Burial Ground For Runaway Slaves

Fort Hunter: • The Real History of Sl...
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[@wethepeople8542]

No man should ever live as a slave no matter his color or creed. These people seeking freedom should be honored and remembered.

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

Almost everyone back then was not free to do what they wanted. Farmers had to tend to the crops and animals every day and did not get vacations.

[@kathygalloway2990]

Absolutely TRUE I agree with you 100% this is so heartbreaking

[@emmacrawford5525]

I agree with you 💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@Jaffacall3251]

Yet you use that hate symbol as your profile picture, go figure.

[@Pocono2A]

They were not farmers.Slaves did the work that the so called white farmers didn’t want to do.Days off? You’re a clown

[@ayp522]

Being African American who descendant from slaves this really saddens me that it has been forgotten. Hopefully, someone is watching this and will get a group together who can come and clean the cemetery. Thank you for sharing and showing respect to the area, I can see you care.

[@JosephBenRobert]

Amen to that Alicia and I wonder if an African American Group like NAACP or something similar maybe a historical society could lead a effort to do something for this site where some dear souls lie in rest!

[@barryseifert6053]

@@JosephBenRobert Why dose it have to be an African American group ? Why cant we as people black or white get together and show respect and clean it up .

[@emmacrawford5525]

Real talk 💯💯💯💯 l agree with you 💯💯💯💯

[@andrewhatton1606]

I’m white and I hope so too. 😢

[@chrisiiams4303]

I feel the same as you, these people are our history an deserve 100% more

[@karencaddle7288]

Cliff, they are not forgotten. Because of you over 1300 of us now know about these souls.

[@stephanieb.2861]

There is a house here that has a 2 story garage out back that has a top landing that opens up to a ladder and tunnel that was part of the underground railroad. The house had a horse hitch out front that was a sign of it being a railroad house. When I was a kid it was there, but has been removed years ago. I'm in the southern tier of NY, very close to the PA line. Close to Elmira. Thank you for finding that. Very sad.

[@samanthab1923]

Stephanie B. That's cool 😎 I'm in PA just across the river from NJ & there is a farmhouse up the RR tracks that was a stop.

[@stephanieb.2861]

@@samanthab1923 cool!

[@anandrew6641]

Interesting

[@gigicostlow4414]

Wow I used to live close to you in Jamestown, NY. Also lived in Cherry Creek. In Mississippi now. The underground railroad was very active in Jamestown and Cherry Creek and across Chautauqua County. There's an exhibit (statues) dipicting the underground railroad. It is across from the library in Jamestown. I moved before it was put there but friends have sent me pictures of it. It is very touching.

[@stephanieb.2861]

@@gigicostlow4414 I would like to go see it some day, but Jamestown is a little over 2 hours away.

[@cynthiahamilton3232]

Bless your heart Cliff. I feel the same way about this lost story. Thank you for searching and bringing us along.

[@lynnlopez3274]

It would be so nice if the local boy scouts or eagle scouts would take on these relatively small projects. Fence with a proper fence and landscape. So sad. Should we try to find out. A friend of mine is very up in scouts and they do things like helping our local fire house renovate.

[@samanthab1923]

Lynn Lopez They do wonderful things in the community. Years back my doctor's son helped clean up the Irish 🍀 canal workers burial yard in NJ.

[@PAExploration]

They probably don't know this cemetery even exists. I would suggest contacting the local BSA Troop and suggesting this for an Eagle Scout project.

[@kman-mi7su]

@@PAExploration Yes, I live in Fairfax, VA and we had troop that one of the scouts made it his Eagle project. They weed wacked, picked up fallen tree branches, and restored the fencing around it with help of donated materials from Home Depot.

[@robertmcgee7083]

All cemeteries should be looked after.

[@anandrew6641]

Agreed

[@steel5886]

I can never understand why any final resting place of human beings who had a life are abandoned .It's sad ,and you would think some type of organization nation wide would with volunteers can at least map them ,and keep them maintained . I'm sure there would be no shortage of people to help .

[@roastbeefrootbeer]

@@steel5886 The problem would be a shortage of land. There have been 105 billion people who have died on Earth. If all humans being had their graves preserved there be would huge amounts of land devoted to nothing but endless cemeteries.

[@steel5886]

Land is more important than a persons grave .Even more sad ... My comments were on what remains of abandoned cemeteries discovered which are obviously in wilderness areas .

[@steel5886]

@cloudtoground If your reply is to Me ??? I have an opinion so does everyone .. No need to disrespect ...

[@jeniw8586]

Appreciate the history you include. Enjoy walking along with you and listening to what you have to say. I agree that this place should not be forgotten.

[@catherinetelesco2767]

Thank you for your compassion. I always feel as if I am right there with you. How terribly sad...

[@johnwick4257]

Yes, you always show such compassion and warmth. Thank you for that. But lest we forget, there is human trafficking, and slavery going on today, as we speak. There is not even this much to remember them by. May they ALL rest in Peace.

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

Yes. And we like buying cheap goods from China and supporting that type of behavior.

[@cookielady7662]

You're right. These people had a story to tell and someone should make sure it gets told. I wish the cemetery would be restored. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnlewis1640]

Until recently some old Cemeteries in New England were just destroyed if someone wanted to develop the land. My Ancesters cemetery in Westerley, Rhode Island was made into a tennis court in the 1920's, some graves going back to 1670! Terrible.

[@donnaklingbeil4468]

I totally agree with you Cliff. That cemetery should be preserved. People should know about it. Yes, it is our heritage. Thanks for taking the time to research and educate us. I love your videos!

[@andrewbarlow8937]

They are fortunate to have a proper burial. Some folks simply decay where they fall. Unfortunately I've witnessed such horror. That's a topic of a different magnitude. War is Hell. 😰

[@lynnlopez3274]

You hit the right chord always, respectful and solemn. Thank you, Cliff!

[@JosephBenRobert]

I agree Cliff you have a good and kind heart!

[@jimmyfischbeck9872]

Wonderful walking tour of our national disgrace. Thank You for treating those graves honorably! Life was hard enough for these folks, and you are correct to hope for a more honorable grave site.

[@pamelanoel8948]

They are someone's family, loved ones and lost pieces of family history. It's sad that no one cares for this.

[@triumfant2]

I appreciate you showing this, I feel the same those burials should be taken care of and history should be identified. I would give time to clean up and preserve these burial.

[@trickychristopher]

Thank you for shedding light on this Cliff, it breaks my heart to see these forgotten souls. It's very saddning. Someone needs to take care of them.

[@SantaFishes101]

Yeah I agree completely that someone should mark this place!! damn. thanks so much for sharing.

[@garnetbarton3313]

I feel the same way about it. I can not imagine what these people faced as slaves and as runaways. They followed the underground railroad in an attempt to live a better life, a free life in the north or to Canada. We don't know the number of people buried here or the stories they had but they deserve to be remembered and honored as the part of history they lived through. I just feel there should be something to tell others that they lived and died in one of the worst times in the history of our country.

[@terryciavola2251]

A sad story that should be told, thank you for sharing this. It should be recognized by the state. 🙏🏻🇺🇸❤️

[@jenniferp.9074]

What a fascinating find! That's ashame there's nothing of significance to make the place memorable. Thank you for sharing this with us!!

[@user-David-Alan]

I totally agree, areas like that should be preserved for education. Thanks for sharing.

[@pamelawooten3251]

Thanks for sharing their history, Cliff. I totally agree with you that they deserve more history about their lives.

[@brendakrieger7000]

Always appreciate you and your videos❤ I totally agree that it should be properly marked and cared about.

[@nancystrand1920]

Underground railroad went to priceville,Ontario,canafa

[@onwardsandupwardsrockhounding]

Your a special guy Cliff. Thank you for bringing this place to people's attention. Your absolutely correct that it should be cared for out of respect. Great job Cliff.......Onwards and Upwards sir!!

[@jenniferbutcher8393]

You should make a compilation/book of these cemeteries. ...lest they all be forgotten. If you hadn't have made this video, we most likely would have never heard of this place, like many of the other places you explore. Thank you for being a REAL history teacher! 😊

[@EagleJim62]

Thanks for sharing this video. This is an important part of our history. Too often the negatives in our past is overlooked or forgotten.

[@karenpacker8862]

Thank you for documenting and who told where it was. Theyre history really does need to be told. Its ridicoulous that it isnt being taking care of and a big plaque for them!!!!

[@andrearutherford7913]

God Bless you Sir & may He keep you safe in your journeys..... I love exploing old cemetaries.

[@ruthdurschinger-mast3017]

Cliff, it would be nice for you to remember these cemeteries on Billion Graves and/or Find a Grave with the GPS info. Appreciate all the time you give to finding and remembering those lost and forgotten souls. God Bless.

[@martyjones9374]

Such great compassion, respect, & honor you just showed for those resting here. Brought me to tears what they all must of faced trying to find a better life now lying lost in the woods. The woods are a very peaceful rest, however would be nice they have a proper remembrance. Thanks Cliff, you have a very kind heart. :)

[@lindanoreika176]

It is a very sad story. Thank you for bringing it to light. What a terrible time in history.

[@chrisiiams4303]

Thank you for sharing your great video and sharing a piece of history.

[@jeanv.5530]

So happy I found your channel. You have a kind d heart. Thank you.

[@sharonbartlett4307]

Do you teach history? If so, you certainly have a lot of stories for your students. It is a shame that the graves weren't marked better. Thank you for sharing this. Stay safe and God bless.

[@brianmartin3084]

Robert Springer was a well respected man in the surrounding communities. He was a basket maker. He is buried in Churchtown just south of the cemetery you found. Since Brushtown only lasted a few decades, and Robert Springer was the first and last resident, I always figured the cemetery was likely to be babies or children. There would have been a high mortality rate for children. (Just my thoughts). Apparently there were some remnants of the buildings of Brushtown in the early 1900's inhabited by squatters and petty thieves. I've looked for remnants of these buildings but never found anything. Thanks for the video. There is very little info about this online.

[@lindamccaughey8800]

I felt some sadness there. I so agree all cemeteries should be looked after. Should never matter who is buried there. I am so p,eased you battled on the history was fantastic. Thanks so much for taking me along

[@stinkygraykitty6808]

Thanks for bringing this information to light. This cemetery needs to be taken care of, the buried deserve it.

[@hollyradel5774]

Very interesting thanks for sharing.

[@alberttrentjr2427]

Thank you for doing what you do and actually caring while you do it!

[@samanthab1923]

As kids growing up in NJ we lived in a development that was built around the old Gimbel estate. Probably the only reason the Dutch & slave cemeteries were left untouched.

[@reidselby2569]

A rake, a couple hours and some decorative chain would go a long way. They died free people.

[@sherronbell4961]

Fantastic video, they could put up a Marker.

[@ruthgoebel723]

This is so sad, that these people have been essentially forgotten. It would be nice to get it fixed up properly, but with it being so isolated, it could be vandalized. I am glad you found it

[@asilversurfer4372]

Lost & forgotten, glad you found it & let people know.

[@holleyb7861]

It shows that someone cared at one time but like so much history...it's forgotten. When one forgets history, the same mistakes are made.

[@steel5886]

Cliff , A great video of our history you bring to us ,and why I have so much respect for your as a human being ,and dedication to this channel 's great content you provide us viewers . Couldn't agree with you more on opinion . If I may a suggest an idea announce a meet up asking for volunteers to clean up ,and mark abandoned cemeteries . I bet you would get many people then can be a series of videos added to your history of PA.Hope you don't mind my suggestion. Great video Cliff.

[@Redgonetogray]

Sounds like a great opportunity for an Eagle Scout project for someone.

[@KillerDoc42]

You do good work brother.

[@edithdavis2848]

Cliff in your own special way , you have made an outstanding tribute to those who lay there. You are getting their lost resting place out to untold hundreds of viewers. Maybe one or a group could help spread it more or even start a movement to see that it is taken care of. You are so caring and respectful. Wish more were like you. There is a history in that place that will never be known, and that is the saddest, part.

[@marleneestabrook1999]

you are absolutely right this is an important part of our history and should be preserved push on to explore more of the world i just love to hear the history its like i cant hear and see enough thanks for taking me along

[@kathygalloway2990]

Hi Cliff just me again, I feel the same as you do, I can see the pain and sorrow on your face this is so heartbreaking, I agree that there should be a marker with the grounds taken better care of, the people buried here are just as important as any other person, the State of PA needs to do something about this or even the historical society in that area absolutely needs to get involved, this is our history apart of our heritage I'm just so saddened by what I saw! I'm going to share this video for certain maybe that will help I don't know, I live in the South if I were living there I would defiantly find or try to find someone or group that could possibly get something going on this, I'm just so sad, thanks for sharing

[@FunGetAways]

Thanks for the history for the month of Feb!

[@vannehanisch-godoy]

Fascinating! I lived closed by there and never knew about it! Thanks for sharing!

[@sugarandpennythepooh1211]

Thank you for the tour and information. Very touching! 🙏😊❤️ Joanne

[@lindaberg9960]

May God Bless your caring heart and sweet spirit Cliff! My eyes were leaking as you ever so gently scanned these lost & forgotten. graves. Please see if there is a young man looking for his project to complete Eagle badge, or some local 4-H groups, FFA members...perhaps even a church might "adopt" this tiny plot of earth that holds the earthly remains of some very brave human beings, who suffered much. You're an amazing young man Cliff!

[@doloresvargas6450]

It takes a lot of preserverance to get through this envirironment you're in.Tony has spoken.

[@joycedarby4097]

Amazing man, would love to know how many are buried in....

[@cafdnw]

Love your passion for history Cliff! I really enjoy your videos of Pennsylvania history because I have a lot of Family history in Eastern PA as well as Western PA even tho I was born and raised in Ohio lol Thank You 👍🏻❤️

[@deadmetal8692]

In Williamsport, Pa there is a well cared for cemetery of freed slaves. Its on what is called Freedom road. Williamsport was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

[@susanorr7535]

Amazing find, so much history.

[@brianfitzpatrick6554]

Thanks for sharing your adventures 👍👍

[@johnrodgers9877]

Nice explore Cliff , Thank you for taking us to places only the brave , dare to tread !

[@1967BlackRose]

Such a shame Thank you for sharing yet another piece of History

[@albertmiller3082]

Good on you. Agree with you all the way. Stay well.

[@carlavision6143]

Cliff, really enjoyed your adventure to that interesting cemetery! Can't wait for your next video.

[@bluegrassrelics1969]

Nice video! I enjoyed watching

[@johnmurray4918]

cloudtoground, thank you for your reply. The same can be said for people, that no matter what greatness you may have achieved in life, a time will come in the future when no one will remember who you were or care. Something people with big egos should remember.

[@johnmurray4918]

I think if you think about it over time thousands of cemetery's have disappeared. They get overgrown the markers disappear and the memories of those people disappear with it. Today we do a better job for the most part maintaining these sites but it could be better.

[@JamesRobertSmith]

An interesting find. An appropriately quiet and peaceful spot.

[@jackielatham4831]

Thank you for finding this graveyard cliff It's very sad makes my blood boil that anyone could be treated with such disregard God bless them Xx

[@kristgeo]

Interesting video. I agree with you completely. That place should not be forgotten. These were human beings who deserve respect just like anyone else.

[@DaleHok]

thanks for the history lesson. we agree that someone should be tending this. today we find that alot of society is not concerned with any thing but their own little world. we look forward to your videos. they give us a view of penn that we would never see dale and linda

[@daunehartman4679]

That's sad to know that just. Out there all alone

[@jendyson6729]

fascinating. Thank you. I am not far from there at all may go hiking some time. With company so I don't get lost!

[@luvernem7189]

Thanks for sharing!

[@brianmaxey3263]

Old Sears Cemetery here in Whitley County, KY, is the same way.. It wasn't moved with the other cemeteries, whenever Laurel River Dam was built, now it's just in the middle of the woodland, on where the old Soloman Sears farmstead was located.. Now it's just abandoned for the most part with a few fence post marking the locations, pretty sad really, know where some more is like it as well..

[@kittynimitz7149]

If you are not a teacher/professor, you could be. Love Your stuff!

[@shortlinebryan]

Dang that’s crazy. I lived in bowmansville for awhile never knew this existed.

[@nancystrand1920]

Hi from Wasaga Beach, Ontario,canada

[@fuzzwack1]

HI,fellow Canadian! I see your name here all the time!

[@kateclark7250]

Thank you for this...

[@mariannesmith7201]

I live in Butler PA and have been doing similar research as you are - I feel it is the absolute least I can do. I am mostly Irish American, but also have some Seneca and Lenne Lenape ancestry. The black, brown, and Indiginous peoples of our country are every bit as important to America and to our history as white pioneers and leaders in our history. And I believe finding the TRUTH about the history that was never taught to us in school must be honored and shared. I believe we need to tell the truth about genocide of Indiginous, slavery, extrajudicial lynching, massacres by white citizens against black, brown, Indiginous, asian Americans. It is the path towards healing our nation. I have discovered there were many slaves owned in Pittsburgh, Butler, Armstrong, Old Cumberland Counties. I have found specific written records about individual slaves. Thank you for your respectful research.

[@user-gy7jv2us8n]

*LONG POST* This is my home. My family and I have lived on this land since the early settlers came over from Germany in the 1700's. Although the graveyard is now on State Game Lands, it wasn't always. Once upon a time, that land belonged to my family.. along with Maple Grove Raceway and down across the highway. Eminent domain and rises in property taxes over the decades forced my ancestors to sell or give away the land. Now, all we own is the land directly next to the gravesite. (Those private property markers are ours!) Stories of the people who have been buried here have been passed down for generations in my family. The story goes that the family fled slavery and settled on my family's land. We had too much.. there was no way to maintain it all anyways. Our families knew of each other. One tale even goes to say that our families ended up blending and having their own children. They stayed, made their home and when the last of the family died, they were buried in this plot near their homestead. Whether this is just a folktale or an accurate story, they live on in the tales my family tells. (Also.. Yellow Hill is on the opposite side of the mountain you're on! It actually happened to be the side of the mountain that my family didn't own. Its about a 3 minute drive from the parking lot at the cemetery. I never heard this version, so that was neat to hear!) To preface this.. I am in no way judging or opposing the perspectives of this video. You are clearly compassionate and care deeply about its preservation which I find so incredibly heartwarming! I'm simply providing an alternate perspective, and possibly a better insight into the family. (You should interview my grandmother.. she would know a lot more about the family than I would!) You are absolutely right.. State Game Land does not take preservation of history (or preservation at all if you want my two cents) seriously at all. Relying on the State Game Lands to create a better cemetery would be a long shot. Although I do agree that the cemetery deserves a fix up or a plaque, in my opinion, inviting society here would be a mistake. The people who are buried here do deserve to be remembered.. but not in the way we commonly do now. The current state of preservation of this site is only even this good because not many people do know about it. If the tales of my family are true.. they were buried by their family, on their own homestead. This is their resting place. And in my opinion, to draw public attention to this area.. a spot in the middle of nowhere.. with no supervision.. it would cause a greater increase in vandalism (not only to the cemetery, but to the wildlife that surrounds it) than offer a proper historical site. We need to remember that this is not just a cemetery, but it's also State Game Lands. Its important to keep in mind that hunters do hunt in these areas too. Inviting the public to check it out could be dangerous. Although it might not be your direct purpose to invite all of society, that is essentially what you are doing by posting this video online. Its a place preserved for wildlife. Its home to every groundhog, squirrel, fox, deer, and coyote in the area. Only over just a short few decades, I can't even spot a pheasant anymore. There are deer left every year along the sides of the parking lots with only their heads taken to be mounted as a trophy. And State Game Lands do nothing. We unfortunately live in a world where wildlife is not respected. That, or people are just unaware of its importance and the results of their actions. It frightens me to think that inviting ignorant people will only contaminate this sacred area even more than it already is instead of preserve a piece of history. People are already disrespecting the woods by carving into the trees. Money Rocks has graffiti everywhere! The land that they remain buried in has been practically unchanged since their burial and it should stay that way. Although I can relate to the opposite side of the spectrum, I guess I just don't have much faith in society.. In my opinion, I'd be doing my part in respecting this family and preserving its history by opposing the idea of inviting the public to come see. Preservation of this site begins with its ability to stay hidden. It should not be a place to attract wanderers who simply find it amusing or "interesting". This grave site has existed for well over a century, and it only stayed that way because it was never made a public spectacle. Clearly, the Game Lands aren't protecting it, so the best thing we can do is to respect it by letting it be. This is not a place for you history class to visit. Write a book if you need to. I'd be your first purchase!

[@tingting90sf]

Great video. I myself have been helping preserve a free slave cemetery at mt. Tabor Church in mount holly springs pa.

[@keithreh9338]

I can understand your feelings @ the abandoned gravesites...perhaps you could contact Berks & Lancaster Counties historical societies and get them to survey the area (with Game Commission WCO's) and get the area marked & added to the list of established cemeteries for further cleanup & preservation

[@pattibelcher2659]

Hi, my name is Pattie. Just wanted to let you know about a very old cemetery in Iota Louisiana. They build what they call little houses over the buried site . They have shelves in them with personal things on them. Picture's of other family members. They have a front door , windows , a real wood frame and roof ! They have been trying to restore it! Please try to come to Louisiana and explore the many historical cemeterys in and around the New Orleans area .

[@jamesgritz404]

I agree there are a lot of small cemetarys like these there is one behind my house in claussville off rt 100

[@darellgullion3379]

I feel the same way you do about trying to preserve history.

[@tpc-7175]

We are just vessels, we rot and turn to dirt. It's no more sad than the trees being cut for native American "burials" or Pioneer or family graveyards. I know of two cemeteries in Cumberland county alone that were " relocated" to make way for the changing times. A warehouse and a grocery store.

[@boldtrucker7091]

I agree!! Thank you!!

[@larryfleming2584]

Thank you. I will present this during Black History Month in New Orleans.

[@emeraldsoundproductions]

I see you get up to Lycoming County on occasions. you should check out an old cemetery that is along the Pine Creek Rail Trail near Tomb Flats Campground off of Rt. 414. The exact co-ords are N41 27.285 W077 30.806. While there you could also do a video of the Pine Creek Rail Trail.

[@thegrimreaper1991]

Im very sad these good people have been forgotten. I believe this should be remembered as a lesson to mankind.....remember that we are all the same no matter what. Respect, love, and work together always. Maybe then this tragedy will never happen again. May these good people rest in peace.

[@nancystrand1920]

Thumbs up

[@Figgatella]

There are so many slave cemeteries in the South no one looks after. It is so sad. Most are on old plantations abandoned by the owners. Check out Sidestep Adventures on You Tube, they show a lot of them. It makes me angry how they keep up the white cemeteries right next to them. I agree Cliff, it should be taken care of and those remembered. What a piece of history!

[@samanthab1923]

Tamara Figge I watched those as well. Sad 😭

[@brendakrieger7000]

I just started watching their channel a couple of days ago. I enjoy both this channel and Sidestep

[@gigicostlow4414]

Interesting video. That is a historical site and should be listed and maintained. Should be a trail and markers and a nice fence around it. This sort of thing makes me sad and wonder about these people. It may be possible to do some census type research or dig deep into the area history to see if anyone buried here is mentioned. There were probably some houses/farms there at one time. Might have even just been a shanty or two where they lived and died. Man I would love to dig into the history of this land and cemetery.