My Family’s Cemetery Neglected and Vandalized

The Charles Family Cemetery was established by the Charles Family on their land likely sometime in the 1820’s. The cemetery has been used off and on over the last fifty years and has not been used for a burial in almost thirteen years. Since it’s last use, the cemetery has been minimally maintained and has suffered two separate bouts of vandalism. its history. The first was an attempt to rob graves when three box mausoleums had their lids smashed in. I’m not sure when this took place but the would be grave robbers were wasting their time as there wasn’t anything to them to steal. The second instance was more recent, probably in the last four to six months. In this instance, the vandal(s) went through the cemetery and pushed over numerous headstones, pushed a lid off of a box tomb, smashed three headstones, and stole two of the three they broke. Given the cemetery’s proximity to a major road and it’s invisibility from that road, it has become somewhat of a known hangout spot for people engaging in all kinds of unscrupulous activities. After this latest vandalism, I have taken it upon myself to restore the cemetery and better secure it to honor my ancestors.
The cemetery contains forty-seven identified graves but there is no doubt in my mind that many more are likely resting in unmarked graves.

[@cyndicook7755]

I never understood what someone gets out of wrecking a cemetery.

[@DarkSoul80085]

Its called grave robbing their looking for jewlery anything of value

[@jameslipke354]

Same. It's so incredibly disrespectful, inexcusable and disgraceful. It is beyond ridiculous. Karma will surely handle those responsible for the vandalism and destruction. ~ APRIL LIPKE

[@juliewatson4314]

Boredom.. something (fun) to do

[@daveoelke857]

Young vandals have a chip on their shoulder. They’re mad at the world.

[@Ellen-hs7zb]

@@juliewatson4314 Right, people who won't get a job or are unemployable and have nothin' to do.

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and helpful suggestions! I’m deeply grateful that my video has reached so many people. I’ll be making more videos and updates on the cemetery in the near future. God bless you!

[@trreb1]

If I lived closer to you I'd be glad to lend a hand in your efforts.

[@lovelylady1966]

I WATCH ALOT OF VIDEOS LIKE THIS AND ITS DISGUSTING AND DISTURBING TO SEE GRAVES DESTROYED FOR FUTURE HOMES OR BUSINESSES AND ROADS ETC . AND ITS SAD TO SEE GRAVES OVER GROWN AND UNKEPT GRAVE SITES SHOULD BE A PROTECTED PLACE PERIOD IM WONDERING IF YOU COULD GET GRANTS TO HELP WITH RESTORATION OF THIS GRAVEYARD AND SINCE ITS CONNECTED TO A SLAVE GRAVEYARD CONTACT A AFRICAN AMERICAN GROUP THAT CAN ASSIST YOU WITH CLEANING UP THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GRAVEYARD AND POSSIBLY FIGURE OUT WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED SO THAT THE HEADSTONES CAN BE PLACED BACK .ONCE THATS DONE YOUR ANCESTORS GRAVE SITES CAN BE CLEANED AND REPAIRED IT WOULD BE SO GREAT TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS GRAVEYARD!

[@marysplayemail]

I have free time this summer if you get some people to help I do memorial restorations on my free time

[@janetcarman5746]

I'm sorry to hear about this vandalism!!! Everything in darkness will come to light, God don't like UGLY!!!! Very TRAGIC indeed!!!!! Looking forward to hearing from you on your progress restoration on your beloved families Cemetery. Godbless you always. 👑🙏👑💕💞

[@Dreemwever]

Young man you have chosen a monumental task. I commend your dedication to preserving/maintaining your family history. I wish you the best in your endeavor.

[@bubblesangel555]

When I as about 15 years old my dad told me "You will make many mistakes in your life and likely do some bad things too, but never ever desecrate a church or cemetery" It seems a lot of other people needed a wise father like mine! I have hopes that you'll be bringing us more videos, so I'm subscribing! Your videoing is fine, could you slow down a bit, I want to be able to read those fascinating stones that tell your family history 🙂

[@TheChadTI]

I'm guessing no father at all to do something like this.

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

I live in north central Texas and I have metal detected for 35 yrs. One of my favorite places to hunt is old church yards, but NEVER EVER anywhere near a cemetery. I have called brown county sheriff a few times for desecrated graves and they always say the same thing. It's is VERY common. Those people will have a special place in hell waiting on them.

[@EdxPin]

So sad to see so much disrespect to the death, but it's awesome that you are going to restore it.

[@RepublicTX]

Time to get some trail cams installed. This damage is just heartbreaking. I wish my family had a cemetery of its own somewhere, but alas, they all had itchy feet and kept moving west, dropping off branches here and there across the country. I hope to see more updates from you. One gentle hint on videos - keep the panning very slow.

[@donnaoglesby1278]

just the panning, if it is too fast looks just blurry and a lot of people won't want to watch it. for me personally it gives me a headache, so keep the panning slow..

[@IrishAnnie]

My half sister visited a cemetery in WV. It was an Indian cemetery where some of her ancestors were buried. A man called her wanting information to locate and “protect” it. She said it was already protected and that was that. She was certain they were going to dig for artifacts they could sell. It’s a scandal.

[@lovelylady1966]

Unless you have proof they were looking for artifacts etc. Then it's just assuming because believe it or not every body isn't running around trying to be corrupt or trying to be mean there are good people o

[@baked73]

@@lovelylady1966the number grows smaller and smaller every day

[@userPs91victory]

The worse move anyone could make. Stealing from the dead is an automatic curse that anyone would wish to experience, including desecrating tombs and all. Whoever does this put their life in jeopardy until the end of their generations. They probably will go down first and all kinds of calamities start hitting their children, grandchildren………i

[@josszd75]

I work for Rediscovering History LLC, we find and rehab old cemeteries in CT. I despise people that would go into any graveyard with such disrespect. I applaud your efforts.

[@ohger1]

There's a very old abandoned cemetery in Wolcott - have you seen that one?

[@annpriddy3870]

I am so sorry that this has happened to your family’s history. There’s no excuse for such behavior. First try to protect the land, and then to work on restoring as much as you can perhaps the story to the news. Maybe some people step forward to help.

[@DavidThomas-di2kq]

I went to my grandad grave and his head stone was pushed over ...so I tried to lift it up and it weighed a ton...I didn't have the strength to get upright just got it halfway up then it would fall back down...basically struggling..then a van full builders saw me and we all lifted it up in one go...it was lucky really!!! now its standing for another 100years ...a good outcome..thanks

[@MsLibby]

I am so sorry this happened to you and your family. This is total disrespect.. Whoever did this WILL reap what they have sewn.

[@denisehibbs9576]

A good video for your first time. It's sad what happens to cemeteries. It looks like a nice place , beautiful in its day. Keep working on restoring the cemetery. It is worth it. Thanks for sharing !

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you!!

[@hollyprincipato3287]

I hope you are able to get justice for your family. That is just wrong on too many levels!

[@emmadalrymple4102]

Thank you for caring about your family history and concern for their final resting place. I also live in the Piedmont area, near a university. My own family roots area linked to the area. You have a monumental task ahead of you, but I admire your interest and I wish you much success. It appears that whoever is to blame for the destruction, really went out of their way to anything they could. They will all have to answer to a higher power one day. Best of luck sir.

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you! If you get the chance, stop by the cemetery sometime. It’s already looking quite a bit better. Cool that we share roots in the same area!

[@pamelabrady4241]

I wish you all the best in this restoration project. I love hearing about the old cemeteries. Good luck to you. And may these people be at peace

[@pamelabrady4241]

Hope to hear more from you

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you so much! I’ll have more up soon.

[@crazyguy_1233]

That’s so disrespectful of those people. Nobody deserves their grave to be desecrated like that. I hope you and your family can get it back together.

[@annfurlong7921]

I really enjoyed your video. It is very sad that the cemetery was desecrated. These kinds of poor souls need prayer. I think you have a daunting job ahead of you but also one that will bring you much happiness. Thank you for allowing to us to be there with you.

[@katm5903]

The world needs more people like you to respect history and those that made us who we are today. It's unfortunate that there's really sick and sad people in the world.

[@kilroyjones7786]

So sorry this happened. It's an awesome cemetery. The Charles family deserves way better.. God love you!

[@HensOnly]

If you can, video your progress, the mowing, fixing headstones and how it was done. You can put it on speed video from start to finish. It is heartbreaking how the vandals did to the cemetery. Pan the video slow instead of sweeping it around. A camera on a tripod would be ideal for most of your projects. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope this channel grow quickly!

[@ellensinkinson4459]

I could cry, I am so very sorry. I can't imagine what you're feeling. The disregard and lak of simple decency.

[@pennyinaz]

What a beautiful place. How exciting to have a family cemetery and the privilege of cleaning it up. Please film updates for us and for posterity. The generations after you will have the videos to see the effort you put forth to restore a sacred place for them. Sending you best wishes for continued success and perseverance in your efforts.

[@BrendaCampos-bz8qc]

Just found this today. so sorry for what happened to your families cemetery. How truly blessed to have many of your ancestors in one cemetery. some people have no respect at all for our cemeteries, I hope you get someone to help you get it cleaned up and repaired.

[@audranezami4308]

It's ashame that the living steal from the dead, and to be so disrespectful of the resting place. I can't imagine a deed like that. I hope you make it beautiful once again

[@donnaoglesby1278]

This is just so sad that this happened and that people of today are al shallow and raised with no respect for the departed as to do this. I applaud you for wanting to update all this and take it upon yourself to document all this destruction and want to step up and preserve this beautiful place. cut back a lot of that brush and small trees take down and get rid off, the no signs and camera idea is good also. If you can find or look up maybe a headstone place that might want to donate some time to maybe re-seal and reattach some of the headstones that were pushed over, would be great, and even get footage of it, IF it all happens. cut off a lot of those big limbs on the trees as well, and either removing the dead trees or again see if someone will donate some free time to help in a clean up and in removing all the dead trees...if you can research anyone that can do a radar scan on that area to find any buried bodies, and even have a sign made up with a name of the slave cemetery, and protect it from development. Found that my 13th great grandparents MIGHT be buried under a parking lot in Pennsylvania, which is sickening to me.

[@sandin6689]

So sorry about the vandalism.Bravo for Protecting that family history and the slave cemetery. Looking forward to watching your progress.

[@palmettocemeterian]

There’s been great improvement since I uploaded this video. Much more to do with more videos to come in the future!

[@corinnerenshaw3621]

On KZbin there is a channel called side step adventures . The younger Robert, knows how to tell about finding slave graves. You may want to watch . So glad you are wanting to try to preserve your family cemetary !

[@PamelaZandarski]

I am so sorry for this to happen to your family! Whether they believe or not, someday they will have to answer to their maker!!!

[@hollyprincipato3287]

Vandalizing a Cemetary? How sick minded is that?!

[@sueappleby8749]

G'day from Australia...It's mind boggling that people would do this to a sacred place!! Mate you are inspirational in caring for your family. Last year I finally found my father's grave which had been difficult due to damage done to the cemetery. But now it has a cross on it. Your level of respect is awesome. I look forward to watching you move forward have huge respect for what your doing. Well done!! Warm regards....

[@henrymuenich6296]

So sad how people listen to satan and disrespect the dead !

[@junglejane2824]

Ty for caring! I hope you are going to take us on your journey. A great example of preserving your/our history..

[@sandrayancheski6806]

THE ANGELS YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND GOD IS Definitely SMILING DOWN YOU Sir. I'm sure your family members are proud of you I know I would be. Not to worry because you are honoring and respecting the dead no man or evil spirit can harm you . Keep up the labour of love it will be well worth it.

[@arcticablue]

How awful! I do not understand why anyone would disrespect the dead and the living like this.

[@lesley.brennan10]

Disgraceful. I hope you get help to restore your family cemetery much respect from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺 ❤️ 🙏

[@Caringspirit]

Much respect to you young man , what a wonderful thing you're doing , it's sad that people just don't care about much of anything where did the respect for for gods sake why desecrate the graves of the deceased.. proud to have people like you who will take the time out of your day to give respect to our people who have passed on.. thank you and may God bless you , abundantly..🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Sirshackleton]

Good luck to you and God bless you for trying to preserve these two cemeteries.

[@TheVectra1966]

The cemetery is the only place where I feel comfortable, so I come there several times a week. When I see this, it saddens me a lot. The cemetery where I come, in venlo, you can see a lot of shelter digging and there will also be plenty of extra damage. I have already suggested to the municipality to go there at night to watch, guard and that is allowed, but she warned me that there are foxes walking around there. I maintain 3 graves and I would like to refurbish several but can't afford it.

[@lindacork6926]

I admire your determination. Keep an upbeat, positive attitude, never give up for there are many that are watching you from above. I've subscribed to you and will be anxious to see your progress. Keep the faith, we're all pulling for you. 👍❤

[@annlindsaywright3169]

I am so sorry and disgusted that this has happened to your family. I live in the UK and vandalism does not occur much. I applaud you for what you are doing and will be following you.

[@stephanieburrell4200]

You have awesome history. I applaud you for cleaning up and restoring your family cemetery.

[@rogergdavis6605]

God's speed young man. The people that did this have sown a vile legacy and they will recompense in full for their desecration of your families cemetery.

[@tomjones2202]

Good for YOU. We need more like you. So MANY times cemeteries are destroyed like that and no one comes to the rescue. Thank you for also wanting to find the slave cemetery and preserve that one too.. I've seen so many old unmarked stone graves in our cemeteries wishing they could tell their stories,,, Best of luck to you,, Look for volunteers! It's going to take time but you can do it!

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you so much! I’m grateful to have some friends who are willing to lend a hand when they can. Wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have without them!

[@buttonbeeandme7601]

I really look forward to the clean up and restoration process. Keep us updated✌🏻❤️

[@kristinebailey6554]

I often wonder what the hell is wrong with people. So sorry this is happening. It will never be safe without a house being built on site.

[@susanbackus157]

I am so sorry this was done to your families graves. So disrespectful! People can be so evil to do this….just don’t understand this. God Bless you for doing what you can to fix this for your ancestors.😢

[@justinspringstun5836]

Man screw whoever trashed that place. I personally couldn’t sleep well at night if I trashed a cemetery. So cool that you have a family cemetery. If I ever get rich I’m going to make my family a cemetery! Very interesting thanks for sharing man. -Justin.

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you for your comment, Justin! I agree though. There’s no way I could live with myself if I vandalized a cemetery.

[@lisacooper3991]

I like that it's off to itself, and love the old stones. I think u did a great job on video, and showin around, with what history u know already. Most young folks don't care about such stuff.Hey from Aynor South Carolina, and lookin forward to future vids.Just subscribed.

[@mikefleck98]

Sorry that people are so disrespectful towards your family members resting places.

[@Hoosier_Boy]

Nice start you have. I look forward to viewing your progress.

[@christiansgrandma6812]

I understand how you feel. At 64, I am the only one who visits. I fill out the plots with dirt when they get low. I try to keep flowers on them. It takes money and patience, but when you care, you just get the job done. Best wishes to you.

[@darrindlc9513]

That's truly tragic you need to have a family reunions and clean the place up get the stones back in their proper places God bless and good luck to you

[@laurimcalister1279]

Sorry to hear that you faimly cemetery was vandalized. I hope you share your progress in the restoration of the cemetery.

[@ina9663]

So sad for ppl to do such to graves , glad to see you gonna get things back in order to let your ppl RIP . God bless

[@sharonzz3840]

The stones you lifted , had black plastic underneath it sure didn't old plastic. I live in Australia and I visited a closed family cemetery and wandered around and found an isolated grave that the idiots had tried to exume a body . It was so old that everything in the grave had deteriated. You are doing a great job.

[@Trollbane96]

Really sorry this happened to your family's cemetery. I don't understand what drives people to do stupid things like that. I admire what you're doing and how you want to fix the place up and stop development from taking over the area. This is something more of us need to do here in the U.S. Those of us in our 20s/30s and some of our previous generations have not been good stewards of the land we inherited from our ancestors. It's very shameful that many of us have lived in the same area as our ancestors from hundreds of years ago yet we've done so little to up keep the land and protect it from development so companies can make a profit. We have a duty to protect and preserve what we've inherited.

[@randybusbee3456]

There's a special place waiting for these evil people down the line.

[@fredsmith3456]

Live just one town over. Sorry about the disrespectful treatment toward your ancestors. New subscriber here.

[@janwarriner6554]

I’m so sorry your family cometary was desecrated. I admire you for wanting to restore as much as you can. It’s just wonderful to have so many ancestors in the same place.

[@davidmckinney6577]

Wish I was there I'd pick up the tombstones. That's a shame need a trail camera to catch them so sad that some have been stolen, wish I was close I'd help you fix it back up. We have a lot in common I go around to cemeteries on my free time and I fix tombstones that have fallen over and fill in sunken graves

[@stephenryan3494]

Your a good young man with family values good luck on your restoration

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you so much!

[@lauriegermain5041]

Thanks for sharing your families history with us s. I'm sure your family would be very proud of you for fixing up their final testing place. I know I am even though I don't know you. The respect for which you have tells me alot of how you were raised. I raised my kids to be very respectful in a cemetery, and to not walk on the graves. Good luck with your search and restoration. God bless you.

[@missrita1826]

So sad. This is so disturbing. I hope something is done by the authorities and press charges.

[@alextales]

this is so sad.. i'm so sorry that this happened to your family. May their souls rest in peace anyway. You're a beautiful human being, good luck restoring it. x

[@jengallion]

I love the histories that old cemeteries have. So sorry to see the vandalism, but very interesting video.

[@cindyhineline1759]

This makes me sick. I don't know why people can not respect other people's graves. It's a shame they had to do that.

[@andreajohnson1796]

Its sad to see that from afar , but as family they should all get together and clean and replace, keeping family memories alive but making it an annual family get together..... something you all should think about

[@williamhunter4183]

So sorry to hear of your family plot being vandalized. Near here we have had luck with a fence and security system (camers and alarm on the gates) around a small cemetery that is isolated in the woods. Prior to the restoration and fence the cemetery had been treated like your family plot. Again, sorry, this is horrific.

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you for your comment! I’m definitely looking into investing in some cameras.

[@goldnglo570]

SC should be ashamed. This isn't the first cemetery that I've seen like this on KZbin. Elko cemetery #2 is in rough shape as well. Looks like SC doesn't care for their deceased or military. It's shameful. Thank you for documenting and sharing. Maybe the right people in office will correct this problem. It's sad.. these are human beings who deserve better than what they're getting!

[@thepickledfish3631]

I would think that you would make this channel of cleaning up your family grave site and restore it.

[@Mimi-pu8bx]

Sad to see the damage. Very interesting to hear about your family and I'll be watching the clean up from the UK. Just subscribed

[@alberthanson1971]

Does your family have clear title to the property? Without it developers may have been able to acquire the land. You might contact your local historical society for assistance.

[@palmettocemeterian]

A very distant relative of mine owns the property but I have a hard time getting ahold of him. I am in touch with the local historical society though!

[@robhutchins2721]

Very sad that people would treat a cemetery like that.

[@amytalbert4953]

Why in the world would you want to steal from a cemetery? Sad to see such disrespect for those passed on. How nice that you are gonna do some restoration. Prayers to you as you begin this process.

[@merchantman3955]

Sad how some people can have such disrespect to your honorable family.

[@lorrainesaltmarsh2836]

I can't understand why people disrespect graves. It's disgusting behaviour. So sorry that you had to see this at your families resting place. People are sick.

[@ricj7517]

This is really sad it's such a senseless act of vandalism..These individuals really need to find a better way in life

[@tamihoffnung301]

So sorry that this happened to you. Hope to see more videos about the restoration of your familys cemetary. God bless you and your family❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏

[@cindytyler2151]

Great video, I am sorry for all the vandalism you had to find though. Take care

[@msmini1585]

I am so sorry that some jerks have vandalized, desecrated, and disrespected your family cemetery. I just don't understand people anymore? Where is humanity? It's like we're turning into animals. But even animals don't behave like humans. Destroying for no good reason. It breaks my heart. Thank you also for saving the slave cemetery. 🙏🏾

[@Bombo505]

I'm sorry this happened. What an awful thing for anyone to do. If I were homeless and found a cemetery as a temporary home, I would thank God and clean up as a big thank you for giving me respite for a short time. You have to give back what you take. Nothing is for free except common courtesy and respect. ❤ good luck on your project. Cannot wait to follow you on this journey.

[@franklinshouse8719]

You've got the right idea. Get out there and clean the place up. Get rid of leaves and old logs and sticks, etc. Then you will be able to get a better feeling for where things are, etc. And if the place looks maintained, it may keep some of the vandals away, but not all. Signs will help too.

[@familypurcell8008]

This kind of destruction is ridiculous! I'm very sorry for you and your family.

[@michaelciccone2194]

Excellent video. My maternal ancestors go back to Northeastern NC all the way back to 17 th century. I commend your excellent work. I have enjoyed doing genealogical research

[@ChimichangaGuy]

The most disrespectful someone could do is vandalize a cemetery. Would love to see some videos of you and some friends or family cleaning, fixing and securing the property man ❤

[@TheTaz1999]

It is my belief that any person's that causes such vandalism will suffer mentally with their own conscience at some point for a very long time.

[@marypettitt9150]

What a heartbreak to see such destruction. I hope the vandals stop their actions.

[@joannewall5499]

Do not understand how people can be so disrespectful of the final resting places of people

[@Aaron-hk6st]

They need to bring back public flogging for such crimes.

[@orangefield3171]

This is so sad to see, some people have no respect. My family cemetery is in Tennessee. I’ve never been there but after watching this video I feel I should.

[@palmettocemeterian]

I would encourage you to make the trip! I also have a family cemetery up in Tennessee and I’m dying to visit it.

[@Chris1A1]

Excellent plan. It is inspiring to see you not only valuing the history of your family, but also, by identifying the slave cemetery , valuing American history. Have you ever heard of ground penetrating radar? One of those units hired for a few days, could map out all those unmarked graves easily. Hopefully you will contact and make use of the resources of the Historical Society promised in an earlier message. Keep at it and keep us updated, the determination we see in your video is what will attract others to help you.

[@palmettocemeterian]

Thank you for your comment! I have heard of GPR and actually have access to a unit. I’ll definitely be using it to identify unmarked graves as well as finding the slave cemetery. I am currently theorizing that the slave cemetery may have been destroyed when they built the road nearby.

[@leisagonzales3218]

This is so sad. I can't believe people would do this. I want to see you clean this up so I will keep an look out for you!!!

[@rostallar4243]

The people who did this, BEWARE YOU HAVE SEALED YOUR FATE! I hope you have records to find where your ancestors are layed to rest. I hope you can find people to help you with the task ahead of you. Love & Light to you.

[@palmettocemeterian]

That’s what I thought too! No one will get away with this forever. Something will come back to bite them eventually!

[@sabot19691974]

I look forward to seeing the restoration.

[@Samsung20418]

I'm So So So Sorry That People Have Disrespected Your Families Resting Places! Nobody Should Never Have To See This Happen! God Bless You & Thank You For Uploading This Video. I'll Be Following Your Journey As You Clean & Protect Your Loved Ones. I Would Put Up Private Property, Trail Cameras, A Barb-Wired Fence Up To Try To Stop It!

[@destinationgraveyard]

People are so disrespectful sorry this happened to you and continued to make videos you done a great job.

[@ajp806]

I went to all my families cemetary where there is almost 200 family members my cousin and I set up cameras and caught 40 to 60 yr Olds vandalizing the Graves,I go months to clean.

[@debbieosborn9464]

What kind of person is so disrespectful to the dead. I’ll never understand why some people are what I’ll call evil!

[@LilyWhisperwind]

How sad, I can't understand the cruelty, and disrespect of those who do this to cemeteries. Stealing headstones even, wow. They are going to get some bad karma for that.

[@FAIRGROUNDFUNFAIRSUK]

More cemeterys please Mate I'm.from Cornwall and love the cemeterys here

[@karenwoodward7291]

Hey just sub. I'm from Jackson, MS. Family history is facinating and I know we have lost at least one family graveyard in TN to abandonment. Just nobody to keep it up.