Graveyard Details
Last Update:
Reese Family Graveyard
The graveyard continues to undergo restoration and improvement. After a rudimentary clearing of the undercover a ground-penetrating radar survey was performed April 17, 1998. Below is a cross-section from that survey. The magenta color bands indicate burial disruption 6-9 feet below the present ground surface.
Cross section of Graveyard
No known religious affiliation
Caretaker organization
Mt.Airy Graveyard Association
Location
Situated northerly of the intersection of Truce and Mt. Airy Roads, west of New Providence, PA
GPS coordinates
Access to cemetery
Restricted
Orientation:
Most stones face Northeast
Year of cemetery survey
Underground radar mapping 1998-Enviroscan, Inc. of Lancaster, Pa
Surface and shallow recovery 1998-Mt. Airy Graveyard Association
Recorder
Rodric Reese and Connie Bergen
Terrain
Gentle slope to Southeast
Bounded
By two acreage tracts northerly and westerly with no improvements within view of cemetery. Views southerly down and then uphill approx. 1800 feet to farmhouse and buildings. Most stones view northeasterly through trees to a timothy field. Adjoiner parcels marked by dilapidated barbed wire fence. A relatively new witness marker and iron rod are located at North corner of tract. The Cemetery was bounded on the westerly side by the Mt. Airy Road prior to relocation of the road in 1858. The cemetery fell into disuse about the same time.
Lighting
The site is bounded by woods on 2 sides and a curving line of trees bounding a timothy field on the other two sides. Trees of large diameter now exist within the site causing the site to be well shaded.
Size
Approximately 95 markers recovered by September 1, 1998. (Approximately double the known number of stones.)
Estimated 50 unmarked graves
Approximate Total of 100-150 in area explored as of September 1, 1998
Age
Earliest estimated burial 1740-1770
Earliest marked stone 1830
Latest marked stone 1852
Latest known burial 1855
Condition of Grounds
Completely overgrown with weeds, bushes and vines. Large trees growing in the cemetery and over headstones. Deep buildup of organic matter over many decades. Perhaps a century or more of neglect.
Approximate Size
48 feet(eastery) x 50 feet(northerly) as described in 19th century deeds which Except the cemetery and deeded access to it.
Condition of Markers
Overall condition is generally fair. The most legible stone was desecrated by rifle shots prior to 1976.
Many stones were found lying down buried some inches under the ground surface. One slate stone was found in two pieces. One flat stone was found in two pieces and one fieldstone was in several pieces as result of tree overgrowing it.
Restorations
future
Headstone Material
3 Slate
60 Fieldstone
10 (approx) River stone
Inscribed Headstones- 16
Disturbed Headstones
15-20 markers have been moved or knocked out of original position, some known
markers are missing and it appears that burials exceed the number of recovered stones
Fencing
future
Historical Background
Prior documentation
Ellis and Evans-History of Lancaster County
Rineer-Churches and Cemeteries of LancasterCounty
Hollinger-Now and Then in Providence Twp.
The graveyard continues to undergo retsoration and improvement. After a rudimentary clearing of the undercover a ground-penetrating radar survey was performed April 17, 1998. Below is a cross-section from that survey. The magenta color bands indicate burial disruption 6-9 feet below the present ground surface.
Groff-Stoneroad-Reese Graveyard
No known religious affiliation
Caretaker organization
Mt.Airy Graveyard Association
Location
Situated just westerly of the Y intersection of Pennsy and Sawmill Roads, and just northerly of the north side of Sawmill Road, in a cornfield, situated about 100 feet north of the road, and about 100 feet westerly of the home located at 23 Sawmill Road west of New Providence, PA
GPS coordinates
Access to cemetery
Restricted
Orientation:
Most stones face East
Year of Initial Improvements
Surface and shallow recovery 1999-Mt. Airy Graveyard Association
Recorder
Rodric Reese
Terrain
Gentle slope to east and Southeast
Bounded
The cemetery is surrounded by a large acreage cornfiel and lies close to southeast corner of same. Several houses to the East are within view. A very old tobacco barn lies southwesterly along Sawmill Road.
Lighting
The site is completely open and unsheltered. Trees of large diameter were removed by the Amish man who farms the cornfield.
Size
Approximately 57 markers recovered by May 2, 1999. (several more than the known number of stones.)
Age
Earliest estimated burial 1740-1770
Earliest marked stone 1801
Latest marked stone 1873
Latest known burial 1855
Condition of Grounds
Completely overgrown with weeds, bushes and vines. Deep buildup of organic matter over many decades. Perhaps decades of neglect as well as dumping abuses by farmer.
Approximate Size
60 feet(easterly) x 70 feet(northerly)
Condition of Markers
Overall condition is generally fair.
Many stones were found lying down buried some inches under the ground surface. One slate stone was found in two pieces.
Restorations
future
Headstone Material
1 Slate
35 Fieldstone
Inscribed Headstones- 21
Disturbed Headstones
8-10 markers have been moved or knocked out of original position, some known
markers are missing and it appears that burials exceed the number of recovered stones
Fencing
Sept.1999
Historical Background
Prior documentation
Ellis and Evans-History of Lancaster County
Rineer-Churches and Cemeteries of LancasterCounty
Hollinger-Now and Then in Providence Twp.
Copyright © 1998-2003 All Rights Reserved by Author
Email: rrr@horseshoe.cc