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Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 22 Apr 2012 6:39PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Armstrong
I am looking to find where the records are kept for Walnut Hill Cemetery in Pawtucket, RI. Some of my ancestors are buried there, however, the cemetery is not well kept and I have been there several times and still cannot locate their headstones. I am attempting to visit the gravesites.

Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 1 May 2012 2:08AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 1 May 2012 2:09AM GMT
Unfortunately, there have been many, many problems regarding Walnut Hill Cemetery for years. My family has also experienced our family's burial section (located in the rear) being neglected for a very long time, headstones knocked over, junk strewn around, broken glass, poison ivy creeping in, etc. Also, we have another family member buried there in another section and, despite knowing the location, we cannot find it now due to lots of brush overgrowth. This is troubling because we are very familiar with the layout and visit quite often.

In the couple months, the owner of the cemetery has been the focus of some media attention for a number of reasons. Without getting into too much detail on here, one of the main issues is that he has been making inappropriate changes to the cemetery without permission. He is also not providing a map of the burial sites which has been requested.

About 15 years ago, my mother met with the present owner's wife (at the time they took it over) to locate family burials. At that time, she had a site map and was able to point out burial locations. As far as we know, the owner is the only one in possession of the burial site map.

The cemetery is privately owned, however, there has been a push for the city of Pawtucket to take action because it is a historical cemetery, but that has been met with resistance. It might be due to only a few complaints from one select group. There is a need for people from the community, relatives of those buried there, and anyone who cares about this situation to voice their concern. I'd be happy to give you further information. If we don't act on this, there is a chance that we may never get to see the plot map.

I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on this.

Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 1 May 2012 12:58PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Armstrong
I have 5 family members buried there, including great-grand parents. I can remember going to the cemetery plots many, many years ago and can swear that they were buried just inside the gate to the left on a small hill. If my memory is correct, it either doesn't exist anymore or the headstones aren't there. It really bothers me that I can't find them. If it's just that the headstones got knocked over, I'd gladly pay to have them re-set if I had to (within reason of course). Since it's a private cemetery, it's probably the only one in Pawtucket. There are way too many unkept private cemeteries. The city should take it over, especially since it abuts Oak Grove.

Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 4 May 2012 5:22PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks for your reply. I agree that it would be nice if the city were to take it over, but whether that is likely to happen, we just don't know. I have been in touch with others who share our concern as well and are interested in knowing what they can do. I am sending you a private email with more information in case you are interested.

Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 5 May 2012 4:09AM GMT
Classification: Query
There were several articles in the Blackstone Valley paper
one here
http://www.pawtuckettimes.com/content/residents-concerned-ov...

and another here

http://www.valleybreeze.com/2012/03/27/pawtucket/after-apolo...

In addition to these articles about cemetery owner, and the historical commission, there was another article stating that someone was arrested for vandalizing the cemetery by knocking over 42 headstones on April 2. Someone has been arrested for this crime.

http://www.abc6.com/story/17325428/disgruntled-former-employ...

Lisa





Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 5 May 2012 4:28PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you for posting those articles Lisa. The extent of the issues goes even further than what has been reported in the news sadly. It is very troubling. Without going into too much detail about the situation, the neglect, and additional issues on here, there has been an increase in concerned people who would like to know what they can do to help. I am sending you a private message.

Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 9 Sep 2012 10:22PM GMT
Classification: Query
Has there been any progress in locating a burial site map?

Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 10 Sep 2012 3:43AM GMT
Classification: Query
There are quite a few responses here. Why not try to organized a clean-up group for the cemetery? The weather is at this time of year is perfect. I realize that it would be a large undertaking ( no pun intended), but sometimes you, the people need to make things happen.

I remember visiting my grandfather's grave a few times when I was you. I went looking for it this past year. It took me a while to find it because it wasn't were I remembered it or I should say as I remembered where it was.

Has anyone looked here for info? http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=42...
757 interments are listed. Maybe you could contact the person who added this information to findagrave.



Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 10 Sep 2012 1:28PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Armstrong
Not yet, but I received an email on 8/1/2012 from Jackie Franco with the burial section of my relatives and a description of where the location is. She said that they are working on creating a website to make the records more accessible.

Re: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI

Posted: 10 Sep 2012 2:16PM GMT
Classification: Query
making the records more accessible is great. What about an organized clean-up?
per page

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