19 November 2010

Dear Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery,

2010, our 4th full year of cleanup / restoration efforts, was a banner year for Spring Hill Cemetery. Friday's workday was delightful. Eleven of us gathered for the final workday of the year. Although we didn't have sunny skies (actually it was very overcast and on the chilly side), we all rejoiced to greet yet another of our long lost headstones. In addition to admiring the reset stone, the crew cleared paths, pulled weeds, and removed debris. Following our exertions, we gathered at Evelyn's for a well-earned bowl of sumptuous homemade soup celebrating the year's accomplishments.

I am thrilled to report that Brad discovered Mary Catherine Small's headstone at Sebastopol Memorial Lawn. He cleaned her up, found her a base, and set her back in her rightful spot at Spring Hill. Mary Catherine Small was the daughter of Martha Elizabeth Thompson Small and the Rev. James Milton Small (an early Sonoma County minister - there is an online bio on Rev. Small at: http://www.genealogymagazine.com/jamesmsmall.html). Mary Catherine Small died in June of 1858 when just 3 years of age. The first attached picture shows her lovely stone with the inscription,
"Little Angel, thou art freed from
the snares and cares of this life."

Martha and James had a son, William T Small, in February 1859. Martha died just 3 months after giving birth to her son (May 16, 1859) when 23 years old. The second attachment shows Martha's headstone, just to the north of her daughter's. To the left of Mary Catherine's stone is the stone of Darius Martin. Providing the backdrop for our group picture, the two stones are also in the third attachment. The fourth attachment looks away from the Small and Martin stones towards the southwest - McReynolds, Titus, and Ward stones are in the center of the picture, with the Zilhart enclosure on the right.

Gary Kimes, manager from 1974 - 1985 of Sebastopol Evergreen Lawn (which later became Sebastopol Memorial Lawn), told me that while he was manager the local sheriff brought him several headstones that had been abandoned. The stones were put into a storage shed at Sebastopol Evergreen Lawn for safe keeping until it could be determined where they belonged. Mary Catherine Small's stone was part of that group.

Our other exciting news this month is the completion of the official Spring Hill map. Paul Schoch and Phelps & Associates Land Surveyors generously donated their time and expertise in generating a proper map for us. Data has been computerized (entered into a CAD program) for periodic future updating. I give my deepest thanks to Paul and Phelps for their efforts! I have attached a .pdf version to this email, the seventh attachment, so that you can all have a copy. Full sized hard copies of the map can be obtained through Sebastopol Blue (sebastopolblue@sbcglobal.net). For consistency, the legend on the map retains the numbering system used in our old, hand-drawn map versions.

As 2010 activities come to a close, it is time to plan for 2011. Last month, on behalf of the "Friends," I submitted our plan for 2011 to Regional Parks for their review. Last year our plan was brought before the PRAC (Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee) for approval. We have yet to hear back from Sonoma County Regional Parks on this, but I will let you know as soon as we do. The next requested workday (pending approval) is February 18th, 2011.

Through all of our combined efforts, Spring Hill Cemetery has been rescued from the tangle of refuse and debris it had evolved into by 2006. Spring Hill trash and debris has been removed, monuments have been repaired and reset, and the paths have been raked. This early pioneering cemetery once again has its dignity. I continue to be grateful that Spring Hill happens to be located in a community that embraces its past. Not only did the County of Sonoma, beginning with Mike Reilly, then supervisor of our district, fully support our efforts, but also many individuals and businesses from the community, neighbors of the cemetery, as well as members of local historical societies have joined descendants of SH burials in the "Friends," and have provided invaluable support and services. My thanks goes to you all.

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season!

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