Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Ms. Elizabeth Henry Douglas

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead?  Ms. Elizabeth Henry Douglas

Ms. Elizabeth Henry Douglas, who received the 2009 Brenman Archaeology Award from the Mayor and City Council in October 2009 for her contribution to the City’s oral history program, told members of the Fort Ward History Work Group  that, “The number of graves is more than you have noted. Most of the people who lived in the Fort area had family graves.  Everyone buried on their own lot“.  She noted that the area was not called Fort Ward, only the “Fort”.

Ms. Douglas provided the group with additional insights about the connections between the Fort and the Donaldston Store, roads, mail delivery, and the location of James Jackson’s home which is where the Fort Ward Museum is now located.  She also said that “all of the grave stones, except one, had been removed [from the area] just before they started doing the park”.

Elizabeth Douglas noted that the Fitzhugh and Spence graves [in front of the entrance to the maintenance and nursery area] belong in the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery not sticking out where they are”.  She noted that the base of one of the gravestones has been damaged and needs to be repaired.

Minutes of the March 6, 2010 Fort Ward History Work Group Meeting