Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Police Chief Luther Reynolds, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Communications Director Dr. David Goltra, Gullah Society Historian Grant Mishoe and IAAM Board Member Dr. Bernard Powers today joined a host of volunteers to continue the cleanup and restoration work at the cemeteries of historic Morris Street Baptist Church and Union Baptist Church.
The cemeteries are located near the intersection of Oceanic Street and Mechanic Street. Work at the site began on March 13th with the launch of the African American Cemeteries Restoration Project organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gullah Society and the Office of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg.
The Cemeteries Restoration Fund, also launched on March 13th and maintained by the nonprofit Gullah Society, is being used to support the restoration of historically significant African American burial sites throughout the Lowcountry. Contributions to the fund can be made at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/CemeteriesRestorationFund.
Discovered during the March 13th first cleanup effort at the site were two gravestones belonging to Samuel Ferguson and Pompey Grant, two formerly enslaved individuals who served in the United States Colored Troops, which was established by the War Department in 1863.