Pioneer Cemeteries

 

Marciann McClarnon Miller, Hancock County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, informed Kiwanis of the status of the 92 pioneer cemeteries in the 8 townships in Hancock County. 

 The Hancock County Cemetery Commission was established in 2001. . The Hancock County Cemetery Commission is responsible for cemeteries where::

·         no funds or sources of funds for reasonable maintenance are available

·         a cemetery has suffered neglect and deterioration

·         the cemetery may be burial grounds for Indiana pioneers and/or veterans of an American war

·         the cemetery was established before 1850.The Hancock County Cemetery Commission was established in 2001 to restore and preserve pioneer cemeteries.

Although the Township Trustees are responsible for maintenance of cemeteries most can do no more than mow each cemetery 4 times per year.  Many of the cemeteries have stones that need repair which costs a  minimum of $200 per stone.  The commission receives only $1500 from the county but does receive money in grants from the Ninestar.

‘If you are interested in preservation of our cemeteries see the Facebook Page for the Cemetery Commision or see the Hancock County Governmennt  pages  http://www.hancockcoingov.org/hancock-county-indiana-cemetery-board.