The Bay is devouring a historic cemetery on Hooper Island, and one man has devoted his life to trying to save it.
Donald Willey, a retired U.S. Marine who owns inland property adjacent to the graveyard, discovered headstones while tramping around weed-matted public property on a forgotten edge of the island.
Since that day three years ago, his life has changed completely. He pours money and time into the lot ? rushing out to secure graves during storms and searching for lost vaults in the surrounding water.
Despite his efforts, the cemetery he calls “Anchor of Hope” ? because he said he found an old deed calling it that ? is sinking into the Bay due to erosion. In the past year, it has lost 16 feet, mostly during October?s high tides and fierce winds.
Graves dating back to 1805 are tucked between vines and locust trees. Some are unmarked, and some are inscribed with names like Bramble, Travers and Meekins.
“There are so many graveyards that just go into the Bay. I?m pleased [Willey] is trying to save them,” said Joyce Flowers, a resident of Hooper Island whose ancestors (the Travers) and their slaves are buried on the island.
“Cemeteries tell us about where our families were, and also tell us about where we are going,” Flowers said.
One gravestone is marked with the last name of Ross, and Willey thinks the deceased may be related to Harriet Tubman. In 1820, Tubman was born a slave in nearby Dorchester County with the name Araminta Ross.
“Once it?s gone, it?s gone,” Willey said.
“Someday some kid?s going to want to research how his family got started in this country. They?re going to say, well your great-great-great grandfather who fought the British? He?s washed away off some island somewhere,” Willey said.
But he said he won?t give up until boulders protect the lot from tides, and the headstones are surrounded with neatly trimmed grass. He wants to use some of the locust trees to fashion wooden crosses for the slaves buried there.
But it?s not a one-man job, and he is searching for people to donate manpower, equipment and money to the cause. He is looking for anyone who can lend out or operate a backhoe, dumptruck, stump grinder, or electronic grave detector.
People who think their ancestors may be buried on the island or who want to help can call him at 410-397-3433.
Hooper Island is about 25 miles from Cambridge and can be reached by bridge.
