Charles commissioners hear how unmarked burial grounds are handled

After community concerns were raised about burial grounds that were not handled properly, Charles County’s Commissioners were briefed on July 23 on how the county will move forward with future discoveries.

“While it is true that we don’t have a specific protocol for the discovery of burial grounds and human remains, we do have a long-standing protocol and regulations in place for the identification of all types of cultural resources, whether they’re standing structures, archaeological resources or cemeteries,” said Cathy Thompson, the community planning program manager for the county and Historic Preservation Commission member.

Issues arose after the discovery of six bodies on June 15, 2021, prior to the construction of the Parklands community in White Plains.

“The burial ground is located in the southern portion of ‘Hopewell’s Amendment,’ first patent by John Hopewell in 1739. It was unclear, however, whether Hopewell actually resided on the property. John Boswell purchased the southern portion of ‘Hopewell’s Amendment’ sometime in the 1740s. He built a plantation house on the property and resided there until his death,” a report by R. Christopher Goodwin & Assoc. Inc reads.

The burial ground was named “Hopewell Burial Ground” given the history behind the issue.

Thompson assured the commissioners that burial grounds are handled with a “high level of dignity and respect.”

Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling (D) said that there was a lot of history in the land and asked if there was any plan to check for sites before land is approved before mass development.

“Today, if you seek a burial on your property, there is an easement that is part of that process,” Thompson said. “A lot of burial grounds did have that, but it’s not a complete record. … We do have an extensive process for identifying resources when there’s a major project.”

Applicants for a project need to do field investigations for evidence of cemeteries or historic structures, Thompson said.

“There are cemeteries that are lost to history,” Thompson said.

Commissioner Amanda Stewart (D) asked how developers will be held responsible for implementing recommendations given to them.

“Staff works with the applicant to develop a preservation plan … the Historic Preservation Commission adopts a preservation plan and that becomes part of the conditions of approval for the planning commission,” Thompson said.