FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) - Survey crews in northwest Alabama are working to define boundaries of the historic Gen. John Coffee Cemetery and install makers at an African-American burial ground that’s home to about 130 unmarked graves.
Chairman of the Florence Historical Board Robert Steen tells the TimesDaily (https://bit.ly/1g10tYp ) the graves will be fitted with markers for the first time, although the names of the people buried there are mostly unknown.
The newspaper reports the cemeteries are in a wooded area that was part of Gen. John Coffee’s plantation in the 1800s and came into focus when Wal-Mart planned to build a store near the site.
The company has donated $25,000 for the maintenance and upkeep of the cemeteries and some of it is being used to help preserve the area.
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Information from: TimesDaily, https://www.timesdaily.com/
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