About Us
The Family & Friends of the Asbury & Green Chappel, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded with the purpose of revitalizing, preserving and caring for an African American cemetery located in Bozman, Maryland.
The group is comprised of people of all ages and backgrounds whose goal is also to educate area citizens about the importance of preserving our historic cemetery and our heritage.
Our organization was formed in 2006. At that time, the Bozman cemetery was abandoned and had been vandalized. Human remains were scattered throughout the woods near the site and the cemetery. Vandals had broken into the concrete vaults. Our efforts began then, to develop a group to repair the cemetery, to document the historical significance of the site, and preserve the dignity of those buried there. We chose to retain the name of the church, and use the original spelling of “Chappel” – with two “p’s” – to maintain and honor the nostalgia of the original church and cemetery.
The Bozman Cemetery ~ Our Story
Very little is known about the history of the Asbury & Green Chappel Methodist Episcopal Church. It is speculated that the church and cemetery may have been established around the 1830’s or 40’s and that it was abandoned in the late 1950’s or early 60’s when the majority of the African American community migrated out of the Bozman area.
Unless you knew of its existence or happened upon the site while walking along the road, the cemetery was easily missed in 2006. A thick layer of fallen dead leaves and the growth of intrusive vegetation along Mayport Road, had allowed the site to blend in well with the wooded area surrounding it. As a result of the abandonment and neglect, most of the gravesites had collapsed due to the absence of burial vaults, which are common in areas of high-water tables.
Hasan Wilson, in his official capacity as a registered sanitarian, was first told about the deplorable condition of the graveyard by the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, which was originally notified by a potential property buyer. Wilson told Childlene Brooks about the situation, and the two decided to start a volunteer group dedicated to cleaning up the cemetery. That original group consisted of Wilson, Brooks, Virginia Jackson, Dallas Murray and James Grace. The group began discussion that led to practical steps of establishing a non-profit, getting an estimate from a surveyor, and obtaining permission for the State’s Attorney Scott Patterson regarding re-internment of the exposed human remains.
Preliminary research proved the earliest visible marked grave belonged to Steven W. Richards who was born in 1860 and had a death date of September 1, 1895. There were three clearly identifiable names on the few remaining grave markers: Georgia Palmer (1859-1896), Elizabeth Baily Palmer (1905-1939) and the most recent marked grave belonging to John D. Bailey, a World War I Veteran born December 18, 1887 and who died December 9, 1955. Only a few gravesites were visibly marked, some by homemade cement, in tablet style markers. It is estimated that there were approximately 140 burials on the site.
The group felt that dignity had to be restored to the cemetery in order to honor those buried there. What ensued were numerous positive efforts by the community. Travis Dunn, a writer with the Star Democrat, wrote a complimentary front-page article about the project that increased awareness and contributed to the momentum of efforts. Lane Engineering donated a boundary survey of the property. Dragonfly Designs, owned by Jeannie Haddaway, donated the service of providing letterhead for the group. Todd’s Market, a locally owned gourmet deli provided sandwiches for one of the first clean-up fundraisers, and local Master Gardener, Lynn Freeburger, donated her time & efforts to bring the landscaping to a beautiful result.
In the years since the 2008 beginning of Asbury & Green Chappel Inc., St. Michaels Rotary Club and Talbot County Public Schools are community organizations who have also partnered in helping with this endeavor.
The group has come a long way and has accomplished providing a loving testimony, in the restored resting place honoring those buried in the Bozman cemetery.
About Us
The Family & Friends of the Asbury & Green Chappel, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded with the purpose of revitalizing, preserving and caring for an African American cemetery located in Bozman, Maryland.
The group is comprised of people of all ages and backgrounds whose goal is also to educate area citizens about the importance of preserving our historic cemetery and our heritage.
Our organization was formed in 2006. At that time, the Bozman cemetery was abandoned and had been vandalized. Human remains were scattered throughout the woods near the site and the cemetery. Vandals had broken into the concrete vaults. Our efforts began then, to develop a group to repair the cemetery, to document the historical significance of the site, and preserve the dignity of those buried there. We chose to retain the name of the church, and use the original spelling of “Chappel” – with two “p’s” – to maintain and honor the nostalgia of the original church and cemetery.
The Bozman Cemetery ~ Our Story
Very little is known about the history of the Asbury & Green Chappel Methodist Episcopal Church. It is speculated that the church and cemetery may have been established around the 1830’s or 40’s and that it was abandoned in the late 1950’s or early 60’s when the majority of the African American community migrated out of the Bozman area.
Unless you knew of its existence or happened upon the site while walking along the road, the cemetery was easily missed in 2006. A thick layer of fallen dead leaves and the growth of intrusive vegetation along Mayport Road, had allowed the site to blend in well with the wooded area surrounding it. As a result of the abandonment and neglect, most of the gravesites had collapsed due to the absence of burial vaults, which are common in areas of high-water tables.
Hasan Wilson, in his official capacity as a registered sanitarian, was first told about the deplorable condition of the graveyard by the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, which was originally notified by a potential property buyer. Wilson told Childlene Brooks about the situation, and the two decided to start a volunteer group dedicated to cleaning up the cemetery. That original group consisted of Wilson, Brooks, Virginia Jackson, Dallas Murray and James Grace. The group began discussion that led to practical steps of establishing a non-profit, getting an estimate from a surveyor, and obtaining permission for the State’s Attorney Scott Patterson regarding re-internment of the exposed human remains.
Preliminary research proved the earliest visible marked grave belonged to Steven W. Richards who was born in 1860 and had a death date of September 1, 1895. There were three clearly identifiable names on the few remaining grave markers: Georgia Palmer (1859-1896), Elizabeth Baily Palmer (1905-1939) and the most recent marked grave belonging to John D. Bailey, a World War I Veteran born December 18, 1887 and who died December 9, 1955. Only a few gravesites were visibly marked, some by homemade cement, in tablet style markers. It is estimated that there were approximately 140 burials on the site.
The group felt that dignity had to be restored to the cemetery in order to honor those buried there. What ensued were numerous positive efforts by the community. Travis Dunn, a writer with the Star Democrat, wrote a complimentary front-page article about the project that increased awareness and contributed to the momentum of efforts. Lane Engineering donated a boundary survey of the property. Dragonfly Designs, owned by Jeannie Haddaway, donated the service of providing letterhead for the group. Todd’s Market, a locally owned gourmet deli provided sandwiches for one of the first clean-up fundraisers, and local Master Gardener, Lynn Freeburger, donated her time & efforts to bring the landscaping to a beautiful result.
In the years since the 2008 beginning of Asbury & Green Chappel Inc., St. Michaels Rotary Club and Talbot County Public Schools are community organizations who have also partnered in helping with this endeavor.
The group has come a long way and has accomplished providing a loving testimony, in the restored resting place honoring those buried in the Bozman cemetery.