Elmwood Cemetery Restoration Continues - Angeline McGee

Sometime, decades ago, the top of the tombstone for Angeline T. McGee was knocked off - likely by a tree limb.  It has lain on the ground ever since. Angeline was just 15 when she passed away in 1845. New management has vowed to restore Elmwood Cemetery, where the grave is located, and the process is seriously underway.   Above, Brad Finch of https://www.gravematterskc.com unloads scaffolding to start the repair.  

This area of Elmwood has a lot of folks for whom streets have been named.  Above is the Bales monument with the McGee plot in the background...these are next to the Holmes plots.  

                                     "Angeline T daughter of J.H. and E. A. McGee Sept 13 1845"

                              Above, Surprise Lillies around the Rick Family grave sight. Nothing to do with this post just thought they were pretty. 

Above, with the structure in place the stone needs to be manhandled into place next to the monument base. 

                                          Straps are attached and the lifting process begins. 

The stone is moved into place and lowered into position to see how it fits.  Considerable erosion of the two pieces has occurred over the years apart and that will be repaired with special limestone compound. 

                                Brad prepares the epoxy solution for application to the stone. 

                                               The epoxy is applied to the bottom stone.   

The stone is then lowered into place...back whole after decades.  Later the cracks will be filled and repaired and the monument cleaned.  

Below, this stone construct is right next to the repaired monument and, although it looks like it would hold the casket, it's just hollow. 

 

Elmwood Cemetery - Leaving No Stones Down

 On August 14th, 1877, Cornelia Francis Haight Bancroft passed away at the tender age of 30.  She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri.  The Cemetery was only 3 years old at the time.  She was buried next to her son Charles who died in 1875 at only 4 months of age.  Her daughter Charlotte Bancroft Tromblee was buried next to her  in 1939.  Her Husband John Davis Bancroft remarried and moved to California where he is buried.   

In late 2019 or early 2020 her tombstone fell over ( natural causes ).  The new Board of Trustees at Elmwood is undertaking a complete restoration of the cemetery and part of that entails repairing stones such as Cornelia's.   It's a difficult process with larger stones like hers, but here is how it's done.

Brad, Zachary, and Simon all undertook the endeavor. 

First a triangular structure is put in place to hold the block and tackle.  The stone weighs in excess of 700 pounds.  Brad had previously leveled and repaired the base.  

                            The stone is first pulled upright and placed on a wooden base.  

Once the stone is upright, the chains are loosened and the block and tackle relocated to be perpendicular to the base.  

The stone is then moved from the first platform to a second one adjacent to the base of the monument. 

Sealant is then put on the stone and an aluminum post is inserted in one of the holes.  The other hole used what was left of the existing pole.   Small pieces of lead are placed at each corner to raise the stone up just slightly. 

The final step is relocating the hoist one more time and raising it high enough so the stone will clear the pole and it can be lowered back on to the base.

                                    Getting the stone lined up just right is a two-man job. 

                                 The stone is lowered into place and excess sealant is removed.

The stone had been laying face down on the ground for two years plus so it was quite dirty. Brad did a first round cleaning of the stone and it made a huge difference.  Another cleaning will follow.  

It says at the top "Beloved"  then " Cornelia F Haight Wife of J.D. Bancroft Born March 23, 1847 Died August 14th 1877  Nearer my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee.  

                                                   Perfectly restored ...  Many more to go. 

For more information on Elmwood Cemetery  ( it's an all-volunteer operation ). Use the link below.  https://elmwoodcemeterykc.org