Smyrna times., 1931-08-12
PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY
ON Foot in Smyrna to
Preserve 1t From Dissertation by
Erecting a High Wire Fence

/ Plans are on foot to erect a six
foot link-wire fence around the old
Presbyterian Cemetery on the
south bank of Lake Como, Smyrna,
/ to preserve this old and historic
cemetery from desecration, abused
as a public place for picnic parties
and thoroughfare for those partici-
pating in the Swimming Hole" rec
emily inaugurated as summer
recreation center by the Town of
Smyrna 1t is figured that it will
take 566 feet at 26 1-2 cents per
foot, 20 posts and s end stay
posts, to 60 around the three sides
of the cemetery. The front fence
with gates facing the intersection
of Main Street and DUPONT Boule-
ward will be allowed to stand but
the gates will be locked. The link
wire fence to be erected will cost,
it is estimated, about 5000. The
side next to Lake Como will, it is
said, have to be filled in in some
way to stop the encroachments of
the Lake. The fill in will cost, it
is estimated, between $4O0 and
$500. For a number Of years past
this old and hallowed spot has not
received much care and has become
public pathway and even a picnic
ground for visitors. 1t occupies a
picturesque spot on the south side
of Lake Como, and in it are the
graves of many distinguished dead
and the tombS of some of the most
prominent families in Smyrna and
vicinity. It was at one time the
site of the Presbyterian Church,
now on West Commerce Street
Lake Como is becoming more and
more popular resort for boating
+ bathing and fishing and a short cut
to the bathing beach is through the
old cemetery. Another blemish to
the beauty of this spot is the deep
cut at its southern end and some
times the water of the lake will in
wade this cutting and almost sur
round the cemetery.
Donations are Thankfully Received
Donations are now being receiv-
ed to save the beautiful old pic
turesque Presbyterian Cemetery.
This will be thankfully received by
the treasurer of the Cemetery
Committee. Years ago, there lived
in Smyrna a carpenter by the name
of Mr.. Andrew Faulkner (many
win remember him), he had deli
cate wife, and two children, Horace
and Ida. Like all fathers with
sons, he was expecting the help of
this son when he grew up, but at
10 he died and was buried on the
edge of the lake in this cemetery.
Water was in the bottom of this
grave when it was dug. The faith
er had bricks (edges turned up
placed all around the grave and /
wooden rail about two feet higl
placed around the lot. Now on
this last 4th some children were in
that lot on the grave trying to pull
those bricks out and people were
sitting on that rail like birds on a
telegraph wire. Next to this lot is
a Caldwell monument that had
three square marble slabs at the
top. They are now on the ground
and on the 4th man was sitting
on one and two children dancing
on the other. On the 4th a booth
was erected in the back part for
the sale of soft drinks, etc. At an
other time two children were dane
ing on the top Of U. S. Senator
Spruance and wife's marble slabs.
The pond has made in until it has
eaten out about six feet of the
cemetery exposing the bodies in
some graves, and last Sunday three
row boats were anchored in these
followed out places. On Sunday
the cemetery is the picnic ground
for the anglers and families. On
Monday the remains of boxes,
bottles, platters, etc, are scattered
all over the place. Now these
conditions are to be bettered
Clark, StocI<ly, Spruance Graves
Among the persons buried in
this lovely old picturesque spot in
clude Gov. Clark, 11th Gov
ernor of Delaware, 1917; Gov.
Clark's father and grandfather,
who was a Colonial Trooper; Mr..
Ayres Stockly and wife, grandpar-
ents of Ayres Stockly and Mrs.
Margaret Mcdonald; Mr.. John
Clark Stockly, their father; U. S.
Senator Presley Spruance, grand
father of Col. w. G. Spruance, John
and Arthur Spruance of Whining
ton; Mr.. James Crawford, grand
father of Mr.. Ralph Jefferson who
has undertaken to see after this
work, and father of Mrs. Hurlock
who has pledged her hearty sup
port; Mr.. Horace Mustard and
wife, father and mother of Alex
Mustard, who took out the willow
tree that had been undermined and
fallen into the pond; Rev. Perry
and wife; DR. Mahon, first Homeo-