Friday, February 12, 2010

Zion Chapel of East, St. Lukes Parish, Hilton Head, South Carolina

This historic plaque, a bit hard to read indicates this is the site where the historic Zion Chapel of Ease, St. Lukes Parish stood. All that remains is the historic cemetery. Founded in 1767, consecrated in 1833, and destroyed in 1868. Many of the names appearing on these stones tell many stories of Hilton Head Island. In the Pre-Revolutionary War period, the Island was divided into Parishes. This historic cemetery is located on Mathews Drive, named for Phillip Mathews, the first Rector of the Chapel. Specifically it is located on Mathews near Folly Field Road, and William Hilton Parkway--Route 278. I spoke about one of these familes, The Baynard's with regard to The Baynard Ruins.
I have visited and documented many cemeteries, so my reaction to this cemetery came as a surprise. It was dark, damp, and frankly spooky. I've never felt that before when I visited cemeteries. The thick canopy of the tree's keep out the light of day, and the moss hangs low from the trees, somewhat too close to my face for comfort. Grass doesn't seem to grow in this dank atomosphere. Many Revolutionary War Hero's are buried here; and while some of the stones have been replaced and a flag or two were visible; it seemed that many years had passed with little care, and perhaps vandalism. I felt a bit uneasy here, hubby was waiting in the car; so I wasn't alone--but. I didn't know until I returned home and did some research why I had such a uncomfortable feeling.
Mr. Baynard lost his wife from yellow fever, on their wedding day. He was very distraught. His wife died in 1830, his home raided during The Civil War, used as a headquarters for The Union Army and then left in ruins. The Chapel, his chapel abandoned when the plantation owners fled the Union forces to the mainland, destroyed in 1868 by those remaining on the Island in need of the wood--he haunts this land. Yes, this is reported as a haunted location.
moss covered grave stoneMany of the stones are totally covered with moss and lichen and hard to read. Some didn't appear to be readable at all. However, sometimes different light can make a difference in ones' ability to read the stones.

General viewYou can see how the tree's canopy adds to the spooky feeling of this little cemetery. It appeared it had been forgotten for quite some time, and then some caring person or group has brought it back.
tree gravestone engulfed by treeThis crooked stone is half eaten by the tree, a site I've seen far too often. It saddens me. Sometimes nothing of the stone can be read when this happens. And sometimes it's a graveyard so forgotten, no one has records to know whom the person or the family that the marker represents was.

Overview of the Island Here
Beach post of the Island here

28 comments:

  1. What a very interesting observation of the cemetery. Can you imagine having your wife die on your wedding day? That is so sad.

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  2. I love the way you cover and feature the places you've traveled to. The places you've been to are very much interesting and the way you present it makes it more appealing! Keep it up Sandy!

    Going to historical places including a cemetery speak of our heroes. I've been to one in our country and it ignited real patriotism in me.

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  3. How did South Carolina feel about the downfall of the Articles of Confederation?

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  4. Cemetery's freak me out but sometimes I enjoy seeing the vintage pics of it.

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  5. Testing the comment area. Have had 2 people indicate they were unable to leave a comment. Changed the settings to full page here for a test.

    Sandy

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  6. Testing comment section from a 2nd computer and different browser. It appears to be working once I changed from embedded below post to full page. Can someone explain to me what the difference is?

    Thanks
    Sandy

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  7. I really like your new blog look. Very nice.

    Cemeteries are a strange place to go while on vacation, but I can see what you mean about the history there. That's pretty neat; though this cemetery does look a bit creepy to me. Think I would have stayed in the car like your Hubby did.

    E

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  8. That's neat. I like the pictures.

    You're right - there aren't so many rescues for humans as there are for animals.

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  9. Well I see you got the comment thingy taken care of and I really like the new design. Since I'm not very technical I certainly can't explain what happened, but it works now so that's a good thing.

    I have always liked visiting old cemeteries because they tell such tales just from reading the stones and I'm happy to see that someone has taken an interest in doing some upkeep on this one, take care Sandy...Jude

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  10. My response in on my own website
    (responding to someone's blog post),

    Yes I remember the blocks, we didn't have any at home; we only had them at school. I was in Kindergarten.

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  11. Check out the purple and green fabric I bought! I need your guidance on what type of bag your daughter would like. Please check out my post.

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  12. I feel so sad for Mr. Baynard, having the one of the greatest moment in your life and saddest moment all rolled into one day. But I must say that I'm amazed by your courage going to cemeteries!

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  13. I am impressed with the content of the article. I have been trying this method and I have seen some real improvements. This method is very useful.

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  14. I enjoyed your post and very informative. come on my blog I hope you Find information effectively. thanks

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  15. You are a no follow blog. I just applied Firefox and all your comments names came up read

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  16. some of the people who leave comments may not be do follow blogs David, but I manually changed the code on all my blogs some time ago and have been told repeatly by folks the color thing doesn't always work and that this is most definitely a do follow blog.

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  17. Hey Sandy!
    I haven't gone anywhere my dear friend. I've just been very business with my ministry and my two online businesses. I took the pop up ad off my site so that should possibly enhance the number of drops I get in the future. Again, what would I do w/o a concerned friend like you! Like the new look of your blog. Take care!

    Friends 4 Life!

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  18. Great write up on this old cemetery. It even looks spooky. Hope you didn't stay there after dark. Booooo! I love visiting old cemeteries too and just thinking back to those long past eras. Thanks!

    Friends 4 Life!

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  19. I love reading about history and you stumbled onto something really interesting. I have to say you are quite brave to visit this place alone. It is sad to see it in disrepair.

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  20. Sandy, I just wanted to let you know that I've been trying for two days now to leave a comment on your other blog (Sandy's Space). Not sure what's wrong as it works for this blog. Weird. I'll keep trying...

    Did you change your settings?

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  21. You're right - there aren't so many rescues for humans as there are for animals.

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  22. I'm not sure visiting cemeteries would be on my list of things to do on a trip, thanks to you, I don't have to:)

    I added your badge to Because Someone Cares.

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  23. This is amazing!

    I was taken aback by the last photo where it displays the tree and the tombstone “married” with age. That sight alone is an epitome of the passage of time in a forlorn cemetery. Great imagery!

    What a distinct way you have written this article. Cemeteries with or without the historical background would deter the squeamish.

    I must say that you spent sometime delving into the past. Something that hardly gets any attention to the brave souls who were instrumental in shaping what happened during their time and determining the immediate future for their generation thereafter.

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  24. Nice pictures. What kind of camera did you use to take these pics?

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  25. I always like to visit historical places as historic places tell its own story.Its sounds interesting that you visited cemeteries.I also like your observations.

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  26. This is a good blog, it is encouraging to see people giving value
    through great post.Thanks

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  27. Its really a nice blog..Keep posting in future as well.....

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