1770 Barnet 's graves discovered in Charlotte, NC
Posted on Tue, Apr. 03, 2007reprint or license print email CMC-MERCY
Construction uncovers old cemetery
Graves and remains dating back to the 1770s found on expansion site
LINDSAY POLLARD
[email protected]
Construction crews working on an expansion of Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy have unearthed grave markers and remains dating back to the 1770s.
"Here lies the body of Thomas Barnet," one of the markers reads. "Deceasd May The 3rd, 1776. Aged 22 years."
The markers and remains were found late last month where the hospital is building a new medical office building and parking deck at Vail Avenue and Caswell Road.
After four gravestones were found March 22, hospital officials contacted the N.C. Office of State Archeology. Work was halted while archeologists scoured the site. Nothing was found, and construction crews were cleared to continue working, said archeologist Chris Espenshade.
But, on March 27, a bulldozer turned up bones and work was stopped again.
Espenshade and colleagues from New South Associates then found skeletal remains and 13 graves. New South Associates is a Greensboro firm that specializes in archaeology, history and preservation.
Espenshade did more research and found that hospital land on Vail Avenue had once been home to Spratt Cemetery, a family burial ground that had been scattered over the years. Records on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg History Web site (www.cmstory.org) indicate that 13 people were buried there.
The state requires that the hospital advertise the discovery in hopes of reaching descendents. It cannot move the bones or test them until 60 days after a formal announcement is made. That is expected soon.
Working around the site will be challenging and pricey, said Scott White, media relations director for Carolinas HealthCare System. It will cost $100,000 to $150,000, he said.
Said White: "It's the right thing to do."
Seeking Relatives
Graves found at the construction site could belong to people who are recorded as being buried at Spratt Cemetery.
• Thomas Barnet
• William Barnet
• Mary Sprot
• Andrew Sprot
• Jean Barnet
• Mary Barnet
• Hugh Bingham
• Joseph Bingham
• Mary Bingham
• Samuel Bingham Jr.
• Esther Johnson
• James McKnight
• Robert McKnight
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If you might be a descendent, call 336-379-0433 or e-mail [email protected].
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Re: 1770 Barnet 's graves discovered in Charlotte, NC
VERA WESTON 4/06/07