WESTMINSTER, Md. — Largely forgotten for over a century, last year, volunteers helped identify nine black soldiers, including John Wesley Cole, whose grave is once again marked by a headstone at Ellsworth Cemetery just outside of Westminster.
“He enlisted in the 4th Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry just following the Battle of Gettysburg,” a volunteer, Diane Boettcher, told us at the time, “He served a little over two years, and he was wounded four times.”
Now, the Community Foundation of Carroll County announced it petitioned for the City of Westminster for annexation of the cemetery.
“It’s been a narrative that’s out there,” said Gordon, “I’ve never seen anything specific in writing that stated as such, and I know that there are definitely African-Americans that are buried in the Westminster Cemetery at a later date so whether it was a case of they couldn’t acquire land or unable to, no one is really 100 percent certain on that.”
What is certain is by shifting the boundaries to make the cemetery part of Westminster, it would make it eligible for more grant money to keep restoring it.
In addition to graves that have been marked, ground-penetrating radar has discovered evidence of almost 200 others yet to be identified---each with a story just waiting to be told.
“It’s Carroll County’s story,” said Gordon, “It’s the story of the veterans and the residents buried there, as well as their later family, but also of the community as a whole.”
Kelly Miller, a local attorney, prepared the petition pro-bono.
“Our firm is pleased to provide pro bono services in support of the efforts of Ellsworth Cemetery. I was unfamiliar with the work being done to restore the cemetery and recognize those buried there. I am happy to be involved and provide whatever help possible," Miller said.
