This week we again look at a permanent features speaking to Silverbrook Cemetery's unique place in our history.
One section of the ornate wrought iron fencing surrounding the grounds found its fame through a 1930s edition of the long-time syndicated news column, Ripley's Believe it or Not.
This particular section of fence, dating back to the mid-1800s, is completely surrounded by a living tree. It was originally part of an enclosure of the A.B. Staples family plot.
Most of the fence was taken down during the 1940s, however, by that time it was already embedded within the tree forever more.
In May of this year, Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery set out to undertake the restoration of the entire fence enclosing the cemetery. Volunteers worked tirelessly to repair, reset the broken sections and repaint the decorative iron, to restore the fence.
The Staples family plot was also cared for during the early days of the group's work.
In the case of Eliza Ann's stone, it appears to be the bottom section, which is missing enough of the original stone as to render it irreparable. Was there a third Mrs. Staples? A stone dedicated to A.B. and E.Q. Staples seems to suggest this is not too far-fetched an assumption. One cannot help but wonder: Does the initial "E." here represent yet another Eliza?
There is always more to learn about the residents of Silverbrook. This stone is another which cannot be repaired due to the number of pieces lost over the years. However, as is the case with others, pieces recovered will be preserved in concrete.
The Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery are dedicated to the restoration of the cemetery and the recording of the history of those buried here. Volunteers have been awed by the appreciation of their efforts expressed by an increasing number of visitors to the grounds and by the satisfaction they themselves have derived from their efforts.
