Historically black Masonic cemetery will get grounds keeping

Flagler County Sheriff James L. Manfre informed Historic City News that he has pledged to use inmates from the county jail to help maintain the historic Masonic Cemetery on Old Kings Road in Palm Coast.

Sheriff Manfre met with cemetery trustees yesterday to inspect the grounds and determine the best use of the inmate manpower.

“I wanted to get an idea of what we might be able to do,” said Sheriff Manfre. “My aim is to have inmates out here once a month to do some grounds keeping.”

The cemetery’s history is significant for Flagler County. The land was donated back in the 1940’s for use as a black burial ground. Cemetery records indicate burials began there in the 1950’s and the land continues to be used for burials today.

The Sheriff made it clear that the historically black cemetery needed more help.

Trustees James Crockett Sr., Richard Fraiser, and the Rev. Frank Giddens, gave the Sheriff a brief tour of the site. Sgt. Larry Jones joined the tour and offered suggestions for improvements. Sgt. Jones’s parents and other family members are buried in the cemetery adjacent to Old Kings road.

“I hope others will step forward to volunteer their labor or donate some services so that we can bring some much-needed improvements to this cemetery and then maintain those improvements,” Sgt. Jones said.

Anyone wishing to help should contact Cemetery Trustee Aaron McKinnon at (386) 503-4175.