On October 11, 2004, in that time of night when the last hours of the day follow into the first hours of the next, a cemetery was destroyed. Carved stones mark the graves of those who have gone before us; often with a few kind words about the person. They were born into life and throughout it developed their character. They were touched by and touched everyone they ever met, even in the briefest moments. Much like we do today, they did in their own time. Things have changed somewhat, but one thing that stays the same is each person creates a legacy for others that follow. When they passed on the only things that remain are the memories of those they knew and, if they were lucky, a stone to mark their grave. Much like us, we live our lives and hope when we are gone others will have memories of us and that we touched their lives somehow, that is our legacy. But when we are gone, and our children’s children are old the thing that will stand out the most is our tombstone; that is unless someone destroys it.
Smith Corners Cemetery lies at the Northwest Corner of Hayfield Township in Crawford County Pennsylvania and is named after the family of Dr. Nelson Smith who once lived here. Many of its occupants were buried in the 19th century. Samuel LeFever and his wife Mary Ann were two of the area’s earliest pioneers. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. His wife Mary Ann was buried next to him. Her stone fell over and was covered by nature, remaining lost for many years. A few years ago two young women, students from Allegheny College, found and restored it. But out of a cruel joke or a twisted idea of fun both stones were broken; Mary Ann’s into pieces and Samuel’s was stolen. Christopher Mott was a Revolutionary War Veteran. This man who helped in the creation of our land had his memory given a terrible disrespect. His stone that marks where he is buried was broken off and left on the ground and the flag that honored his memory broken in two.
Many stones and markers were broken by some grave robbers that night. Most were broken off at ground level and some were busted into pieces afterwards. Several stone markers were stolen with Samuel LeFever’s. A couple stones were for children and others for their parents. The metal signs for the cemetery were also stolen in another act of theft in the Spring of 2004.
But out of the aftermath of such a terrible and criminal act came a lot of good. Many people offered their help and support. And many more took an interest in the area and history, and possibly on their own family’s history. We wanted to thank Le Compagnie LeBeouf and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2006 for their gracious donations and support. We also wish to thank the Smith Family for their donation in memory of Nevin and Seldon Smith. They lived in the area as children and some of their ancestors are buried in Smith Corners Cemetery. We would also like to thank the local papers; The Meadville Tribune and The Erie Times News for their assistance.
This past spring we reset and leveled the bases of the broken stones, and cleaned them for repairs. Sunset Memorials came out and repaired the broken stones for us with stone epoxy. We appreciate their time, materials, and support. They also carved a sign into rock to replace the signs that were stolen in Spring of 2004. This sign also honors the veterans buried there, whose stones and markers were lost or taken long ago. It has a map on the back to show where the old church was and where the schoolhouse was, which was used as the first church at Smith Corners. Now the cemetery’s name can be seen both ways.
The Veterans’ Administration kindly sent us replacements for two of the veterans Christopher Mott and Samuel LeFever. Christopher Mott’s stone was broken in pieces and Sunset Memorials was able to repair them. The replacement stone stands behind the old with his military information engraved as well. Samuel LeFever’s stone was broken in pieces and then stolen. Unfortunately it has not been recovered, yet, but the replacement stands at the back of where the old stood.
We wanted to thank all of those whose kindness and generosity touched our hearts and helped fix our little place in this big world. Such deeds are welcome and make us proud of our community. The occupants of Smith Corners Cemetery may no longer be around but they are not forgotten. They are thought of by those who live and work what was once their land, by their descendants, and passersby. That is their legacy. When the present is history these people will be remembered for their kind acts. That is part of their legacy.
Thank you from the Ford Family.
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