John R. Hess Sr.
The Conestoga Area Historical Society
The following is a transcription of letter I (Frank Hess) found this summer (2002) in one of the Hess Family files at the Lancaster County Historical Society. It was written in 1965 by John R. Hess, Sr. (1883-1967) a great great grandson of David Hess, Sr. (1746-1815) and his line follows as David Hess, Jr. (1784-1873), John Hess (1809-1888), Benjamin H. Hess (1861-1918) to John R. Hess, Sr. 1883-1967.
From this letter it appears that John R. Hess, Sr. had found the David Hess cemetery about 1925 in an overgrown condition very similar to how a group of us found it last year (July 2001). John R. Hess, Sr. deserves a lot of credit for having maintained it for nearly 40 years up until his health prevented him from continuing to do so.
The letter written to the Lancaster County Historical Society was in an attempt to get someone to help continue with the care and maintenance. Unfortunately the historical society had to inform Mr. Hess that his understanding of the law he referred to did not cover private family cemeteries. It is unknown who if anyone continued to assist with the care of the cemetery. We do know that in the 1980s the cemetery was in rather good condition but then sometime between about 1988 until 2001 it was not cared for or maintained and fell once again into an overgrown condition.
John R. Hess, Sr., born 18 OCT 1883 and died 2 JAN 1967 married Mary W. Graver on 18 NOV 1910. Mary R. Graver was born 12 NOV 1888 and died 9 SEPT. 1967. Both John and Mary are buried at River Corner Mennonite Church Cemetery in Conestoga Twp. Together John and Mary Hess had 9 children some of whom are still living today.
Please note the letter has been transcribed exactly as it was written. John R. Hess also wrote a short booklet on the Hess family with emphasis on the Michael to David Hess, Sr. line and mention of the David Hess cemetery. A copy can be found in the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society�s Library and is dated 1957 and does not appear to be copyrighted.
Frank W. Hess
August 2002
Quaryville Pa
Feb. 12 1965
Dear Sirs
Well, I am writing about an old cemetery, a farm cementer in Conestoga township South of Conestoga Center known as David Hess cemetery. There were 50 burials there. Some readable markers, others not readable. These burials being from maybe 1800 to 1872 Several generations of Hess - Kaufman - Gall - Kreider - Warfel and others. The last Hess who owned the farm on which the cemetery is located willed the cemetery and drive out to the public road of several hundred feet to his children and those buried there for ever and is so stated in the present deed.
About forty years ago, I being a descendent, became interested. The cemetery at that time being very much grownup in trees and briars. A fallen down rail fence around it. I began to cut trees and to mow with a scythe. So I have done for at least 35 years. Now I am not able to continue. I am told there is state law to take care of such cases. Aid by the state to the township roadboard, is that correct? There is no one in the families to take over.
Please inform me on what needs to be done. I would hope the cemetery would go back to the condition it was
Thank you much.
My name and address
John R. Hess Sr
Quarryville, Pa
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