Asbury-Green Chappel Cemetery

The Friends and Family of Asbury-Green Chappel, Inc. is a group of diverse persons whose goal is to restore, conserve and preserve the African American Cemetery that is part of the former Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, located off May Port Road, Bozman, Talbot County, Maryland. We also hope to educate area citizens about the importance of preserving our historical cemeteries, as well as our heritage.

We are a fully incorporated non-profit Charitable Organization. We have purchased the property from the Peninsula Conference of the United Methodist Church. In May of 2010 we received a Phase I report from Grave Concerns located in Park Hall, Maryland. The property was digitally mapped for burial features such as grave markers, vaults, grave mounds, and other features including the foundations of two buildings. A list of recommendations was made based on our goals.

I am the Historian for the organization and my job description includes researching the information on the former church, African Americans who resided in the Bozman community and possible identification of who may be buried there. I will also be responsible for the legal requirements for DNA testing and the re-internment of remains.

Other goals are to fence the property, restore at least five vandalized crypts, restore and reset grave stones as needed, expand the membership base and continue fund raising efforts and submit grant applications. Members of the Board of Directors and Friends have extensive expertise in the different areas needed to reach our goals.

I intend to use my Genealogy Blog to chart my methodology and the results of my research.