Yesterday, the weather was beautiful, not too humid, light breeze, somewhat cloudy, it was perfect. The previous day, I decided that I’d go downtown to one of my favorite cemeteries the following day which was yesterday. So without further adieu here is the recap from yesterdays grave hunting trip to Historic Elmwood Cemetery.

As per the routine when I get to the various cemeteries around town. I stopped near the front of the cemetery. After I passed through the gate, to look through the  literature I have so I can then plan out the days events. I had a general idea on who I planned to track down. Yesterday’s goals for the most part were to track down African-American notables who had to do with the cities shaping.

James Robinson Gravesite in Elmwood Sec: F, Lot: 59

One African-American personage I found was James Robinson who was born in 1753 and died in 1868 he’s buried in Sec: F, Lot: 59. He lived to be 115 years old and is the oldest burial in the cemetery. The thing I found fascinating about James Robinson was that not only was he born a Maryland slave but he fought for the Americans in the American Revolution and in the War of 1812. Due to the esteemed devotion he had to his country, and the American cause, during the War. This led General Lafayette of the Americans to award Pvt. Robinson the Gold Medal of Valor. I was very impressed to read this due to the interest I have in studying The American Revolution, Pvt. Robinson is one of my personal favorite finds.

Moving along another interesting gravesite I found was of Charles Brady King. Born in 1868 and died in 1957 he’s in Sec: P, Lot: 128. The interesting thing about Charles Brady King is that he was the first person in

Gravesite of Charles Brady King Sec: P, Lot: 128

Detroit to build the horseless carriage. The only bad thing about this was that he never capitalized on his “invention”. So he could be considered the first person to invent the automobile.

As the day was coming to a close and I was starting to get wore out from being in the cemetery four hours. Another gravesite I found was of

Gravesite of William Wreford Sec: 1, Lot: 4

William Wreford. It’s unknown to me when he was born and died he’s in Sec: 1, Lot: 4. The interesting thing about Mr. Wreford is that he rented his house and barn on Bagley Ave, to Henry Ford for a meager sixteen dollars a month. Ford built his first automobile there in 1896.

All and all I had a terrific day at Elmwood. I found a total of about fifteen gravesites. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.