On Maybee Road east of Sashabaw, there sits an old church that dates back to 1855. Behind the church is a cemetery that dates back even further.
A few months ago, members of the Sashabaw Plains Cemetery Association approached Independence Township hoping it would assume ownership and operation of the former Sashabaw Presbyterian Church’s cemetery..
‘I think it’s a great thing,? said Glen Brokenshaw, who’s been a member of the association for 10 years. ‘It’s awfully difficult for the association because people are getting so much older and it’s hard to handle anymore. We just want to make sure that the thing keeps going and somebody will be looking after it.?
Shelagh VanderVeen, Independence Township clerk, said she is glad the township is taking over.
‘You would hate to see something of such historical significance fall in to disrepair,? said VanderVeen. ‘I really admire that group that took care of it for all those years.?
According to the historical marker outside the cemetery, burials happened as early at 1836, but the cemetery association was not formed until 1849.
‘A small group of people have been taking care of it all of these years. Making sure that it was properly maintained, mowed, trees trimmed, and all of that,? said Jill Stringer, a 20-year member of the association.
‘I think it’s a treasure, an absolute treasure, to this township. For the reason that there are so many significant people buried in there,? she said. ‘It’s something that should be preserved and well taken care of. A walk through there is like a walk through history. It is an amazing place.?
Some of those pioneer names and families buried there are the Beardslees, Voorhees, Gulicks, Fishers, and Maybees.
‘It’s a piece of antiquity that’s been in my family,? said Charlotte Maybee, an association member. ‘I’m the fifth generation that will be buried there and I have relatives that are younger than I am that will be buried there. It’s always been a family thing. It was organized by pioneer families to tend the cemetery, so my great, great grandfather bought lots there, so we’re all there.?
A price for a plot cost $1 in 1849. Stringer said there are currently 1,143 plots still available. She also said she is looking forward to the township taking over responsibility.
‘We’re happy about it,? said Stringer. ‘We’ve contacted other ones who have loved ones buried in there and they are very happy the township is taking over.?
She also noted the cemetery used to be hunting grounds for an Indian tribe and was named after Chief Sashabaw.
Toni Smith, Clarkston Historical Society member and Heritage museum director, said cemeteries ‘offer a great glimpse into history? and that cemetery records are one of the first places people go when looking up their genealogy.
‘Cemeteries are one of the most lasting things in communities, they’re kind of sacred. It doesn’t go well when somebody builds a condo on top of a cemetery, she said. ‘It’s good to know they’re still being taken care of, preserved and that they’re still being honored.?