Rose Cemetery – SPIRITS of St. Petersburg

May 15, 2010 – Tarpon Springs

Original Investigation:

2. What equipment did you use on this investigation?
Digital camera
Film camera
Audio recording devices
Electro Magnetic Field Meter (EMF meter)
Other (please specify)
Ovilus
3. What phenomena did you experience on this investigation? (Please check all that apply)
Other (please specify below)
EMF spikes
4. In review of the footage, recording, or photographs taken at the location, which of the following did you find? (Please check all that apply)
Other (please specify below)
Must drop off film for development today.
5. What technical observations did you note during the investigation? For purposes of categorizing data, please post your first name, followed by your response.
The EMF meter (Trifield) was very interesting. It stayed mostly at .2 (flat-lined). However, it would spike (.2 – 1.5) seconds before or after Verna said “there is energy there”. Several times it spiked with follow up questions — “Is anyone here with us?” “Are we going in the right direction?” However, it did NOT spike when we asked if anyone wanted to communicate with us. Only once did it spike on gender (“female”). During our review session in the cemetery, the EMF meter DID spike when we addressed “Sister Rose” — who was the entity that our sensitive felt and tracked down to her grave the first time we were there. When asked if she remembered us, there was a spike, and if she wanted to communicate with us, spike. This was observed by the team. A second entity, whose name I had a hard time saying, also wanted to communicate with us. She had a very old grave, with a rather updated tombstone marked 1856-1924. She does appear to have experienced emancipation, was a healer of some sort, and may have been abused by whites at some time in her life. Though she was open to communication (via Beth, a sensitive), with the exception of spikes to the affirmative and a little info to sensitives, not much else happened. The Ovilus noted the name “Peter” over and over again. It also said, I thought “Potter” but it could have been “hotter”. It was interesting that the term “bright” came up over and over again (we were there during early evening hours when the sun was “bright”), as did “Jesus”, “angel”, “property”, “safe” and the numbers “90” and “60”.

6. What sensitive observations did you note during the investigation? For purposes of categorizing data, please post your first name, followed by your response.
I (Brandy) did feel dizzy during the investigation, but suspect it was due to the odd footing of the slightly slanted land. During the communication part of the investigation, we narrowed down two individuals that seemed to want to speak with us. However, when we got to the graves, there was little forthcoming information. At Sister Rose’s, there was a feeling of nervousness that might have been associated with two negative areas sensed in the cemetery — along the left side and the back left corner. Several sensed that the entity felt repressed…or contained somehow. Our second grave was from the woman buried (1856-) in 1924. Some young teens started to walk past the area and were yelling and talking quite loudly. Verna asked if they were bothered by this, and the answer was “yes” — if they were bothered by kids (“yes”) and if they were harassed at night (“yes”). Sensitives felt about three areas of activity, and most seems to have happened when we first got there.

The SPIRITS were there in Feb. 2003 or 2004. It was here that my 400 speed color film captured what I believe to be the head and shoulders of a mist-image as we left the cemetery.
8. Rate the level of perceived haunted activity of this location. 1 represents no activity, 5 moderate activity and 10 represents extreme activity.
4
9. What issues does the review team need to address with the occupant (homeowner, business owner, resident)? What aspects of the investigation need to be re-addressed, retested, or clarified?
None, really. It was quite disturbing to hear of all of the reports of negative behaviors from others — ghost teams have, apparently, been VERY abusive in this place. There was even one video that Mary found showing a team taunting and mocking the dead, which is ridiculous and uncalled for. We were warned ahead of time to watch out for hostile presences, but found none there. Perhaps coming in the evening, when we were legally able to do so, and coming with an open, caring, and respectful attitude helped us.

10. Is there any other information that you would like to add about this investigation? For purposes of categorizing data, please post your first name, followed by your response.
I do wonder if part of the issue is that the folks in this cemetery are bothered by ghost hunters, drunks, and teens late at night. They seemed much more communicative in the 2003/4 area, but with so many negative reports out on people with bad behavior in the area, it makes me wonder if that’s why this group became so quiet/uncommunicative.

Research on the location:

Title: ROSE CEMETERY
Location:
County: Pinellas
City: Tarpon Springs
Description: Rose Cemetery, also known as Rose Hill Cemetery, established in the early 1900s as a segregated cemetery, is the oldest African-American cemetery in Pinellas County. Located on approximately five acres of land, the cemetery reflects the social history and cultural traditions associated with Christianity and early African-American customs. Many of the African-Americans buried here were of Bahamian descent, and some of their graves are marked by large conch shells. Although the earliest grave marked states 1904, there are strong indications of earlier burials. Rose Hill Cemetery Association was first incorporated on November 22, 1916, when the Lake Butler Villa Company gave the African-American board members a 99-year lease. The following year, in 1917, the property was deeded to the Association. Through the 1950s Rose Cemetery served other black communities throughout the county. Many difficulties through those years, including destroyed records, haphazard burials, and limited funding, resulted in many unmarked and misplaced graves. Significant burials included the founders of the local African-American churches started in the 1890s, and an African American Confederate Civil War veteran, Richard Quarls (1830-1925).
Sponsors: THE ROSE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, INC. AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
St Pete Times Nov 16, 1987
http://news. google.com/ newspapers? nid=888&dat=19871116&id=wrgMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GGEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6546,629220

Remembrance and Honor
An interview with Mary Wilder Crockett
by Adam J. Carozza

As I was researching the early pioneers of Pasco County, Florida, I happened to notice a more recent article about a Pinellas County event. The Suncoast News, February 8, 2003, “Former Slave: Black veteran, who bore arms for the Confederacy, to be remembered in Tarpon Springs ceremony.” I discovered through my research of the New Port Richey area in West Pasco County that African Americans restricted by Jim Crow laws were not permitted burial in white cemeteries. Having no black cemetery in the New Port Richey area, people of African heritage were buried in Tarpon Springs (Pinellas County) about eight miles to the south at Rose Cemetery. During the days of segregation, Rose Cemetery was available for African Americans from Clearwater to New Port Richey. I also located the final resting place of Aaron McLaughlin Richey, namesake of Port Richey and New Port Richey located at the white cemetery (Cycadia) maintained by the city of Tarpon Springs. Across the street is the privately owned black cemetery (Rose). Both of the sites occupy Jasmine Avenue off Keystone Road in Tarpon Springs, nearly touching but yet divided. On Friday February 21, 2003, I went to Tarpon Springs and knocked on the door of Mary Wilder Crockett, age 66, the great-granddaughter of the former slave mentioned in the article. Mary answered the door and I quickly said “hi” and told her the purpose of my visit. She immediately said, “Don’t just stand there come on in.” I had forgotten what a friendly and close-knit community this was and it never made a difference if the person at the door was “white or black.” I was immediately welcome in her home. Mary and I spent the next two hours sitting at the kitchen table discussing her great- grandfather, J. Richard Quarls (sometimes spelled Quarles) and what it was like growing up during the days of segregation in Tarpon Springs for a person of African Heritage. J. Richard Quarls (former slave on a South Carolina plantation) was her great-grandfather’s slave name who was later known as Christopher Columbus, the name that he had chosen. According to Mary, her great-grandfather thought that using his slave name, which also connected him with his previous service in the Confederate army, would probably not meet with the approval of his friends in Tarpon Springs. Not being able to read or write Christopher Columbus was one of the few names he knew, Mary said. I stated how happy I was to be able to talk with her on this day before the ceremony, because after tomorrow she may be too occupied with newspaper reporters for me to casually approach her as I did today. “I’ll still be Mary,” She said. One could not meet a more pleasant person. Mary told me that her grandmother, Orlando Columbus Clark, had died in 1951 when Mary was a teenager. However, her grandmother passed on the oral history that Mary Wilder Crockett was preparing to pass on to me. As she began to orient me to her world, Mary was especially proud to tell me that she is living on the same property that was previously owned by her great-grandfather, Christopher Columbus. The first house was built about 1909, one block from the railroad tracks on Safford Avenue. As Mary enchanted me with her stories she pointed in the direction of the railroad tracks. Mary told me of the Orange Blossom Special that had passed by her home many years ago when she was a child. “Sometimes white people would throw candy out the windows, as the train went by,” she said. Next, Mary proudly told me about her four children, who were among the first to integrate Tarpon Springs Elementary School in the 1960s. However, Mary did not have the convenience of going to the closest school when she was a child. She attended the school for black children known as Union Academy Elementary School established in 1919. Growing up in the 1940s and 1950s segregation did exist but Mary told me of the time that she and her grandmother got to know the bus driver in town and he would allow them to ride in the front of the bus. She said, “while growing up in Tarpon Springs I never knew prejudice or racism.” Mary added that “blacks and whites regularly shopped and mixed with each other.” We then moved on to her great-grandfather Christopher Columbus. Tomorrow, February 22, 2003, the tombstone dedication will be held at Rose Cemetery formerly known as Rose Hill Cemetery built in the 1800s; exact year is unknown. Christopher Columbus was born on December 12, 1833 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He is being honored for his service by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, because he joined the Confederate Army in South Carolina with his master’s son and had fought several battles against the Union Army. Mary Crockett said that she was told that her great-grandfather was proud to be the only black person from Tarpon Springs to have gone to the National Convention of the United Confederate Veterans in Washington D.C., with other former Confederate soldiers and saw President Woodrow Wilson. In 1916, Richard Quarls filed and later received a Florida Confederate Soldier pension (file no. A04986) and his widow, Mary Holland Quarls continued drawing his pension until her death on October 16, 1951. Confederate pensions were awarded to residents of Florida regardless of the state in which their military service was rendered. Upon arriving the next day at Rose Cemetery for the ceremony the first thing I noticed was the rare sight of a Confederate Honor Guard and a collection of Confederate battle flags. About 150 people attended the ceremony including four generations of descendants of Christopher Columbus. Engraved on his marker: “Pvt. J. Richard Quarls, Co. K, 7 SC Inf. CSA.” “This is something that should be done more often, it is a bonding element that needs to be taught over and over to ourselves and our children,” said Marion Lambert, chief of staff of the Florida division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Remembering and honoring J. Richard Quarls (Christopher Columbus), 78 years after his death, is just one step in the healing process.
Adam J. Carozza is a retired U.S. Postal Service employee and seeking a second career as a high school social studies/history teacher. Currently a graduate student at the University of South Florida, concentration in Florida and regional studies. He is a member of the Florida Historical Society and West Pasco Historical Society. This interview is part of a larger ongoing work. Adam J. Carozza may be contacted by e-mail at acarozza@tampabay. rr.com
http://www.southern scribe.com/ zine/culture/ remembrance_ honor.htm

Cemeteries of Booker T. Washington

Like most communities the residents of Booker T. Washington needed a place to bury their deceased. It is believed that the residents of the Booker T. Washington community utilized two different cemeteries. One of these cemeteries is known as the Rose Cemetery. The Rose Cemetery is a small African American cemetery located in the back side of the Cycadia Cemetery in Tarpon Springs. The second cemetery was known as the Stark Cemetery.

The Stark Cemetery was located on the north end of the Booker T. Washington Subdivision as shown in the plat maps. It is believed that the Stark Cemetery was started by prominent Booker T. Washington resident Robert Stark. Robert Stark was among the first residents of the Booker T. Washington Community. According to Pasco County land records Robert Stark owned property located in section 21, township 25, range 16. This property is described as being lot number 15 in block C of the Hermanson Subdivision, which was replatted to become an addition to the Booker T. Washington Subdivision. It is believed that this small cemetery started as the Stark Family Cemetery. It is believed that the cemetery became utilized by the residents of the Booker T. Washington Community after becoming established by the Stark Family. There have been several stories told about the cemetery however none of these stories can be supported or proved since the Stark Cemetery no longer exist. Among these stories it has been reported that the majority of the burials in the cemetery were children.

The only surviving evidence of the cemetery is a 1949 United Stated Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.) map, left, showing the location of the cemetery. (click here for larger image of map) In the late 1960’s to early 1970’s the area surrounding the Stark Cemetery was planned for development by Carl Minieri, this new development would be called Embassy Hills. After receiving approval from Pasco County to start this new development, construction began. It was during the development of Embassy Hills that we lost another piece of history to the bulldozer as the Stark Cemetery came to be known only as the mark on the map that it is today. Today the Stark Cemetery is located under the homes and residential streets of the Embassy Hills Subdivision. The location of the cemetery, today, is under 4-6 homes and the streets on which these home site. These homes are located between Sterling and Ledgestone Lanes where they intersect with Cutty Sark Drive. The exact size and age of this cemetery is unknown since the cemetery itself has been destroyed.

Today this community is no longer called Booker T. Washington but is simply referred to as the Pine Hill Community. The transition from Booker T. Washington to Pine Hill took place in the 1940’s as the community church was referred to as the Pine Hill Church. Neither the church or community were associated with the Pine Hill Cemetery other then their location near to the cemetery. Like many early African American communities throughout Pasco County, very little remains of the Booker T. Washington Community. The community is fortunate to have its one of its former schools still standing.

http://pascocemeter ies.org/starke_ cemetery. html

http://liveparanorm al.com/blogs/ entry/MY- BODY-WAS- INVADED-BY- A-SPIRIT
http://paranormalan onymous.com/ ?page_id= 102

Here is some info about Rose. There was a woman who went there last month with her husband (wee hours of the morning) and claimed a possession. The links are toward the bottom

Rose Cemetery

Remembrance and Honor
An interview with Mary Wilder Crockett
by Adam J. Carozza

Mahalia information:

From the book Tarpon Springs, FL by Sandra W. Rooks, Carol Mountain

Possibly the oldest historic African American cemetery in Pinellas County is Rose Cemetery. Originally known as Rose Hill,
its actual date of inception is unknown. One of its founders Mahalia Jones, (1856-1924), came to Tarpon Springs from Gainesville
in an ox cart. Jasmine Avenue divides Rose from the well-maintained Cycadia Cemetery. A longtime local resident recalls that African
Americans were buried “in the back of Cycadia Cemetery”, and moreover she asserts this area became the Rose Cemetery.
Civil War soldiers are buried here. http://wikimapia.org/665661/Rose-Cemetery