The Brewer Hill Cemetery Association responded to the reporting about neglect that appeared on this website last week with an appeal for donations, however the Office of the Maryland Secretary of State (SoS) indicates the association never registered to solicit for donations in the state.
Brewer Hill Cemetery Association is not registered,” explained Michael Schlein, director of the Office of the Maryland SoS . “They would need to register if they’re soliciting charitable contributions so if they’re asking for donations to be used for a charitable purpose then they would have to register.”
The article shared on this website last week indicated the association did not appear on the Maryland SoS online database of registered charities and that registration is required prior to soliciting for donations.
The public is advised to check with the Office of the Maryland SoS before donating to any nonprofit in the state.
Donna L. Cole is an award-winning investigative and multimedia reporter
Have you set up a meeting to discuss with the association members. There ia the question. As to why some black veterans with military head stones are buried there and not in the adjacent military cemetery. I think we possibly know why. I have a number of family members buried there, one a Civil War veteran.
Thanks for reading the article. I’ve not setup any other meetings or phone calls with the association members. I’m almost certain they wouldn’t have the answer to your question though. My guess and it’s just that – the cemetery when it was first created was done so by (the congregants of) two churches. The veterans, as well as their family members, could’ve been members of those congregations. Black military members as far back as the Civil were buried in national cemeteries, but in segregated areas. Because of that, I don’t think it was a matter of not being able to be buried in Annapolis National Cemetery, but rather a choice by family members to put their loved ones in the same cemetery they were to be buried in. Again, just a guess.
Edited the above to recognize it wasn’t two churches, but the congregants of two churches. One of the references for this can be found in this article by Janice Hayes Williams – https://www.capitalgazette.com/2016/08/12/our-legacy-brewer-hill-cemetery-in-annapolis-needs-our-help/
You are incorrect. The cemetery was not created by 2 churches. Some veterans were a part of the congregations and many were not. National cemeteries were not required to inter Black veterans until 1948; some (and only some) have segregated sections of cemeteries. Prior to that (1867), they were they required to pay for headstones.
Thanks for reading. In the comment you’re referencing, it should’ve indicated congregants of two churches, rather than two churches – that has been corrected with a citation. I appreciate your feedback.
This article is really concerning, especially for families connected to the cemetery. Its good to see the state stepping in, but the delay in regulation feels dangerous. Hope the cemetery gets the support it needs.labubu live wallpaper