John W. Jones Monument (Horseheads North, New York)
Emancipation
This small commemorative marker made of granite and bronze is located within Woodlawn National Cemetery, the location where John W. Jones was the caretaker in charge of burying the Confederate dead of Elmira Military Prison, located nearby. It was paid for with funds raised by local high school students and Elmira citizens and dedicated in 1997. The cemetery is located beside a town cemetery, also called Woodlawn, where John W. Jones and Mark Twain (among other prominent Elmirans) are buried. The John W. Jones Museum is located across the street from the national cemetery.
Monument type:
Plaque
Artist:
Unknown
Dedication Date:
1997-06-22
Address:
Horseheads North
Chemung
New York
United States
Inscription:
"Between July 1864 and August 1865, 2973 Confederate soldiers were buried here with kindness and respect by John W. Jones, a runaway slave. They have remained in these hallowed grounds of Woodlawn National Cemetery by family choice because of the honorable way in which they were laid to rest by a caring man."
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Conception Date:
Opening Date:
1997-06-22
Material:
Granite, bronze
Size:
0m x 0.9144000000000001m x 0.45720000000000005m
Creator:
Unknown
Cost / Value:
$1,500 (in 1997)
Erected by:
The Southside High School diversity group (also called The Jones Nine); Southside High school Assistant Principle and Diversity Liaison Arline Ely; local supporters including Lucy Brown and Bill Wheeler
Funded by:
funds raised by The Jones Nine, Southside High School
Run by:
National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Indigenous Land
Organization/Curator:
Data Sources:
Read below for one of our contributor’s reflections on this monument