Near the runway of the Minford Airport lies Shumway Cemetery, a small community burial ground where the mortal remains of Daniel White rest. Born on September 24, 1792, in Vermont to Abel White and Rebecca Sollis, Daniel emerged as an early settler in the area that would eventually evolve into Harrison Township. His return from the War of 1812, where he served alongside his brother, John White, and brother-in-law Wyatt Chamberlin under Lieutenant Ezekiel Blue, marked a pivotal moment in the region’s history.
On March 6, 1832, Daniel White played a key role in chartering Harrison Township, with the first meeting taking place in his own home. Notably, he was elected as the Trustee of the newly formed township.
At the age of 64 years, 8 months, and 14 days, Daniel departed this life on June 8, 1857. His surviving children honored him by erecting a marble tablet marker inscribed with a simple yet profound tribute, ‘My Father.’ He found his final resting place alongside his wife, Sarah Osborn White, who had preceded him in death by 6 years.”
While we lack photographs of the entire restoration process, we were able to capture this image of the marker shortly after its discovery and uncovering. The passage of years had concealed it beneath layers of leaves and soil, leaving its once pristine white surface stained. Upon reviewing photos taken by others in preceding years, it became evident that the marker had been in a state of disrepair for at least a decade. Attempts to enhance its readability included the application of chalk or flour on its porous surface, providing both a temporary solution and unintentionally fostering the growth of biologics that penetrated the stone’s matrix.
These biologics, comprising mold, lichens, and algae, continued to proliferate over the years, contributing to the gradual deterioration of the stone from within. Despite its seemingly hard exterior, the compromised stone is deceptively soft and vulnerable to the effects of freezing and thawing, significantly increasing the risk of breakage.
In the case of Daniel White’s headstone, a slotted base was notably absent. A survey of the area revealed that proper slotted bases were an exception rather than the norm, with many markers simply shallowly buried into the ground and supported by stacks of stones that enclosed the grave marker beneath the soil. Over the years, the marker had suffered damage from falling limbs. Eventually, while leaning against a tree, it was struck and toppled, breaking the marker in half.
Our initial knowledge about the marker’s condition and its historical significance came from Madison Trustee and local historian, Chris Rase. Acting on his suggestion, we reached out to the Harrison Township Board of Trustees to seek permission for repairing Daniel White’s headstone. To our delight, not only did they grant permission, but they also offered financial assistance to alleviate the costs associated with cleaning and repairing the marker. This was particularly significant for us, as many of the projects we undertake are often self-funded or rely on resources from previous projects.
Our initial task involved creating a suitable slotted base. Given that we are not stonemasons, we measured the marble marker and crafted forms from foam insulation to match its dimensions. Subsequently, a wooden form was constructed, and concrete was poured. The foam form, coated with a releasing agent, was pressed into the wet concrete and left to cure for several days.
While the concrete was curing, we initiated the cleaning process for the marble marker. Initially, we utilized the PH-neutral Orvis paste, employing soft bristle brushes and small wooden skewers for intricate lettering details. A generous amount of water was crucial during this phase to prevent soil resettling onto the stone. Our aim was to create a surface as free of contaminants as possible before applying the D/2 anti-biological solution.
In contrast to corrosive agents like bleach or various acids, the D/2 solution poses no harm to the soft marble stone. It effectively eliminates biological growths both on the surface and within the marker. While other similar products exist, D/2 is the approved choice by the National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Training and Techniques. A substantial amount of the D/2 solution was applied, and the marker was positioned in an area with full sun. The efficacy and longevity of the D/2 solution are notably enhanced in sunlit environments. After a thorough thirty-minute wait, we agitated the solution and used approximately 5 gallons of water to remove any debris.
The accompanying photograph captures the moment as we dry-fitted the marker into the recently installed base. Ensuring the base’s levelness and preparing the tablet, we applied a layer of high-strength historic pointing mortar to the inside of the slotted base. Using a level, we made subtle adjustments to ensure the tablet remained plumb. Subsequently, more mortar was mixed and applied with a pointing trowel to fill the void between the tablet and the slotted base.
To safeguard against the mortar drying out during the three-day curing period, we took precautionary measures. The fresh mortar was wrapped with wet paper towels, covered in plastic cling wrap, and shielded with a plastic bag. This meticulous process ensured the successful and durable integration of the tablet into its newly crafted base.
Returning three days later, we carefully removed the protective materials to verify that the mortar had properly cured. Satisfied with the results and armed with a secure base, we proceeded to rejoin the top and bottom portions of the broken tablet. For this delicate task, we opted for Bellinzoni knife-grade two-component epoxy resin. Its selection was deliberate, driven by its exceptional bonding strength, transparency with minimal yellowing, and its ability to adhere effectively to slightly wet stones. This choice proved essential given the unpredictable weather conditions over the summer, where rain could strike at any moment.
Upon carefully mixing and applying the epoxy with a wooden tongue depressor, ensuring precise quantities to prevent any resin from seeping out the sides, we proceeded to temporarily splint the two pieces together. This involved using two slabs of wood and clamps. The splint was further supported by 1″x1″ stringers set at an angle into the ground and pressed against the wooden splint. This arrangement prevented the top portion from falling as the epoxy underwent the curing process.
Once satisfied with the successful repair, we removed all materials and promptly notified the Trustees that the restoration work had been completed.
In total, we covered over one hundred miles, shuttling back and forth throughout this restoration endeavor. Many hours were devoted to crafting forms, working with concrete, cleaning, and meticulously piecing it all together. It was truly a privilege to contribute to the restoration of this historic marker, marking a departure from the ordinary. Witnessing local government adopt a proactive stance in preserving historic cemeteries is particularly commendable, demonstrating a commitment to doing the right thing despite the current lack of legal protections afforded historic cemeteries under Ohio law.
