CLEARFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CLEARFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Shaw Cemetery Restoration Project

  

Attention all 'SHAW' Descendants!

 

     In November the Board of Directors formed an exploratory committee, chaired by cemetery expert Chris Watson, to pursue the idea of restoring the Shaw Cemetery in Clearfield. For over 40 years Les Thurston, a neighbor to the cemetery, has been faithfully caring for the grounds, trimming trees, raking leaves and mowing lawns. We are all indebted for his attention to the cemetery.

 

     Archibald and his wife Mary (Campbell) Shaw came to this country from Ireland in 1800. They settled in Chester County and later Mifflin County before coming to Clearfield County in 1810. They settled near the town of Clearfield on a farm, where they both died and are buried in the family graveyard. Henry Irwin (died 1828) and his wife Jane (Pinkerton) Irwin (1764-1841) also came from Ireland and were early settlers to the area. They are both buried here.

 

     Over the course of over 175 years many of the stones have been displaced and damaged. Much of the damage has been due to the trees, which most recently destroyed the Victorian fence around the graves of Richard and Mary Shaw.

 

     As part of the project we will be conducting extensive research as to the genealogy of people buried here to try to ascertain the proper placement of their stones.

 

     Very importantly we have found remnants of the patriarch Archibald Shaw’s original stone and location of his grave (died 1843) and that of his wife, Mary (died 1853). Also found were the stones of Jane and Henry Irwin (earliest known burial in 1828) and the location of their graves. This is the first anyone has known that some of these stones exist.

 

     Now we need to find the grave sites of the many children buried here with displaced stones. If you have any old pictures of this cemetery, we would appreciate seeing copies.

 

     The next step will be having an arborist evaluate the trees in the graveyard.

 

     Our goal is to mark all known graves with either their original existing stones or with new ones. If the stone is illegible to the general eye, we will mark the grave with a flush marker and leave the existing stone. We will replace stones that have been destroyed.

 

     We anticipate the cost to exceed several thousand dollars. These families were pioneers to this town, and we feel their final resting place should be preserved. If not addressed soon, many of the stones will be gone forever.

 

     If you are a descendent or are interested in our county’s history, we urge you to consider making a donation towards this project. Please send your donations to CCHS, 104 E. Pine Street, Clearfield, PA 16830. We greatly appreciate any amount for this huge undertaking!

 

 

Shaw Cemetery, head and foot stones.  Pieces of Archibald Shaw’s gravestone.

The Kerr House Museum and Genealogy  Research Center

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  1:30 to 4:30 PM.

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Write us at...'Clearfield County Historical Society

   511 Van Valzah Ave.
   Clearfield, PA 16830'

Phone: 814-768-7318 for a brief recording... 

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Contact Method

Clearfield County Historical Society MUSEUMS

1. 'KERR HOUSE' MUSEUM

 104 E. Pine St,

Clearfield, Pa  16830

(Corner Front & E Locust Sts.)

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2. ' ALEXANDER ' GENELOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER:

  511 Van Valzah Ave.

  Clearfield, PA  16830

      (official business address)

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3. 'BLOODY KNOX' Cabin Museum:

6246 Curwensville - Tyrone Hwy.

Olanta, PA  16863

(Village of Kellytown)

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Courtesy guided group tours of our 'Kerr House' Museum can be arranged year round by phoning

814-765-6125.

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