The Chester Cemetery was chartered by the Maryland Assembly on March 3, 1862. The land for the current location was a gift from Senator George Vickers. Prior to this date, and since before 1765, the old Colonial graveyard connected with the Parish Church was downtown, next to the courthouse. That burial ground had fallen into a frightful state of disrepair, so George Vickers’s donation of two acres to be the site for a new burial ground came just in time. In fact, re-interments, moving those buried in the old cemetery, began as soon as the Chester Cemetery as fully incorporated.
Jack Diller has been involved with Chester Cemetery, in one role or another, since 1993. In 2000, he was invited to join the Chester Cemetery Board of Directors by a friend, Harrison W. Vickers, III, the last member of the Vickers family to serve on the board. At the same time he became president. Jack served on the board for 20 years and served as president for 13 years. Jack is uniquely qualified to tell the story of Chester Cemetery.
Join us for History Happy Hour, 4PM Friday, August 1, at the Bordley History Center, 301 High Street in Chestertown and learn more about our history.
Gail Claggett says
Great idea. Hope more mini history lessons will follow.