Driving down a gravel road, I am struck by the beauty of this land. I wonder how changed it is from the time when my Fifth Great-Grandma last walked here. I wonder too, how long it had been since a Hook descendant had tread here.
I had a hard time finding the place myself, even with all the technology at my fingertips. I don't know that I would've located it without the assistance of a Morgan descendant. In the end, I'm glad for that, otherwise I wouldn't have had the blessing of hearing how the Morgans came to be associated with the Hook family. That's a story for another day.
I had no idea what to expect the graveyard to look like; I had only briefly read of it in my cousin's book. It doesn't look like much when I arrive, I will admit. However, as I spent the afternoon there, I am touched by the peace of that place. Surrounded on one side by trees, and a beautiful view out over the field, you can even see the hills in the distance. The bright clear blue sky, against the lush green trees, and the rolling hills are a serene setting. The stillness is broken only by the occasional bird and the wind through the trees. It's easy to see why the Hook's may have loved this land.
Here's an excerpt from Glenn's book regarding the background of this property and the cemetery.
John Hook and Rebecca Hook settled on a farm in Concord Township, Highland County, Ohio. A "dirt road" passed through the farm. Later the Fair Ridge Road replaced the old pioneer roadway. Although this family is believed to have come to this location as early as 1817, the deed to the 125 acre farm was not recorded until 1824. The particular reason why this family chose to come to this place is unknown. It can be noted that the topography of southern Highland County, Ohio, bears a close resemblance to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where John Hook had lived with his young family in his earliest years as a land owner. It is revealed in the final settlement of the estate of John and Rebecca Hook in 1865, that one acre of the farm on the south east corner was reserved for a graveyard. (Highland Co, Probate Court, Files 1700 & 2818). A small log meeting house stood at the south west corner of this lot for many years where the faint outline of its foundations can be traced. Many of the early Hook family members and neighbors were buried here. The grave stones of John and Rebecca Hook were made of a soft material, and weathering eventually made them hard to read. The records of the Harsha Monument Company, Hillsboro, Ohio, show the details of the sale of the original monuments. A new stone replacing the two originals was placed for them by the writer [Glenn Hook] about 1968. In addition to the pioneer parents and many neighbors, several of their children and their spouses are buried in this old Concord cemetery. Henry Hook and his wife, Elizabeth Hart Hook, and George Hook have grave stones of larger than average size. Many of the graves in this cemetery were marked only with flat limestones set on edge at the head and foot of the grave. An interested group of Benjamin Hook's descendants and this writer [Glenn Hook] placed a grave marker for Benjamin Hook and his wives, Elizabeth Montgomery and Catherine Manker in 1983. [Benjamin Hook was John and Rebecca's son]. -- Glenn L Hook, Mathias Hook of Beaver County Pennsylvania 2nd Edition, 1994, pages 58 - 60, 85.
I easily observe the stones Glenn makes reference of, and spend time exploring the area looking for other names which I might recognize. I see a slim monument, with the HOOK surname easily readable, however, the rest is difficult to make out. With some help, I make a rubbing of it as gently as I am able. My little girl holds the rice paper for me, so that tape isn't needed, as adhesives from tape leave behind harsh chemicals which would further deteriorate the delicate stones. With the rubbing, I'm able to make out the headstone for George Hook, 1808 - 1890. His epitaph reads "He lived as he died, a Christian." George was a son of John and Rebecca Hook.
Many of the stones are worn down by the elements, and impossible to read unless you know what they're likely to say. I do have some concerns regarding the welfare of this cemetery, however, that too, is a story for another day. For this day, I choose to enjoy this gift of the beautiful surroundings, peaceful and pleasant. I choose to appreciate the fact that this graveyard continues to be tended to, it's carefully mowed regularly, and the fence is in working order. The gravel road has been recently re-graveled and leveled, the washed-out ruts of last season filled in and graded. There is an obvious place to park, safely out of the way. All of these things should not be taken for granted; there are many other old cemeteries which can not boast this level of care. Reflecting on my pioneer ancestors who performed back-breaking work daily, I think they would appreciate how this land has been kept. They must have also seen the beauty of this place, for it can't be coincidence that the land so resembled the land they came from in Pennsylvania. If you'd like to visit this beautiful spot for yourself, it's on Dickey Road, Hillsboro, Highland Co, Ohio. Regardless of what the GPS indicates, you must enter Dickey Road from Fair Ridge Road, where Dickey Road meets Beatty Road at Fair Ridge Road. Dickey Road is a gravel road, take it slowly. I have its location marked on my Map of Hook Cemeteries. Also, here's a link to Old Concord Cemetery on Findagrave, where you can view more information about the cemetery and those interred therein.
