Potter's Field - Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo MI
Potter's Field
Potter's Field - History
Riverside Cemetery
Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, established in 1862, is one of the city’s oldest and most historically significant cemeteries. Over the years, Riverside expanded several times to accommodate the growing needs of the community. This expansion included additions in 1882, 1934, 1939, 1950, 1953, 1960, 1962, and 1984. A Catholic Cemetery was added in 1862, and a small Jewish cemetery adjoins the northwest corner.
From 1860 to 1949, individuals from all walks of life found their final rest here. A beautiful, silent testament to the ideal that in death, as in life, all men and women are indeed created equal. Here lie the formerly enslaved and the free, side by side. Proud soldiers from the United States Colored Troops, who fought bravely for freedom and justice. Immigrants who journeyed from distant shores, seeking a new life in a new land. Babies, children, young adults, and the elderly – each life a unique story, each story an intricate thread in the rich tapestry of our shared history.
Unlike many places of its time, Potter’s Field stands as a beacon of unity. No segregation, no division based on race or origin. A reflection of what America aspires to be: A land where everyone is equal in the truest sense. So much history rests here, in Riverside Cemetery Potter’s Field. Behind each lot marker, there’s a story waiting to be told, a legacy to be remembered. Families, descendants, and historians alike are called upon to unearth these tales, to ensure that the spirit of unity and equality, epitomized by this sacred land, lives on for generations to come.
Known Names of those buried in Potter's Field
Stakes For GPS Mapping
Lot Marker 308 William Tucker, Unit: Michigan 102nd U.S.C.T. , about 1822 - 1879:
Disintered and relocated from Pottter's Feild, to GAR monument lot area June 1888.
Lot Marker 1248 Twin Boys Vanderweele: 1898 - 1898
Lot Marker 1319 Lucy A. Reeves - Free Person of Color, Death at Michigan Asylum for the Insane, birth: Ohio 1838-1900
Lot Marker 2105 Hugh Wait (Leg) 1884-1944
Here is a new list that I just finished of other CW veterans still in Potter’s Field: (I found these names in the 1877 Michigan Adjutant General’s Report about the new policy of sending insane veterans to the Asylum in Kalamazoo, and he listed them) Why they were not also moved is anyone’s guess. It could be that no one really knew that they were veterans.
- Graham, John W. Capt. Co. C, 11th MI Infantry PF, 255 1836 – 1878
- Herrick, Sydney L., Major Brigade Surgeon PF, 120 1830 – 1875
- Marshall, Balthazar 7th MI Infantry(?) PF, 682 1838 – 1887 (Can’t document service)
- Peck, Jackson Co. E, 16th MI Infantry PF, 283 1837 – 1880
- Stocking, Ira Co. E, 9th MI Infantry PF, 227 1841 – 1877
- White, Stephen Co. A, 102nd USCT PF, 434 1827 – 1882
Projected Completion - Spring 2024
The Memorial Reads:
Potter’s Field – Kalamazoo Michigan,
c. 1862 – c. 1949
Burial ground for the unknown, unclaimed or indigent people: regardless of race or religion
The memorial for this project will not be installed till spring 2024. Installing this memorial markers in Michigan during the winter months can be challenging for several reasons:
- Frozen ground:
- Snow accumulation
- Safety concerns
- Delayed scheduling
- Potential damage of the Memorial
For these reasons, many memorial installers prefer to schedule installations during the milder seasons, such as spring, summer, or early fall when the ground is not frozen, and the weather conditions are more favorable.
Black Pearls of Genealogy would like to thank the following:
On behalf of the Black Pearls of Genealogy, it is with great pleasure and profound gratitude that we extend our heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your invaluable contributions to the creation and realization of our Potter’s Field Memorial Project Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
- Suzanne Rowland, Cemetery Coordinator
Your dedication and support in coordinating this project have been pivotal. Your role in ensuring that our vision aligns with the sanctity and regulations of the cemetery spaces is deeply appreciated. - Wendy Burlingham, Administrative Support Manager
Your organizational skills and diligent management of administrative tasks have provided a strong backbone to our efforts, ensuring seamless communication and coordination. - Elise V. Case, Ph.D., Asset and Records Manager
Your invaluable role as an on-site archaeologist and your diligent work in locating and documenting grave markers, particularly in the Potter’s Field. Your efforts in uncovering and preserving our historical roots are deeply appreciated and are crucial to our project’s success. - Will Eichelberger, Lead Drafter – City of Kalamazoo
Your technical skills and keen eye for detail in drafting and designing the final memorial resting place have brought our conceptual ideas into a tangible reality, honoring our ancestry with precision and respect. - Ryan Holley, Patten’s Michigan Monuments
We are eagerly looking forward to the future assembly and placement of the memorial. Your craftsmanship and dedication to quality will ensure that our memorial stands as a lasting tribute to our shared heritage. - Robert P. Polderman, Consumers Concrete Southwest Region Account Manager
Your generous donation of $500 has laid the foundation, quite literally, for our memorial. This contribution goes beyond monetary value; it is a testament to your commitment to community and historical preservation. - Local Volunteers
Your involvement in meticulously searching and identifying grave markers has not only aided in acknowledging those who have passed but has also played a crucial role in connecting us with our past. Your contribution is a true testament to the power of community and volunteerism.
As stakeholders and active participants in this community project, your collaborative efforts have not only enriched this initiative but also strengthened the bonds within our community. The memorial, once completed, will stand as a symbol of our shared history, a beacon of our collective memory, and a tribute to those who have come before us.
Your support and contributions have been essential in making this project a reality. The Black Pearls of Genealogy extends its deepest gratitude for your commitment, expertise, and enthusiasm. Together, we are making a significant impact on preserving our genealogical heritage for future generations.
Sponsors
Lockett-Jones Realty
About Twala Lockett-Jones
Twala Lockett-Jones is a real estate agent and community advocate based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has been a licensed realtor since 1995 and pursued her Michigan Real Estate Broker’s license in 2019. Lockett-Jones is known for her dedication to community development and empowering underserved populations in Kalamazoo. She is also a passionate advocate for homeownership and has a particular interest in working with first-time homebuyers and real estate investors.
Additionally, Twala Lockett-Jones is the author of a children’s book titled “Princess Mackie Buys a House,” which aims to educate young readers about home buying. She is also the founder of Girls Build Kalamazoo, a nonprofit organization that empowers girls in the Kalamazoo community with opportunities in STEM, construction, trades, real estate, and entrepreneurship. This initiative reflects her commitment to expanding horizons and empowering women and girls in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Smile Savers
About Tiffany Burns
Tiffany Burns is the founder and owner of Smile Savers, a mobile dental nonprofit business based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With over 25 years of experience in the dental field and 11 years as a dental hygienist, Tiffany has been committed to improving oral health, especially for underserved communities who face barriers to accessing dental care. Smile Savers focuses on providing educational and preventative dental services to these populations. Tiffany has developed a model where she travels to various sites, including homes of individuals who are homebound, seniors, and those without dental insurance, to offer her services.
Tiffany began her career in the dental field while still in high school, working first as an assistant and then as a hygienist in an office setting. She transitioned to a mobile service model to reach a broader range of people, including those who might not otherwise receive dental care. Her work is particularly significant as it addresses the often-neglected aspect of oral health in overall healthcare planning, especially for seniors and children. Tiffany advocates for oral education at every appointment, emphasizing the importance of dental health in relation to systemic diseases and overall well-being.
Smile Savers, under Tiffany’s leadership, has been instrumental in providing dental care and education to various groups, including nursing home residents, the homeless, and children, many of whom suffer from dental issues like cavities that can impact their overall health and wellbeing. Tiffany also collaborates with other dental professionals for clients needing more intensive dental work
