By Sandy James
Review Staff Writer
Published: May 8, 2008

An Orange County man is trying to right a wrong that occurred a long time ago.
Nearly 30 years ago, a couple of young boys went into a cemetery in the woods in the eastern end of the county and dug up several graves.
One grave was that of a Civil War soldier whose tombstone reads, “Chapman Timberlake, Coleman’s Battery, Virginia Artillery.”
The boys took items from the graves to sell in Richmond. They were caught and punished.
“The saddest part is that over the years, the graves have remained open. They were never covered up,” said Keith Walters.
Walters is seeking permission to cover the graves that were robbed and left open in a forgotten place in Orange County.
“It’s been in my craw for a long time. I have a love for history and a deep respect for where people are buried,” he said.
Walters grew up in the area and has no trouble finding the neglected graveyard among the trees, vines and briars that have taken it over. He can also point out abandoned road beds that were in use during the Civil War and places where spies were buried because no locals would allow them in family cemeteries.
The robbed cemetery is surrounded by a gray stone wall. The wall sustained some damage from a fallen tree. The stones are massive and the building of the wall must have taken a great deal of time and energy.
“You can tell this was a labor of love. It is a beautiful place,” said Walters.
The property is known as the “Timberlake tract.” The wooded land is at the end of Hicks Road, off of Tatum Road in the Eastern end of Orange County.
Walters has spent a great deal of time trying to locate the owners of the property and obtain permission to cover up the desecrated graves. Walters has researched county records and has followed several leads to dead ends, but refuses to give up his quest to make things right.
He feels if he can obtain permission from the owner or overseer to cover the graves and clean-up the cemetery, he will have no problem enlisting help for the project.
Walters is seeking information on the property owners or anyone who thinks they may be a relative of Chapman Timberlake.
Walters may be contacted at 540-854-6461.