Saturday, October 28, 2023, is the annual event “Visiting the Past”, sponsored by the Town of Washington Cemetery Foundation. The Washington Cemetery Foundation’s primary means of honoring these historical burial properties and providing financial support for their care, maintenance and improvements.
This year’s event will start at 9:30 am at the Washington Cedar Hill Cemetery. Blessing of the graves will take place at 10 am by Father Mathew Higginbotham.
After blessing of the graves, we will move to the Old Church landing, “Yellow Fever Cemetery.
At 11 am, We will have a Dedication program and a plaque will be placed at the Old Church Landing “Yellow Fever” Cemetery recognizing 11 patriots of the Opelousas Militin, who are buried here. These Patriots were serving under Spanish Louisiana Governor – General Bernardo De Galvez.
These patriots served in 1779 and help attack and defeat the British Forces at present day Baton Rouge. The presentation maker will be placed by the sons of the American Revolution. The following Patriots are buried in the Old Church Landing: Donato Bello, Michel Brgnac, Laurent Dupre, Francois Lemelle, Pierre Primeaux, Maturin Tesson, Michel Cormier, Romain De La Fosse, Joseph Lamirande, Andre Moncion and Pierre Savoie.
Decendents of the 11 Patriots may wish to contact the Cemetery Foundation, Chair woman, Evelyn B Hanna at Washingtoncemeteryfoudation@yahoo.com through the Town of Washington Cemetery Foundation’s Face Book Page; or Post Office Box 421 Washington, LA 70584.
This event is open to the public and all are invited.
