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Commissioners approve relocation of 19th-century grave on Louisiana‑Pacific property
Summary
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners unanimously authorized Louisiana‑Pacific to relocate the grave marked for Peter H. Johnson on its Roaring River parcel, appointing the county health and planning directors to supervise the move under state statute. L‑P will pay relocation costs, the company said.
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 17 to authorize Louisiana‑Pacific (L‑P) to relocate the grave of Peter H. Johnson found on L‑P’s property in Roaring River. County Attorney Tony Triplett told the Board the relocation must proceed under N.C.G.S. §65‑106 and that the Board’s consent and appointment of county officials is required.
David Stackhouse, speaking for L‑P, said the company located a headstone while preparing a site for a new 10,000‑square‑foot research-and‑development building and proposed moving the grave a few hundred feet to a secluded area on the same property. "L‑P will pay the relocation cost," Stackhouse said, asking the Board for consent and oversight.
Archaeologist Ellen Turco of Richard Grubb & Associates described the research her firm conducted, including genealogical and census records indicating Peter H. Johnson was born in 1824 and likely died around 1899–1900. Turco said they had mailed notices and contacted possible next of kin and that state law requires a local health department representative and a licensed funeral director to be present during any relocation.
County Attorney Triplett said the Board’s Resolution designates the Wilkes County Health Director and Planning Director to supervise the disinterment and reinterment on behalf of the county and to report back when the work is complete. Commissioner Shirley Randleman moved to adopt the Resolution; Commissioner Bill Sexton seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.
The adopted Resolution (as presented to the Board) identifies the property as Parcel ID 1601314 at 7416 Elkin Highway and finds the site constitutes an "abandoned cemetery" under N.C.G.S. §65‑85 and §65‑106, authorizing removal and reinterment on the property.
