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STATE OF MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY
P. O. BOX 571 JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39205
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
William F. Winter, president JOHN K. BETTERSWORTH J. P. COLEMAN
Arch Dalrymple. ill Frank E. Everett, Jr.
W. Eugene Morse Everette Truly Tom H. Watkins Sherwood W. Wise
May 30, 1975
Mrs. Nunez C. Pilet 520 Highland Drive Bay St. Louis, Miss. 39520
C. Pilet d Drive
Elbert R. Hilliard director
Mrs. John Orr
Route 2, Box 214
Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Thank you for your letter of May 12, regarding the Pearlington and Dobie cemeteries. As you already know, the Pearlington Cemetery does not qualify under the abandoned cemeteries program because it contains burials more recent than 5 years. However, the Dobie Cemetery did meet the criteria and was certified as being historically significant by the Board of Trustees of our Department at its meeting in November,
I appreciate receiving the article which appeared in the Sea Coast Echot regarding Col. George Nixon. Also, I think it is great that a local historical society has been established in Hancock County which will work with the Board of Supervisors to restore and rehabilitate these significant cemeteries. As you know, the Board of Supervisors has the authority to spend money to rehabilitate the Dobie Cemetery under the provisions of the abandoned cemeteries law.
Regarding your question about the replacement marker for Pearlington, the marker was awarded by our Board of Trustees and has been erected for some time. The Highway Department which is responsible for the erection of the markers contacted Mrs. Crawford about the date and place for the erection of the marker and we assumed that the local people involved would have informed you that the marker was to be erected. Perhaps we should not have assumed that you would be contacted, and therefore, we apologize for not informing you directly.
We are happy that this Department was able to provide the replacement marker for Pearlington and to certify the Dobie Cemetery as historically significant. If we can be of further service, please do not hesitate to call on us.
Sincerely,
1973
Robert J. Bailey Director
Division of Historic Sites and Archaeology
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