The Daniel Island Cemetery Project is dedicated to restoring and preserving the island’s African-American burial grounds. Dr. Ade Ofunniyin, grandson of renowned Master Blacksmith Philip Simmons, leads the effort to safeguard these sacred sites, honor the individuals buried there, and share their stories with the community. The project aims to transform neglected spaces into welcoming areas for reflection, remembrance, and cultural education.
Honoring Ancestral Legacies
Among the graves at the site is William Simmons, Dr. Ofunniyin’s great-great-grandfather, along with other family members. These ancestors, connected to both Africa and Barbados, are central to Dr. Ofunniyin’s mission of cultural preservation. The cemetery, often overgrown and obscured, reflects a broader challenge faced by African-American cemeteries nationwide, which serve as crucial repositories of history yet are at risk of disappearing.
Historical Significance
The Daniel Island cemetery, described in Daniel Island by Michael K. Dahlman and Michael K. Dahlman, Jr., is also known as the Lesesne African American Cemetery. Gravestones mark the lives of individuals who contributed to the island’s history and culture. The project seeks to illuminate these histories, uncover family connections, and preserve the rich stories embedded in these sacred grounds.
Community Support and Collaboration
Dr. Ofunniyin has enlisted the support of several local organizations to advance the restoration effort. Partners include the Daniel Island Historical Society, Builders of Our Heritage, and Family TYES SC, all of which contribute expertise in cultural preservation, community engagement, and youth education. Their collaboration ensures that the project is both meaningful and sustainable.
Cultural and Educational Impact
The cemetery project extends beyond restoration. Through research, genealogy, and cultural interpretation, the initiative connects residents and students with the heritage of Daniel Island’s African-American community. Dr. Ofunniyin plans to co-teach a course at the College of Charleston focused on documenting and preserving local Gullah traditions, providing hands-on experience for students in surveying and interpreting historic sites.
Honoring Stories and Traditions
African traditions brought by the ancestors are reflected in Daniel Island’s sacred burial grounds. The project aims to uncover these connections, helping the community, especially younger generations, understand and celebrate the resilience and achievements of their forebears. As Lewis Porcher of Builders of Our Heritage notes, highlighting these positive stories fosters healing, pride, and a sense of belonging.
Future Goals and Enhancements
Plans for the cemetery project include creating a main entrance with brick masonry, a Philip Simmons-inspired gate, a landscaped walkway, and other site enhancements. The project also seeks to include Daniel Island cemetery sites as stops on the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, connecting visitors to the broader story of Gullah heritage along the southeastern coast.
Continuing the Legacy
Through this initiative, Dr. Ofunniyin hopes to uncover untold stories of his ancestors, including the burial location of his great-great-grandmother, Sarah Simmons, and others. By restoring these sacred sites, the Daniel Island Cemetery Project ensures that the cultural heritage of African-American residents is preserved, honored, and shared for generations to come.
