Due to lack of government funds for cemeteries and our economy, the Betsy Layne Cemetery is left alone. Forgotten about. Neighbors of the cemetery and other caring people often mow a path from its entrance on Violet Road to the top of the hill, or cut back some limbs from time-to-time.
Unfortunately, the cemetery is falling behind in each passing season. Without donations to soon hire workers, sections of this cemetery will die beneath the Eastern Kentucky hills. Valuable genealogical information will be faded away and left unknown. Already, there are a few headstones' engravings that have disappeared without recognition.
The headstone burials date back to 1841, that of a Tandy Layne - a relative of a Betsy Layne (who the town of Betsy Layne, Floyd Co., KY is named after). The last known burial was in late 2010. Most burials are from 1910's - 1990's. There is a possibility of a headstone with a death date 1833. This can be confirmed once vegetation is removed.
During the first true collection of pictures and data from each headstone we could find, we have documented six confirmed headstones belonging to veterans. Why wouldn't the city, county, state, or US Government be responsible for the care of this cemetery?
THE MISSION
It is the mission of the organization of the Betsy Layne Cemetery non-profit to get into the public eye. Make the history and condition of this cemetery known. Seek help and guidance of the local city and county officials. Raise money to do it ourselves!
The cemetery will need to raise nearly $30,000 for Phase I of the Preservation Project. This will go to hiring a tree-service company to remove all the dead & hazardous trees, vines, and overgrown vegetation. That alone is a very expensive project, but extremely needed to help save this cemetery. We have received several bids on the work, and the Lexington Tree Service from Lexington KY seems the most competitive bid. They quoted the work in phases, broken down in days. They seem the most willing to work with and for BLC, and more importantly, the most qualified to work in cemeteries and removing thick vegetated areas, carefully!
Once all the trees and over-growth is removed, other taxable donations will begin to repair/replace broken fences. As families buried their loved ones together, they would often place fencing around them. Now those fences, left uncared for, are damaging the headstones that they are supposed to protect. There has been discussion to completely remove any "area" fence that is broken in any way. If an "area" fence is in 90% or better shape, it will remain.
After fencing is repaired/replaced (or removed completely) making more headstones accessible, more donated funds will be needed to begin the best part about this project - HEADSTONE PRESERVATION. Vital information of ancestors is being swept away by Mother Nature. With your help, we can begin the restoration process of the Betsy Layne Cemetery.
One day the cemetery will be able to be mapped!
As of December 31, 2014 the Betsy Layne Cemetery non-profit has received $1,128 in donations. We need to meet our goal before the cemetery falls into complete vegetation, making visiting and walking around nearly impossible (and in the warmer months, dangerous due to snake habitats). The cemetery will fall further behind if we don’t do something about it now. Then it will require more work and more donations to clear (to a maintainable state).
CAN YOU HELP?
The Betsy Layne Cemetery has received our acceptance letter from the IRS classifying us as a charitable non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible and will be used only for the care, maintenance, up-keep, and beautification of the Betsy Layne Cemetery.
Click here to make a donation:
Or mail to:
Betsy Layne Cemetery
977 Sugarbush Trail
Lexington KY 40509
Visit IRS.gov for more information:
"To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates." "The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction." "The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction."