John Coffelt, Editor

Coffee County Planning Commission approved during the March 25 meeting a preliminary plat revision for a proposed subdivision on Old Airport Road with the provision that a grave search be performed to locate what is suspected to be two grave sites on the 47.87-acre farm.

The revision brought before the commission was for the approval of the relocation of an entrance to the subdivision to accommodate the 55 MPH sight distance required by the state. During the discussions, citizens from the area brought concerns about a cemetery that could be on the site. 

According to surveyor Nicholas Northcutt, the graves are located on an adjacent wooded area that is not being developed, while others at the meeting say the grave is located further north near where they say a tree was located in a 1960s-era aerial photograph.

The grave, according to neighbors, dates back to the late 1800s. They say that someone renting the property to farm it knocked over the headstone at some unknown time.

Northcutt, however, felt he located the grave in a fenced portion in the woods near Old Airport Road. He felt that in the years of farming that some evidence of the grave would have been found.

“I limited my search to this area that hasn’t been disturbed,” he said. “I’m confident that I found the cemetery.”   

Critics of that location say the fenced area is in a low-lying area unsuitable for a cemetery and that a large rock on the northeast corner of the property proves their location is correct.

Northcutt said in the event of graves being found on the site, the site plan would be amended to set aside a reserved area with an easement to access the graves.

“We can move the soil areas and make sure that area is never disturbed,” he said.

The property owner Nicholas Graham said the cemetery was not designated on his deed.  

State archeologists are not equipped to perform grave searches. TDOA Archeologist Benjamin Nance told the Times that the method of locating a grave site varies depending on the size of the search area.

If the area can be narrowed to a small space, a steel pole can be used to locate the grave shaft. For a larger search area, geophysical tools like ground penetrating radar or magnetometer would be needed to scan for the site.

Nance said archeologists can recognize the disturbed soil of a grave even if it lies below formerly tilled and plowed ground.  

The motion passed 3-0 with Laura Vasquez abstaining at the request of County Mayor Dennis Hunt who said it was made due to her inexperience on the commission and her current lack of completed training. Absent from the meeting were Rodney Duncan, Sammy Anderson and Anastasia Gonzales. 

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.