Friends of Halfway MD African American Cemetery

06/08/2026

We love when volunteers from the early years who live far away stop by for a visit! The Friedrichs grew up in the Halfway neighborhood but have lived in Michigan for 30 years. Several years ago, they were visiting home and joined one of our clean-up days in the overgrown early days. They were in town again this week and stopped by to see in person all the changes that they've followed online and through emails over these years. Elizabeth got a chance to chat with them while they were here. Thank you, Friedrichs, for all your support and encouragement over the years, despite the distance!

06/05/2026

Memorial Day five years ago and now, same spot. Progress! Thanks so much to all our volunteers and donors that have helped us get this far. The journey continues. Join us on for our Juneteenth Program on Fri 6/19 at 10 am. If you can help with a Cemetery Clean-Up Session, join us this Sunday 6/7 between 5 - 7 pm.

06/05/2026

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded a $10,000 Heritage Fund Grant by Preservation Maryland. These funds will help us create a professional Preservation Plan for the cemetery’s future.

Preservation Maryland is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Heritage Fund grants, supporting projects that protect and celebrate the historic places, stories, and communities that define Maryland. From […]

06/04/2026

"The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up. . . This spirit of hope lives on." Juneteenth is America's second independence day. Join us on June 19th from 10 to 11 am to celebrate! Juneteenth Program

Juneteenth is an often overlooked event in our nation’s history. On June 19, 1865, Union troops freed enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay and across Texas some two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

06/03/2026

William T. Bell, son of Thomas and Annie (Burk) Bell was born about 1840 in Washington County, Maryland, enslaved by the Fitzhugh family.

When William Bell was seven years old, Sophia Fitzhugh sold his mother, Annie Bell and the children to his father. A few weeks later, Thomas Bell bought his family’s freedom.

At 23, William Bell enlisted in Company H, 14th Regiment, Rhode Island Heavy Colored Artillery. This regiment later became the 11th Regiment, United States Colored Heavy Artillery.

While stationed at Donaldson, Louisiana, Private Bell was fell ill with what the doctors then called brain fever which was probably meningitis. He was sent to the camp hospital. After several months, the camp doctor released him back to work with his company.

Private Bell had lost sight in one eye and was plagued by debilitating headaches from that time forward. In October 1865, he was mustered out with his company at New Orleans, returning home to Washington County.

After the war, William married Catherine Crawford Staugens. The young couple lived in Funkstown where William worked as a farm hand. He was appointed School Trustee to the African American School in Funkstown in the early 1880s.

The Bells had eight children, eventually moving to Hagerstown in the 1890s where they were members of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church and of the Good Samaritans and Daughters of Samaria.

Private William Bell died in 1904. His funeral and burial were held at Halfway African American Cemetery.

Having been partially disabled during the Civil War, Private Bell did apply for a pension. He eventually recieved $12.00 per month.

If you are a descendant, please reach out! #

05/31/2026

History of Hagerstown and the Jonathan Street Community.

John W. Dorsey was born about 1839 in Hagerstown. He enlisted in the United States Colored Troops, Co. F 24th USCI at Harrisburg PA when he was 22 years old.

After the war he returned to his home town, married Mary Lochmand, and bought a log home at 10 North High Street - for $15.00, from Ned Dorsey - but that is another story.

John and Mary Dorsey had two children attending North Street School in 1880 - Anne M. Dorsey and Franklin Dorsey. The younger children, Lillie and Jerome, and the baby, Mamie, were at home. 1880 was the year Private Dorsey filed for invalid pension for civil war soldiers.

We don't have a death certificate or obituary for Private Dorsey. He likely died about 1886 since that is the year his wife filed for a widow's pension. Two years later, William H.A. Hamilton, judge of the Orphan's Court and guardian for the Dorsey's minor children, filed for a minor's pension. When we get Private Dorsey's pension records, we'll hopefully learn more about his time in the USCT, his life and family.

In 1888, a gravestone was ordered for his grave from a company in Vermont. Private Dorsey was probably buried at Bethel Graveyard in Hagerstown and reinterred at Halfway African American Cemetery after it opened in 1897.

124 years later, cemetery volunteers clearing brush and trees uncovered a piece of John W. Dorsey's military stone made in Vermont. The day was March 27, 2021. The stone fragment was laying in what appeared to be a pile of rubble dumped at the base of a huge tree and overgrown with vines. Carved into the stone is the name of his company and regiment: Co F 24th USCT.

When did Private Dorsey die? Where did his family hold his funeral? Who took in the children? Where did his stone once stand? Who returned to the cemetery to remember him. None of this is currently known.

Documents can only take us so far. And there can be errors in documents. Descendants and community members, please join us so that we can all more fully tell the stories of our community.

During this time, we are remembering John W. Dorsey, one of the men we honored on Decoration Day at the cemetery.

Private Dorsey's USCT Pension Index Card gives his alias as "Dawson, John W."

05/26/2026

Here's the DC News Now story about our Decoration Day event yesterday in the cemetery. Interviewed were Board members and descendants Lola Mosby, Carolyn Brooks, and Taj Smith, and Board president Elizabeth Paul.

A solemn ceremony held at the Halfway African-American Cemetery on Memorial Day honored those who died in battle.

05/26/2026

We were grateful the rain stopped in time for our Decoration Day program this morning. Thanks to all who attended and joined in the laying of flowers on grave markers, remembering the veterans buried here, and holding peace in this special space. Thanks to the brass quintet for the wonderful music during the program, and to Faith Kirschling for "Taps" to close out the program.

Photos by Elizabeth Paul, Thomas Ruhf and Taj Smith.

05/25/2026

We all can be part of unearthing the history of Decoration Day and the African American men, women, and children who created it. We can learn the story and tell the story. Today we honor the people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOXqoKmTNG0

457 likes, 25 comments. "The First Memorial Day with David W. Blight"