The graves were exactly where Scott County geneologist Betty Dols said they would be: Oakwood Cemetery, First Addition, Row 35, Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Right on the edge of the road. When Stan opened the car door today he just about stepped on his great great grandmother Nancy's 1881 grave. And just a bit beyond is an 1891 marker for her husband, Scottish immigrant Peter Jackson.Buried next to them is James Jackson. He was Peter's bachelor brother who outlived them all and got the biggest marker (below). And then there were twins, Adel and Adelia, born in 1864, buried side by side with matching markers. They were 17 when they laid their mother to rest on this ground. We haven't found out for sure who they are. Nancy had a daughter we know of, our great grandmother Ella Belle. Were these her spinster sisters? Adel Jackson 1864-1919 and Adelia Jackson 1864-1927. New mystery. Stan will dig into some local newspapers and get back to you on this development.
We've took a ton of photos. We'll put something together soon. And we'll be sure to thank Mrs. Dols for guiding us to the spot. Mom always said she had relatives buried somewhere in Belle Plaine. Great Scot, you were right, Mom.
Right now, there's a nap to take, a Twins game with the Yankees at 5 p.m. and dinner with the neighbors at the clubhouse tonight. More on the relatives later.
