A groundbreaking project at the Warrior Run Church cemetery took place starting on July 22, 2025. Led by Susquehanna University professor Dr. Ahmed Lachhab, along with students Josh and Jasmine, were using sonar technology to scan the ground for unmarked graves. The advanced sonar, capable of detecting ground disturbances up to 11.5 feet below the surface, was able to penetrate different layers of soil and stone, as well as identify voids left by un-collapsed wooden caskets. Their efforts extended beyond the cemetery’s boundaries, revealing additional three graves near the America 250 monument and in front of the main gates. The data collected from the sonar was uploaded into two specialized software programs that precisely determined the depth and mapped the exact locations of the potential burial sites within the cemetery. This innovative use of technology is helping to preserve the history of the cemetery by identifying previously unknown graves. Satellite imagery also was used for coordinates to indicate the precise location of the graves. A 45 foot deep sonar detector was used, but did not present any viable results of any changes to the deeper soil or rock formations. Currently seven unmarked graves are indicated at the northeast section of the cemetery, near the Matthew Smith monument.
Some of the more than 600 people buried in the cemetery were never given grave markers, either due to a lack of money or because their loved ones were in a hurry to bury them amid the threat of possible Indian attacks. In addition, some broken gravestones were repurposed and used in the construction of a wall around the church in the 1850s.
Professor Lachhab plans to bring in additional students throughout the year to complete the work in the cemetery that the summer students were unable to finish. This project could last up to two years, but the end product will produce a map with exact locations of the unmarked graves.
The Society will have a dedication next year in celebration of America 250 for these unmarked graves.
Pictured below are: Jasmine (SU student), Dr. Ahmed Lachhab, Josh (SU student), Landon Koch (Pres.), Peggy Gelnett, and Melissa Kilgus (Vice Pres.).
On Friday, July 25, 2025, the Milton Standard published an article. Uncovering lost history _ Local News _ standard-journal.com
Susquehanna University Alumni magazine, August 7, 2025 publication: https://www.susqu.edu/uncovering-buried-history/
News channel, WNEP 16, August 6, 2025 interview: https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/susquehanna-university-students-professor-search-unmarked-graves-historic-warrior-run-church-cemetery-northumberland-county-watsontown/523-b2cea9b1-7c54-45ab-8081-d801d166915a
