There’s some fascinating work going on at the Lesesne Family Center (just off the Wando behind the Tennis Stadium. Dick Porter, who serves on the DIHS Cemetery Committee and has been doing extensive work there (one of our History Hero recipients) tells Beth Bush that the company “Graveyard Shift” is working on behalf of the Lesesne family to restore some of the broken tombstones. Dick is assisting with the project. To do the work, they must actually dig up and remove the broken stones, repair them and re-place them into the earth. Quite labor-intensive work!
Also of interest…in conducting their work at the site they discovered a stone that had been completely buried and not previously visible (at least in modern times). There’s a picture of the stone in gallery below. Inscribed on the stone is “ANNE F. PARKER -My Mother.” It is not known how old the stone is, but guessing it goes back quite a long time.
For more on Dick Porter, one of our “History Heroes” CLICK HERE
To check out our other “History Heroes” CLICK HERE
To see more about the Lesesne Family Cemetery, CLICK HERE and for more information on all four Daniel Island Cemeteries CLICK HERE.
09/16/2025
The broken “Parker” grave stone discussed above belongs to my great- great- great- grandmother and grandfather . They were Selina Parker Holland (01/02/ 1794- 11/12/1848 and her husband Edwin Clifford Holland, Sr.) . Isaac Lesesne , Sr was Selina Parker Holland’s Great -Great- Grandfather. Selina Parker Holland’s father was William Parker. His mother was Sarah Lesesne Parker. I had passed the Lesesne Cemetary many times on walks, and I knew I was a descendant of Isaac Lesesne. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized whose stone it is. There are five generations of women in my family who are Selina Parker’s namesakes. Their first two names are “Selina Parker”, including my great grandmother, grandmother, mother, sister, and great niece. So it was neat to finally see the grave of the original Selina Parker. There is also a Sarah Parker namesake. Miss Elizabeth Parker, whose name is also on the stone, was either the aunt or a great aunt of my Great-great-great grandmother.
02/25/2026
Thank you so very much, Janet, for this wonderful history. We apologize for our delay in getting back to you! I will be sure to forward the information you have provided to our DIHS Cemetery Committee. Are you still on Daniel Island? I am sure our committee would love to have you join them!
09/16/2025
I forgot to add…The Walker family of Fairbank Plantation on Daniel Island, married into the Lesesne’s family who were neighbors. Isaac Lesesne, Jr married Elizabeth Walker in 1760. His grandson, William Parker married Ann Ferguson Walker in 1793. So, I also descend from the Walker family..