Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio

Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio


"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been Removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

Friday, October 30, 2009

Update - Samuel Stokes is found - husband of Jane Vickers Stokes buried at the Butcher Cemetery

Click on Title to link to Jane Stokes' memorial on "Findagrave.com"
Jane Vickers was married to Samuel Stokes Per Champaign County Marriage Book E, page 369: on July 12, 1855 by John L. Mitchell, Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her previous surname was Vickers. Samuel was married previously to Nancy Thomas.  Samuel Stokes had resided in Salem Township in Champaign County, Ohio. 
From Wendi: wscally@columbus.rr.com: Nov. 11, 2009: “In Mt. Tabor there is a Samuel Stoles. Here are the dates for him and a wife Nancy. Samuel Stoles died 11-21-1870 Age 72 yrs. 1 month 15 days. Nancy Stoles died 7-31-1851 Age 46 years 9 months Wife of Samuel Stoles.


Birth: unknown, USA
Death: Oct. 6, 1884, USA [Edit Dates]
Inscription on the same stone with Delmore Berry
Aged 69 years.
STOKES, Jane
1860 U.S. Federal Census – NA Film M653, Roll 942, page 56 (source HeritageQuest) – Salem Twp. Champaign County, Ohio – line 9:


Samuel Stokes, age 53, occupation farmer, born in VA, real estate value $3,440 and personal estate value of $295.00. Jane Stokes, age 43 from Ohio; John Stokes, age 22, farm laborer; Mary Stokes, age 20; Josephus (sp?) age 17, farm larborer; William S., age 13; and Hulda, age 9.


1870 U.S. Federal Census – NA Film M593-1179, page 375 Salem Twp., Champaign County, Ohio


Samuel Stokes, age 63, Jane, age 52; William L., age 23; Margaret, age 23; Jennie, age 7/12.


Samuel Stokes was the head of household and husband of Jane.


1880 U.S. Federal Census – NA Film #T9-0998, Family History Film # 1254998, page 332D, ED26, North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio:


James D. Berry,
age 46; Sarah E., age 44; Delmar, age 19; Frank age 17; Eugene, age 13; Edmond, age 10; Jimmy D., age 5; Jane Stoks, age 65 – mother-in-law. James D. Berry was the head of household and the other males are listed as sons, and Sarah E. is shown as wife.

Knowing that Jane Stokes was living in the James D. and Sarah E. Berry household, and shown as a mother-in-law, explains why her inscription appears on the same stone as Delmore (Delmar) Berry. She was his grandmother; they died a little more than a year apart from each other.


From the book, "Will Abstracts of Champaign County, Ohio Books A thru F – 1805-1888" published by the Champaign County Genealogical Society, on page 174: (from Will Book D – 1870-1882)
"Page 368 Samuel STOKES probated 26 NOV 1879"
"Wife Jane Stokes lifetime right to premises; at her death son W. L. Stokes lifetime right to the farm; at his death to grandsons Samuel and Ralph Stokes. Son John Stokes $500; daughter Mary Russell $50 – W.L. Stokes, executor – Witness: J B Thomas and J Jane Thomas - Will signed [x] 20 OCT 1879"

CNN Story about "Findagrave.com" and the "tourism factor" of Cemeteries

Click on title to access an on-line story by CNN from October 30, 2009 about one of my favorite research websites:  "Findagrave.com." 

I am pleased to see the inclusion of "genealogical journey" among the many reasons people visit cemeteries. 

The story honors the founder and the "FAG" volunteers who submit burial information and take photographs for those who request them because they cannot visit the cemeteries themselves.  It is a great site - not without its flaws - but ever growing, and at last count boasted 37 million memorials.