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."

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Exploring the Old Settlement Cemetery on Mayfield Road, Chester Township, Geauga County, Ohio

Thanking my friend, Rick, for stopping to visit and taking some photographs at the "Old Settlement" Cemetery located on Mayfield Road (Route 322) east of Chesterland in Geauga County, Ohio.  

On page 223 of the book:  "Ohio Cemeteries:  1803 - 2003" K. Roger Troutman, Editor, published by the Ohio Genealogical Society 2003:  "OLD SETTLEMENT - East of Chesterland, 1.9 miles east of SR 306.  South side of US 322 (Mayfield Road.)  Between Sperry Road and Kenyon Drive."

As the photographs reveal, the cemetery grounds appear to be maintained on a routine schedule.  However, as with most inactive cemeteries of its age, we see gravestones that are broken, leaning, and sinking out of sight.  Many early gravestones now have unreadable inscriptions.   

Thus, unfortunately, no conservations measures have been taken to preserve the gravestones themselves.


(Above) Longer shot view near Mayfield Road - facing West
(Above) Longer shot view near Mayfield Road - facing East





(Above) Longer shot view including the ornate bi-color monument for David Scott and his wife, Mary Scott.
(Above) Close-up view of the ornate bi-color monument for David Scott and his wife, Mary Scott).



(Above and Full view below) Monument for Artes Scott and his wife, Martha Scott.
 
(Above) upright marker for Horace N. Fisk.

(Above) Dark gray granite monument for  J. O. Chamberlin and his wife, Emily C. Chamberlin.

(Above) Cracked gravestone for James Tanner.  The lower portion appears to be missing.

(Above) Marble tablet marker for Justice Miner, "He was a Revolutionary War veteran who served at West Point. "
(Above) Gray granite monument for Orvill Nichols and his wife, Lavira Nichols.
(Above) close up view of Reuben Scott inscription on large monument.
 
(Above) close up view of the base of the large  Reuben Scott monument.
(Above) Full view of the large Reuben Scott monument.

(Above close up and photograph below) Large dark gray granite monument for  Silas T. Gilmore and his wife, Lois Nichols Gilmore

The above photograph illustrates how well the proper amount of sunlight cast down on a gravestone can make the inscription much more clear and readable. 

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The Old Settlement Cemetery currently has 140 interments listed for it on "Find A Grave."