Sharing Scenes of Walnut Creek Cemetery After Clean Up of October 18, 2013

Sharing photographs from Gail Allen taken during the course of the October 18, 2013 clean up at Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio.  

Below, bags of wrapped up trash sit on the ground after emptying the once overflowing trash can; the only one at the cemetery.  

Next, we see Gail's truck loaded with 18 bags of cleaned up debris found in the trash can and raked up from mostly the older sections in the back of the cemetery.  

  Following these two photographs, are scenes of the the older sections of Walnut Creek Cemetery that were taken as the cleaning project progressed.

This area includes burials of some of the earliest area pioneers from families such as: Carothers, Doster, Ellis, Jury,  Limes, Moon, Rees, Todhunter, and Waln.  

Many veterans of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the Civil War were laid to rest in the back neglected section and are now mostly visited only by those placing flags to honor them on Memorial Day each year.

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Many thanks again to Gail for taking the all important photographs, and participating in the raking work; going one step beyond the general clean-up with uncovering many buried stones and photographing those individually. 

Thanks also to the Fayette County Probation Department for extending their services to help with the raking and bagging.   

Looking ahead, the long-term goal of course, is for the Perry Township Trustees to "pick up the ball from here" and schedule regular maintenance work at Walnut Creek Cemetery and stick to it!! 

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 (Above)

 Uncovered gravestone for Elizabeth Howe

 (Above)

 Uncovered gravestone for Joseph Rees

 (Above)

Uncovered gravestone of Anney Bennet, wife of B. 

 (Above)

Uncovered gravestone of Lewis R. Doster

"Gifts from Gail" -- Gail's Gift to Walnut Creek Cemetery, Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio!

Once again, I'm extending my gratitude to Gail Allen for her personal efforts that have led to returning Walnut Creek (Quaker) Cemetery to a much more respectful condition; one that it deserves, through her active participation at the clean up conducted at the cemetery on October 18, 2013. 

First, I'd like to share just a bit of history between Gail and myself.  We started down this path in late summer of this year when during the course of our many email exchanges, I inquired with Gail that, if possible, during one of her many Fayette County cemetery travels could she visit Walnut Creek Cemetery and take some photographs of it.  In particular, of the older sections. Seeing recent photographs would mean so much to me since I live further away, and I am not able to visit the gravesites of my ancestors as often as I would like.

My request came as a result of the fact I had visited Walnut Creek Cemetery over the first weekend in August of this year and had found the property covered with tall weeds and grass that had grown up around many of the stones; even as high as some of the monuments themselves.  I knew immedately from this evidence that more neglect of the cemetery had deteriorated it to its worst than I had ever seen before in visits from previous years.  When I saw the cemetery gate itself surrounded by plant life overgrowth, the sight signaled to me what I would see beyond it; and unfortunately that was the case. 

  

I have Limes and Doster family buried at this early Quaker cemetery on Limes Road.  William Limes, my great-great-great uncle, was a War of 1812 veteran who was buried at Walnut Creek Cemetery.  Thanks to Leonard Limes (now deceased) a new flat granite grave marker designating his war service was installed for William Limes with a new veteran flag holder in 1997. 

Moving forward, I can't think of a better way to tell Gail's story and her involvement with Walnut Creek Cemetery than through her own blog post from her blog:  "Notes from Gail" where she describes her own experiences during the October 18, 2013 clean up project at Walnut Creek Cemetery and all of the events that led up to it. 

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Thank you, Gail, also on behalf of all of those interred at Walnut Creek (Quaker) Cemetery! 

Clicking on this post's title will also take you to Gail's "Clean Up Cemetery Done"  story!

Sharing Gail Allen's "Notes From Gail" Blog Post about Her Methodical Approach to Get More Help for Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio

Sharing Gail's blog post from her blog, "Notes From Gail" --  "My Work to Preserve A Cemetery" about the steps she took on behalf of Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio to garner more help with its clean up than it has had in a long time.  

Even though Gail does not have any direct ancestors buried at Walnut Creek Cemetery, she lives much closer to it than I do, which enables her to visit it more often.  And, she has been very kind to do so and keep me informed about it's condition this year.  She has been able to discuss face-to-face with area residents both my concerns and hers about the cemetery's tragically neglected condition.    

Gail is also a "Find A Grave" photograph volunteer and has currently taken 84 gravestone photographs, helping others to see their ancestors' grave markers that they might not otherwise ever see.     

Gail's presentation to the Perry Township Trustees on October 14 has led to great promise for an arrangement with the county probation officer to provide workers who will start clean up at the cemetery in the next few days.  This participation will make a significant difference in the appearance of the cemetery's grounds that has not been seen in some time.  

Thanks again Gail, for your friendship and all of your help with regard to Walnut Creek Cemetery!  

Thanking Gail Allen for Re-Visiting Walnut Creek Cemetery and Providing a Well Prepared Presentation about its Neglected Condition to Perry Township Trustees on October 14, 2013

Extending my personal gratitude to Gail Allen for her outstanding efforts on behalf of all of those interred at the Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio, with her cemetery visits on September 30 and again on October 14 this year.  

Also, on October 14, Gail attended the Perry Township meeting and spoke to the township trustees on behalf of those interred at Walnut Creek Cemetery.  She conveyed concerns held by visitors about its continuing deterioration due to the lack of routine mowing, and removal of cut down tall grass and weeds between gravestones and around them throughout the cemetery's grounds.  

Gail feels the points made during her presentation made a positive impact on the trustees who attended and also other residents who came to the meeting.  She feels hopeful that positive and productive changes will occur at Walnut Creek Cemetery after exchanging ideas with one of the trustees.

 (Above)

 Photograph taken by Linda Ellis on August 4, 2013 showing the overgrown grass and weeds in front of the Walnut Creek Cemetery gate.

(Above) 

Gail's photograph of the Walnut Creek Cemetery gate taken on September 30, 2013 showing how it appeared after the tall grass and weeds growing up around it were killed off, but not removed.

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Below are some photographs taken by Gail at Walnut Creek Cemetery on October 14, 2013 as a follow-up trip to her earlier September 30, 2013 visit that clearly show no change in the condition of the cemetery's grounds or the almost overflowing trash container; the only one to be found at the cemetery.

The bottom two photographs show Gail making a point during her presentation at the Perry Township Trustees Meeting later in the evening on October 14, and a close-up view of her impressive 3-panel display story board of photographs of Walnut Creek Cemetery's older sections where the most deteriorated conditions exist as well as other pertinent documents that relate to Walnut Creek Cemetery.

Thank you Gail, for sharing your photographs with us.  

 

Sharing Some Photographs from Gail Allen of the Washington Cemetery, Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio

Thanking Gail Allen for sharing the following photographs she took recently while visiting the Washington Cemetery in Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio.  

Thank you Gail, for also taking photographs of the stone markers for William A. and Jemima (Rowe) Limes. 

 (above gravesite - Section 9 E in the back of the cemetery)

William Anderson Limes (below)

 

Jemima A. Rowe Limes (above)

 Maria L. (Dawson) Robinson (above)

(above gravesite - Section 9 E in the back of the cemetery)

 

Sharing Recent Photographs taken by Gail Allen of the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

Sharing recent photographs taken by Gail Allen who visited the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio.  

As you can see, several gravestones, tablet type monuments, and above ground slab-type markers remain in great need of restorative care as they have been for obviously and unfortuantely a number of years.  

Thank you Gail, so much for sharing your photographs!  I know Gail is working with other members of the Greenfield Historical Society to adopt a plan for the betterment of the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield.  

Currently, there are 343 interments listed on "Find A Grave" at the Old Burying Ground.

Sharing a Tranquil Scene at Saint Colmans Cemetery in Washington Court House, Ohio -- And Spotlighting the Fayette County Genealogical Society, a Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society

On this snowy Sunday I'd like to share a peaceful winter cemetery scene at a section near the fence at Saint Colmans Cemetery located in Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio.  

This photograph was taken yesterday by Gail Allen who has the good fortune to live next to the cemetery!! 

As Gail pointed out to me, the photograph is in color -- it just looks like it is only dark brown (almost black) and white due to the heavier snow that had fallen overnight that currently covers the landscape.  

Thank you, Gail for taking a moment during your busy day to snap this interesting picture and sharing it with us.

Gail is the new editor of "The Fayette Connection" newsletter which is published by the Fayette County Genealogical Society.  She does a great job with the the content and layout of the publication, which includes in each issue color photographs of unusual gravestones.  They have been wonderful additions to the material featured in the newsletter that I have always found informative as well as entertaining!  

Also, Gail has updated the society's website  this past year so those of you who have been familiar with it but haven't looked at it lately, may wish to re-visit it soon.   Don't forget to browse through the section on the society's website that offers a listing of  FCGS publications to see if there is a book you don't have yet that you just might like to order to add to your genealogical research collection.

If you have ancestors who lived and/or were buried in Fayette County, Ohio, and are not a member of the Fayette County Genealogical Society, which is a chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, please consider joining!!  You'll quickly find that receiving "The Fayette Connection" is a big benefit of membership that will help you learn more about the area where your ancestors lived.  You can contribute with queries or stories of your own Fayette county ancestors.  You just might make your own connection with some new cousins -- 3 times removed of course! 

Happy New Year Everyone!!   

Presently, on Find A Grave, there are 55 burials at Saint Colmans Cemetery

Gail Shares Photographs of Gravestones at Two Almost Forgotten Gravesites at the Washington Cemetery in Washington Court House, Ohio.

Below are photographs of two gravestones marking now almost forgotten gravesites in the older section in  the Washington Cemetery in Washington Court House.  

Gail Allen has been visting the Washington Cemetery this past week and photographing several gravestones.  

Thank you, Gail, for sharing these gravestone photographs -- these two gravesites are forgotten no more!

We don't often see a gravestone with the name "John Doe."  I have not posted one on my blog until now.  

Perhaps if there was an article or death notice published in the newspapers at the time of this person's death we might be able to learn his identity from the details.   

Unfortunately, there are no inscriptions for age or birth date either that might help us know if he was a child or an adult when he died.

 Above: Flat marker installed for an unknown male given the name of "John Doe."

Above: L. Ried -- death date appears to be May 25, 1856.  Age .... 23 days.

There is also an epitaph below the "23 days" that I am not able to read from looking at the picture.  

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I'm sure the broken L. Ried stone could be restored and thus the inscriptions made more readable. 

Spotlighting Washington Cemetery in Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio

Sending my thanks to Gail Allen, who visited the Washington Cemetery and its office on November 2, 2012.   

Gail so kindly shares some of her findings with us from her trip. 

Below are some of the photographs from Gail's visit.  

Included are photos that were requested by folks on "Find A Grave" who live at a distance and wish to see what their ancestors' gravestones look like. 

Also, Gail has provided a helpful cemetery map with section notations that can help a visitor find their way around the Washington Cemetery.   

Plus, Gail shares some good news about upcoming changes that will make finding your friends and family buried at the Washington Cemetery a lot easier in a few months!!

<><><>><><><><><>

~~Washington Cemetery Map~~:

 

From Gail:

"As you can see on the map, the sections to the right of #'s 32, 29, 25, 22, and 21, are the newer sections and the road from the second entranceway photo, is the road between  B and E.

 

Sections 9, 13, 17, and 14 are the older ones where many veterans are; used after burials stopped at the Old Wash Cem."

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~~News of Washington Cemetery Records to be online on the city's website~~:

From Gail:

"Good news! The Washington Cemetery is working with a programmer in Michigan who is getting all of their records online. I saw the model and it looks good. 

In late May of next year, anyone will be able to access any person's name on the City Cemetery website, to see if they or a relative is there and where."

  

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~~Tombstone photos Gail took that were requested by Find A Grave members~~:

 From Gail:

"First, I will get the bad news out of the way. 

 

There is no record of any **Minnie Barton in the cemetery. 

 

Their records go back to 1845. 

 

She checked several Barton's to see if there were any matching names/relatives."

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My thoughts are that perhaps "Minnie" married again and had a new married name?  Her name on Find A Grave is posted as:

 

Minnie Mary Hatfield Barton

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Speaking of the surname of "Hatfield" - another tombstone photo request in the list was for Charles Osborn Hatfield. 

 

Gail located his gravesite in Section 2 and and photographed his flat marker shown above.  

 

It is now posted on his "Find A Grave" memorial.  

 

Thanks Gail -- and the photo requester is grateful!!

 

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 Section 1, Lot 10

 

Dasie Cockerill  -- Another photo request fulfilled!

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Section 5, Lot 73

 

Burrus M. Holcomb and Charlotte Holcomb 

 

The photo request was for Burrus M. Holcomb. 

 

 Charlotte Holcomb had not been posted yet on "Find A Grave."  

 

After I saw Charlotte's name on the monument, I created a separate "Find A Grave" memorial for her and added the tombstone photo.  

 

Thus, this photo that Gail took appears on both memorials.  

 

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By the way, the "Find A Grave" Photo Volunteer Program is a wonderful feature of the website that has enabled so many people to view photos of the grave markers of their friends and loved ones that they might not otherwise have the joy of seeing.   

 

The photo volunteers do not charge; it is a labor of love for them!

 

So, it is always a courteous gesture for the requester to send the volunteer a thank you note for fulfilling their request.  The notes are always welcome!

 

All photo volunteers are to be congratulated for their time and effort in providing this valuable service that is appreciated by so many, including by this writer!!

 

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 More photographs from Gail below:

 

  Main entrance on Washington Avenue

 

   Above: New Office

 

 A longer distance view of the new office at the Washington Cemetery

Focusing on Fayette County's Old Washington Cemetery in Washington Court House

Currently, the Old Washington Cemetery in Washington Court House has 106 burials listed on "Find A Grave."   Forty-eight of them do not have tombstone photographs posted.  

Sadly, most gravestones at this pioneer cemetery are unreadable or fast becoming so. 

Over the years, I'm sure there have been several visitors who have walked the old burial grounds of the Old Washington Cemetery in downtown Washington Court House, and more will come.  

Many have taken tombstone photographs and did their best to hand transcribed the disappearing inscriptions that were skillfully etched by local stone carvers who lived so long ago. 

The Old Washington Cemetery is located in back of the Dairy Queen and the North Shore Primitives store in downtown Washington Court House and it sits near the railroad tracks. 

Gail Allen visited the Old Washington Cemetery on November 2, 2012 and took photos of some of the upright markers.  

Thank you for sharing your pictures with us Gail.

Below is a picture of an upright stone marker that Gail took during her visit.  The inscriptions on the stone, for the most part, are unreadable. 

   

Fortunately, in August of 2008, Gene Wilt also visited the Old Washington Cemetery and found the same stone.  He was able to discern that this old crumbling grave marker was erected for William Stockdale.  

Afterward, Gene posted a "Find A Grave" memorial for William Stockdale with gravestone photographs.

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Below is a reference to a "William Stockdale" that I located online via "HeritagePursuit":

SOURCE:  HeritagePursuit.com: 

HISTORY

OF

FAYETTE COUNTY,

TOGETHER WITH

HISTORIC NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST,

AND

THE STATE OF OHIO.

GLEANED FROM EARLY AUTHORS, OLD MAPS AND MANUSCRIPTS,
PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE, AND ALL OTHER AUTHENTIC SOURCES.

By R. S. DILLS.

ILLUSTRATED.

1881.

ODELL & MAYER, PUBLISHERS,

DAYTON, OHIO.

"UNION TOWNSHIP - 543"

"... N. F. Jones, as secretary, notified the board of directors of the county agricultural society, to meet at the court house on the 15th of November, 1854. L. P. Reid was the landlord of the " National House," and Joshua Holmes was caterer in " Washington Hall," previously known as " Stockdale's Hotel," in which latter building Jesse Millikan preceded William Stockdale as hostelry keeper. The Herald, under Mr. Lindsey's management, disseminated Whig doctrine."

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Now, we'll turn our attention to another gravestone at the Old Washington Cemetery that is shown below.  

Thanks to Gail for sharing with us her photograph of this deteriorated gravestone that is, at least, still standing.

As of this writing, I have not been able to discover for whom this early upright marker was erected.  The stone's layered front side is now severely flaked away.  

The worn smooth surface remains and causes us to stare and wonder if the identity of this person will forever  be a mystery to us.