Sharing a link to the newly updated website for the Village of North Lewisburg, Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio

Sharing a link to the history page of the Village of North Lewisburg, in Champaign County, Ohio.  Under "Village Cemetery Directories.:

The Butcher Cemetery (Known Also as Walnut Grove Cemetery)  

The Friends (Quaker) Cemetery
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Here is a link to the main page on the newly updated North Lewisburg website.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Enjoy virtually exploring North Lewisburg, a quaint village tucked away in the northeast corner of Champaign County, Ohio.

Sharing a link to "Google Maps" - The Butcher AKA Walnut Grove Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County from Eli Allen

Google Maps - The Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Rush Township, Champaign County - has new 360 degree photographs that have been added June 4 2022 by Eli Allen.  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Eli's website is Wandering Appalachia 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Butcher AKA Walnut Grove Cemetery in North Lewisburg on Find A Grave

Sharing new photos of the Walnut Grove Cemetery AKA Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio and taking a look back at earlier ones.

Thanking Nathan Holycross for taking the May 14, 2021 photographs below during a visit to the Butcher AKA Walnut Grove Cemetery in North Lewisburg. They are helpful to see also for comparison purposes to photographs taken from earlier dates. 

May14, 2021 - Photo of Butcher Cemetery sign above

And,

In the photograph below, the white marble monument on the right with a bible or prayer book on top of it, was erected for Aaron and Adaline D. Limes Winder Winder Ballinger Dailey. 

Also, on the right side of the monument is an inscription for Aaron and Adaline's grand-daughter, Birddie B. Sherrett.

To the left of their taller monument is the smaller monument on a base for their daughter, Phebe Annie Winder Sherrett. Birddie B. Sherrett's small marker sits between them. 

Phebe Annie was the first wife of Eli Sherrett who is buried at the nearby Maple Grove Cemetery in Rush Township. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

The July 2, 2017 photo below was taken by this author who was standing between the Winder monument and the Sherrett markers following a clean up of the weeds around them.  Also the monument and markers themselves were cleaned with D/2 Biological Solution and rinsed. 

"This Place Matters"

~*~*~*~*~*~

The photo taken May 14, 2021 below shows the tall black granite monument for Dr. John Milton Butcher and his wife Nancy Brock Butcher. 

The flat marker to the left was installed in June 2020 is for Dr. William H. Wagstaff who served as a Commissary Sergeant in Co. E of the 54th Regiment of the Indiana Infantry.

The flat marker to the right also installed in June 2020, is for Captain James M S Butcher, who served also in the Civil War attaining the rank of Captain of Co. I of the 30th Regiment of the Indiana Infantry.   

Below is the same scene and two close up photos of the two new veteran's markers courtesy of Christine Roby - June 8, 2020 - following the installation of the two new flat markers.

Below is a May 14, 2021 photograph of a large dead limb that has cracked off from the tree and is lying on the ground on a sloping area of the Butcher Cemetery.  Low lying branches from the tree can be seen. 

Also, a partial view of a tree in a photo from May 14, 2021 that needs pruning of its long overhanging branches. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The above two photos show the fenced in area in the front of the Butcher Cemetery.  

The damaged wrought iron fence has badly deteriorated over the years.  There are a lot of dead tree limbs and branches lying on the ground both inside and outside of it that need to be gathered up and removed.  

Martha Matilda Abrams McClung is one of the two known burials in this area. The other burial is for a 20 day infant, little Charlie Chappell.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Below is a photograph taken by this author in June of 2017 of the fenced in area when it was in better condition.:  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Below are among my most favorite photographs! 

To the left is a photograph of Mr. Richard Holycross, father of Nathan Holycross, and myself.  To the right is a close-up view of the repaired and re-set Mary E. Good monument that Mr. Holycross completed a few months earlier.  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It is my hope that the Village of North Lewisburg will resume regularly scheduled maintenance at the Butcher Cemetery.  It is the town's early settler burial ground that gave it the start it needed to grow and proper. 

To lose any more history due to apathy and neglect would certainly become a major loss for the community, and for those who are eager to see its integrity protected and preserved.  So much history is alive at cemeteries.  Those that came before us deserve our respect and our willingness to pass their legacy on to future generations. 

~~~~~~~~~~

“Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals.”

By

Sir William Ewart Gladstone

Lacking a legal owner for over 116 years - The Walnut Grove Cemetery /AKA Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County Ohio

This blog post was compiled to help clear up any misconceptions some folks may have regarding the legal ownership of the Walnut Grove Cemetery AKA Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio. 
(Linda Ellis and Mr. Richard "Dick" Holycross in 2005 standing next to the the marker for Mary E. Good.  
Her marker was repaired in 2004 by Mr. Holycross. Sadly, we lost Dick in 2007.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Both the Recorder and Auditor in Champaign County, Ohio  have replied to my various requests for information and copies of documents, such as Wills and Deeds, going back as far as 1995 after my discovering that my 3rd great-grandfather, Harmon Limes, Jr., was buried in the Friends AKA Quaker Cemetery in North Lewisburg. 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was not long afterward that I learned one of Harmon Limes' children, Adaline D. Limes Winder (Winder Ballinger, Dailey), was buried at the other cemetery in North Lewisburg - The Walnut Grove / AKA Butcher Cemetery, that I became interested in her life and the cemetery where she and her first husband Aaron Winder, her daughter Phebe Annie Sherrett, and grand-daughter Birddie B. Sherrett were buried. 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In 1997, the Friends Church in North Lewisburg closed and the ownership of the building and the adjacent Friends Cemetery were transferred by deed to the Village of North Lewisburg.  The former Friends Church became a branch of the Champaign County Library. 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
So,  I turned some of my attention to communicating with local people and researching the Walnut Grove Cemetery/Butcher Cemetery.   I quickly ran into a brick wall trying to learn who really owns it today and is responsible for its care.  
I was able to visit the  Walnut Grove / AKA Butcher Cemetery at least once a year for many years.  The cemetery's property has had long-standing condition issues. 
There isn't much for grass left these days.  It is mostly weeds of one variety or another that grow at the Walnut Grove Cemetery/Butcher Cemetery.  More routine trimming needs to be done around the markers and what is left of the standing monuments.  
The cemetery may be mowed on a somewhat regular basis, however, the trees are not pruned and the downed branches pile up and require removal.  
Needless to say, the cemetery landscape, particularly in the back portion, is where several downed monuments are strewn about lying in pieces on the ground.  Some of them could be put back up if someone with a tripod and experience could be hired to do the work.  I have seen it done numerous times at other cemeteries; even some like the Walnut Grove / AKA Butcher Cemetery.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Recently, the Recorder's office again answered my questions about the ownership of the Walnut Grove Cemetery AKA Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg.   
I was prompted to revisit this subject yet again due to some remarks published recently that the Walnut Grove Cemetery was "gifted" to the Village in 1963.  
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That information was not what I had ever heard before from anyone in North Lewisburg or anywhere in Champaign County.   

The Walnut Grove Cemetery AKA Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg was never sold to anyone since the time it was deeded to the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association in 1882 by Dr. John Butcher.   

(Above photo courtesy of Christine Roby of 

Roby's Memorial Design and Lettering of Madison Ohio)

~*~*~*~*~*~

1882 is a long time ago of course, and all of the members of that cemetery association have long since passed away themselves.  The last one to depart this life was  Dr. William H. Wagstaff in 1904.  Dr. Wagstaff had been an ill man for a number of years when he died.  Several searches were done to see if he deeded the cemetery to the Village of North Lewisburg, but none could be found.  

Sharing below one of the latest replies received from the Champaign County Auditor.: 

Glee Knoop gknoop@co.champaign.oh.us 

 Fri, Jul 17 at 3:18 PM

"The Auditor gave me your information and through the records at the recorder’s office I have found that this property is deeded to Walnut Grove Cemetery Association and until we have a deed that transfers to a new owner, it will remain in that name. I did see where a split off that parcel was processed in our office like you said, the 0.09 acre tract, it is now part of a parcel that is owned by a Alice M O’Brien.

 I hope this answers your questions."

 Thank you,

Glee Knoop, Deputy for Karen T. Bailey

  Champaign County Auditor
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This goes back over five years ago:

June 12, 2015 8:58 AM

 My question: 
Butcher Cemetery 
Lot #268 in North Lewisburg

"The cemetery is still owned by Walnut Grove Cemetery Association of North Lewisburg.  
There has not been any transfers since they bought it from John Butcher in 1882.

Prior to that sale, Mr. Butcher gave a small piece of land to the Village of North Lewisburg to put in a road to the cemetery.  
The road way was to be for the Walnut Grove Cemetery (AKA Butcher Cemetery), however, it was never built."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  What did happen in 1963 was that the Village of North Lewisburg sold the .09 strip of land to Mr. and Mrs. James Freshwater. 
Per the Champaign County Recorder's Office in a reply dated July 17, 2020: 
"The Village of North Lewisburg split 0.09 acres off of the 2.50 acres of cemetery land and sold it to James and Kathleen Freshwater.  The survey is not attached to that deed."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Thus, the Freshwater couple never owned the Walnut Grove Cemetery / Butcher Cemetery itself to be in a position to gift it or deed it to anyone.  
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  Sharing below another quote from the Champaign County Recorder:
"It looks like it was combined with the parcel you are inquiring about by an amended certificate of transfer in 2003.  

It is part of 88 Tallman."

 Sincerely, Glenda L. Bayman Champaign County Recorder

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I believe the Champaign County Recorder's and Auditor's offices answers to my questions.:  
"Who owns the Walnut Grove Cemetery / AKA Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg? " The legal documents they possess prove legal ownership of the cemetery. I wish to thank them here for all of their assistance with my requests.  
Sadly, the Walnut Grove Cemetery / AKA Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg wasn't ever deeded over to anyone when the last trustee of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association died in 1904, that's 116 years ago.  I feel it is long past due to change that! 
Every cemetery deserves to have an owner, a legal owner that properly cares for it.  So does the Walnut Grove Cemetery / AKA Butcher Cemetery!  
"All Cemeteries Matter!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  

Martha E. Spain Audas (1809 - 1846) - Find A Grave Memorial

Martha E. Spain Audas (1809 - 1846) - Find A Grave Memorial

The Butcher Cemetery - June 29 2017 & July 2 2017

....And, What about Trees at Cemeteries? Good or Bad or Both?

First - the Good: 

Sharing this June 12, 2017 story from the "Urbana Daily Citizen" in Champaign County, Ohio entitled:  "Planting Leaves of Comfort" by Joshua Keeran about the Woodstock Lions Club's mission to plant 100 new trees within a five year period at two Rush Township Cemeteries - Maple Grove Cemetery located just outside of North Lewisburg and the Woodstock Cemetery.  

Both cemeteries are active / registered cemeteries with newer burials and frequent visitors, which is important to note. 

As stated in the article: 

“The ash trees are gone, the maples are dying of old age, and no one is replanting trees to restore the natural beauty of the cemeteries,” said Woodstock Lions Club President Tim Kemper. “These cemeteries were plotted on peaceful parcels of land over two centuries ago.

“Visiting a cemetery to pay respects to loved ones is an emotional experience that can be enhanced listening to the breeze blow through the leaves of the trees, and the shade provided can be soothing on hot days,” he added."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Next, the Bad:

But, what about the adverse events that so often strike trees over time that cause them to lose large limbs or even topple completely over?  Afterward a once tranquil (and safe!) scene will become a devastated landscape of scattered damaged and destroyed gravestones lying beneath downed branches and heavy limbs. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AND,

Trees do need some TLC as we know. 

Photos below are from the South Murray Ridge Cemetery in Lorain County, Ohio where there are several mature trees, however, many have not been routinely pruned.  Over time trees grow and their roots surround and encroach the markers and monuments as shown below.

(Also, gravestones under trees tend to develop more lichens and moss on them.)

 The large monument below is barely visible now.

It is tightly squeezed between two large bushes that have been

left unattended and allowed to become huge!

 If this one large tree to the right shown below became uprooted and toppled over, how many

grave markers would be destroyed? 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thus, I think we can see that trees are not the best of friends for cemeteries or grave markers due to several reasons although they provide welcome shade and some coolness on bright sunny hot days for those visiting them.  

It is important that caretakers properly and routinely care for the trees as well as the cemetery grounds so neither are neglected.  

Paying Return Visits to the Black Cemetery in Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio and the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

"Find A Grave contributor, Diana Goodes, has been so kind to also share some of her longer-shot views of the Black Cemetery that were taken in 2010 as well as Greenfield's Old Burying Ground.    


These photographs clearly show the poor condition of the Black Cemetery.  Meanwhile, progress has been made on Greenfield's Old Burying Ground for completed restoration.

********************************

From Diana:

"These pictures were taken Nov 2, 2010 and yes I think it is totally abandoned!  I don't know if you've ever been there....it sits out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by farm land and an old farm house next to it.  There is a broken down barbed wire fence around it.  Someone mows the lawn/weeds going from the road, up the hill, but that's about it. 

(pic attached)"

BLACK CEMETERY (Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio):   

 James and Mary Diana (Van Horn) Glendening are my husband's 3rd Great Grand Parents. All the other Glendenings there are Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc.

 *****

OLD BURYING GROUND (Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio):  

 James and Margaret (McClung) Musson are his 4th Great Grand Parents.
*****
EVERGREEN CEMETERY (Saint Paris, Champaign County, Ohio):  

 Dr. John and Caroline (Rogers) are his 2nd Great Grand Parents.
*****

MAPLE GROVE (Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio):  
Donald L and Mary Ann (Musson) Glendening are his Great Grand Parents.  

Thomas J. and Hester (Shover) Glendening are his 2nd Great Grand Parents.

*************************************

 Black Cemetery - Champaign County, Ohio

Old Burying Ground - (Greenfield, Ohio)