March 2012 update on the Akey/Supler (United Brethern in Christ) Cemetery - Zane Township, Logan County, Ohio

From the Logan County Genealogical Society's website:

To all:  March 2012

Hello!

"Some of you may be aware of the "saga" I have been going through for the past like 6 years (seems longer than that!) for the Akey/Supler (United Brethren in Christ) Cemetery where the remains of our Henry Bolen still rest.  (Trying to reason with the owners to search out the cemtery, trying to buy it, trying to help the township get it, trying to help the township once they got permission to place a SMALL monument in a SMALL area in the very corner AWAY from the cemetery grounds, etc.)  

At any rate, at long last, friends of ours were able to purchase the ground including the cemetery and, in keeping a promise they made to me if they ever got possession, I have been granted permission to "search" out the cemetery.

Having worked on several cemetery restoration projects in different counties in Ohio, we are VERY excited about this prospect!  The current owners want to farm the surrounding land but are VERY interested in maintaining the integrity of the cemetery!

So, as we begin our "search" on the cemetery, I would greatly appreciate the forwarding to me of any information (not matter how small) that you may have relating to the cemetery....I and another lady in the township had worked to gather info for the township when they were trying to get possession of it and I will have that complete file but I am working to make sure that I have any and all information possible as we work on this project.

During the upcoming work time, we will keep everyone updated and if you live in the area or will be visiting the area and want to help, please contact me and we will work it out!!!!!!

937-935-2291 (me) 937-935-2583 (Matt - my husband)

937-666-5002 (home) m.wilson@2access.net (Matt's e-mail)

s.wilson@2access.net (my e-mail)

THANKS &; I hope you are all as excited about this as I am!!!!!!!"

Shawndel

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On "Find A Grave" the Akey/Supler (United
Brethren in Christ) Cemetery is shown as Akey Cemetery
with 7 burials.

Spotlighting Ridgeway Cemetery and Hale Cemetery in Hale Township, Hardin County, Ohio

Hale and Ridgeway Cemeteries on "Find A Grave"

Ridgeway Cemetery - Hale Township, Hardin County, Ohio

Hale Cemetery - Hale Township, Hardin County, Ohio

Spotlighting the History of Sheep Pen (AKA Gustin or Limes) Cemetery - Highland County, Ohio

Scott Andersen standing by restored original Pvt. Samuel Crooks stone - September, 2011

Sheep Pen Cemetery - Highland County Ohio

Sheep Pen Cemetery is an early southern Ohio burying ground long known by various names since its earliest burials beginning in the 1830s. Its multiple identities have continued into the present.

Fayette County records support calling it “Limes” or “Old Limes” Cemetery, however, recent Highland County maps give it the name “Gustin Cemetery.” But it is the cemetery’s own newer bright green metal marker bolted securely to the front fence that unmistakably proclaims it to be: “Sheep – Pen Cemetery Madison Twp Greenfield, OH.” Like a child’s given name on an official birth certificate, “Sheep – Pen” should be considered true and valid as the identity for this cemetery sometimes referred to as “Limes” or “Gustin” (as much as I would love to see it always be known as “Limes” – my maiden name!)

According to the book Cemetery Inscriptions of Highland County, Ohio, compiled by David N. and Jane N. McBride, copyright 1954, on page 361, under the cemetery name “Gustin”: “This name is very unusual and residents of the vicinity say that the name was acquired because sheep were often placed there to graze.” This clue tells us that “Sheep Pen” was a casual type moniker that became popular by residents living on both sides of the county boundary line.

The sloping Sheep - Pen Cemetery straddles the Fayette/Highland County, Ohio boundary line. It sits southeast off a short semi-circular paved entrance that connects to the Greenfield-Sabina Road (County Highway 5 in Fayette County and becomes County Highway 98 in Highland County) with coordinates of Latitude 39.3767304 and Longitude -83.4246385, per the website: hometownlocator.com.

Quoting from the cemetery’s introduction paragraph in Cemetery Inscriptions of Highland County, Ohio, page 361: "On October 24, 1828, in Original Book "R", page 123, Highland County Deed Records, William Gustin and Hannah his wife deeded to William Collins and Henry Limes of the County of Fayette and William Pierson, Thomas G. Collins of the County of Highland, Trustees, one and one-eighth acre situated in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio."

The document further states: “… that they shall build or cause to be erected and built thereon a house or place of worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church…”

The location is described as “…part of a tract of 1466 2/3 acres numbered as survey 6938 and granted to Samuel McKee assignee of James Gilmore by patent bearing date April 13, 1812.”

However, on December 20, 1900, (Original Book 94, page 210), ownership of this property was turned over to both Highland County’s Madison Township and Fayette County’s Perry Township Trustees for the sole purpose of burials.

To date, no record of the construction of an actual church structure on the grounds of the Sheep – Pen Cemetery have been found.

Surnames of individuals buried at the Sheep – Pen Cemetery:

Aber, Barkley, Beals, Bennett, Best, Boyd, Brock, Crooks, Daugherty (Dougherty), Dorman, Geller, Goodwin, Irwin, Kelley (Kelly), Limes, McVey (McVay), McWilliams, Penwell, Rogers, Roosa, Shepherd, and Yohn.

"Old Limes" Cemetery as it appears in the Fayette County Plat Map Book