NEW MAYSVILLE CEMETERY

JACKSON TOWHNSIP

PUTNAM COUNTY, INDIANA

Larry Tippin

2003

The New Maysville Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in northeastern Putnam County.

The 1879 Atlas of Putnam County contains the following narrative on page 10, concerning the earliest settlers in Jackson Township:

“William Welch and John Smith, who built their cabins in Section 34, about the year 1825 or 1826, being the first settlers in the township. George Sutherlin contests with these two the honor of making the earliest permanent settlement in the township. In the year 1827, Othniel Talbott, from Shelby Co., Ky., settled in Jackson, where he found a Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Brown. Garrison Thompson and John Johnson, father of J. B. Johnson of Greencastle, also came in 1827. In 1828, came James Chitwood, Levi Woods, Martin Blythe and Harry Hanson; and about one year later James Proctor settled in the township. Within the next two years there was a large increase in population. Among those who came at that time may be mentioned John Keith, John Boyd, Wilson Warford, William Elrod, William Hillis, Edward and Isom Silvey, John Blake, James Goslin, James Duncan, John Leach, William Beecraft, Isom George, James Moreland, the McClouds, the Pinkertons, the Rileys and the Barnses. This period also embraces the arrival of three more of the Talbott pioneers, Capt. John S. Talbott, Lorenzo Talbott and Aquilla Talbott. In 1831 and 1832, there was a large immigration, embracing Richard Biddle, Rev. John Case, George Keith, James Dale, S. Shackleford, George and Harvey Jeffries, Jacob Crosby, John and William Miller, and perhaps, others equally worthy, who, with equal heroism struggled with the hardships of pioneer life.

David Johnson, son of John Johnson, born on Section 34, March 8, 1828, was the first white child born in the township. [Note: Section 34 is just southwest of New Maysville.]

The first who died was the daughter of Wilson Warford. She was buried east of New Maysville, in a lot on Section 26, which is yet used as a grave-yard.

The first marriage in Jackson Township was that of Jesse Evans and Miss Bartima Welch.”

______________________________________________________________________________________

The date of death for the daughter of Wilson Warford was not noted in the preceding narrative. There are several very old stones at the east end of the old part. It is possible one of these stones might be the one mentioned. The 1879 Atlas indicated that Wilson Warford came to Jackson Township about 1830, so it can be concluded his daughter mentioned here must have died in the early 1830’s.

The earliest tombstone still legible is that of John Johnson, who died April 11, 1834. This grave is near the east end of the old part. The 1879 Atlas indicates John Johnson was one of the earlier settlers of the Township, having arrived in 1827. The latest burial is that of William Cooper, who died March 21, 1919.

The earliest burial in the new part of the cemetery on the south side of the road appears to be that of Rev. James J. Elrod, who died March 12, 1858. This tombstone is in the middle section of the new cemetery, about four rows west and a little south of the gazebo.

The individuals buried in the New Maysville cemetery that lived to be the oldest are Lucinda King, who died in 1912 at the age 99 and her husband John King who was 98 when he died in 1903. Others who lived to be 95 or more include Mable Underwood, Jaily Lasley, Ruby Games, Eula Malayer and Charles Summers.

Information contained herein may be reproduced without the express permission of the author.

View listing of individuals buried in the New Maysville Cemetery