I just found an old map on the net with a cemetary marked on my familys farm! Here is some info that me and my dad can remember hearing over the years... Any help, speculation, or tips on finding this site would be apriciated. Oh and I don't plan on digging or taking anything from any gravesite as I hope no one would. Just would like to preserve some history of the family farms.
I heard a story of a neighbor thinking there were indian mounds somewhere close to that area. I have found some signs of an indian camp very near there. It is marked on the highest bluff along this good sized creek for several miles. I know that indians would bury on high bluffs over looking creeks or rivers.
Also I know there was a road a long long time ago right past where that cemetary is marked.... I can see a section of the ditches from the old road which is overgrown in timber, remnants of a stone bridge or abuttment, and some limestone pieces where part of the road would have ran, some pieces are up to about 6 inches and I think like in the movies, brought to the road and busted up on site with hammers.
And there was a man hung in a tree somewhere close to the mark on the map, but exact location isnt quite known. The old road is known by the hung mans last name. It was said an old man (now passed away) knew where the tree the guy was hung in was at, and even could see where the rope had grown into the tree. still searching for the date on the hanging, but posibly 150 yrs ago. So finding rope marks or a tree still standing would be slim. The hung man was not buried there, his body was dumped in a ditch about 10 miles away then later buried in that towns cemetary. He was hung for murdering a family and dumping the bodies in the creek right at where he was hung. Time frame for settling the area is around 1830-70s, but the white people had been through the area before then.
Obviously ill look for tombstones, but ive been through that area alot and definatly would have noticed standing ones. Maybe a metal probe to help find any if there under ground and debris. There are not many rocks in the area so maybe even a pile of rocks would have been used to mark a grave. Sunken spots or raised from a burial? Even pieces of wood from crosses perhaps?
I did now find this article about the murder and lynching. Warning it is kinda graphic in describing the murders.
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/historical/1879_jefferson/jefferson_49.htm
It does seem to say he was buried there. But with no "shroud", which i assume is just a cover for the body? And not meaning a tombstone. The date of this was 1860.
But I do remember reading in a book that Kepharts body was dumped in town then buried there in the cemetary. Guess Ill have to go look for his grave in town. Which I may be able to find list of names/locations at the courthouse? I doubt they would mark his grave well would they? No One would have paid for a tombstone i dont think?
Wow been looking up info and typing this post for a couple hours! Sounds like a fun hunt I have ahead of me! Thanks for any help/suggestions!
I heard a story of a neighbor thinking there were indian mounds somewhere close to that area. I have found some signs of an indian camp very near there. It is marked on the highest bluff along this good sized creek for several miles. I know that indians would bury on high bluffs over looking creeks or rivers.
Also I know there was a road a long long time ago right past where that cemetary is marked.... I can see a section of the ditches from the old road which is overgrown in timber, remnants of a stone bridge or abuttment, and some limestone pieces where part of the road would have ran, some pieces are up to about 6 inches and I think like in the movies, brought to the road and busted up on site with hammers.
And there was a man hung in a tree somewhere close to the mark on the map, but exact location isnt quite known. The old road is known by the hung mans last name. It was said an old man (now passed away) knew where the tree the guy was hung in was at, and even could see where the rope had grown into the tree. still searching for the date on the hanging, but posibly 150 yrs ago. So finding rope marks or a tree still standing would be slim. The hung man was not buried there, his body was dumped in a ditch about 10 miles away then later buried in that towns cemetary. He was hung for murdering a family and dumping the bodies in the creek right at where he was hung. Time frame for settling the area is around 1830-70s, but the white people had been through the area before then.
Obviously ill look for tombstones, but ive been through that area alot and definatly would have noticed standing ones. Maybe a metal probe to help find any if there under ground and debris. There are not many rocks in the area so maybe even a pile of rocks would have been used to mark a grave. Sunken spots or raised from a burial? Even pieces of wood from crosses perhaps?
I did now find this article about the murder and lynching. Warning it is kinda graphic in describing the murders.
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/historical/1879_jefferson/jefferson_49.htm
It does seem to say he was buried there. But with no "shroud", which i assume is just a cover for the body? And not meaning a tombstone. The date of this was 1860.
But I do remember reading in a book that Kepharts body was dumped in town then buried there in the cemetary. Guess Ill have to go look for his grave in town. Which I may be able to find list of names/locations at the courthouse? I doubt they would mark his grave well would they? No One would have paid for a tombstone i dont think?
Wow been looking up info and typing this post for a couple hours! Sounds like a fun hunt I have ahead of me! Thanks for any help/suggestions!
