Des Moines Co./Cemeteries/Old Middletown

Old Middletown Cemetery has been designated a Pioneer Cemetery by the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission.

Old Middletown (aka Leuins Point Cemetery) is located just west of the center of section 30 in Flint River Township. the cemetery contains many graves from the early 1840s to the late 1950s. Many of the gravestones are badly deteriorated and have broken off. Many are piled on top each other and there are many unmarked graves. This cemetery is surrounded with a fence.
Directions: From the intersection of Mt. Pleasant and Roosevelt Avenue, Burlington, Iowa, proceed west for approximately 5 1/2 miles. Turn right (north) and proceed for about 1/2 mile. Turn left (west) for 3/10's of a mile and then north for 3/10's of a mile. This will take you to the south side and then the west side of Raceways 34 Park. This last stretch is a dirt road. The cemetery is straight ahead.

The town of Leuins Point was located on a knoll that was just west of the cemetery. It was founded in about 1833 by a Mr. Leuins. Early settlers include Josiah Smith, Asa Robinson and John Sharp. About six years later, businesses and residents of Leuins Point began moving to Middletown. Middletown was located about halfway between Burlington and Mt. Pleasant. John Sharp became the leader of this new community. Mr. McMakin and Thomas Sargent were also early settlers of this area. Thomas Sargent built a Post Office and a store and two churches were built in 1851, followed by a hotel built by Robert Robinson few years later. The hotel dug a well which was still there in late 1970. Jacob Sanders built a halfway house which was utilized as a stage coach stop. The Burlington & Missouri Railroad came through a few years later which ended the stage coaches. A plank road was built from Burlington to Mount Pleasant in the early 1850s and a toll gate was placed every four to six miles. Rates were 3 cents per mile for a carriage, wagon or sleigh being drawn by 2 horses. Using additional animals would then cost another 1 cent per mile. Vehicles drawn by one animal would be 2 cents per mile. Stock being led along this road would cost 1 cent per mile, while sheep or goats being led would be 1/2 cent per mile. Hauling merchandise would cost 2 cents per mile and no charge was made for immigrants that were moving through with furniture, etc. Mrs. Spaulding began a millinery shop within part of the Post Office building. The bank was built in 1907. Following this, in 1908, Mr. Crawford opened an implement and hardware store. This was followed with a grain elevator, a blacksmith shop and a shoe shop. The General Store was owned by August Streed and was in operation for 50+ years. There was a large hall over the store that the community used for dances, roller skating and carnivals. The first Mayor of Middletown was installed in 1929—Mr. Coad, who was given a salary of $2 a month. Many of the homes in Middletown were built by the construction company of John and Tom Sutton.
It is said that Chief Black Hawk found the people of the community to be so friendly that he tied a knot in an oak tree, saying that as long as this tree stands, so will our friendship. This tree is still standing on the Alex Bailey property and is located approximately 1/4 of a mile west of the cemetery.

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OLD MIDDLETOWN CEMETERY
(aka Leuins Point Cemetery)
transcribed by Becke Dawson

ROW 1

SURNAME
GIVEN NAME
BIRTH
DEATH
AGE
NOTES

Denny James 6 Feb 1822 3 May 1887

Denny Sarah 25 Sep 1820 16 Jan 1907

Smith Elizabeth A. (Denny) 23 Nov 1848 17 Aug 1873

Denny William 29 Oct 1856 18 Nov 1901

Denny Infant Son 16 Jan 1851 1 Feb 1851

Denny Infant Son 26 Feb 1852 27 Feb 1852

Denny Mary C. 15 Feb 1855 16 Jun 1860

Denny Sarah M. 24 Sep 1858 17 Jun 1860

Denny James 14 Mar 1864 14 Apr 1865

Denny Anna M. 8 Sep 1862 5 Jan 1867

Denny Joseph C. 18 Jun 1869 19 Jan 1873

Smith Lizzie 17 Aug 1873 24y 8m 25d Wife of T. L.

Denny Joseph C. 19 Jan 1871 3y 7m 1d Son of J. & S.

Denny Anna M. 5 Jan 1867 4y 4m Daughter of J. & S.

Denny Infant 26 Feb 1852 1d Son of J. & S.

Denny Infant 16 Jan 1851 16d Son of J. & S. Leaning against stone.

Denny Sarah M. 17 Jun 1860 1y 8m Daughter of J. & S. Broken.

Steele Armilda J. 3 Apr 1833 5 Nov 1860 Wife of Robert.

Steele Robert 10 Oct 1817 31 Dec 1864

Steele Ella 14 Mar 1855 1y 7m

Beard Maria 8 Sep 1852 25y 7m 6d Daughter of J. & C. Broken.

Beard Joseph 10 Jun 1850 11y 10m Son of J. & C.

Davis David W. 8 Aug 1851 5y 10m 7d Eldest son of G. H. & B.

Robinson Matilda Ann 27 Aug 1853 22y 3m 18d Wife of J. M.

Beard Wm. 26 Apr 1854 3m 19d Son of J. W. & M. J. Broken.

Hodgen Isaac 22 Feb 1864 50y 9m 27d

Crawford Leonard J. 5 Aug 1846 21 Sep 1846 Son of J. M. & L. E.

Crawford Absalom J. 17 Oct 1849 21y 8m 23d Son of J. & J. Broken.

McGohan Daniel W. 8 Aug 1850 1y 20d Son of J. N. & M. A.

Crawford Carlisle 7 Nov 1863 19y 6m 27d

Anderson Infant No date

Crawford Janee 14 Jan 1876 78y Wife of J.

Crawford John 20 Sep 1854 60y 4m 25d Native of Ayrshire Scotland.

Crawford Jesse B. 23 Apr 1854 18y 8d

Crawford Absalom J. 17 Oct 1849 21y 8m 23d

Morgan Sarah A. 10 Sep 1861 75y 2m 20d Wife of Wm. Broken & deteriorated.

Myres William 28 Oct 1830 30y 11m 14d Broken. Death date may be 1850.

ROW 2

SURNAME
GIVEN NAME
BIRTH
DEATH
AGE
NOTES

Sharp John 1812 1882

Sharp Sarah 1811 1913

Sharp James O. 1840 1923

Sharp John P. 1850 1899

Sharp Mary 1849 1931

Sharp Sarah 1846 1933

Sharp ? 4 Oct 1878 4m 27d

Reese John G. 11 May 1863 27y Son of D. B. & E. Native of Wales. Co G 25 Regt Iowa Vol

Beard George W. 5 Jul 1853 28y Son of J. & C. Broken.

Sharp Willie L. 15 Jan 1860 5m 27d Son of O. J. & S. A. Broken.

McMaken John L. 24 Aug 1898 82y 11m 23d

McMaken Eliza N. 3 Oct 1870 52y 3m 15d Wife of L. McMaken

McMaken Emma 3 Jan 1876 26y 3m 11d Wife of J. P. Irwin

McMaken Mary A. 20 Sep 1860 13y 1m 14d

McMaken Robert W. 26 Aug 1843 2y 1m 11d

McMaken Elisabeth J. 30 Apr 1847 1y 8m 25d

McMaken Infant 29 Mar 1849 Daughter

Irwin Emma 3 Jan 1876 26y 3m 11d Wife of J. P.

McMaken John 1791 1882

McMaken Sarah 1795 1864

McMaken Joseph H. 21 Apr 1789 21 Sep 1857 68y

Martin Mary Ann 2 Oct 1854 35y 1m 9d Wife of Wm.

Sharp Alex H. 7 May 1866 39y Broken.

Sharp John Sr. 27 Oct 1845 56y 4m 14d

Sharp Infant 1 Nov 1859 3d Son of A. H. & E. B.

Sharp Harry M 29 Apr 1861 10m Son of A. H. & E. B.

Sharp John A. 12 Sep 1848 9m 17d. Son of J. G. & R. P. Broken.

Sharp J. G. 12 Sep 1818 11y Son of J. F. & M. J.

Sharp Infant 3 Nov 1855 Son

Sharp Eva 23 Jan 1859 2y 3m 2d Daughter of J. G. & M. J.

Crawford Lydia E. 22 Dec 1826 30 Aug 1858 31y 8m 8d Wife of Jas. M.

Abney Franklin M. 30 Jul 1858 18y 4m Son of L. & G.

Abney Gingy V. 12 Mar 1857 10y 6m 18d Daughter L. & G.

Crawford Carlisle 7 Nov 1863 19y 6m 27d Co G 25 Regt Iowa Vol

Abney Elizabeth 11 Dec 1856 19y 5m 14d Daughter of L. & G.

Abney Mary M 9 Dec 1834 9 Nov 185 Daughter of L. & G. Broken.

Abney L. Francis 27 Oct 1830 29 Dec 1842 Daughter of L. & G.

Hammer John 21 Oct 1848 3m Infant son of J. & C. A.

Hammer Jacob 23 Apr 1823 24 Mar 1848

Hammer Celatha A. 13 Nov 1828 18 Dec 1852 Wife of Jacob. Broken.

Crawford Julia A. 15 Oct 1860 6m 1d Daughter of Wm. D. & M. B. Broken.

Abney Gincy 3 Jun 1860 54y 1m 26d Wife of L. In pieces.

ROW 3

SURNAME
GIVEN NAME
BIRTH
DEATH
AGE
NOTES

Carden William Francis 3 Jan 1856 24 Jul 1860

Schultz John Co E 25 IA Inf

Schultz Susannah 12 Jun 1855 22y or 27y Wife of John.

McClellan Ann 20 Jan 1853 53y 3m 13d Wife of Jas. S.

Ramsey William 19 Jan 1871 68y 7m 14d

Sergent Catharine 16 Jul 1847 22y 4m 18d Wife of T. L.

McMaken Elizabeth J. 30 Apr 1847 8m 25d Daughter J. L. & E.

Cummins James 15 Jul 1850 ?? 11d Broken.

Moore Samuel Sen 27 Oct 1879 67y 8m

Moore Mahala 10 Jun 1842 8m

Moore Hulda 20 May 1850 3y 11m

Moore Barbara Jane 10 May 1850 7y 1m 26d

Moore Francis Marion 19 Dec 1865 16y 4m 18d

Moore Mary M. 15 Feb 1868 61y 18d Wife of Samuel.

Moore Lavina Loy 17 Dec 1846 18y 9m Daughter of S. & M.

Moore William 15 Sep 1852 22y 11m Died In Cascade Mts.

Moore Lemmon G. 28 Aug 1873 21y

Holmes Officer J. 22 Oct 1858 1m 9d Son of J. A. & C. Leaning against Sharp stone.

Sharp Jos. G. 18 Jan 1883 66y 6m 28d

Sharp Mary Janeed 14 May 1861 38y 7m 2d Wife.

Sharp Fannie 24 Dec 1876 16y 2m 29d Children of Jos. G. & M. J.

Sharp Annie 11 Feb 1883 22y 4m 17d Children of Jos. G. & M. J.

Sharp Ella M. 20 Jul 1870 20y 6m 10 Children of Jos. G. & M. J.

Sharp Carrie N. 7 Jan 1874 15y 6m 19 Children of Jos. G. & M. J.

Sharp Will S. 17 Mar 1875 23y 12d Children of Jos. G. & M. J.

Green Caroline 10 Feb 1834 27 Jun 1853 Mother

Green Milton R. 27 Feb 1849 3y 11m 10d Son of L. B. & S. A.

ROW 4

SURNAME
GIVEN NAME
BIRTH
DEATH
AGE
NOTES

McChesney John 21 Aug 1866 80y

McChesney Eleanor (Swan) 19 May 1880 72y

McChesney John P. 8 Nov 1867 60y

McChesney Martha Anne 12 Jan 1845 24 Jun 1914 Wife.

McChesney Sarah J. 6 Oct. 1878 8y 9d Daughter.

Allen Ephraim A. 1 Aug 1838 25 Jan 1888

Allen Margaret M. 26 Jul 1848 11 Dec 1909 Wife.

Allen John N. 8 Nov 1867 60y

Allen Matilda 12 Mar 1881 77y Wife.

Allen Matilda E 25 Feb 1876 17 Jan 1879

Allen Ephraim 30 Oct 1887 11 Mar 1888

Allen John L. 25 Jul 1892 18y Son of E. A. & M. M.

Woodward Ada 31 Oct 1866 2y 9m 5d Daughter of C. L. & M.

Robeson Elihu 19 Apr 1864 55y 7m 25d Native Butler Co. Ohio.

Wertz Nancy 18 Dec 1884 76y 10m 10d Wife of A.

Wertz Amos 20 Jan 1810 10 Jun 1893

Wertz Almira M. 22 Dec 1860 12y 9m 3d Daughter A. & N.

Rock Catharine 29 Jul 1859 31y Wife of G. W.

Boyse S. M. Dec 1872 55y 5m 26d

Boyse Anna Mary 27 Nov 1821 28 Jan 1861 Wife of S. M.

Mitchell William 23 Mar 1785 11 Oct 1856

Mitchell Rebecca 29 Mar 1865 63y 4m 18d Wife of Wm.

Mitchell John 24 Mar 1915 88y 1m 27d

Mitchell Ellen 22 Dec 1880 42y 7m 5d Wife.

Welch John D. 13 Aug 1867 51y 4m 18d

Blodgett Amy (Denny) 17 Jul 1878 23y 8m 16d Wife of W. W.

Denny James R. No date. Broken.

Despen David 6 Jan 18 ?? 41y 4m Broken.

Long Elizabeth 3 Jan 1818 27 Jul 1885

Long Milton M. 15 Sep 1840 21y 18d Son of H. & H.

Long Daniel 5 Jul 1839 75y 3m 23d

Carden William 7 Sep 1828 14 Feb 1866

Carden Isabel A. 4 Feb 1830 25 Sep 1890

McCohan Infant 1850

Canterberry Isaac T. 21 ? 1846 36y

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