Old English Cemetery
Van Buren County, Bonaparte Township, Section 11.
Also known locally as: Gabby, Synder and House
Researched and recorded by
Erma DeRosear
In 1981 Verle & Jane DeRosear and Harley & Erma DeRosear visited this
cemetery. For many years there was a suspicion that it may have had ties
to the English people who had settled near there.
After probing we found 13 stones, about 6 inches below the sod.
The stones were lifted out and laid flat where they had fallen.
We had been told by local residents that the area had been logged. At
that time, many of the stones were used as props, under the wheels of
trucks, which were stuck in mud.
We can only guess that the cemetery was much larger and that much historical
and family information has been lost.
Some have referred to this being a Mormon cemetery. I do not believe there
are Mormon burials here. Although there was a Mormon camp in the area,
I feel their burying ground was at the mouth of Reed's Creek.
Burials
BATEMAN
William Born 26 Apr 1801 Died 24 Nov 1875
Jane Died 08 Mar 1868 68yr 11mo 8da
wife of W. Bateman
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BROWN
Rachel Died 05 Dec 1865 63yr 3mo 22da
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETHERIDGE
Mary Jane Died 01 Dec 1863 5yr 9mo 4da
John A. Died 17 Jul 1860 2yr 9mo
son of J.R.
& I. Etheridge
John D. Died 24 Mar 1853 45yr 2mo 24da
John C. Died 30 Jun 1852 72yr 3mo 6da
* Mary Died 15 Feb 1864 59yr 7mo 15da
wife of J. Etheridge
* William H. Died 22 Aug 1865 1yr 1mo 8da
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FULLER
Pauline Browning Died 06 Jan 1890 82yr 7mo
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GABBY
James B. Born 01 Aug 1806 Died 14 Jan 1883
* Marion Born 16 Jul 1856 Died 12 Mar 1933
son of James B. Gabby
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HALFHILL
Phebe A. Died 17 Dec 1865 42yr
wife of Peter Halfhill 1866?)
Peter Died 14 Feb 1865 52yr 2mo 6da
husb of Phebe Ann
Halfhill
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSE
Ellen Died 28 Dec 1862 65yr 13 da
wife of S. House
Samuel Died 19 Aug 1860 65yr 4mo 16da
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAMSON
Adah Died 19 May 1869 70yr 11da
wife of Judson Lamson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LANGWITH
Elizabeth Died 14 Nov 1852
wife of E. Langwith
73yr 6m 13da
Sarah Died 13 Sep 1857
dau of E. & S.
Thomas Died 03 Feb 1875
son of E. & S.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAGE
Annie E. Died 25 Aug 1868 1yr 11mo 7da
dau of J.R. & J. Sage
Adah Died 07 Aug 1865 1yr 6mo 22da
dau of J.R. & J. Sage (1mo 7da?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THOMAS
Rebecca Died 11 Feb 1875 in 69th year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARE
John Died 14 Apr 1851 54yr 25da
James Born 06 Nov 1799 Died 08 Feb 1853
This is the largest stone in the cemetery, his wifes name is on the
other side of the stone.
Ann Born 05 Nov 1802 Died 22 May 1869
wife of James Ware
Note: On another side of the stone, there appears to have been names
and dates of two persons. Believe to have been etched out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WYER
Henry Died 25 Dec 1853 55yr
Peter Died 10 Jul 1862 77yr 10mo
Margaret Died 25 Oct 1853 29yr 5mo 9da
dau of J. & A. Wyer
John Died 25 Dec 1855 65yr
Anna Died 06 Mar 1864 65yr 3mo 16da
wife of John Wyer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Names were obtained from an old manuscript copy of this cemetery done in
1964 by Marion Flake, a local resident. We were unable to find these
stones, but are quite sure these names belong in this cemetery.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------