Graham Cemetery

Graham Cemetery is a small, almost microscopic, cemetery on State Route 32 East/Jackson Street between Muncie and Selma. It is on the north side of the highway between Gray Street and Ellis Road that make up the horseshoe containing Cunningham Addition.

The cemetery had set abandoned and unkempt off and on for decades, and, as a result, most stones have been either broken or lost to time. The only remaining marker is that of David Hamer, a replacement issued much later than the era of his death. There are no other complete and legible markers remains, only broken pieces.

On 15 March 1837, Joseph Rash bought a forty acre parcel of land from the government. It was described in the patent as being the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, section seven, township twenty north, range eleven east. It is unclear when the cemetery was started. Over time, Joseph may have buried family members there or allowed the burial of neighbors on his property.

Just a few months later, on 2 August 1837, Mary Rash, now widow of Joseph, filed for letters of administration of Joseph's estate with John Richey and David Hamer providing security. Letters were issued on 28 August allowing Mary to settle debts and disperse assets. Readily available records show Mary paid and collected various monies as required. The court accepted those actions and gave her permission to distribute any remaining assets to heirs. There is no itemized list of assets found there or a list of those entitled to them. No burial site has been found for Joseph. Was he the first one buried there?

On 6 November 1850, a deed was created transferring a part of Joseph's property to the commissioners of Delaware County, Charles Mansfield, Joseph Thomas and David Shoemaker, and their successors. The portion was described as "commencing at a stone a few feet south of a white oak tree on the south line of said land 102 rods west of the south east corner of said section thence north, west, and south, to said south line and east along it to the beginning so as to include one square acre to be a public burying ground for said county". The grantors appear below.

William Rash
Sarah Rash, wife of William
Joseph Rash
Minas Turner
Fanny Turner, wife of Minas
Thomas Rash
Matilda Jane Rash, wife of Thomas
James Truitt
Avery Truitt, wife of James
Johiel Graham
Cassandria Graham, wife of Johiel

Despite being mentioned in reminisces as part of the Ora Ogle farm, Ogle owned land on two sides but not the cemetery itself. Upon its sale to Wilbert Gray in 1944, it was noted that the property included "sixty-seven acres, more or less, excepting therefrom one acre on the south end thereof used for cemetery purposes".

The fact that the cemetery is named "Graham" is a bit of a head-scratcher. It seems the only connection to the name is Johiel Graham and wife, Cassandria, who were grantors on the deed to the commissioners. Their relationship to Rash is uncertain, and as a result, how they became part owners is a mystery. Graham did own property adjoining that of Rash.

As usual, any additional information would be appreciated.

Keep an eye out for future posts about those connected to this little patch of ground.