Washington Township, Hendricks County, Indiana
SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Sec 32, T16N R1E
Visited May 23, 2006 and July 31, 2008
Directions:
This cemetery is on the east side of 475E, about halfway between 150N and 200N. There is a patch of lilies that mark the spot, but otherwise no visible signs. Use a GPS unit.
Approximate Location:
N39°47.138’ W86°26.560’ or
N394708 W862634
Condition:
This cemetery was near the fence that used to border the road before it was widened. In the late 1940s or early 1950s, the landowner decided that the graves were old enough that they could be plowed over. The headstones were placed against the fence. In about 1971, the road was widened and the fence torn down. The graves are still located along the edge of the field (or in the ditch).
We now know that the highway supervisor took the stones to his house and made a sidewalk out of them. A few years ago, when the sidewalk was being torn out, a man rescued the stones from being thrown away and took them to his home in New Winchester and placed them in the flower beds. They were thus kept safe. Recently they were recognized as the missing headstones from the Crafton Cemetery. The stones were repaired and set in a memorial area in nearby Abner's Creek Cemetery where they will be marked with a plaque. A sign will be placed at the actual location of the graves.
The graves are:
Amanda, wife of Anthony Crafton, died Dec 27, 1861, Aged 36y 4m 7d
Dollie, daughter of A & A, died Oct 8, 1864, Aged 14y 9m 7d
Another headstone found as sidewalk and now residing in a New Winchester flower bed:
Abraham M., son of A.E. & N. Marsh, died June 24, 1868, Aged 19y 6m & 17d
Many attempts have been made to find the location of this grave, but so far it is unknown.
The Crafton Cemetery is linked to Find-A-Grave , where there are biographies and headstone photos. Abraham Marsh also has a biography, but unknown burial location.
This cemetery is on the east side of 475E, about halfway between 150N and 200N. There is a patch of lilies that mark the spot, but otherwise no visible signs. Use a GPS unit.
Approximate Location:
N39°47.138’ W86°26.560’ or
N394708 W862634
Condition:
This cemetery was near the fence that used to border the road before it was widened. In the late 1940s or early 1950s, the landowner decided that the graves were old enough that they could be plowed over. The headstones were placed against the fence. In about 1971, the road was widened and the fence torn down. The graves are still located along the edge of the field (or in the ditch).
We now know that the highway supervisor took the stones to his house and made a sidewalk out of them. A few years ago, when the sidewalk was being torn out, a man rescued the stones from being thrown away and took them to his home in New Winchester and placed them in the flower beds. They were thus kept safe. Recently they were recognized as the missing headstones from the Crafton Cemetery. The stones were repaired and set in a memorial area in nearby Abner's Creek Cemetery where they will be marked with a plaque. A sign will be placed at the actual location of the graves.
The graves are:
Amanda, wife of Anthony Crafton, died Dec 27, 1861, Aged 36y 4m 7d
Dollie, daughter of A & A, died Oct 8, 1864, Aged 14y 9m 7d
Another headstone found as sidewalk and now residing in a New Winchester flower bed:
Abraham M., son of A.E. & N. Marsh, died June 24, 1868, Aged 19y 6m & 17d
Many attempts have been made to find the location of this grave, but so far it is unknown.
The Crafton Cemetery is linked to Find-A-Grave , where there are biographies and headstone photos. Abraham Marsh also has a biography, but unknown burial location.
