Directions to the cemetery: From Highway 61 going Northeast out of Muscatine, turn right onto New Era Road.
Travel 4 miles.  Just as you go around a bend, before house no. 3238,  make a right, up a steep field road to the cemetery.
It is tricky to find because it does not have a sign, and when the corn is high, one cannot see the cemetery from the road.

We learned that this little cemetery holds a wealth of family histories. The first was of  Lyman Saltmarsh and his wife, Elizabeth, who bought the land on 18 Oct 1839 from Aaron Usher according to Muscatine County Book of Lands ‘B’ pg. 134.  The oldest gravemarker found was of their six year old daughter, America Saltmarsh, who died 20 Jun 1840.

Lyman Saltmarsh photo contributed by Michael Saltmarsh

On 9 Apr 1850 a Warranty Deed was issued to John Schultz (Book J, pg. 451) when Lyman Saltmarsh sold the land to him.  The parcel of land was described as: 38 acres SW 1/4 Sect 14 & 15 acres in NE 1/4 Sec 26 - 77 - 1 West.

Simon Krell purchased the land from John Shoultz on 13 Nov 1854 (Book N pg. 636).  The Quit Claim deed described:
 

38 acres S 1/2 of E 1/2 SW 1/4 of Sect. 14 Twp 77 Range 1 West - also fifteen acres off the East side of the South 1/2 of E 1/2 of North East 1/4 Sect 26 Twp 77.  Excepting one acre the same being a public burial ground east half of the South East Quarter Section Fourteen (14) Twp. 77 Range 1 West.

In this public cemetery, during the period of Aug 1840 to July 1854, gravemarkers identified Saltmarsh, Davis, Buttel, Chamberlin and Lillibridge family members.

From Nov. 1854 to 1886, the cemetery was naturally referred to as “Krell Cemetery” for it was located by the land of Simon Krell.  Though no marker has been found listing the name of Krell, many of his descendants are buried here, including his daughter Elizabeth Krell Brei, wife of Ludwig Brei.  (note from webmaster--a Krell researcher advised us sometime back that there may have actually been some Krell burials on this site but that they were marked only with wooden crosses which are now gone--I have been unable to confirm these burials)

About 1886, according to the plat map in the County Auditor’s office, the land was sold to Claus Hansen.  In 1903, Saltmarsh Cemetery Association was formed.  A Deed, found in Record of Lands Book 46, pg 576 stated: Claus Hansen (Maria his wife) to Saltmarsh Cemetery Association, date of instrument 12 May 1903.
 

 In consideration for one dollar: One acre of Land in the south half of the east half of the south West quarter of Section fourteen (14) Township Seventy -Seven North Range One West of the 5th P.M.
...to wit:
Begin 723 1/2 ft. East and 265 1/2 ft. South of North West corner of the South half (S 38 acres) of the East half of the South West quarter Section 14, Twp 77 N.R. 1 West 5th P.M. thence South 330 feet thence East 132 feet thence North 330 feet, thence West 132 feet to Place of beginning containing One acre. to be used for a cemetery, the Said grantee hereby agreeing to fence said land and Clear the same of brush and Weeds and properly take care of and keep the same in Proper conditions in future.

Click here to see the plat map filed with this Deed

The Saltmarsh Cemetery was Surveyed June 9 & 10, 1903 by R.H. McCampbell,  County Surveyor.  The Plat was filed for record July 13, 1903 in Plat Book One pg. 265.

It noted that the length of the North and South fence lines were 132 ft., while the East and West fences were 330 ft.  As one entered through the gate at the North end, the plat defined an area as the Hitching Grounds.  Along the fence lines runs West and East Street respectably. Lots numbering from one to fifty-six are drawn out with dimensions noted. Grounds along the south end, between South Street and the fence line, was a section designated as Potter Field.  A large area in the middle of the cemetery was left blank and is labeled as "Occupied Promiscuously"

Over the years the fence lines changed a little bit. In 2002 measurements were:  North fence 132 ft; South fence 130 ft;  West Fence 326; East fence 329 ft.

There has been much discussion as to the name of this cemetery located in Section 14 of Twp. 77 North One West.
The county map on the wall in the Muscatine County Auditor’s Office names it as Krell.  However their computer files name it as Saltmarsh Cemetery. Death records and obituaries of some of those who are buried there reference it as Saltmarsh Cemetery, Union Cemetery, Saltmarsh Union Cemetery,  Krell, Crelle, Krells and Krillis Cemetery.  We have been told it has also been called Frickie Cemetery.  Today most people in the area refer to this cemetery as Krell Cemetery.  The fenced cemetery is well maintained by the Sweetland Trustees.  Burials are still accepted.

Rootbound Genealogy and Eleanor McCleary 2002
updated 20 Jan 2003