A different type of headstone, tombstone Tuesday

These two different headstones are located in the Old Monticello Cemetery in Monticello, Indiana. I have never seen any other tombstones or grave markers like these two. It appears that a fallen tree was covered in cement. Notice the ornate vines, fruits and leaves which surround the trunk of the trees, all in cement! Click on the pictures to enlarge them and see the great details!

My great great grandparents, Jacob and Eliza Hanaway and several of their children are also buried in this cemetery. Unfortunately, my relatives tombstones are in very poor condition.

It really was a Good Friday!

White County Historical Museum & Genealogical Society

Monticello, Indiana

April, 2009

Two weeks ago on Good Friday, my two youngest sons and I traveled to Monticello, Indiana. I was planning to visit several cemeteries in the hope of finding at least my Great Grandmother Rilda Hanaway's grave and possibly several others ancestors as well. On previous trips I didn't bring the names of the cemeteries or who may have been where....this time I was a little smarter and more prepared. My sons and I couldn't check into our hotel until 4 pm. so we decided to check out one particular cemetery I could easily find-the Old Monticello Cemetery where Eliza Hanaway, my 3rd Great Grandmother is buried there. Supposedly, so are three of her sons and her husband Jacob.

On the way to the cemetery I drove by the White County Historical Museum. On my previous trips it was never opened and being Good Friday I didn't give it a thought, until I saw an "Open" sign hanging in the window. BINGO, I couldn't find a parking spot fast enough.

There was supposed to be quite a bit of information on Jacob Hanaway in this museum and maybe I could find it! It turned out to be better than I could have imagined! I met my 4th cousin Judy Carol Baker who just happens to be the director of the museum! Wow, what a wonderful and very informative visit we had too! Judy gave me access to Jacob's will and better yet copied everything that I wanted copies of. She also provided me with copies of Benjamin and Nancy Hockenberry Bowsher my 3rd Great Grandparents! Cool!

Judy gave me directions to several cemeteries in the area and the next day I found Rilda's grave and her son Rollie's grave in the Yeoman cemetery. I found that Jacob shared the grave with his first wife Eliza for his name was on the other side of the tombstone. I found many Bowsher, Bunnell, Burns, and Cripe relatives in the Old Riverview Cemetery.

It certainly was a great trip! Now, all I have to do is download all the pictures of the tombstones, identify them and the cemetery I found them in.....especially before I forget all those little details!

Old Monticello Cemetery, Monticello, Indiana

Last Saturday, I finally found an opportunity to visit the Old Monticello Cemetery in Monticello, Indiana. Established in 1836, I have wanted to visit this particular cemetery for a number of years but never seemed to find the time. I had been in contact with the White County Historical Society and Museum and discovered that my GGG Grandparents Jacob and Eliza Hanaway lived in the area after their marriage in the 1830's. In fact, Jacob's will is on display in the museum! Eliza is buried in the Old Monticello Cemetery and I was lucky enough to find her grave marker. Correction, my children found it first and called me over to verify their discovery. Eliza's marker is about four feet tall, appears to be made out of limestone for much of the engraving is worn down. I was still able to read her name Eliza A. wife of Jacob Hanaway, died March 30, 1875. The engraving with her exact age is no longer legible. There is a strong possibility that three of Jacob and Eliza's children; John, Stephen and Ephraim are also buried in this cemetery, although even with the help of my children, we were unable to locate their headstones. Time and weather have certainly not been kind to this place. Unfortunately, the historical society and museum was not open so I guess I will simply have to make another trip to the area. Having never been to Monticello before it was hard to imagine what the area was like 150 years ago. There is certainly a great deal of farming in the area and of course Shafer Lake is a big tourist attraction in the summer months. I look forward to visiting the area again, but this time I will certainly visit White County Historical Society and Museum !