Ghosts of Whitmore Cemetery: The Mystery of Burial Rights and Empty Graves at the 1825 Burying Ground in Pittsfield Township, Michigan (Footprints ... Locations of Pittsfield Township, Michigan) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Historic Whitmore Cemetery, which was established in 1825 by Luke Hayden Whitmore, subsequently was known by many other names, including: Mallet’s Creek Cemetery, Mallet’s creek Burial Ground, Carpenter Corner Cemetery, Pittsfield Cemetery, Pioneer Cemetery, and Terhune Pioneer Cemetery.

Luke Hayden Whitmore was one of the first eight persons to acquire land in Pittsfield Township, and he settled upon it during 1825. In September 1825, his 18-year-old daughter, Emily, died, and he set aside a small portion of his farm as her burial site. Although the cemetery site continued to be owned by Luke Whitmore, in subsequent years, other early settlers were buried near Emily.

On 19 May 1838, Luke Hayden Whitmore issued a warranty deed to 24 individuals and their respective families, defining the land that comprised the cemetery and conveying equal ownership and burial rights to these families.

The list of 24 persons included individuals, almost all proximate neighbors, who already had family members buried at the cemetery. He included many other neighbors, who lived within two miles of the cemetery, especially those that had family members that were ill, suffering from such diseases as consumption (tuberculosis), or were elderly. But this core group was supplemented by friends that lived at greater distances including one that had not yet married.

The Whitmore Cemetery Community, as defined by the warranty deed recipients, reveals a surprisingly accomplished, diverse, resourceful, and ambitious mosaic of people that are representative of their time.

Among these are three veterans of the American Revolution, all of whom were buried at Whitmore Cemetery. Several had served in the War of 1812; at least one was a captain during the Toledo War. The list includes at least four individuals that ran for state office and three that were elected to the Michigan House of Representatives or Senate, or both, and one that ran for governor. These were influential Whig party supporters and later Republicans. At least two of these attended the political convention in Jackson, MI, where the Republican Party was organized. One of these became chair of the Michigan Republicans and later served for many years on the National Committee of the Republican Party. Several held prominent positions in Washtenaw County, serving as sheriff and under-sheriff, and in other capacities. Many were involved in the governance of Pittsfield Township, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, serving as supervisors, treasurers, mayors, constables, and justices of the peace. Two were elected delegates to the 1835 Michigan Constitutional convention and one was a delegate to the second, 1850 Constitutional Convention.

Several were abolitionists, and one played a prominent role in passing the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and extension of voting rights to freed southern slaves. One family produced four ministers, one of whom helped open China to Christianity. Several had sons that served during the Civil War, including one that joined the Confederate navy.

The children of these families, especially those that grew up in Pittsfield Township, often continued the pioneer spirit of their parents, becoming early settlers of Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota and California, among other states, and one was killed by Indians in Idaho.

The stories of Luke Hayden Whitmore, Whitmore Cemetery, and the 24 families are recounted in this book. Since no records of the cemetery survive, and all but three bodies are believed to have been re-buried elsewhere, a special attempt has been made to identify family members that may have been buried at Whitmore Cemetery. Nevertheless, that mystery remains largely intact.

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