Dunn Cemetery

Today's Walk Through the Tombstones is at Dunn Cemetery on the campus of Indiana University.  It is located next to Beck Chapel inside of a very nice rock wall.  

GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 39.16717, Longitude: -86.52218

The land was originally owned by the Dunn family and in 1855, the property was given to the descendants of three sisters who aided soldiers in the Revolutionary War.  There is a memorial to them built into the wall. 

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This is the grave marker of Agness Nancy Brewster Alexander.

Born: April 25, 1763, Augusta County, Virgina
Died: August 25, 1830, Monroe County, Indiana

She was married to William Alexander (?-?). I am unsure as to where he is buried.

Together they had seven children:
William Alexander (?-?) - unknown
James Jefferson Alexander (1788-1852) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
John Alexander (1798-1855) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Robert Alexander (?-?) - unknown
Henry Alexander (?-?) - unknown
Rachel Alexander (?-?) - unknown
Mary Alexander (?-?) - unknown

She was an American Patriot that aided soldiers with food, clothing and bullets.  

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This is the grave of Ellenor Brewster Dunn.

Born: January 25, 1754, Augusta County, Virginia
Died: November 3, 1841, Monroe County, Indiana

She was married to Samuel Dunn (?-?). I have no information on where he is buried.

She had seven children:

Mary Dunn Maxwell (1778-1880) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
John Dunn (1779-1860) - buried in Old Riverside Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana.
Williamson Dunn (1781-1854) - buried in Hanover Cemetery, Jefferson County, Indiana.
Samuel Dunn Jr. (1784-1849) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Sarah Dunn Maxwell (1786-1819) - buried in Carmel Associated United Presbyterian Cemetery, Jefferson County, Indiana.
N.A. Dunn (1790-1875) - buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Montgomery County, Indiana
Martha L. Dunn Alexander (1795-1883) - buried in Dishman Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana.

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This is the grave marker of Jennet Brewster Irvin.

Born: April 11, 1761
Died: July 17, 1839

She was married to Samuel Irvin (1760-1837).  They were married on September 12, 1788 in Rockingham County, Virginia.  He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Harrison County, Indiana.

There was at least one child:
Samuel W. Irvin (?-?) - buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Harrison County, Indiana.





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This is the grave of James Jefferson Alexander.

Born: February 24, 1788, Fayette County, Kentucky
Died: November 12, 1852, Monroe County, Indiana

His parents were William James Alexander (1765-1818) and Agnes Brewster Alexander (1763-1830).  His mother was buried in Dunn Cemetery, but there is no burial record for his father.

He had six siblings:
William Alexander (?-?) - unknown
John Alexander (1798-1855) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Robert Alexander (?-?) - unknown
Henry Alexander (?-?) - unknown
Rachel Alexander (?-?) - unknown
Mary Alexander (?-?) - unknown

He was married to Sarah Mershon Alexander (1785-1864).  She is buried near him in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

They had two children:
James Jackson Alexander (1815-1883) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Catherine Elizabeth Alexander Sluss (1824-1892) - buried in Mount Gilead Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

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This is the grave of Sarah Sally Mershon Alexander.

Born: September 15, 1785, Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia
Died: February 17, 1864, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana

She was married to James Jefferson Alexander (1788-1852).  He is buried near her in Dunn Cemetery.

They had two children:
James Jackson Alexander (1815-1883) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Catherine Elizabeth Alexander Sluss (1824-1892) - buried in Mount Gilead Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

The inscription on her gravestone says that she was born near Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia.

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Here we have the grave of Martha Alexander Allen.

Born: September 27, 1772, Frederick County, Virginia
Died: August 1, 1839, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana

She was the wife of Montgomery Allen (?-?).  He is buried in Dunn Cemetery near her.

Together they had three children:
Robert Newton Allen (1797-1876) - buried in Brick Chapel Cemetery, Putnam County, Indiana.
John Washington Allen (1804-1852) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
William Patterson Allen (1811-1885) - buried in Union Cemetery, Jackson County, Missouri.


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This is the grave of the Reverend Samuel Lybrand Binkley.

Born: February 17, 1836, Tarlton, Pickaway County, Ohio
Died: September 24, 1887, Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio

He was married to Elizabeth Carter Binkley (1837-1919).  Her name is carved into the marker, but there is also a small stone next to the marker with her name on it.

They had three children:
Frank L. Binkley (1859-1880) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
James C. Binkley (1864-1913) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Eugene Binkley (1876-1954) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

He was the first principal of the Methodist Episcopal Seminary and a Methodist minister.

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Here we have the grave of Lucinda E. Dunn Carter.

Born: May 29, 1814
Died: May 3, 1885, Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio

Her mother was Elizabeth Grundy Dunn (1787-1865) and her father was Samuel Dunn (1784-1849).  They are both buried at Dunn Cemetery.

She had five siblings:
Eleanor Brewster Burch Dunn Charles (?-?) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
George Grundy Dunn (1812-1857) - buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Lawrence County, Indiana.
Clarinda Mary Dunn McPheeters (1814-1886) - buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Felix Chelland Dunn (1818-1885) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Benjamin Rice Dunn (1830-1896) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

She was married to James Williamson Carter (1813-1873).  He is buried near her at Dunn Cemetery.

Together they had two children:
Clara E. Carter Mitchell (1841-1909) - buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.
James Samuel Carter (1844-1848) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Her obituary was listed in the Bloomington Republican Progress on May 6, 1885:
"Mrs. Lucinda Carter, mother of Mrs. James Mitchell of Indianapolis and of Mrs. Binckley of Barnesville, Ohio, died with paralysis on Sunday last at the residence of her son-in-law, Rev. S. L. Binckley, Barnesville. The remains will be brought to Bloomington for burial, and the funeral services will be held in the Walnut St. Presbyterian Church on Wednesday at 2 o'clock PM."

There was another obituary listed in the Bloomington Republican Progress on May 13, 1885: 
"Mrs. Lucinda E. Carter died at the home of her daughter in Barnesville, Ohio, Sunday a week, and the remains were brought to Bloomington on Tuesday of last week and taken to the residence of Dr. Joseph G. McPheeters. On Wednesday afternoon the funeral services were conducted in the Walnut St. Presbyterian Church by Rev'ds Ballentine and Carrier, a very large audience of friends and former neighbors being present to pay the last tribute of respect. The burial took place in the Dunn burying ground on the Dunn farm east of town."

Another obituary was listed in the Barnesville Enterprise:
"The death of Mrs. Lucinda E. Carter occurred at the parsonage of the M. E. Church, May 2d. The deceased was born in Indiana, May 29, 1814. She was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Dunn who were among the early pioneers of that state and for many years a resident of Bloomington, Indiana. Hon. George G. Dunn, a member of Congress from Indiana for some years, was her brother and Hon. William McKee Dunn, also a member of Congress from the same state during the late war and finally appointed Judge Advocate General of the U. S. Army, which position he held for a number of years. She was married to James W. Carter in 1836, and after a happy married life of 33 years her husband died in 1873. Two daughters only remain of the family. One the wife of Hon. J. E. Mitchell, ex-mayor of the City of Indianapolis, and the other Mrs.S. L. Binkley of our town.

Mrs. Carter having spent nearly all her life in Bloomington, and having a large circle of relatives there, her remains were taken to that place to be buried in the family cemetery by the side of her parents, husband and other relatives. She has been connected with the Presbyterian Church more than half a century and having walked with Christ so many years, died in that faith, calmly resting on the bosom of her Savior. Brief and appropriate funeral services were held at the parsonage Monday afternoon, conducted by Revs. L. Paine, C. B. Henthorn and Dr. Baker."

Her Last Will & Testament was proven on May 8, 1855:

"The last will of Lucinda E. Carter of the City of New Albany in the County of Floyd in the State of Indiana being of sound mind and memory at the time of making and publishing this my last will and testament.

That is to say:

First, I do give and devise to my much beloved daughters Lizzie R. Binkley and Clara E. Carter lots number 257 and 258 in the Town of Bloomington, Indiana, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging and also my piano and all my household furniture and all my property both real and personal of which I may die seized, they to share and share equally and alike between them, to have and to hold the same to themselves and their heirs forever.

I also will to my much and dearly beloved husband James W. Carter the use and benefit of my said real and personal property during his life time.

I likewise make and constitute and appoint my said husband, James W.

Carter, to be executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this the seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four.

Lucinda E. Carter

The above written will was subscribed by the said Lucinda E. Carter in our presence and acknowledged by her to each of us, and she at the same time published and declared the above instrument so subscribed to be her last will and testament and we, at the testatrix request and in her presence, have signed our names as witnesses hereto and written opposite our names our respective places of residence.

William Stanley Charles, Bloomington, Indiana James F. Carter, Bloomington, Indiana Benj R. Dunn, Bloomington, Indiana Francis W. Charles, Grayville, Illinois"

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Here is the grave of William Frost.

Born: February 2, 1800

Died: November 6, 1868

He was married to Sarah B. Frost (1796-1880).  She is buried next to him in Dunn Cemetery.

There is an open book carved into the top of his headstone.  This most likely symbolizes his faith.

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Now we move onto the grave of Austin Seward.

Born: 1799, Kentucky

Died: October 27, 1872, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana

He was married to Jane Irvin Seward (1800-1864).  She is buried next to him in Dunn Cemetery.

They had six children:

Jenny Seward (?-1813) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana (it is suspect whether or not she was a child of the Seward's as her death date doesn't fit).

Henry Seward (1823-1825) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Austin Seward (1831-1832) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Williamson Brewster Seward (1833-1909) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Samuel Irvin Seward (1836-1902) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Robert Doak Seward (1841-1915) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Austin Seward was an important member of the Bloomington Community.  He was one of the first residents of Bloomington and was an accomplished blacksmith.  In 1822, he founded the Seward Foundry which was located on the corner of 7th Street and Walnut Street.  He was credited with creating the fish weathervane on top of the Monroe County Courthouse.  One can view this weathervane through the telescope at the Monroe County History Center.  There is a plaque in the Monroe County Hall of Fame which reads, "Blacksmith, gunsmith, tool maker; Founder of Seward and Company, 1821; Director, First Bloomington Town Band; Founding Member, First Presbyterian Church; Community Pioneer."  One can see his plaque and many other important Bloomington pioneers at the Monroe County Hall of Fame in the Fountain Square Mall in downtown Bloomington.

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And finally we stop at the grave of Jane Irvin Seward.

Born: May 30, 1800

Died: August 15, 1864

She was the wife of Austin Seward (1799-1872), who is buried next to her.

They had six children:

Jenny Seward (?-1813) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana (it is suspect whether or not she was a child of the Seward's as her death date doesn't fit).

Henry Seward (1823-1825) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Austin Seward (1831-1832) - buried in Dunn Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Williamson Brewster Seward (1833-1909) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Samuel Irvin Seward (1836-1902) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Robert Doak Seward (1841-1915) - buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

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I am unsure as to who this particular grave belongs to, but I felt that the beauty of the sunlight shining behind the grave was appealing.  I think that I only took the picture the sunlight and not the name.  I may get back there someday and see who it belonged to.

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If you have any information about any of the graves pictured here or have a photo request, please email me or leave a comment.

I hope that you have enjoyed your walk through Dunn Cemetery.

Please visit the listing at Find-A-Grave.