Richland Cemetery

Today's Walk Through the Tombstones is at Richland Cemetery.  It is located just off of State Highway 48 (also known as Whitehall Pike).

GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 39.16678, Longitude: -86.66041

Richland Church was constructed in 1848 and is still in use.  It is one of the oldest in the county.  The cemetery was founded in 1837.  There is a marker stone here that denotes the site of the first log building in the area which was probably the house built by Church founder Thomas Nesbit.

We stopped by this Cemetery on April 5, 2015 just after Easter lunch with our family. It was a lovely, sunny day, but the ground was a little mushy from a recent rain and Richland Creek was full and rushing.

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Our first stop is at the grave of Chambers Baker.

Born: February 5, 1826
Died: March 22, 1896

He served in the Civil War as a Private in the 82nd Indiana Infantry, Company I.  











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This is the grave of an Unknown Burch.

Born: unknown
Died: unknown

He was the son of Paul Burch (?-?) and L.M. Burch (?-?).  I am not sure of where his parents were buried.

UPDATE:  Thanks to a wonderful email I now can list information for his family.

He was the son of Paul H. Burch (1880-1970) and Lola M. Burch (1877-1966).  They are buried in Clear Creek Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.




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This is the grave of Isaac Gwin.

Born: January 7, 1831
Died: August 11, 1908

His wife is also listed on this stone, Nancy T. Gwin.

Born: December 18, 1832
Died: January 7, 1864

He served in the 82nd Indiana Infantry, Company I.

They had one child:
Ellia Gwin (1862-1863) - buried in Richland Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.



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Here we have the grave of Ally Hudson.

Born: January 12, 1872
Died: January 26, 1875

There is a hand with the finger pointing up carved into the headstone which symbolizes her soul going home.  

There is a memorial flag at this grave, but I am not sure exactly why as there is no listing for her parents.  







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This is the grave for Estelle Ison.

Born: unknown
Died: unknown

And her brother Emmet Ison.

Born: unknown
Died: unknown

There are two 5 pointed stars carved into the top of the stone.  This possibly represents the Star of Bethlehem.

They were the infant children of James Z. (1847-1910) and Matilda Ison (1847-1917).  They are both buried at Richland Cemetery and share a headstone.


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Here is the grave of Samuel D. Mason.

Born: August 12, 1871
Died: April 12, 1888

His grave is a beautiful example of the tree of life style of headstone.  There is ivy and something that appears to be a bird carved into the left side.










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This is the grave of John Morris.

Born: August 14, 1814
Died: September 9, 1880

His wife Mary Morris is at the bottom.

Born: September 16, 1815
Died: October 22, 1900

They had at least one child:
Daughter Morris Rice (?-?) - unknown

Her obituary was listed in the Spencer Democrat on October 25, 1900:
"Mrs. Mary Morris, an aged lady who has for the past three years made her home with her daughter, Mrs. J.B. Rice, died Monday afternoon, October 22."

There is an open book carved into the top of their grave which very likely symbolizes their faith.

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This is the grave of Joseph Ahart Newton.

Born: July 26, 1835
Died: July 29, 1915

He was married to Mary Jane Burks Newton (1839-1896).  Her name is carved into a very basic headstone with her husband.

This picture is of a newer Civil War memorial grave that was erected.  He served in the 146th Indiana Regiment, Company G, as a Private.  He has a basic grave with his name carved into it nearby.





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Here we have the grave of Sophia Ranard.

Born: January 16, 1843
Died: February 27, 1859

She was the daughter of Daniel Ranard (?-?) and Elizabeth Ranard (1821-1859).  They are both buried in Richland Cemetery.  Unfortunately, Daniel's grave was very badly damaged and reading the dates was impossible.

She had two other siblings: 
Mary Ranard (?-1859) - buried in Richland Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Silas Ranard (1839-1852) - buried in Richland Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.


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This is the grave of Elizabeth Roe Rice.

Born: August 18, 1807
Died: June 8, 1893

She was married to William Rice (1801-1878).  He is buried in Richland Cemetery next to her.











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Here is the grave of James H. Rice.

Born: 1842
Died: December 8, 1862

He was the son of Tilford Rice (?-?) and M. Rice (?-?).  I am unsure of their burial place.

He was a Union soldier that died in the Civil War.  I have not yet determined what regiment he served in.

The carving on his gravestone of the soldier seems to be unique to his grave so far.  No other Civil War soldier that I have come across has had this particular carving.



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We now stop at the grave of Charles M. Rice.

Born: May 16, 1865
Died: August 28, 1921

And his wife Janie C. Rice.

Born: November 8, 1867
Died: November 13, 1899

There are three symbols carved into the top of his gravestone:
Hatchet - T.O.T.E carved into the blade, symbolizes the Improved Order of the Redmen.
Square and Compass with a G in the middle - member of the Freemasons.
Chain Links - this could symbolize that he was also a member of the Grand Order of the OddFellows.

His obituary was listed in the Owen County Leader on August 31, 1921:
"JB Rice received word Sunday of the death of his youngest brother, Charles, 56 years old, who died of blood poison in a Terre Haute hospital.  His home was in Jasonville.  The body was was taken to the Richland Cemetery in Monroe County Tuesday for interment.  The oldest brother, Thomas and wife Orleans were here when the news of the death reached them."

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

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

Please visit the listing at Find-A-Grave.