Swafford Cemetery

Today's Walk Through the Tombstones is at Swafford Cemetery in Stinesville, Indiana.  It is located in a fenced in area next to a large, white water tower.

GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 39.29617, Longitude: -86.63122

We visited this small cemetery of only 21 interments on June 08, 2015.  It is located at the intersection of N. Jenner Drive and W. Walker Lane in Stinesville, Indiana.  If you see the large white water tower, you are in the right place.  It is surrounded by a chainlink fence and is well-maintained.  This is a family cemetery and there are several newer burials here.

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Our first stop is at the grave of James L. Williams.

Born: October 28, 1857
Died: September 13, 1917

The grave had been displaced from its basestone the day that we were there and was leaning up against a tree near the corner.

I have found no reference at this time of family.








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Here we have the grave of John W. Hughes.

Born: unknown
Died: March 9, 1872

He was 21 years, 9 months and 15 days old when he died.  I have not yet found any listings for family.

This monument is in very good condition. 









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Here we have the grave of Dialtha A. King.

Born: unknown
Died: August 19, 1872

She was the wife of John R. King (?-?).  I am unsure as to where he is buried.

The inscription states that she was 44 years, 4 months and 20 days old when she passed.








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Here is the grave of Sarah, E. McPherson.

Born: March 29, 1829, Martin County, Indiana
Died: August 27, 1847, Gosport, Owen County, Indiana

This headstone is in very good condition.  There is a lovely willow tree carved into the top of the headstone and a very clear "SACRED" just beneath it.










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Here is the grave of Elijah Thomas Swafford.

Born: September 16, 1839, Monroe County, Indiana
Died: August 7, 1907, Stinesville, Monroe County, Indiana

He was the son of John A. Swafford (?-?).  I am unsure of where he is buried, but it is possibly in Monroe County as it is stated that they moved here when Thomas was young from Virgina.

His wife was Delilah "Della" Adkins Swafford (1842-?).  She is listed under his name on the headstone.  Some records show her name as spelled Delilia, but her headstone spells it Delilah.  I am not sure which is correct.

They had several children together:
Nancy C. Swafford Hatfield (?-?) - unknown
Sarah Swafford (?-?) - unknown
Willaim A. "Star Bill" Swafford (1862-1917) - buried in Chambersville Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana.  (I am curious as to the meaning behind his nickname "Star Bill")
Noah A. Swafford (1866-1946) - buried in Chambersville Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana.
Charles D. Swafford (1869-1943) -  buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Elijah Thomas "Little Tom" Swafford (?-?) - unknown
Joseph Harrod Swafford (1876-1936) - buried in Swafford Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

Elijah Thomas Swafford, known as Uncle Tom to many, was killed in a tragic accident.  He and his son-in-law, John Hatfield, were standing near the train tracks when they were knocked in front of a moving train by a cart pulled by a runaway team of horses.  Swafford was killed instantly in a rather gruesome manor and his son-in-law died later after suffering blood loss from his injuries.  Read the obituaries here.

Mr. Swafford was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Odd Fellows.  I did not find any indication of these memberships on his headstone.  

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Here we have the grave of Minor G. Terry.

Born: May 7, 1882
Died: July 8, 1882

He was the infant son of W.A. Terry (?-?) and M.F. Terry (?-?).  I am unsure of where they are buried.











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This is the grave of William P. Williams.

Born: September 16, 1823
Died: June 16, 1903

He was married to Charlotte Temple Swafford Williams (1827-1900).  Her name is carved under his. 

She was the daughter of Larkin Swafford (?-?) and Nancy Swafford (?-?).  I have found no record of where they might be buried.

She married William P. Williams (1823-1903) on November 15, 1845.

Together they had several children:
Mary Elizabeth Williams Skelton (1854-1913) - buried in Chambersville Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana.
James L. "Scrogg" Williams (?-?) - unknown  (I am curious as to the nickname "Scrogg")
Martha Williams Ellett (1862-1928) - buried in Methodist Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.
Amelia B. Williams Miller (?-?) - buried in Chambersville Cemetery, Monroe County, Indiana.

The beautiful tree monument had been toppled the day that we visited.

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I hope that you have enjoyed your walk through Swafford Cemetery,

Please let me know if you have any information about any of the grave listed here.

Visit the listing at Find-A-Grave.