Blackwell Farm

Today's Walk Through the Tombstones is a little different.  As my daughter and I were out driving on Mother's Day 2020, heading to a small cemetery in Lawrence County, Indiana, we drove past a small farm with a fairly new granite marker labeling it as Blackwell Farm.  The Blackwell's are a well-known family in the history of Monroe and Lawrence Counties.  I had seen somewhere that they were one of the pioneer families, but I am having a hard time finding that information again.  I did find that a member of the Blackwell family entered a land entry in 1818 in Marion Township in Lawrence County.  There is also another member of the Blackwell family who is listed as a pioneer in Orange County.  There are a lot of Blackwell's in the history of the area and many businesses these days that bear their name.

There was a Blackwell Cemetery that was located in Polk Township near where modern day Monroe Lake is located.  It was one of the cemeteries that was relocated when the lake was constructed in 1964.  The remains from the cemetery were moved to New Allen's Creek Cemetery.

I am unsure of the history of this small farm, or even if it is still inhabited.  I didn't see anyone around when we pulled into the driveway, which was not in very good condition.  There are several outbuildings behind the house and a locked gate that looked fairly new.  I can only assume that someone takes care of the farm even if they don't live there.

But, it wasn't just the pretty little farm that caught our attention, it was the headstone that was sitting blatantly in the front yard.

The headstone is newer and in good condition.  It is for Remus Blackwell.
Born: September 30, 1875, Lawrence County, Indiana
Died: September 23, 1952, Lawrence County, Indiana

He was married to Lida Marie Stewart Blackwell.  Her name is next to his on the headstone.
Born: April 2, 1882, Lawrence County, Indiana
Died: April 21, 1963, Lawrence County. Indiana

She was the daughter of Caroline Aston Stewart Southers (1855-1928) and her first husband, Thomas Benton Stewart (1850-1904).  They were married in 1870, but are buried in two different locations.  She is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana, while he is buried in Hays Cemetery, Lawrence County, Indiana.

She is listed as having a couple of siblings:
Eva Mary Stewart Anderson (1873-1961) - buried in Hopkins Cemetery, Needmore, Lawrence County, Indiana
Emery Ellsworth Stewart (1880-1952) - buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana

Lida and Remus had several children:
Infant Blackwell (1899-1899) - buried in Kinser Cemetery, Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana
Infant Blackwell (1901-1901) - buried in Kinser Cemetery, Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana
Avis Geneva Blackwell Prince (1908-1988) - buried in Smithville Christian Church Cemetery, Smithville, Monroe County, Indiana
Elmer O. Blackwell (1906-1939) - buried in Clover Hill Cemetery, Harrodsburg, Monroe County, Indiana
Freeda G. Blackwell Stewart (1910-2013) - buried in Presbyterian Cemetery, Ellettsville, Monroe County, Indiana
Eva Grace Blackwell Hillenberg (1913-1999) - buried in Gilgal Cemetery, Heltonville, Lawrence County, Indiana
Aela Blackwell Younger-Blackwell (1918-1998) - buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana

I haven't been able to find any information on Remus' parents or any siblings.  What I do find strange is that this same headstone has been photographed in Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford.  The date on that photo was 2014.  There is a picture from 2017 of a newer headstone in the cemetery.  Part of me wonders if maybe a newer headstone was erected in the cemetery where they are actually buried and if the original headstone was removed to their farm off of Coveyville Road.  Something that I found listed their address as being Route 4.  I don't know where that refers to since things have changed a lot since the 1960s, especially with the establishment of the 911 services.

It is a mystery as to why this headstone is actually here, but I assume that there is a good reason.  I can fairly safely say that Remus and Lida are NOT buried here, but in Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford.  You can visit the listing here and see the newer headstone.

If anyone has any information Remus' parents, please let me know.

I hope that you have enjoyed this quick little jaunt.