Clayton East Cemetery

 Today's Walk Through the Tombstones is at Clayton East Cemetery in Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana.

GPS Coordinates: 39.6739502, -86.5227814

This small cemetery is located on the east side of CR0 just south of Clayton, Indiana.  It is opposite of the newer Clayton Cemetery and was restored in 2005-2006.  There are under 150 interments at this cemetery and it appears to be active.  Many of the interments date from the middle of the 19th century and are evidenced by the beautiful Victorian headstones.

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Our first stop is at the grave of Martha McGrew Beck.

Born: October 6, 1812, Ohio

Died: August 11, 1872, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was the daughter of James McGrew (?-?) and Sarah McGrew (?-?).  I am unsure as to where they may have been buried or if they had any other children.

She was married to John Ahl Beck (?-?) in 1839.  I haven't found where he is buried or whether or not they had any children.

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Our next stop is at the grave of Laura M.I. Reynerson Goss.

Born: October 10, 1847, Indiana

Died: June 27, 1866, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was the daughter of Reverend John Reynerson (1805-1864) and Elizabeth Cunningham Reynerson (1808-1852).  He is buried nearby in Clayton East Cemetery while she is buried in Christie East Cemetery in Hendricks County, Indiana.

She had many siblings:

James Howard Rynerson (?-1898) - buried in Masonic Cemetery, Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico 

Lieutenant Colonel William Logan Rynerson (1828-1893) - buried in Masonic Cemetery, Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico (he was acquitted on the grounds of self defense after shooting and killing Justice John P. Slough; he was also a chief opponent of Billy the Kid.)

John Calvin Rynerson (1835-1914) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

Mary Ann Reynerson Worrell (1839-1874) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

Elizabeth Caroline Rynerson Moon (1841-1902) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

Martha Ellen Rynerson Cooper (1843-1923) - buried in Stilesville Cemetery, Stilesville, Hendricks County, Indiana

Sarah Francis Reynerson Worrell (1845-1873) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

George Goss Rynerson (1854-1922) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Benjamin Merlin Rynerson (1858-1922) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Eddie Vanengland Rynerson Goss (1861-1908) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was married to Elisha Goss (1825-1877) in 1863 when she was only 15 years old.  He is buried in Stierwalt Cemetery, Paragon, Morgan County, Indiana

They had one child: 

Eddie Angeline Goss (1865-?) - unknown

She likely died due to complications from this pregnancy.  I did find a note saying that Laura was the stepdaughter of his sister, Sarah.  So she was his niece by marriage, I think.  I know that this was not unusual at the time, but it seems weird.

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Here is the grave of Rachel Alice Snoddy Johnson.

Born: December 1854, Stilesville, Hendricks County, Indiana

Died: September 27, 1932, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

She was the daughter of George W. Snoddy (1815-1882) and his first wife, Nancy M. Fitzgerald Snoddy (1823-1844).  They are both buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Stilesville, Hendricks County, Indiana.  George was the preacher at the brick Christian Church in Stilesville for over 40 years.  

She had a couple of siblings:

Mary Snoddy Johnson (?-?) - unknown

William A. Snoddy/Snody (?-?) - unknown

She was married to Edwin Johnson (1846-1886) on August 20, 1872.  He is buried with her in Clayton

East Cemetery.

They had a couple of children:

May Johnson Kendall (1873-1962) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Bertha Johnson (1875-1876) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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This is the grave of Bertha Johnson.

Born: December 25, 1875, Hendricks County, Indiana

Died: March 28, 1876, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was the infant daughter of Edwin Johnson (1846-1886) and Rachel Alice Snoddy Johnson (1854-1932).  They are both buried with her in Clayton East Cemetery.

She had at least one sibling:

May Johnson Kendall (1873-1962) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

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Here we have the grave of Edwin Johnson.

Born: August 11, 1846, Marion County, Indiana

Died: July 21, 1886, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was the son of Jeremiah Johnson (1792-1876) and Susannah Johnson Johnson (1806-1863).  They are both buried nearby in Clayton East Cemetery.  Jeremiah was a veteran of the War of 1812.  

He had many siblings:

George Washington Johnson (1824-1892) - buried in Union Mill Cemetery, Edgerton, Platte County, Missouri

Lieutenant John Ballard Johnson (1829-1865) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Sanford Johnson (1831-1874) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Jeremiah Bacon Johnson (1834-1867) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Indiana Johnson (1840-1868) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was married to Rachel Alice Snoddy Johnson (1854-1932).  She is buried near him in Clayton East Cemetery.

They had a couple of children:

May Johnson Kendall (1873-1962) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Bertha Johnson (1875-1876) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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This is the grave of Indiana Johnson.

Born: November 4, 1840, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Died: 1868, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was the daughter of Jeremiah Johnson (1792-1876) and Susannah Johnson Johnson (1806-1863).  They are both buried nearby in Clayton East Cemetery.  Jeremiah was a veteran of the War of 1812.  

She had many siblings:

George Washington Johnson (1824-1892) - buried in Union Mill Cemetery, Edgerton, Platte County, Missouri

Lieutenant John Ballard Johnson (1829-1865) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Sanford Johnson (1831-1874) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Jeremiah Bacon Johnson (1834-1867) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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Here is the grave of Jeremiah Bacon Johnson.

Born: August 23, 1792, Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut

Died: March 20, 1876, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was the son of Abraham Aholiab Johnson (1762-1829) and Hannah Bacon Johnson (1765-1797).  They were married on September 22, 1785/1792 and she was his first wife.  They are both buried in Old Stafford Street Cemetery in Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut.

He had several siblings that I have found:

Mary Johnson (1786-1874) - buried in Old Stafford Street Cemetery, Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut

Elizabeth "Betsey" Johnson (1787/1788-1878) - unknown

John Johnson (1790-1875) - unknown

Matilda Johnson (1794-1836) - buried in Old Stafford Street Cemetery, Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut

Hannah Johnson (1795-1796) - buried in Old Stafford Street Cemetery, Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut

Julia Johnson (1797-1869) - unknown

Aholiab B. Johnson (1799-1893) - buried in Enfield Street Cemetery, Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut

Hannah Johnson (1805-1806) - unknown

George W. Johnson (1808-1832) - unknown

Julia Ann Johnson (1811-1848) - unknown

He was married to Susannah Johnson Johnson (1806-1863).  She is buried nearby in Clayton East Cemetery.

They had several children:

George Washington Johnson (1824-1892) - buried in Union Mill Cemetery, Edgerton, Platte County, Missouri

Lieutenant John Ballard Johnson (1829-1865) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Sanford Johnson (1831-1874) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Jeremiah Bacon Johnson (1834-1867) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Indiana Johnson (1840-1868) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Edwin Johnson (1846-1886) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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We now stop at the grave of Jeremiah Bacon Johnson.

Born: April 28, 1834, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Died: 1867, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was the son of Jeremiah Johnson (1792-1876) and Susannah Johnson Johnson (1806-1863).  They are both buried nearby in Clayton East Cemetery.  Jeremiah was a veteran of the War of 1812.  

He had a few siblings:

George Washington Johnson (1824-1892) - buried in Union Mill Cemetery, Edgerton, Platte County, Missouri

Lieutenant John Ballard Johnson (1829-1865) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Sanford Johnson (1831-1874) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Indiana Johnson (1840-1868) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Edwin Johnson (1846-1886) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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This is the grave of Sanford Johnson.

Born: November 4, 1831, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Died: 1874, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was the son of Jeremiah Johnson (1792-1876) and Susannah Johnson Johnson (1806-1863).  They are both buried nearby in Clayton East Cemetery.  Jeremiah was a veteran of the War of 1812.  

He had a few siblings:

George Washington Johnson (1824-1892) - buried in Union Mill Cemetery, Edgerton, Platte County, Missouri

Lieutenant John Ballard Johnson (1829-1865) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Jeremiah Bacon Johnson (1834-1867) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Indiana Johnson (1840-1868) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Edwin Johnson (1846-1886) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

It is noted that he was mentally disabled and was taken care of by his parents.

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This is the grave of Susannah Johnson Johnson.

Born: March 16, 1806, Grayson County, Virginia

Died: April 1, 1863, Clayton, Hendricks County, Virginia

She was married to Jeremiah Johnson (1792-1876).  He was a veteran of the War of 1812 and is buried nearby in Clayton East Cemetery.

They had many children:

George Washington Johnson (1824-1892) - buried in Union Mill Cemetery, Edgerton, Platte County, Missouri

Lieutenant John Ballard Johnson (1829-1865) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Sanford Johnson (1831-1874) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Jeremiah Bacon Johnson (1834-1867) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Indiana Johnson (1840-1868) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Edwin Johnson (1846-1886) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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Here is the grave of Annie Johnson.

Born: October 9, 1868, Hendricks County, Indiana

Died: November 29, 1878

She was the daughter of Albert Johnson (?-?) and Mary Ellen Snoddy Johnson (?-?).  I am not sure where either of them are buried.

I am not sure if she had any siblings.

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We now come to the grave of Elizabeth Ann Wills Mitchell.

Born: May 2, 1840, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Died: June 16, 1890, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was the daughter of Amos Stewart Wills (1805-1892) and Lucinda Tatman Wills (1816-1895).   They were married in 1831 and are both buried in Clayton Cemetery which is across the road from Clayton East Cemetery.  So far no headstones have been found.

She had a lot of siblings:

James Ira Wills (1834-1908) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

George Washington Wills (1836-1837) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

John W. Wills (1837-1896) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Eldridge Clay Wills (1842-1914) - buried in Danville South Cemetery, Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana

Nancy Jane Wills Garrison (1845-1924) - buried in Fairview Cemetery, Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana

Allan Taylor Wills (1847-1926) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Henry Harrison Wills (1849-1851) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Parker Wills (1851-1870) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

David Barrow Wills (1856-1946) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Lillie Belle Wills Farquer (1858-1935) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was married to William Columbus Mitchell (1830-1897).  They were married on April 5, 1858 and he is buried with her in Clayton East Cemetery.

They had at least one child:

Amos Livingston Mitchell (1871-1936) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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Here is the grave of Captain William Columbus Mitchell.

Born: June 21, 1830, Overton County, Tennessee

Died: February 16, 1897, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was the son of Samuel Calhoun (?-?) and Polly Davis Mitchell (?-?).  I am unsure as to where they are buried and whether or not he had any siblings.

He was married to Elizabeth Ann Wills Mitchell (1840-1890) on April 5, 1858.  Her name is listed on the opposite side of the headstone in Clayton East Cemetery.

They had at least one child:

Amos Livingston Mitchell (1871-1936) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was a Civil War Solider in the 70th Indiana Infantry, Company C.  

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We now come to the grave of John Morgan.

Born: June 23, 1852

Died: August 25, 1872

He was the son of M.T. Morgan (?-?) and R. Morgan (?-?).  I am unsure of their names or where they were buried.

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Here is the memorial shield stone for  Lieutenant Thomas W. Morgan.

Born: ~1830, Pennsylvania

Died: November 12, 1876, Hendricks County, Indiana

He was married to Mary Morgan (?-?).  I am not sure where she was buried.

He was a tailor and served in the Civil War in the 2nd Indiana Cavalry, Company C.  He enlisted on October 28, 1862 as a private and was discharged on July 22, 1865 as a lieutenant.  

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This is the grave of Reverend John Reynerson.

Born: January 1805, Mercer County, Kentucky

Died: September 2, 1864, Owen County, Indiana

He was the son of Barrent Reynerson (1756-1819) and his second wife, Antje "Ann" Banta Reynerson (1769-1852).  He was born in New Jersey; she was born in Pennsylvania.  They were married in 1786 and are both buried in New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery, McAfee, Mercer County, Kentucky.

He had a lot of siblings:

Samuel Reynerson (?-1833) - buried in New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery, McAfee, Mercer County, Kentucky.

Abraham Reynerson (1787-1863) - buried in Stunkard Cemetery, Sidell, Vermillion County, Illinois

Jacob Reynerson (1788-1857) - buried in New Winchester Cemetery, New Winchester, Hendricks County, Indiana (he served in the War of 1812 under General Jackson in New Orleans)

Rachel Reynerson Terhune (1790-1866) - buried in Mud Meeting House Cemetery, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky

Henry Reynerson (1796-1858) - buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Prairie Creek, Vigo County, Indiana

Jane Reynerson Milligan (1803-?) - buried is listed as unknown

Peter Reynerson (1806-1852) - buried in New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery, McAfee, Mercer County, Kentucky

Christopher Columbus Rynerson (1809-1887) - buried in Santa Barbara Cemetery, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California.

He was married twice, his first wife being Elizabeth Cunningham Reynerson (1808-1852).  She is buried in Christie East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

They had several children:

James Howard Rynerson (?-1898) - buried in Masonic Cemetery, Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico 

Lieutenant Colonel William Logan Rynerson (1828-1893) - buried in Masonic Cemetery, Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico (he was acquitted on the grounds of self defense after shooting and killing Justice John P. Slough; he was also a chief opponent of Billy the Kid.)

John Calvin Rynerson (1835-1914) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

Mary Ann Reynerson Worrell (1839-1874) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

Elizabeth Caroline Rynerson Moon (1841-1902) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

Martha Ellen Rynerson Cooper (1843-1923) - buried in Stilesville Cemetery, Stilesville, Hendricks County, Indiana

Sarah Francis Reynerson Worrell (1845-1873) - buried in Christie East Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

Laura M.I. Reynerson Goss (1847-1866) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

His second wife was Sarah Goss Reyenson (1822-1890).  They were married in 1853 and she is buried in Clayton East Cemetery, though a headstone has not been photographed.

They had a few children:

George Goss Rynerson (1854-1922) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Benjamin Merlin Rynerson (1858-1922) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

Eddie Vanengland Rynerson Goss (1861-1908) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

There is a void on face of the headstone which probably means that there was an image of him located there at one time.

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Our final stop is at the grave of Susan B. Armstrong Tumey.

Born: June 1, 1816, Mercer County, Kentucky

Died: April 2, 1857, Hendricks County, Indiana

She was the daughter of James R. Armstrong (1787-1874) and Mary "Polly" D. Richardson Armstrong (1790-1871).  He was born in Pennsylvania and served in the War of 1812 as a Private in Captain George Trotter's Company, 1st Regiment, Kentucky, Light Dragoons.  She was born in Kentucky.  They are both buried in Perryville Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky.

She had many siblings:

John Richard Armstrong (1818-1888) - buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Independence, Jackson County, Missouri

Thomas J. Armstrong (1820-1877) - buried in Marysville Cemetery, Marysville, Yuba County, California

Mary Jane Armstrong McGinnis (1822-1862) - buried in Perryville Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky.

Martha Ann Armstrong (1824-1911) - buried in Perryville Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky.

Isabelah K. Armstrong (1826-1891) - buried in Perryville Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky.

James A. Armstrong (1827-1907) - buried in Clayton East Cemetery, Clayton, Hendrick County, Indiana

William C. Armstrong (1829-1884) - buried in Perryville Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky. 

Samuel Irvin Armstrong (1832-1912) - buried in Perryville Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky.

Elijah Smith Armstrong (1834-1922) - buried in Perryville Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky.

She was the wife of John Leister/Luyster Tumey (1815-1893).  They were married on July 20, 1837.

They had several children:

Jefferson Harris Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Thomas William Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Mary E. Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Sarah E. Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Martha Jane Tumey (?-?) - unknown

James A. Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Susan Bell Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Taylor Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Frances M. Tumey (?-?) - unknown

Alva Combs Tumey (1856-1920) - buried in Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Hendricks County, Indiana

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I would have liked to have gotten more pictures, but the house near the cemetery had two very large, very loud dogs that were not contained.  Please be aware of these dogs when visiting this cemetery.  We had to leave after just a few minutes.  This is a public cemetery and not on private property, but the neighbors did not leash their dogs, so they were running free and did not seem very friendly.

I hope that you enjoyed your walk through Clayton East Cemetery.

Visit the listing at Find-A-Grave.