An Atlas of 1877 states "William Taylor settled the Martin Pence farm where the Delphi Road crosses Taylor Creek at an early day. A child of his was the first buried in the Pence Graveyard." This old cemetery stands on a bluff overlooking Taylor Creek. It is enclosed by a good wire fence and has a stile so that access to it may be made easily. Several tall pine trees stand guard over the spot and the ground is carpeted with a tangle of vines, myrtle and flowers. Some old fashioned lilies bloom along with the old fashioned roses and other flowers and one wonders if he may see the old fashioned lady somewhere about when he looks up from his musing. The earliest date on any of the remaining stones is Feb. 19, 1846. Many burials may have been made before this, although the community around here was not settled until 1840. Mr. Dora A. Pence who is now a resident of Marion and a son of Darius Pence has a copy of the deed made by his father and mother which sets this plot aside permanently for a burial plot. I have copied the deed, except. the description of the boundary line. George Ammons was a brother of Mrs. Pence and David Pence was a brother of Darius Pence. On the outside of the document was this inscription: DEED TO TRUSTEES OF GRAVEYARD BY HEIR OF MARTIN PENCE RECEIVED FOR RECORD NOV. 21, 1862 AT 10 A.M. JOHN Z. ZARN, RECORDER "This indenture witnesseth that Darius Pence and Mary Pence of Grant County, in the state of Indiana release and quit claim to George Ammons, David Pence and T.B. Smith trustees of the county of Grant for the sum of nothing (00) the following real estate (***** ** ** description** **) containing seventy five hundredths of an acre more or less, said lot to be used as a burial ground. In witness of the said Darius Pence and Mary Pence have hereunto set their hand and seal. Before me A.C. Overman, surveyor in and for Grant County this 15th day of November 1862." The above was written by the DAR in the 1940's. This cemetery is located in Richland Twp. on State Rd. # 18 at the east edge of Converse, about 9500 W. Delphi Pike. There is a sign telling folks to 'Walk In'. That is exactly what it means as there is no drive back to this cemetery anymore. There is a well marked path all the way back, about 1/4 of a mile. There is no place to park, but I was fortunate that one of the neighbors let me use her yard, while I was working in this cemetery. The cemetery stood many years - neglected, until about 1993. At that time I was doing some genealogy work on my husbands ancestors. That is when I first visited the sight, I was horrified. The stones were almost all down, some had even gone into the ravine that runs along beside of this cemetery. Trees were down and weeds and shrubs were pushing over the remaining stones that were still standing. Many stones were buried deeply underneath years of neglect. We tried to gather and place the stones in there proper place, because we had heard that the trustee was in the process of cleaning and repairing this seemingly lost cemetery. On our second trip to this cemetery we were amazed at the changes made. It is now cleaned and the stones were reset. They did a fine job of restoring another of God's Little Acres. I read this cemetery in the fall of 1995. I was amazed to find one stone that dates back to 1841. It was a child of Wm. R. and M. Taylor - Silas M. Taylor died Mar. 10, 1841 aged 6 months and 20 days. This family is probably how the creek, by the name of Taylor, got it's name. The stone was in a pile of stones behind the large Pence monument. I was amazed to see the good condition of this marker. There is no mistaking the date of 1841. This child may possibly be the first one to be buried in this cemetery. The latest burial I found was 1889. Apparently no burials have taken place since that time. Because so much is apparently lost here, I have also noted all footstones that I found. Some did not match the readings so they are recorded at the end. *Asterisk denotes a stone not found at this time. PENCE CEMETERY
Addington, Edgar A. son of I. & M.J. Addington died Mar. 22, 1876 aged 8y.5m.29d. S/S with Thomas B. Thomas B. son of I. & M.J. Addington died Jan. 21, 1878 aged 3y.5m. S/S with Edgar A. (Located two footstones with the initials E.A.A. and T.B.A.) Barns, * Matilda dau of W. & R. Barns died Oct. 25, 1857 aged 12y.3m.11d. Ruth died Feb. 18, 1852 aged 50 years Thomas son of W. & R. Barns died Aug. 1, 1846 aged 21y.5m.9d. William died Sept. 24, 1856 aged 75y.9m.23d. Boswell, John S. son of J. & M. Boswell died June 12, 1860 aged 3y.1m.7d. "Lie hear dear child and take thy rest God called you home He thought it best." Van Vert son of J. & M. Boswell died Apr. 20, 1860 aged 1y.12d. "Lie hear dear child and take thy rest God called you home He thought it best." (Located a footstone with the initials V.B.) Buroker, Courtna Ann wife of Joseph Buroker died Nov. 2, 1877 aged 65 years Martin I. son of __ & S.J. Buroker died Nov. 21, 1862 aged 1y.10m.15d. (There appears to be another set of initials that are chipped off.) Sarah Jane dau of Joseph & Courteny Buroker died Sept. 11, 1864 aged 18y.6m.16d. "She sleeps in the valley so quietly But her spirit has taken it's flight. Lo her former dust neath our feet While she is an angel of light." (This stone was broken in the middle making it hard to read.) Wm. died Mar. 22, 1871 aged 36y.3m.24d. Castor, S. Clark son of J. & R. Castor died Dec. 13, 1873 aged 20y.7m.11d. Clevenger, Mary E. dau of S. & R. Clevenger died Jan. 10, 1881 aged 3y.11m.10d. Crane, George L. son of A. & N. Crane died Oct. 15, 1851 aged 2m.5d. Lewis son of A. & N. Crane died Nov. 25, 1848 aged 1m.25d. Downes, George W. son of Allen B. & Phebe A. Downes died Sept. 8, 1853 aged 3y.11m.16d. (Located a footstone with the initials G.W.D.) Margaret E. dau of Allen B. & Phebe A. Downes died Aug. 29, 1853 aged 2y.7m.7d. (Located a footstone with the initials M.E.D.) Friermood, Catherine wife of G. Friermood died July 14, 1861 aged 34y.7m.27d. "This 1 debt to nature due Which I have paid and so must you." (Located a footstone with the initials C.F.) George W. son of G. & C. Friermood died Aug. 12, 1861 aged 4m.4d. Martha Ann dau of G. & C. Friermood died Sept. 18, 1860 aged 3y.5m.15d. Green, Dicy Ann dau of S. & E. Green died Nov. 11, 1854 aged 9y.1m.19d. (Located a footstone with the initials D.A.G.) Emley wife of Samuel Green died Nov. 2, 1880 aged 64y.2m.7d. Jesse C. son of W. & L.J. Green died Dec. 13, 1863 aged 4m.13d. Jiles J. son of S. & E. Green died Oct. 31, 1854 aged 4y.8m.18d. (Broken through the age, couldn't check it for accuracy.) (Located a footstone with the initials J.J.G.) * Lucy Ann dau of S. & E. Green died Nov. 11, 1854 aged 9y.6m.19d. Samuel died Nov. 5, 1854 aged 43y.2m.21d. Sarah dau of S. & E. Green died Oct. 20, 1854 aged 4y.3m.10d. Grim, Fanny D. dau of T. & S.J. Grim died July 4, 1880 aged 5 months Hart, Anna wife of Samuel Hart died Apr. 1, 1873 aged 56y.10m.1d. (Located a footstone with the initials A.H.) Samuel May 9, 1808 - Mar. 11, 1874 aged 65y.10m.2d. (Located a footstone with the initials S.H.) Hartman, Infant dau of D. & M.A. Hartman (No other information.) * John son of D. & M.A. Hartman died Apr. 3, 1852 aged 1y.11m.28d. Kiser, William Aug. 1, 1867 aged 41 years "Remember friends as you pass by As you are now so once was I As I am now so you must be Prepare for death and follow me." (Located a footstone with the initials W.K.) Lillard, Andrew J. son of O. & N. Lillard died Sept. 17, 1854 aged 2y.2m.21d. Oliver died June 14, 1865 aged 62y.2m.20d. "Mason" * Oliver son of O. & N. Lillard died Jan. 7, 1861 aged 3y.4m.27d. (Found only the bottom of this stone with his age on it.) Long, Adolpheus R. died Aug. 3, 1856 aged 37y.3m.22d. "We feel the loss of our dear friend Whom God has called away As this was not his resting place On earth he would not stay." Maple, Margaret dau of J. & S. Maple died Aug. 23, 1868 aged 1y.9m.26d. (This stone was badly weathered and almost illegible.) Miller, * Benjamin son of G.W. & M. Miller died Nov. 25, 1862 aged 1m.14d. Caleb H. 2nd husband of Mahala Miller died Sept. 17, 1853 aged 26y.2m. "Plant ye a tree that may wave over me When I am gone, when I am gone. Sing ye a song when my grave ye shall see When I am gone, I am gone." (Located a footstone with the initials C.H.M.) James H. son of G.W. & M. Miller died Feb. 25, 1862 aged 2y.4m.28d. (Located a footstone with the initials J.H.M.) Myer, Orlando child of J. & M. Myer died Jan. 7, 1860 aged 9m.27d. S/S with Perly (Located a footstone with the initials O.M.) Perly child of J. & M. Myer died Sept. 27, 1883 aged 3y.2m.10d. "All is dark within our dwelling Lonely is our home today For the little ones that cheered us Has forever gone away." S/S with Orlando Myers, Susan died Sept. 13, 1867 aged 85y.9m.3d. (Located a footstone with the initials S.M.) Newton, Frances wife of Ansel Newton died Mar. 26, 1863 aged 44y.5m.25d. (Located a footstone with the initials F.N.) Mary M. dau of A. & F. Newton died Apr. 1, 1855 aged 16y.6m.16d. Sarah E. dau of A.& F. Newton died Apr. 30, 1863 aged 5y.4m.5d. Olinger, * Burzetty M. dau of H. & R. Olinger died Aug. 26, 1853 aged 3y.2m.11d. (Located a footstone with the initials B.M.O.) * Carrie (Pet) dau of G.W. & Sarah E. Olinger died Oct. 28, 1868 aged 2y.15d. (Located a footstone with the initials C.O.) Francis M. son of Henry & Sarah Olinger died Apr. 1, 1849 aged 10y.11m.25d. S/S with Infant (Located a footstone with the initials F.M.O.) Geo. W. died Oct. 3, 1879 aged 45y.8m.29d. "Loved in life in death not forgot." Henry Oct. 12, 1806 - Mar. 8, 1874 aged 67y.4m.26d. (Located a footstone with the initials H.O.) Infant son still born (No other information.) S/S with Francis M. Rebecca Nov. 22, 1808 - Nov. 8, 1878 (Located a footstone with the initials R.O.) Sarah wife of Henry Olinger died Apr. 6, 1847 aged 38y.3m.12d. (Located a footstone with the initials S.O.) Pence, Albert B. son of D. & M. Pence died Oct. 18, 1880 aged 20y.5m.26d. "My dearest friends that dwell above I now have gone to see And all my friends in Christ below Will soon come after me." Barbary dau of L. & S. Pence died Feb. 19, 1846 aged 11y.3m.29d. Catharine wife of Solomon Pence died Aug. 19, 1861 aged 24y.6m.1d. Darius died Nov. 9, 1884 aged 58y.7m.13d. "Father" S/S with Mary "Our father and mother are gone They lie beneath the sod. Dear parents tho' we miss you much We know you rest with God." Elizabeth wife of Martin Pence died Oct. 20, 1854 in the 64th year of her age (Located a footstone with the initials E.P.) Jasper son of D. & A. Pence died Oct. 14, 1853 aged 8m.4d. John Wesley son of J. & J.A. Pence died June 9, 1851 aged 1y.6m.24d. Lewis Sr. died Feb. 1, 1875 aged 69y.6m.18d. S/S with Survillia (Located a footstone with the initials L.P.) Malissa dau of D. & A. Pence died Aug. 6, 1860 aged 9y.8m.8d. "Lie here dear child and take you rest God called you home He thought it best." Marquis de Lafayette son of Darius & M. Pence died Nov. 30, 1860 aged 2y.9m.28d. (Located a footstone with the initials M.D.L.P.) Martin died Nov. 19, 1855 aged 64y.8m. Mary wife of Darius Pence died July 21, 1875 aged 44y.2m.7d. "Mother" S/S with Darius (Mary also had a separte stone with same information.) Noah M. son of D. & A. Pence died Sept. 13, 1850 aged 12y.8m.20d. Sarah dau of D. & A. Pence died June 15, 1850 aged 1y.4m.3d. Survillia wife of Lewis Pence died Sept. 1, 1874 aged 69y.9m.1d. S/S with Lewis Sr. Ulissus S. Grant son of S. & M.E. Pence died June 4, 1869 aged 3y.6m.15d. Ziba O. son of Darius & M. Pence died Nov. 14, 1872 aged 9m.2d. (Located a footstone with the initials Z.O.P.) Rosbrugh, Byron son of Wm. & A. Rosbrugh died Sept. 15, 1872 aged 2y.5m.19d. "A little time on earth he spent Till God for him his angel sent And then on time he closed his eyes To wake to glory in the skyes." Roswell, See Boswell Sims, Joseph died Apr. 15, 1848 aged supposed 74 years (Located a footstone with the initials J.S.) Smith, Delva Eugene son of O. & F. Smith died May 18, 1878 aged 2m.27d. Snodgrass, G.G. Apr. 11, 1869 - Sept. 17, 1871 I.E. Aug. 26, 1886 - Aug. 30, 1887 S.A. Feb. 23, 1849 - June 15, 1889 S.K. Dec. 19, 1847 - Sept. 12, 1889 St. Clair, David W. son of J. & L. St. Clair died Aug. 1865 aged 27y.5m. Hannah E. dau of J. & L. St. Clair died Aug. 15, 1846 aged 6m.3d. Jackson B. son of J.& L. St. Clair died Aug. 1854 aged 13 years James died Dec. 24, 1861 aged 55y.3m.15d. Job infant son of J. & L. St. Clair (No other information.) Lydia wife of James St. Clair died Mar. 26, 1855 aged 39y.29d. Sytherie dau of J. & L. St. Clair (No other information.) NOTE: All seven of these people, James and Lydia and their 5 children are listed on one large monument. Taylor, Mary wife of Wm. R. Taylor died Mar. 11, 1850 aged 39y.4m.13d. Silas M. son of Wm. R. & M. Taylor died Mar. 10, 1841 aged 6m.20d. (This stone was in 2 pieces, in a pile behind the large Pence monument. Seems to be the oldest grave in the cemetery.) Wood, Charlie E. son of A.A. & J. Woods died Sept. 25, 1873 aged 1y.8m.13d. (Located a footstone with the initials C.E.W.) Sarah wife of Joseph Wood died Nov. 14, 1854 in the 61st year of her age (Located a footstone with the initials S.W.) Woster, Melviney born Dec. 16, 1836 died Sept. 18, 1874 aged 37y.9m.2d. "In memory of our mother" Unknown, Emery (appears to be a child of someone that last name started with the letter M) died ___aged ___ (Could not read anything else on this stone, but the first name was very legible.) NOTE: A number of footstones were found that did not match anyone or could have matched more than one person: M.P. - I.G. - H.W. - E.M.M. - E.S.M. - W.K.H. Pence Cemetery
...Original page by Sheila D. Watson
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