BRINER CEMETERY

When George Briner (b. 1787) was living on his land near French Lick in the1840's, he often told his friends and family that when he died he wanted to be buried on a hill that overlooked their property and surrounding regions. He loved the view from the top of that hill. In the mid 1850's George's wife, Mary Clements, died suddenly and she was buried on that hill. Later on June21, 1867, George died and was buried there on that hill with the beautiful view.
George's grandson, John W. Briner and his wife, Eleanor, wanted to make certain that this hill with the beautiful view remained a sacred burial ground forever. The surrounding area was now known as the "Briner Springs Area." George's son and John W. Briner's father was Joshua Briner. By this time he
was more or less retired and living with his son, so it was up to John and Eleanor to take action. The following records relate to their enterprise:

From the Office of the County Recorder, Orange County Court House, Paoli,
Indiana Deed Book 34, page 68:

This conveyance made this 21st day of April 1881 by John Briner and his wife Ellen Briner of Orange County in the State of Indiana of the first part to Wilford Lambdin, John P. Davis and Volney Trimble Trustees of Briner Springs Christian Church and their successors in Office of Orange County in the
State of Indiana of the second part; witnesseth, that said party of the first part in consideration of the sum of One Dollar, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged do by these presents grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto said parties of the second part and their successors in office all the following real estate situated in Orange County and the State of Indiana to wit: Commencing at a point 8 rods south of the center of the south west quarter of Section 8 in Township One North and Range One West and running thence east 3 rods - thence south 12 rods - thence west 12 rods and thence a little east of north to a point 8 rods west of the beginning point and thence east to a place of beginning – This conveyance is made to said Briner Springs Christian Church for a place of religious worship and in case the house of worship thereon erected should be removed and the lands herein conveyed, should at any time cease to be used for a place of religious worship, then the lands hereby conveyed shall revert to the Grantors herein or their heirs in case their decease upon the condition hereinbefore stated - - To have and to hold the
same with the appurtenances and every part thereof forever and said Grantors do hereby covenant and agree to and with said parties of the second part, that they are lawfully . . . . in their own right of absolute and un defeasible estate of and in all and singular the above granted and described premises with the appurtenances: That the same are free clear and discharged of and from all incumbencies of whatsoever nature or kind soever and that they will warrant and forever defend the same unto the said parties their heirs and assigns against all and every person or persons whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same. In witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

John W. Briner
Eleanor Briner

 

Orange County INDEX