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