Cotton Cemetery
Jefferson Township

Compiled by Wanda Morford

Although Robert Cotton obtained part of the South West quarter of Section 34, Town 3. Range 3 W, on June 10, 1816. It has been Impossible for the compiler to determine when this part of the land first began to be used as a cemetery, as well as its actual size.

In Deed Book R., p. 264, James M. Cotton and his wife Mary, deeded the land to Jonathan M. Froman on June 23, 1854, excluding the grave yard, said to contain about one half acre, and the land deeded by William Cotton for a mill. In Book S., p. 254, John F. Cotton, et al, deeded, two months later, on August 23, 1854, what appears to be the same land., to Nathan Walden, excluding one acre used as a grave yard. From the appearance of the land and the number and location of the stones found, it appears that it is about one half acre. There are probably 50 or more field stones, and probably a number of burials that are not marked by stones or other markers.

There are stones for Mary Walden and Elizabeth Redd, each with the inscription that proclaims each is the first born female in Switzerland County-so the debate may still go on. In spite of the confusing records, the oldest commercial stone found in the county by the compiler, may be found here, that of Ralph Cotton, Sen., who died March 16, 1817 in the 70th year of his age. It is down, as so many of the stones in this cemetery are, but is in surprisingly good condition.

AllenOliver, b. Aug. 9, 1801 at Fairfield Me., d. Sep. 12, 1883 at his home near Vevay, Ind.
Nancy J., wife of Oliver, d. Nov. 11, 1888 aged 66 y 9 m 23 d
Eliza J., infant dau. of F. & H.A., b. Dec. 10, 1889 d. Dec. 29, 1889

Banta
James H., b. Jan. 15, 1818 d. Apr. 10, 1894
Christiann, wife of James W., d. Jul. 24, 1850 aged 28 y 9 m 28 d - down
Christiann W., dau. of J.H. & Christiann, d. Aug. 24, 1850 aged 1 m 24 d - down
{ Merit H., b. Oct. 7, 1835 no date of death same stone as Electa
{ Electa E., b. Apr. 2, 1839 d. Sep. 2, 1907}
Samuel A., b. Feb. 22, 1863 d. Feb. 26, 1878 - down

Buright
{ Ostrtum, b. Apr. 8, 1813 d. Apri. 28, 1896 same stone as Elizabeth
{ Elizabeth, born in Maysville Ky. Jan. 29, 1822 d. Jan. 26, 1891}
Rebecca, wife of Jesse, d. Apr. 19, 1875 aged 22 y 2 m 19 d
{ Paul, b. Nov. 3, 1861 d. May 22, 1937} same stone as Sarah E. & Jesse
{ Sarah E., his wife, b. Feb. 26, 1860 d. Jan. 9, 1929
{ Jesse, their son, b. Oct. 10, 1882 d. Oct. 9, 1927

Brown
Mary, wife of Johnson, d. Oct. 12, 1823 in the 53yr year of her age

Carlson,
Robert B., d. Aug. 11, 1849 aged 67 y 2 m 15 d - down

Clark
Robt., Co. D. 10 Ind. Cav. - down

Cole
Benjamin, d. Aug. 11, 1849 aged 67 y 2 m 15 d - down
Anna, wife of Benjamin, d. Sep. 4, 1852 aged 69 y 4 m 15 d - down
Benj., Co. A. 3 Ind. Cav.
Mary E., wife of B., d. Nov. 16, 1875 aged 29 y 23 d - down
Allie M., dau. of B. & M.E. d. Sep. 3, 1873 aged 10 m 18 d
Charlie, son of B. & M.E., d. Oct. 22, 1871 aged 1 -- set to deep to read
Benjamin, so of B. & S. A. d. Jul. 28, 1888 aged 2 y 1 m 21 d
{ Henry H., b. May 2, 1836 d. Jul. 16, 1899 same stone as Jane E.
{ Jane E., b. Feb. 24, 1831 no date of death
Jackson, d. Oct. 4, 1846 aged 22 y 2 m
James, b. May 22, 1814 d. Aug 24, 1910
Jane, wife of James, d. Apr. 26, 1855 aged 71 y 3 m 5 d
James, son of James & Jane, d. Apr. 26, 1855 aged 1 y 1 m 5 d
William R., son of James & Jane, b. Apr. 19, 1833 d. Jul. 4, 1834
John, d. Feb. 12, 1884 aged 38 y 3 m 21 d
Virginia, 1849 -1896

Cotton
Daniel, 1849-1910} same stone as Ruth P.
Ruth P., 1852 - 1888}
Mary, wife of David, b. Feb. 15, 1843 d. Dec. 9, 1876
Henry, d. May 1(?) 1834 aged 36 y 11 d - broken, down
Jemima L., wife of Henry, d. Apr. 18, 1857 aged 60 y 6 m 10 d - down
Eliza M., dau. of Henry & Jemima L., d. Nov. 19, 1820 aged 2 y 12 d - broken, down
John H., son of Henry & Jemima L., d. Jul. 24, 1850 aged 27 y 3 m 22 d - down
Margaret H., dau. of Henry & Jemima L., d. Dec 15, 1854 aged 22 y 11 m 30 d -down
James M., d. Mar. 12, 1874 aged 66 y 8 m 18 d
Isabella, wife of James M., d. Aug. 9, 1850 aged 27 y 7 m 5 d
Eliza, dau. of John F. & Julianna, d. Oct. 15, 1824 aged 19 d - down
{ J. G., d. Jan. 16, 1873 aged 40 y 4 m 7 d next three stones are alike and together
{ Robert S., son of John G. & Louisa, d. Jul. 21, 1859 aged 2 y 15 d
{ Scott C. son of John G. & Louisa, d. Apr. 3, 1863 aged 11 m 15 d
Mary Ann Bakes, wife of M.C., b. Jan. 12, 1817 d. Aug. 21, 1882
Ann, wife of Nathaniel, d. Mar. 20, 1820 aged 2 y - down
Hiram, son of Nathaniel & Ann, d. Aug. 3, 1820 aged 2 y - down
Hiram, son of Nathaniel & Ann, d. Jul. 30, 1842 aged 23 y 6 m 8 d
Nathanniel A., d. Mar. 21, 1840 aged 26 y 7 m 8 d - down
Ralph Sen., d. Mar. 16, 1817 in the 70th year of his age - down
Elizabeth, wife of Ralph Sen., d. Jan. 12, 1832 in the 85th year of her age - down
Ralph Sen., d. Aug. 26, 1828 aged 42 y 8 m 9 d
Thomas J., son of Ralph & Isabella, d. Jul. 9, 1834 aged 8 y 17 d
Patsey, dau. of Ralph & Isabella, d. Jul. 30, 1832 aged 25 y 5 m 17 d - down
R.B., Co. I. 117th Ind. Inf.
Emma F., dau. of Ralph & Sarah S., d. Aug. 4, 1855 aged 1 y 1 m 19 d - down
Elizabeth, wife of Robert F., d. Dec. 20, 1842 aged 33 y 5 m 8 d - down
Alpha J., wife of R.P. & dau. of M. & E. Banta, d. May 26, 1897 aged 29 y 8 m 16 d
{ R. S., d. Jun. 13, 1851 aged 41 y 3 m 16 d} same stone as Levina
{ Levina G., wife of R.S., d. Mar. 22, 1885 aged 72 y 7 m
Clinton, son of Robert S. & Levina G., d. Aug. 11, 1835 aged 11 m 28 d
Sarah, dau. of Robert S. & Levina G., d. Mar. 27, 1846 aged 1 y 8 m 27 d - down
{ Samuel G., b. Jul. 29, 1837 d. Mar. 2, 1877 aged 39 y 7 m 3 d same stone as Lida C.
{ Lida C., b. Sep. 29, 1874 d. Sep. 29, 1893 aged 19 y
Warren, d. Sep. 13, 1852 aged 36 y 7 m 25 d - down
Warren, b. Jul. 9, 1851 d. Jun. 29, 1895
{ Christena, wife of Wm., d. Jun. 10, 1853 aged 77 y 8 m 17 d same stone as Wm.
{ Wm., d. Jul. 2, 1839 aged 62 y 3 m 20 d "Father & Mother's Graves - erected March 1854"
Perry, son of Wm. & Christena, d. Sep. 14, 1827 aged 12 y 9 m 24 d
Sarah, dau. of Wm. & Christena, d. Sep. 18, 1827 aged 15 y 7 m 22 d
{ William R., b. Nov. 5, 1811 d. Oct. 2, 1873 same stone as Clasina
{ Clasina, b. Feb. 27, 1820 - no date of death}
Ephram M., son of Wm. R. & Clarissa, d. ? - broken, illegible, very worn
Rodolph, son of Wm. R. & Clarissa, d. Jun. 26, 1858 aged 18 y 3 m 3 d
William R., son of Wm. R. & Clarissa, d. Jul. 30, 1856 aged 6 m 8 d - down

Craig
{ Maude M., d. Oct. 23, 1889 aged 17 y same stone as George W. Craig below
{ In this grave also rest the ashes of George W. Craig, born in Indiana in 1834 died in California in 1905

Danner
Edith, dau. of John & Amelia, d. Jan. 14, 1877 aged 4 y 11 m 13 d

Dow
Edward T., b. Feb. 15, 1860 d. Apr. 30, 1891 - metal
Thomas B., b. Jul. 12, 1819 d. Aug. 14, 1898

Ford
Samuel, b. May 6, 1849 d. Nov. 10, 1912

Froman
Elizabeth, b. Jan. 10, 1816 d. Aug. 6, 1914
James, son of Wm. C. & Elizabeth, d. Mar. 4, 1858 aged ? 3 m 5 d - down, part gone
{ Isaac M., b. Jan. 22, 1840 - no date of death same stone as Philena
{ Philena, b. Mar. 11, 1838 d. Mar. 25, 1904

Harper
Henry C., of Co C. 10 Reg. Ind. V.T., died at Columbus, Ind. whilst in the service of his country Mary 31, 1864 aged 18 y 9 m 10 d - broken off, down
? , ⁄garet B., d. Aug. 21, 1857 aged 1 y 21 d - top left part gone

Haydon
{ Nathaniel F., d. Apr. 19, 1876 aged 65 years same stone as Lydia B.
{ Lydia B., d. Aug. 6, 1880 aged 61 years
Sarah E., wife of David N., d. Apr. 22, 1882 aged 37 y - down
Fred M., b. Aug. 10, 1880 d. Jul. 10, 1900
{ Morton N., d. Mar. 31, 1880 aged 1 y 6 m 7 d same stone as Olive M.
{ Olive M., d. Aug. 21, 1879 aged 10 m 17 d "Our Children"

Hess
Sarah L., wife of Fred, b. Jun. 29, 1842 d. Dec. 28, 1896
Bertie E., b. Mar. 12, 1883 d. Nov. 10, 1906

Jenings
Amy, wife of H., d. Feb. 26, 1840 aged 19 y 1 m 14 d

Kern
Elizabeth C., dau. of Jacob & Elizabeth, d. Jul. 7, 1828 aged 3 (?) y
Joseph, d. Aug. 28, 1826 aged 23 y 1 d - down

Lamb
{ Hugh H., b. Jul. 25, 1840 no date of death same stone as Elizabeth A. and Amanda W.
{ Elizabeth A., b. Jan 10, 1838 d. Jul. 14, 1904
{ Amanda W., b. Aug. 13, 1868 d. Feb. 7, 1884
Mary L., 1873 - 1966
br /> Marsh
Anna A., dau. of John Eliza, d. Feb. 7, 1869 aged 8 y 7 d - down

Martin
Fannie, wife of J., b. Feb 14, 1818 d. Mar. 7, 1899
William D., b. Jan. 17, 1852 d. Feb. 14, 1904

Meacham
Matilda, dau. of A.C. & L.C., d. Aug. 1, 1875 aged 4 m 11 d

Murphy
Hattie L., b. Jul. 26, 1863 d. Mar. 14, 1900
Dr. J.W. d. Jan. 30, 1870 aged 45 y 1 m 22 d - Masonic emblem

Ogle
Charlotte T., 1828-1908 "Mother"
Hiram, 1821-1913 "Father"
Thomas, 1869-1881
Fredrick, 1864-1901
Mary L. (?), 1851-1880 - cement cracked
the above names are engraved in a sloping cement cover which has a granite marker which says only "Ogle"
Kate, dau. of Albert & Mary, d. Apr. 14, 1865 aged 1 m - down
Mary, dau. of Albert & Mary, b. Nov. 23, 1869 d. Dec. 19, 1869

Protsman
Aldean O., dau. of Horas & Lizzie, b. Feb. 16, 1900 d. Dec. 3, 1900 - down

Redd
Barby M., d. Nov. 27, 1851 aged 45 y 8 m 4 d - down
Elizabeth, d. Sep. 8, 1873 aged 71 y 10 m 11 d "The first white female born in Switzerland Co. Ind."
John, son of Barbey M. & Elizabeth, d. Oct. 9, 1841 aged 11 y 7 m 1 d - down

Riley
Anna, consort of James, d. Oct. 16, 1822 in the 42 year of her age
Mary Belle, 1849 - 1876
Washington, son of James & Lucy, d. Jun. 16, 1861 aged 17 y 3 m 17 d

Rous
Annie, dau. of A.R. & C.A., d. Mar. 5, 1876 aged 1 y 4 m

Row
Mary Ann, consort of William M., d. May 8, 1846 aged 28 y

Sharp
Jane, wife of Thomas, d. Nov. 4, 1857 aged 27 y 5 m 12 d

Shell
Clarissa M., wife of Ed. C., d. Feb. 24, 1891 aged 42 y 4 m 7 d
Eddie, son of E. & M., d. Sep. 29, 1873 aged 9 m 15 d - down

Smith
{ Andrew, d. Jun. 26, 1847 aged 8 m 13 d same stone as Clarissa
{ Clarissa, d. Oct. 7, 1851 aged 1 y 17 d
"Son & Daughter of Wm. W. & Malinda Smith"

Stapleton
Jesse, Co. D. 3 Ind. Inf. Mex. War - down
Mary, consort of John, d. Sep. 22, 1843 aged 42 y 1 m 8 d

Stewart
James A., son of J.M. & Rebecca, d. Dec. 16, 1868 aged 10 y 3 m 17 d

Tague
Isabelle, wife of Geo., d. Apr. 25, 1833 aged 17 y 3 m 7 d

Walden
{ Nathan, 1800-1889 "The first mail carrier between Cin. & Louisville 1814" - same stone as Mary
{ Mary, 1804-1890 "The first white female child born in what is now Switz. Co."
Elizabeth, wife of Solomon, d. Nov. 19, 1881 aged 59 y 5 m 27 d - metal

Webb
John W., son of L. & N.J., d. Aug. 17, 1896 aged 38 y 4 m 29 d

Wooley
Caroline, wife of Charles, b. Oct. 25, 1826 d. Jan. 14, 1855 - down
Charles E., son of Charles & Caroline, b. Mar. 29, 1852 d. Jan. 26, 1853