Old Dalbey Cemetery

[Transcriber's Note: aka "McFarland Cemetery"]

THE DALBEY CEMETERY is east of the main highway between Muncie and Salt Fork River about two miles south of Muncie. This cemetery was laid out in 1838. It was on the property of Aaron Dalbey and James Cass. Because it was such a dreary spot when it was donated for common burial ground, Richard Cass, Jr. exclaimed, "I would not be buried in such a place," but he was the first to be buried there. The second grave was for Elizabeth Cass, mother of Richard, Jr. Richard Cass, Sr. was buried in 1843 and Aaron Dalbey in 1855. The Casses Radcliffs, Dalbeys, Meades, Boyles, McFarlands, Drapers, and many other families were buried in the Dalbey cemetery in the forties, fifties and sixties. This place was used extensively up to the sixties but today it is a tract of weeds and grass. Grave stones and markers are no longer reliable. [Source: "Stories of Historical Days In Vermilion County, Illinois," By Grammar Grade Pupils of Villages and Rural Schools, 1934-1935; Compiled for the School Libraries By L. A. TOGGLE, County Superintendent of Schools. Transcribed by K. Torp]

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To the east of the main highway between Muncie and Fairmount, about two miles south of Muncie, is the old Dalbey burying ground. It is a very wild part of the country. It is on a slight elevation, surrounded on the south and east by a small rivulet, beyond which are rugged hills. The trees fringing these hilltops, are as silent sentinels of the melancholy place of repose. All that is needed to make this a dreary spot is the yelping of the wolves and the braying of the panther, which were heard in the days of the pioneer.

This burying ground was laid out in 1838, and the accompaniment of the wild animals' call was not lacking. It was on the joint property of Aaron Dalbey, and James Cass. When the land was donated for the purpose of a common burial ground, Richard Cass, Jr., remarked, "I would not be buried in such a place". Alas the irony of fate; his was the first grave made in the grounds. This place was extensively used until the fifties; but the whole tract has been abandoned and is now turned over to weeds and wild grass. Grave stones have been displaced and markers no longer reliable in the information given because not in place.

The second grave made in the grounds was that of Elizabeth Cass, mother of Richard, Jr. Richard Cass, Sr., died in 1843. Aaron Dalbey died in 1855. Isaac and Felix Radcliff, both young men have markers to show how short their lives were. There are many graves here of people dying in the forties, fifties and sixties. The Casses, Dalbeys, McFarlands, Meades, Bayles, Parrish, Drapers, Whitmans and Radcliffs are to be found in this burying ground.

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Source: "History Of Vermilion County, Illinois", Lottie E. Jones, Volume I, Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Company, 1911.
Transcribed by K. Torp

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