COLVIN CEMETERY

Taylor Township, Harrison County, Indiana

Submitted by Kevin Conrad, HCCRT Historian

Colvin Cemetery is situated near the corner of two intersecting gravel roads, in the Northeast ¼ of Section 35, Township 5 South, and Range 5 East, in Taylor Township of Harrison County, Indiana. This cemetery is located southeast from the town of Rosewood; off State Road 111 and east towards the Ohio River on a narrow gravel road. About ¼ of a mile down this gravel road, a second gravel road appears to the right. Turn onto this gravel road. The cemetery is located about 100 feet from this intersection on the right.

This family burial ground is positioned on slightly elevated ground within a flood plain and secluded by farm land. On most occasions, if not all, this burial ground is usually obscured from view and frequently overcome by waist-high grass; thus the reason why it can be difficult to locate. The 50 ft. x 80 ft. cemetery is bordered along its northern and southern boundary by large trees and brush. The eastern boundary is sloped and partially bordered by trees and brush, but has a small clearing which provides access to the cemetery. A field of tall grass and other vegetation grows in the field at its western edge. A dirt motorcycle track is also located in the grassy field to the west and southwest.  During the spring, wild Daffodils and purple Hyacinth can be found growing among the headstones.

Colvin cemetery is a family burial ground located on the former farm of Andrew Harrison and Martha J. Colvin, who moved from Harding County, Kentucky and settled in this area sometime during the 1840s. Their daughter, Sarah E. Colvin, who died 5 September 1855, is the earliest known burial at this cemetery.  The last burial that occurred at this cemetery occurred in 1921, following the death of Mary Colvin Pinkston, daughter of Andrew Harrison Colvin and his second wife, Mary Jane [Goldsmith] Peters.  Over the years, historic flooding of the Ohio River and neglect has taken a toll on the Colvin Cemetery.

On 1 April 2006 and after receiving approval from the State of Indiana, a small group of volunteers known as the Harrison County Cemetery Restoration Team (HCCRT) began the process of restoring this cemetery. The restoration project included, but not limited to: photographing and recording gravestone information; cleaning; repairing; and resetting grave markers. This project was completed on 19 August 2006. A copy of the HCCRT’s restoration report for Colvin Cemetery is on file at: Frederick Porter Griffin Center for Local History and Genealogy, 117 West Beaver Street, Corydon, Indiana, 47112. Phone: (812) 738-4110

Headstone Inscriptions

The headstone inscriptions, shown as inscribed, were recorded beginning in Row 1 with the first and southernmost headstone (Arthur Lee Colvin; 1916-1917), located on the east side of the cemetery; the side facing towards the Ohio River. Each row was recorded working from the south end to north end. The last headstone recorded in the cemetery is located on the west side of the cemetery in Row 5 (John H. Colvin; 1837-1892).

ROW 1

Arthur Lee, Son of J. A. & N. M. Colvin, Sept 11, 1916, Aug 3, 1917

Infant, Son of J. A. & N. M. Colvin, Mar. 14, 1909

ROW 2

Rachel, Wife of M.D. Colvin, June 26, 1844, April 14, 1893.

Footstone inscribed: R.C.

Marquis D. L., Husband of Rachel Colvin, Born Jan. 28, 1844, Died Apr. 7, 1884

Epitaph: “A loving husband a father dear; A faithful friend is resting here”

Footstone inscribed: M.D.L.C.

Martha J., Daut of M.D.L. & R. Calvin, Died Sep. 27, 1871, Aged 2 ys, 10 ms. 28 ds.

Walter Q. Colvin, Dec. 9, 1898, Feb. 29, 1904

Brother

ROW 3

Harve A. Colvin, Born Oct. 23, 1865, Died dec. 9, 1899

“Gone But Not Forgotten”

Mary J., Wife of A.H. Colvin, Born Dec. 15, 1841, Died May 12, 1882

Epitaph: “Farewell my dear husband my life is past, My love was yours while life

did last, After me no sorrow take, But love our children for my sake.”

Footstone inscribed: M.J.C.

Sallie H., Daughter of A.H. & Jane Colvin, Born Sept. 6, 1863, Died Nov. 14, 1875

Epitaph: “Shed not a tear mother- old. Your daughter [illegible] [illegible] up on high and believe

I am there.”

Footstone inscribed: S.H.C.

[illegible] [illegible] of A.H. & Jane Colvin, Born Jan [illegible] Died March 2 (0?) [illegible]

Epitaph: “He lay thee in the [illegible], Sweet blossom of a day, We just began to [illegible] bloom,

When thou art called away.”

Harry T., son of A.H. & J. Calvin, Born March [illigible] 1870, Died May 1[illigible], [illegible]

Epitaph: [illigible]

Footstone inscribed: H.T.C.

Stephen H. Colvin, Born Feb. 20, 1852, Died May 13, 1882

Epitaph: “Farewell my dear wife my life is past, My love was yours while life

did last, After me no sorrow take, But love our children for my sake.”

Footstone inscribed: S.H.C.

Andrew H. Calvin, Born Oct. 13, 1813, Died Dec. 7, 1884

Epitaph: “Farewell my dear wife my life is past, My love was yours while life

did last, After me no sorrow take, But love our children for my sake.”

Footstone inscribed: A.H.C.

Martha J., Wife of A.H. Calvin, Born Aug. 24, 1820, Died Nov. 23, 1861

Epitaph: 80% illigible

Footstone inscribed: A.H.C.

Sarah E. Daut. of A.H. & M.J. Calvin, Died Sept. 5, 1855, Aged 1 yr, 2ms, 1d.

Footstone inscribed: S.E. __.

Roy H. Davis, Born Dec. 11, 1894, Died Nov. 26, 1911

Epitaph: “Thy will be done.”

Footstone inscribed: R.H.D.

Josie M. Davis, Born Nov. 24, 1875, Died Dec. 31, 1909

Epitaph: “Gone but not forgotten.”

Footstone inscribed: J.M.D.

Martha H. Colvin, Born Nov. 8, 1848, Died May 24, 1911

John W. Colvin, Born July 8, 1848, Died Sep. 18, 1918

Epitaph: “Gone but not forgotten.”

ROW 4

George W. Pinkston, CO. F, I KY INF. SP. AM. WAR.

Mary Colvin Pinkston, Mother, 1876—1921, Children: Minnie, Georgie, Mary

[illigible] [illigible] L.H. & E. Colvin, Died Oct. 3, 1871, Aged 2 Ms. 16 Ds.

L. H. Colvin, July 11, 1846 — (date of death not inscribed)

Elizabeth Colvin, His wife, Sept. 3, 1846, Mar. 12, 1909

Epitaph: “Love can not die”

Footstone inscribed: E.C.

John H. Colvin, Born Oct 23, 1837, Died Apr 16, 1892, Aged 54y, 5m, 23d.

Footstone inscribed: J.H.C.

Technical Information for Colvin Cemetery

Number of Known Graves: 24 or 25  (see note below)

Number of Headstones: 24

Number of Footstones: 15

Earliest Known Burial: 5 Sept 1855   (Sarah E. Colvin)

Last Known Burial: 1921   (Mary Colvin Pinkston)

Military Veterans: 1   (George W. Pinkston― Spanish American War)

Interred Immigrants: None

Church Affiliation: None (Family burial ground).

Cemetery width (east to west): 50 ft.

Cemetery Length (north to south): 80 ft.

Cemetery Location:     Northeast ¼ of Section 35, Township 5 South, and Range 5 East,

                                  Taylor Twp. (southeast from Rosewood), Harrison Co., Indiana

Cem. Coordinates:   Lat. 38º 02’ 17” N.    Lon. 86º 55’ 30” W.

USGS Kosmosdale (KY, IN) Quad: UTM: 16 594327E  4210575N (WGS84 / NA83)

Cemetery *Registered with the State of Indiana: Yes, by the HCCRT.

*Department of Natural Resources

  Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology

  402 W. Washington Street, RM W274, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.