JOHN PURKHISER FAMILY CEMETERY

 

Washington Township, Harrison County, Indiana

Submitted by Kevin Conrad, HCCRT Historian

 

The John Purkhiser Family Cemetery, otherwise known as the Purkhiser Cemetery, is situated in the Southeast ¼ of the Southeast ¼, Section 13, Township 5 South, Range 2 East, in Washington Township of Harrison County, Indiana. Among the different graves at this cemetery, this site contains the remains of Sarah Funk Purkhiser, wife of John Purkhiser.  Although no inscribed headstone was found for her husband, John Purkhiser, he is also believed to have also been interred at this cemetery.

 

This small burial ground (20 ft. x 20 ft.) is located towards the end and to the south of McMonigle Drive, and at the base of a large hill that opens to a small valley. A large ravine lies to the back west side of the cemetery. Dense woods lay east from the cemetery; running south of McMonigle Drive and down the hill to the lower valley. A dirt logging road separates the cemetery from the dense woods to the east. The dirt logging road originates at the top of the hill at McMonigle Drive and can be used to access the cemetery.

 

Several years ago (about 2004), a logging company was hired by the property’s owner to clear a wide strip of timber from the hill side, which included along the west side [the rear] from the cemetery. The property owner had advised the logging company of the presence of the cemetery, but the company failed to exercise due diligence during this activity. As a result, the small cemetery was virtually destroyed.

 

On/about 14 July 2006 and after receiving approval from the State of Indiana, a small group of volunteers from 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 restoration project was completed on 16 September 2006. A copy of the HCCRT’s restoration report for Colvin Cemetery is on file at the 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 were recorded beginning in Row 1 with the first and southernmost headstone. Each row was recorded from south to north. The last headstone recorded in the cemetery is located on the north-end of Row 3 (east side of the cemetery); whereas the first headstone is located on the south-end of Row 1 (west side of the cemetery).  Recorded on 13 May 2006.

 

 

ROW 1.

 

Sarah Funk Purkhiser, 1785-1863

 

ROW 2.

 

Winfield S. son of Henry & Maria L Purkhiser, died Aug 15, 1853, aged 11m, 15d.

 

Charles W., son of J. S. & C. Sherrill, died Nov. 20, 1861, aged 4y, 24d.

 

ROW 3.

 

James B. Purkhiser, Apr. 20, 1873, aged 26y, 6m, 4d.

 

Henry C. Perkhiser, died Nov. 9, 1872, aged 26y, 8d.

 

Maria L., wife of Henry Purkhiser, died Nov. 20, 1861, aged 33y, 27d.

 

 

 

Technical Information

 

 

Number of Known Graves:  6        (7 graves if John Purkhiser is counted)

 

Number of Engraved Commercial Headstones: 6

 

Number of Engraved Commercial Footstones: 5

 

Known Military Veterans: n/a

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Number of Fieldstones:  See note below.

 

 

Earliest Burial:  15 Aug 1853 (Winfield S. Purkhiser) and  21 Aug 1853 (Maria L. Purkhiser)

 

Last Burial: 20 April 1873  (James B. Purkhiser)

 

Secured (fenced) Cemetery: No

 

Property Ownership: Private  

 

Immigrants:  None

 

Cemetery Affiliated with Church:  No.

 

Cemetery length (north to south): 20 ft.

 

Cemetery width (north to south): 20 ft.

 

Cemetery Location: SE ¼ of the SE ¼, Sec.13, T5S, R2E, Washington Twp,

Harrison County, Indiana (off McMonigle Drive).

 

Cemetery Coordinates:  USGS Mauckport Quad: Latitude N 38° 044.446;  Longitude W 86° 14.824

 

Cemetery Registered with the State of Indiana: *Yes.

 

*Department of Natural Resources

  Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology

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

 

 

 

Note: A white colored fieldstone was found beside a small tree, immediately to the east from the grave of Charles W. Sherrill. This stone has the characteristics that it may have been used as a grave marker. Another large stone, oblong in shape, was found several feet to the southeast from the grave of Charles W. Sherrill. This stone may also be marking a grave, but this has not been proven.