Payne Cemetery
Franklin Township
Initial Needs Assessment
Members of the Putnam County Cemetery Restoration and Identification Project surveyed the Payne Cemetery in
December 2003, to determine the condition of the cemetery and assess the potential for restoration.
This cemetery is located on property owned by the North Putnam Community School Corporation. It is situated at
39 47 29N Latitude and 86 47 36W Longitude, about ¼ mile east of the football field. It is accessible through the
nature trails the school has constructed in the area.
BACKGROUND
In researching the history of this cemetery, we ran across some notes and a reading of inscriptions in the Putnam
County cemetery files in the Indiana State Library. This information indicates the cemetery was originally called
the Payne Cemetery, in reference to the three individuals buried here with that surname. This cemetery has also
been referred to as the Barker Cemetery, after the three members of the Barker family buried here. We prefer to
use the earliest documented name for a cemetery, so we will be calling this the Payne Cemetery.
This is one of the early cemeteries in this area, with the earliest known burial being in 1832. There are at least ten
different surnames for individuals buried in this cemetery. It is probable that some, or all, of these individuals are
related to each other in some manner. It is also possible that this cemetery was an early community cemetery, or
possibly a church cemetery. We were not able, however, to ascertain the existence of a church in this area. It is
also interesting to note that there is no known cemetery in Carpentersville, a small village about one mile
northwest of this cemetery. Some have suggested that this might have been intended to be the Carpentersville
area cemetery, but we have not been able to verify that claim either.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CEMETERY
We were able to locate fourteen stones with complete or partial inscriptions. We were able to use the listing
mentioned above from the State Library to identify the stones that had only partial inscriptions. Several of the
stones were lying on the ground covered with leaves and were difficult to locate. The only tombstone that could
be considered standing and in good condition is that of Eli J. Barker. Seven of the stones we found are not intact
and most of these stones are broken into several pieces. We were able to locate all the pieces for two of these
broken stones. For about five of the broken stones there are several pieces missing, but we were able to find
enough pieces to identify the stones. Five stones are intact, but are lying on the ground rather than standing
upright. It might be difficult to determine where these stones should be reset. We were able to identify one
individual through the initials on a footstone and the proximity to stones of other members of the same family.
The only individual listed in the old reading from the State Library that we were not able to locate was Wilton
Blake. We were also not able to locate the stone of David Barker. We did, however, locate a base for a decent
sized slab stone just to the south of the stone of Lavina Barker, who is listed in the State Library reading and in
family history as the wife of David Barker. We are confident the base to the south of Lavina Barker marks the
location of the burial place for David Barker. We hope we will be able to locate this stone in the future. See the
section below for additional information about placement of slab stones and on the typical burial pattern of
spouses.
There are also three or four stones that have been broken just above ground level. We were not able to locate the
main portion of these stones. There are also three or four burials clearly marked with old fieldstones.
After we located these stones, we mapped the cemetery, marking the location of the stones with a GPS devise.
This is done so that the location of the stones can be marked where we found them. Because of vandalism or
natural deterioration, it may be difficult to locate the old tombstones in the future. We also took digital photos of
the area and of the individual tombstones, so that a permanent record will be available.
After cleaning the stones, we recorded the inscriptions. Our readings generally agree with the older readings from
the State Library. We were able to make corrections to two of the readings. The old readings had the age of Eli J.
Barker as 35 years. After cleaning the stone, we are confident it should be 25 years. We verified this information
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with his age listed in the 1850 census. Also, the death year for James Welch is clearly 1854, not 1851 as
indicated in the earlier reading. This is a common mistake. Stonecarvers tend to not make the diagonal line in the
four as deep as the rest of the numbers. Over time, this line becomes very faint. On this particular stone, the
diagonal line is in fact visible. Also, you can tell that the top of the four does not look like the top of the number
one, and it is at a different angle than the one. In addition, there is too much space after the five for this to be a
number one.
In our mapping system, we started at the southeast corner of the cemetery. We then went north down that row to
the last stone we were able to locate. We then came back to the south end of the cemetery and moved west of
that row. We then went north down that row to the end and so forth. The following condition assessment
corresponds to the numbers on the attached map and listing.
1. David Barker – We were only able to locate the base for his stone, as mentioned above. A further search
needs to be made so this stone can be located and reset.
2. Lavina Barker – This stone is in many small fragments. We were able to find enough legible pieces to confirm
with the older reading from the State Library which stone this is. It might be possible this stone could be
reassembled and mortared back together, if the rest of the pieces can be located.
3. There is an old field stone to the north of Lavina Barker. We do not know who is buried at this marker.
4. Harvey Pickering – This stone is also in many small pieces. We were not able to locate any legible pieces of
this stone. We were able to locate a footstone at this location with the initials H. P. Since this footstone is just
south of the stone of Margaret Pickering, and there are no other individuals from the early reading with the
same initials, we are confident this footstone marks the location of Harvey Pickering’s grave. We hope to be
able to locate the actual tombstone in the future.
5. Clarinda Nelson – This stone is a large slab stone. It is broken into four or five sections, each about a foot in
height. We were able to locate all but one or two of the pieces of this stone. If those pieces can be located,
this stone can be reassembled and mortared back into one piece.
6. Margaret Pickering – This stone is a large slab stone and is intact in one piece. If we can find the location for
the corresponding grave, this stone could be reset. This stone was lying on the ground at the north end of the
large maple tree at the east end of the cemetery. Someone probably leaned this stone against the tree at
some point in the past. The stone might have been moved from another location in the cemetery. But more
than likely, it was originally set where the tree is now growing. Keep in mind that this stone is over 150 years
old. This tree was probably not in the ground when this stone was set, or if it was it had to have been a very
small sapling. It is possible that the base for this stone is intertwined in the root system at the base of the tree.
7. Eli J. Barker - This stone is a good-sized monolith at the south end of the cemetery and is setting straight and
level. This stone is about the only stone in the cemetery that needs no attention at this time. We also found a
footstone at the base of the monolith with the initials E. J. B. This is presumed to be the footstone of Eli J.
Barker. This footstone could be reset about eight feet east of the monolith, with the inscription facing west.
8. Sarah Francelia Sanders – This is a small intact monolith type stone just to the north of Eli J. Barker. It is
likely that this stone is not at its original location. Hopefully we can match it to a monolith base of the same
size somewhere in this cemetery.
9. There is a square field stone placed in the ground about 20 feet north of the stone of Sarah Francelia
Sanders, and a few feet east. We could not make out an inscription for this stone, so we don’t know who it
belongs to or its original location. Due to its location and size, it looks more like a footstone than a headstone
marker. We were not able to locate any other stones near this particular stone.
10. Anna Payne - This stone is about 25 feet west and a little north of the stone for Margaret Pickering. We were
able to find enough pieces of this stone to identify it from the old reading. If the rest of the pieces can be
located, this stone could be reassembled and mortared back together. As this stone was simply lying on the
ground, it is difficult to determine the actual location of the grave. It is probably near this stone, but we are not
sure at this time.
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11. Marvle Payne – We were also able to find most of the pieces of this stone. It might be possible to reassemble
this stone and mortar it back together. This stone was just north of Anna Payne, one of Marvle Payne’s wives.
The grave may or may not be near the location of this stone.
12. There are two bases north of the stone of Marvle Payne. These bases are about 18 inches across and about
three feet tall. It is probable that these bases are bases for monoliths. There are two monoliths about 5-6 feet
due west of these bases; however, those monoliths appear to be too small to go with these two bases.
13. See above
14. Susan Stringer – This stone is just north of the two bases mentioned above. We were able to locate all, or
nearly all, of the pieces to this stone. It might be possible to reassemble this stone and mortar it back
together.
15. Reuben Redding – This stone is a small, intact monolith. As mentioned above, it might go with one of the
bases to the south of Susan Stringer.
16. James E. Welch – This is a small slab type stone, measuring about nine inches across. We found an intact
piece with all inscriptions legible. There is probably another piece for this stone. If located, this slab stone
could be reassembled. It is difficult to determine the location of the corresponding grave.
17. Charlie A. Sanders - This stone is a small, intact monolith. As mentioned above, it might go with one of the
bases to the south of Susan Stringer. Note also that Charlie Sanders appears to be the younger brother of
Sarah Francelia Sanders, whose stone is about fifty feet north of this stone, just north of the stone of Eli J.
Barker. It would make sense that Charlie and Sarah would have originally been buried near each other. Note
also that these two stones are almost identical in size and shape.
18. About twenty feet south and about five feet west, of the stone of Charlie Sanders are three stones that are
broken just above the ground. These three stones are clearly slab stones set in a slotted base. We were not
able to locate the main portion of any of these stones.
19. See above
20. See above
21. Leaher Payne – We were able to only locate the top of this stone, which is barely legible. It is leaning against
the northernmost base of the stones mentioned above. If the other pieces of this stone are located, it might be
possible to reassemble and mortar this stone. It is not clear if this is the original location of this stone or not. If
so, it is highly likely that the stones of Marvle and Anna Payne correspond with the two stones broken at the
ground mentioned above.
22. Mary E. P. Carpenter – This stone was found lying on the ground just to the north of the stone for Leaher
Payne. We were able to locate the top half of this stone only. Note that this stone is identical to the stones of
other Carpenter children who died young and are buried at the Pearcy cemetery, which is about one mile
south of this cemetery. Mary’s grandfather was Philip Carpenter, one of the early settlers of this area, and for
whom Carpentersville is named.
23. Footstone M. P. – This is probably the footstone for Marvle Payne. This footstone is about 10-15 feet
northwest of the stone of Marvle Payne. It is not clear whether or not this marks the east end of the grave of
Marvle Payne or not.
As mentioned above, we were not able to locate the stone for Wilton T. Blake, who was included in the earlier
reading. Hopefully we can locate this stone in the future.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We performed some research on the individuals buried in this cemetery. This is difficult to do since most of the
official records, such as birth and death records, were not recorded until the early 1890’s. We were able to extract
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some information from the census records and from discussions with descendants of the Barker family. Further
research needs to be done to determine who these people are and how they are related to each other.
We plan to return to the area in the near future and try to locate more stones. As noted, we did not find one of the
stones from the earlier reading. We are also intrigued by the two apparent monolith bases, which appear to be
larger than the small monoliths in this cemetery. We would also like to match the tombstones with the actual
graves, and when possible, reset the stones. This will be difficult to do, since many of the stones have apparently
been moved from their original location.
It is possible that at least some of the fragmented stones mentioned above could be repaired and reset. It cannot
be stressed enough that if done, this work must performed by professional restorers or individuals knowledgeable
and competent in stone repair.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There are two general traditions about cemeteries that are useful in identifying the location of the graves of
spouses, as noted above with David and Lavina Barker. The first is that most individuals are buried with their feet
facing east. This is so they can rise up to meet the rising sun on Resurrection Day. Thus, in most instances, the
tombstone is at the head of the deceased, which would be on the west end. Further, the inscriptions are usually
facing to the west. When reading the inscription of the stone, you should be west of the body facing east. The
other tradition is the wife is usually buried to the north of the husband. The tradition is this is the way they were
standing at the altar, with the wife at the left and the husband to the right. So when viewing the couples’ graves
you are usually west of the graves looking east and the wife is usually on the left, which is north.
It is important to note how slab stones are set. Many well-intentioned individuals have severely damaged these
types of stones by improperly resetting them. The really long slab stones, which generally have a lot of blank
stone below the inscription, were merely placed upright in the ground. An attempt was usually made to reinforce
these slab stones with rocks or some other type of fill just below the ground. Other slab stones were set into a
slotted base. Those were usually the stones that do not have a lot of empty stone below the inscription. In other
words, if a slab stone was three feet tall, with about a foot of inscription at the top and two feet of blank space
below the inscription, that type of stone was usually set directly into the ground. A slab stone two feet in length,
with about a foot of inscriptions and another foot or less of blank stone was probably set in a slotted base. A
slotted base is typically made of concrete. For a typical sized stone, the base was about a foot wider than the
stone and about a foot to 18 inches deep. A slot is then made in the middle of the concrete. This slot is typically 46 inches deep and about ¼ inch wider than the stone. That way, the stone can be placed in the slot and packed
with sand or a soft mortar. The top of the base was usually set at ground level. But due to the weight of the stone,
the top of the base has usually settled and is typically found a little bit below ground level. This is an extremely
advantageous placement as the stone merely falls out of the slot, usually without any breakage, if a high wind or
other distress knocks the stone over. It is tempting to reset a slab stone in wet concrete. This should never, ever
be done. Since the new concrete is much stronger than the old stone, the stone will always break off just above
the concrete, usually within just a few years.
Great care should be taken in cleaning a tombstone. Most of the tombstones in the cemetery are over 150 years
old. Time, weather, vandalism and natural deterioration has taken its toll. Many stones, particularly those that are
lying face up, are becoming difficult to read. It is usually helpful to clean an older stone in order to read the
inscription. The first rule in cleaning a stone is to do no damage. Some of the older stones are so stressed that it
would be very easy to break the stone merely by applying pressure during cleaning. Further, many are tempted to
use a cleaning solution to restore the stones to their original condition. This should not be done either. The
chemicals in most cleaning solutions will react to the stones and cause rapid deterioration. The best way to clean
an old stone is to lie it facing up on level ground. Then using water only, gently rub the stone with a soft brush.
Wire brushes or any abrasive material should never be used in cleaning a tombstone. With enough water, you
should be able to remove the thin layer of material from the face of the stone. When the stone dries it should then
be legible. Some have suggested a solution of one part household ammonia and four parts water could be used
to clean the stones. If you look at our photos, you will see we used chalk on a few of the stones to help get a good
reading and enhance the photos. We really hate to do this. But we felt that the value of the permanent record via
the photos justified the use of the chalk. It can’t be stressed enough that if chalk, or any other foreign material, is
used on an old stone, the stone should be cleaned right away with lots and lots of clean water and a soft brush.
Leaving chalk or any other foreign matter on a tombstone is not acceptable practice.
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It has been our observation that in the old cemeteries like this one, family members would mark a new grave with
a temporary stone in one of two ways. The more common method is to find a flat stone, usually two or three feet
in length, coming to a point at the top. This stone is placed at the west end of the grave to mark the head of the
grave. Sometimes, a smaller stone of the same shape is placed at the east end of the grave as a footstone. This
method is usually done if a creek is nearby, as is the case with this cemetery, since this type of stone is readily
abundant in the creek bed. Another method of temporarily marking a grave is by placing a fieldstone at the west
end of the grave. Sometimes a round field stone about a foot in diameter is used. Other times a square fieldstone
is set upright in the ground at the west end of the grave. In some cases, the family places a traditional inscribed
tombstone later. In some cases, however, the tombstone never gets set. Sometimes the family leaves the area
before they can set the permanent tombstone. Other times the remaining family members themselves die out
before they are able to set a permanent tombstone. Thus, some of the old graves are marked only with
fieldstones.
PRIOR READING
The following information was taken from the Putnam County cemetery files at the Indiana State Library. This
information is not dated, but judging from the type of paper and typewriter used, the readings were probably taken
in the 1940-1960 range.
977.201 pg89 No. 1 genealogy page no. 32
“Franklin Township, Putnam County, Indiana: Records copied from what was in pioneer days probably know as
Payne Graveyard.
Small abandoned and unkept burial ground 1 ½ miles south of Roachdale, Indiana and about ½ mile off the
Ladoga – Bainbridge road, east and south of a large two story farm house, known locally as the old Philip
Carpenter place.
Stones are all flat on the ground, some broken.
Margaret, wife of George W. Pickering
Born Jan 2, 1816 Died May 30, 1845
Harvey, son of G. W. & M. Pickering
Born May 19, 1845 Died May 29, 1845
Lavina, wife of (broken) VID BARKER
Died Sept 15, 1869 Aged 65yrs 7m 6d
David Barker
Died Oct 6, 1875 Aged 71y 4m 18d
Eli J. Barker
Died Dec 7, 1875 Aged 35 yrs 7m 21d
Wilton T., son of W. J. & N. Blake
Died Nov 27, 1852 Aged 2m
Leaher Payne, wife of Marvel Payne (No other record on stone)
Marvel Payne
Born May 22, 1808 (No other record on stone)
Anna Payne, wife of Marvel Payne
Died Feb 14, 1832 (No other dates)
Susan Stringer
Died March 1, 1838 Aged 75 yrs
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Mary E. P., daughter of F. A. and S. F. Carpenter
Born May 24, 1860 Died Aug 1, 1860
Charlie A., son of T. M. and M. M. Sanders
Died Nov 2, 1884 Aged 5m 26d
Sarah Francelia, daughter of T. M. & M. M. Sanders
Died Oct 28, 1876 Aged 3y 8m 15d
Reuben Redding
Died Oct 23, 1876 Aged 67yrs 11m 7d
James E. son of J. and Sarah Welch
Died July 6, 1851 Aged 7yrs 9m 9d
Clarinda Nelson
Died Aug 15, 1840 Aged 19 yrs (Lower corner of stone bears inscription of dealer: O’Haver & Bro. Ladoga, Ind.)
Seven graves marked with field stones, no inscription.”
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