MattDetchon is currently working on reading the tombstones and reporting the status of the cemeteries throughout the township (as of Feb. 2008). The weather has been very uncooperative and reading has been quite slow for Matt. Fortunately, he reports that none of the cemeteries need cleaned. All are maintained fairly well, except for the Russell Cemetery, due to its remote locale. It was just recently brought to Matt’s attention that the Brush Creek Township Trustees DO NOT take care of all the cemeteries in the township as he thought. The Dunbar Cemetery is of course on private property, so therefore, he knew the trustees didn’t take care of that cemetery. Matt was able to find out that there is a Cemetery board of trustees and clerk for Chestnut Grove Cemetery.
Matt became aware of the cemetery board for Chestnut Grove on September 6th, 2003 during a memorial service. Two ladies, Barbara Warden Meadows (a member of our chapter) and Joyce Warden Griffis, came all the way from their homes in Florida to erect a new stone for their ancestor, John MWarden. Here is where the story gets interesting; they also erected a memorial to ancestors Matthew and Elizabeth Maple Warden. Matthew and wife, Elizabeth were buried on a farm where they resided, now part of the Brush Creek Wildlife Area. Matt was able to approximate the location of the graves using the maps provided from the cemetery project. Not only were Matthew and wife Elizabeth buried there, but also apparently there are more on ODNR property. Ms.Meadows will be providing Matt with the necessary contact information to learn more about this newly discovered burial site. Ms Meadows has been in contact with owners to seek permission to put up the monument for Matthew and Elizabeth Warden.
Matt states the following, “I have been trying to find where Martin Adams donated the land for the Chestnut Grove Cemetery to no avail! Several sources tell of this so it is just a matter of searching and of time. Any help with information on Martin Adams would be much appreciated!”
JOHN MILLER, (Confederate) Co E 2 KY CAV. “One of Morgan’s Raiders killed, Jul 26, 1863”
