By MRS. KENNETH MOTTER,
for the 1950
Fletcher sesquicentennial
"In
1825 Alexander Oliver transferred a small tract of ground to the trustees of the
first Methodist Church for a burying ground, as the first cemetery here. [It
appears this cemetery was located at the site of the Methodist church at Church
and Main Streets. Today a parking lot.] A second Methodist church was built
without disturbing the little grave yard. In 1901 a third Methodist church was
erected and the remains of those buried here were removed to the present
Fletcher cemetery.
In
1843, a second burying ground was provided by the Presbyterian people adjacent
to their church. At this place, one Revolutionary war soldier, Levi Munsell was
buried in 1849, and on Memorial Day, he is among our honored dead. Veterans of
the Civil War are also interred here.
Association
Formed
A
meeting for organizing a cemetery association was called February 9, 1861, in
the Presbyterian church. Issac Dukenhimeer was chosen chairman, and Robert
Duncan president. Seventy people formed the organization. A committee composed
of Dr. C. Legg, Dr. F. H. Beamer, S. G. Brecount, Michael Duncan, Joseph Garbrey
and John Earnhart, was appointed to obtain a proper location [for a new
cemetery.]
In
February 1861, Dr. Legg of this committee reported the selection of five acres
in the southwest corner of the James Sims farm and adjoining Fletcher, at one
hundred dollars an acre.
The
officers elected at this meeting were: Isaac Dukemaneer, president, Dr. C. Legg,
clerk, Isaac Kiser, treasurer, Joseph Garbry, George Throckmorton, John Earnhart,
Samuel Sayers, George Caven, trustees. Dr. Legg’s plan for platting the
grounds was accepted. The Association was to be called’ "The Fletcher
Cemetery Association." The first deed for a lot was written to Michael
Duncan.
The
five acres were enclosed with a board fence and stiles built near the gates for
visitors to enter the grounds. The first sexton was Henry A. Kephart, appointed
in 1862.
In
1866 an addition of five acres was purchased from James Sims and in 1900,
another addition was made. A "Potters Field" located in the south of
the cemetery was moved to the northeast part in 1898.
Charles
Emerick served for thirty years as superintendent.
By
1950 the cemetery had grown to 18 acres."
By
1998 the third and fourth additons were developed and add another 20 acres to
the memorial park.