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Author: meekernj
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.castner/187.1.1.1.1.2/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Thanks for your response.
In fact, the railroad was not put in until the 1850's, several years after Peter Parke
and Joe Carter were buried on Henry Carter's farm in 1845. The graveyard was
mentioned in a deed conveying Henry Carter's land to Stephen Yard (his son-in-law) in
1850.
I have read articles from 50 years or so later (after Victor's death in 1895 and after
John P.'s death in 1920). By that time the "buried at the crossroads so their
souls would never rest" etc. stories were popular.
Originally, the graves were marked and surrounded by a stone wall, which was still there
into the 1900's.
I am aware of the development that went in several years ago on the old Carter farm. As
you probably know, the road (now known as McCulloch Road) has moved over the years. A
bridge was built to cross over the railroad and the road was moved then. The bridge was
later removed and the road has wandered back somewhat. The most likely location of the
graves is near the stop sign on McCulloch road. They may even be underneath the edge of
the road bed by now. Ground penetrating radar was used in 2005 to try to locate the
graves. Two suspicious spots consistent with graves were located not far from the stop
sign.
I do have copies of all the deeds from 1850 to 2000 for this property. The graveyard (and
20 feet more) was excepted from the early conveyances, so it apparently still the property
of Henry Carter's descendants. Unfortunately, it would take a surveyor and plotting
of all those deeds to determine the current precise location of Henry Carter's
boundaries -- an expensive undertaking I'm sure.
One thing I can tell you for certain, however, is that the graves were NOT on the property
of Mrs. Knudsen who lives next door and has placed markers in her woods. Her land was
never part of Henry Carter's farm.
Sharon
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