Watsontown Cemetery
October 3rd, 2007
Watsontown Cemetery
Preliminary steps were taken at a meeting at Peter Schaeffer’s house for establishing the Watsontown Cemetery Association. George Burns was elected president with A.B. Latshaw as secretary and Silas Rambach as treasurer. Original Stockholders included: Silas Rambach, Christian Gosh, Simon Lantz, Samuel Whitman, Samuel Miller, George Burns, F.S. Witman, Wm. H. Follmer, Joseph Hollopeter, Enos Everitt, A.T. Goodman, Peter Schaeffer, A.B. Latshaw, John Bly, Wm. Cooner, Robert Johnson, O.S. Kramer, Joseph Albright, Joseph Everitt, Jno. Y. Ellis, and Cyrus Brumbach.
It was decided to purchase a piece of ground east of town from Peter Scheaffer for said cemetery. The tract of land consisting of approximately 8 acres of land at $125 per acre. The layout of the new cemetery would be based on that of the Turbotville Cemetery in the shape of a rhomboid.
The charter for the Cemetery Association was read and adopted on August 1, 1866. The official date of organization took place on November 5, 1866 with the same officers of the temporary organization re-elected to their same positions along with Joseph Hollopeter, F.S. Whitman, A.B. Shaw, Peter Schaeffer, Silas Rambach, and D.S. Kramer as managers.
The first person interred was Mrs. Joseph (Mercy) Everitt who died February 18, 1867; the second Mrs. George (Eliza) Burns who died January 11, 1868. Among the first transfers from the old burying ground were the remains of the Watson family. On January 15, 1870 the services of Samuel Daughtery was procurred as sexton of the cemetery. His duties were to open and close the graves and keep the cemetery in a neat and pleasant condition. He was succeeded on May 6, 1878 by George Rank. By 1895 the original stockholders had been paid in full principal and intent and from this point on all lot holders would become stockholders being eligible to vote for the officers of the Cemetery Association consisting of a manager and six directors elected each year.
Numerous improvements were made to the original land over the years. On February 12, 1879 it was agreed to build steps over the new fence in the ravine along the new road; a house was erected for the sexton in 1884; installation of concrete steps at southwest corner of the cemtery was approved at the April 15, 1902 meeting; and on May 17, 1902, the Soldiers Monument was unveiled with appropriate services.
On August 13, 1959 the Watsontown Cemetery Association gave authorization to the officers to transfer the holdings of the Association over to the Borough of Watsontown provided that the Borough accept. It was the concensus of opinion that the operation of the cemetery by the borough government would be more efficient and desirable than to have it operated by volunteer services of individuals. Those serving as officers at the time of the transfer included Fred H. Carson, president; Charles A. Nicely, secretary; Jacob H. Wagner, J. Nyce Patterson, Mason S. Wagner, Ira Frantz, William S. Savidge, and George S. Sterner, managers. In June of 1960 the transfer was completed and the cemetery continues to be owned and maintained by the Watsontown Borough.
Those who have served as president of the Watsontown Cemetery Association include:
| George Burns | 1866-93 | J.C. Fowler | 1930-37 |
| A.T. Goodman | 1893-01 | W.A. Nicely | 1937-39 |
| George H. Shannon | 1901-17 | Charles A. Nicely | 1939-57 |
| D. Frank Wagner | 1917-30 | Fred Carson | 1957-60 |
[Cited: The Record and Star, Silver Anniversary Edition, 1907, pg 6; The Secretary’s Minute Book of the Watsontown Cemetery Association, 1866] Last Modified: 09.07.07
October 1st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I would be ever so greatful if you could send me a digital photo of my grandparents, George “DeLa” and Jennie Wolfe, as well as my parents Mr and Mrs. Robert S. Rishel.
Thank you very much.
WDR
March 18th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Many of the burials for this cemetery are listed on FindAGrave, and if you request a photo of a tombstone at findagrave, a volunteer may be able to get it for you.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=1988301&CScn=Watsontown&CScntry=4&CSst=40&
March 3rd, 2012 at 3:39 am
I am trying to locate where my grandparents were buried and Find a Grave does not have a record. According to the newspaper obit from April 1958, my grandfather was to be buried at Watsontown cemetary. His name was William K Duchman. His wife Clara died 1 year later but no mention of her burial. Is there somewhere I can confirm if they are there? My father is now deceased so I am unable to ask him. Thanks.
Comment by James Robison: According to Joseph and Sarah Meiser’s book, Northumberland County Pennsylvania Burials Vol. VI, page 164, there is listed a Wm. K. Duchman 1902-1958 and Clara M. Duchman 1901-1959. There is also an Erma E. Duchman, 2/13/1930-10/12/1930.
May 29th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
I may be coming up for a weekend race in 2 weeks. Is there any contact information for the cemetary. I would like to see my grandparents gravesites. I am not very familiar with the area and have never been to the cemetary.
Comment by James Robison: Got your message and sent a reply, but your email is set up only to approve emails from people you have agreed to ~ so hope you get this message before your race.
The best thing to do is check in at the borough hall and ask them for the location. They have a list of all the plot owners and will be able to give you an idea of where they might be. One thing is ~ the borough hall is not open on the weekend.
October 18th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
My Greatgrandfather and Grandmother were Oliver and Hattie Heimbach. They had three children before 1900, two died. Can you help with any names or dates of birth or death. They lived in Watsontown at one time on Sand Street. Thank you. John Leach
November 12th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
I bought 114 e brimmer ave. house next to cemetary. where can i find info who lived here originally.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:21 pm
I’m looking for the final resting of an good childhood friend of mine. Her name was Laura Marshall, who was killed in 1981 at the age of 10 in a plane crash withh her father, Dr. John Marshall and his wife and a dog name “Sammy”. According to the local paper the “the Free-Lance Star” in Fredericksburg, VA this was where they were buried. I was wondering what the exact address is the cemetary located and if they are buried, where in the cemetary they are buried. Thanks!
May 1st, 2013 at 9:13 pm
My GGGrandparents Owen and Mary (Turk) Hart and two children are listed in the 1870 census in Watsontown. Mary died about 1872 and is buried in the Watsontown Cemetery. Owen later lived with his daughter Lizzie in Riverside, Northumberland Co., where he died in a896. Obituary material says he was taken to Watsontown for burial. I have found Mary’s tombstone there, but no stone for Owen. Are there cemetery records that show if he is buried beside her? Would it be possible to get copies of their burial records? I will be happy to pay for them.