| Batson Church and Cemetery - 1832 |
| This cemetery located in Liberty township, Henry county, Indiana is located on CR #500E, about one half mile south of SR #38. It was set aside as a neighborhood burial grounds in 1844 by Thomas Batson, naming Jacob Crane, William Bland and John Odom as the trustees of the Batson Cemetery. The white clapboard building known as Batson Church - officially the Dublin Pike Church was built in the 1870's. Dublin Pike runs the distance between New Castle and New Lisbon and was once an Indian trail. The church was transported to it's current location in the early 1900's, according to the written account of a local farmer named Yauky. The aforementioned Mr. Yauky (Aldona) was the caretaker and grave-digger at Batson Cemetery for many years and kept a detailed diary about his daily activities and the goings on in the world in the 1930's - 1950's. More Info about Batson can be found at: Henry County Genealogical Services |
| Batson Church and Cemetery - 1832 |
| Batson Church and Cemetery - 1832 |
| Dinkins-Runyan Family |
Collectors
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| Music page. Turn up the volume! |
Mark Orr
| Amidst rows of pews, and brilliant hues of streaming stained glass glory. (From the poem "Mrs. Jackson and the Congregation by Mark Orr ®). |
"And as she spoke
/to the restless congregation
/a line formed at the altar
/barring provocation"
From the poem "Mrs. Jackson and
the Congregation", by IMark S. Orr
2005®
/to the restless congregation
/a line formed at the altar
/barring provocation"
From the poem "Mrs. Jackson and
the Congregation", by IMark S. Orr
2005®
| Veleda Dinkins, Alice Nipp Runyan, Ed Runyan and Georgia Runyan Nipp. |
| Jesse Dinkins 1846-1929 |
| Sarah Frances Runyan Dinkins (1865-1924) Henry County, Indiana. Sarah was the mother of 15 children. Buried at Batson Cemetery. |
| William Isaac Dinkins (1861-1941) Carpenter and Brick Mason. Born in Yadkin, North Carolina. Died in Henry County, Indiana. Buried at Batson |
| Noah Runyan 1st 1777-1839 One of the first Runyan's in Henry County |
| Catharine Runyan Wife of Noah Died Sept. 9 ,1855 These are some of the earliest Batson burials. |
| One tombstone...the Christopher and Anna Long memorial marker, remains in what used to be the Devon Cemetery. It was plowed over by the land owner. Most of the markers were relocated to Batson Cemetery. Long was a Revolutionary War veteran. The first photo was taken by photographer Mark Sean Orr in 2009.... the second taken by (unknown) many years ago. Longs wife Anna's body was removed from the Devon grounds and re-interred at Batson. Her grave marker at Batson is said to be the oldest standing/legible tombstone in the county. |
| Church and Cemetery were completely hidden from the main road. |
| Outbuilding behind Batson Church.... * Fell down in 2007 and removed. |
| A photo that shows just how beautiful this place is....and an historic site as well. We should do all we can to preserve this resting place of peace. |
| Some ghostly mourners gathered around a grave beneath the tree? |
| New sign placed on entrance in October 2006A re-dedication is to follow. |
| New sign placed in October 2006 marks Batson as an Historic Cemetery listed in registry. Placed by VFW Ladies Auxillary. |
| Horses were used to move Batson Church to it's present location. It was pulled down Dublin Pike which used to be an Indian trail. The previous location was thought to near New Lisbon, Indiana. If you have any info please write me: IAN AT COLLECTORSWORLD |
| Piano in Batson Church Photo taken 2006 |
| Church as it appears today. 2006 |
| Foggy morning at Batson cemetery |
| January 2006 |
| This photo of Batson Church and Cemetery was taken on an early August morning in 2006. It's a beautiful place when deserted which is most of the time. |
| Batson Cemtery Flag on a still August morning 2006. |
| To date I've counted over 75 Runyan/Dinkins/Orr family members who have been laid to rest at Batson Cemetery. SEE MAP OF RUNYAN BURIALS HERE |
Awesome scene after a hard rain in July of
2006...the sun is coming back out.
2006...the sun is coming back out.
| North East corner of Batson Cemetery. There are many markers that are illegible......I'm still looking for many that are known to be here but are in disrepair or completely gone. |
| All photos were taken by Ian St. Ian (Mark Orr Photography) except where noted ...and are copyright protected and can be used with permission only....2004,2005,2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Collectors World Online.Com |
| Contact me with your Orr, Hamilton, Kissell, Gilbert, Runyan, Dinkins, Goar,Gordon, LaBoyteaux, Mullen and other family information! |
| Marker for Abraham Runyan (1829-1899) "Mus"n Abra'm Runyan Co. "G" 84th Ind. Inf. Civil War Fifer My GG Grandfather. |
| Marker for Thomas and Mary Runyan. Thomas was born in 1799 and died in 1877. He was the son of Noah Runyan. |
| Church now..so these beautiful Sunday morning views are seen by few. |
| One of the "Twin Outhouses" that stood at Batson for decades. Both are gone now. |
| Buried beside wife Nancy Slinger Fink (ca 1803-1873). |
| Nancy Slinger Fink Runyan. Wife of Benjamin Runyan . Nancy born about 1803 and died in September of 1873. |
| George and Elizabeth "Betsy" Mullen Runyan. Elizabeth (ca 1800-1881) George was the son of Noah Runyan (1777-1839) and Catherine LaBoyteaux Runyan (1783-1855), both of whom are also buried at Batson Cemetery. *(Actually Noah is thought to be buried in a nearby field that once was an earlier cemetery, and his stone was moved to Batson when that cemetery was plowed under). |
| Looking in from the entry-way to Batson Church. Imagine all the place here during it's century of use. I often visit here on Sunday mornings and just sit quietly and take it all in. Though it's reported to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Indiana...I have found nothing but peace and beauty here. I hope there comes a day when the boarded up windows are open to daylight again and the stained glass windows replaced. |
| Mrs. Jackson and the Congregation To those who came before us........ A poem by Mark Sean Orr Sunlight lit Mrs Jackson's face as she began to tell her story. Amidst rows of pews, and brilliant hues of streaming stained glass glory. The congregation passed the plate as Huldah testified. I wondered where she'd found her faith since Mr. Jackson died. She'd turned to the Bible and found her comfort there. Her son turned to the bottle and pretended not to care. And as she spoke of faith and hope to the restless congregation. A line formed at the altar barring provacation. even the irascible Mr.Maddy knelt down on bended knee. He thanked the lord for his Becca and loving family. God in his amazing glory was in our church that day. He used a future angel to to show us all the way. Mark Orr Copyright ©2007 Mark Orr |
| Beautiful and serene Batson Cemetery sits high on a hill on County Road 500... hidden from all but those who seek it out, in Henry County, Indiana. Some notable names of those buried here include: Dillhorn, Dinkins, Enright, Erhart, Gilbert, Goar, Gordon, Goudy, Hamilton, Kissell, LaBoyteaux, McLean, Millikan, Morris, Mullen, Needham ,Neff, Orr, Peed, Ramer, Runyan (over 50 These are the people who pioneered Henry County and the surrrounding counties. They cleared the land and built the first schools,churches and mills. Farmers,woodworkers,plowmakers,preachers,teachers,coopers,seamstress es,soldiers,blacksmiths and more. They lived , loved and raised their families here through hardship and good times. Their dreams, the same as ours...to live a good life and pave the way for future generations. |
| Marriage License for Abraham Runyan and Annie Margaret Kissel. Click photo for larger view. |
| Marriage License for William Isaac Dinkins and Sarah Frances Runyan. August 17, 1882 Click photo for larger view. |
| New Castle, Indiana Meeting of "Old Settlers" Honored included: Abraham Runyon who died Mar 8 1899 James Runyon who died Dec 20 1898 Listed in the New Castle Democrat on July 14th 1899 |
| Beautiful Batson Church and Cemetery. Photo taken by Mark Sean Orr. |
| Music: "Finally Arrived by Chip Godwin |
| Batson Church is an historic and family treasure. I sometimes visit there on Sunday mornings and sit quietly in the empty pews, imagining all the sermons, marriages, funerals and "life" that took place within the walls of the beautiful and historic church. Generations of my family worshipped in this church and are laid to rest just outside in the beautiful cemetery. For more info about Batson Church and those buried in the cemetery...email me at: Mark at Batson Church Info Mark Sean Orr |
| Click here to see a map of many of the burials at Batson Cemetery. loved one in your family is buried here...email me at the link provided below. BATSON CEMETERY MAP |
March 3 John Dillinger escapes Crown Point Jail.
May 1 Big freight wreck at Millville.
May 28 Corn 32 cents a bushel
1935
Jan. 6 Lutheran Church dismantled west of Hagerstown.
Mar. 29 Three houses burn in Liberty Township in one day.
Aug. 15 Will Rogers killed in plane crash.
1936
Jan 23 Coldest day since January 12, 1918. Milked with gloves on.
Jan 20-27 Burned one ton of coal.
July Ten days averaged over 100 degrees. Shaved twice in one day.
1937
April Woman killed her man with an ax north of Mooreland.
Dec. 15 First telephone service sent halfway around the world/
1939
Apr. 1 Airplane wedding at Terre Haute.
Sept. Sun hid for a week.
1940
July 17 "Wilie Day" at Elwood. Temperature 101 degrees.
Sept. Corn 85 cents; Eggs 25 cents
1942
Jan. 20 60 degrees above. Wheat $1.20
May 4 Sugar rationing.
Dec. Gas rationing.
Dec. 12 Eight men killed in a plane at Lewisville.
Dec. Virgil Hoover killed in Australia.
1943
Apr. 20 Sears Store burned in New Castle
May Attended four funerals in four days. Millville Church dismantled.
Aug. 8 J.A. Tully's barn burned.
Dec. 5 Batson Cemetery torn up by vandals.
1944
Mar.3 3 cent postage required on letters.
Oct. 4 Al Smith died.
Oct 8 Wendall Willkie died.
1945
Apr. 12 Rossevelt died.
May 2 Hitler is dead.
June 3 Men wearing overcoats
Nov. 15 John R. Millikan died.
1946
June 6 Will Wisehart sold the elevator (Millville).
July 4 Elmer Hoover's barn burned.
Aug. 15 Ed Wiseharet died
Nov. 9 Amos paul died.
Nov. 30 Joe Leaky buried.
Dec. 2 New Lisbon elevator burned.
1947
Jan. 20 Golden Payne died.
Mar. 2 Ten-inch snow
Mar. 3 Claud Forrest killed at Millville.
May 8 Neighbors came in and plowed for Clyde Hatfield who was in the
hospital.
Aug. 9 Earthquake here at night.
Oct 23 Historical Society meeting. Extra nice.
1948
Jan 20 Shirley Temple had a baby.
Feb. 1 My Jersey had a dead calf.
May 4 On election board at Millville. Rained hard most of the day.
May 27 Graded Batson Lane.
June 10 Big freight train wreck at Dunreith.
Aug 19 Babe Ruth buried.
Sept. 7 Went to State fair.
Sept. 13 Hauled manure.
Sept. 24 Dr. R.E. Kepner vaccinated pigs.
Nov. 18 Princess Elizabeth had a baby boy.
Dec. 9 Auto at Mooreland. Battery real dead.
1949
Mar. 7 Butchered beef and hauled wood to town.
Apr. 12 Man shot in Shirley.
Aug. 28 To church and attended two funerals.
Nov. 28 Frank Goff shot and hung himself.
Dec. 2 A seagull was spotted in Mooreland.
Dec. 14 Sold hogs at Cambridge City
| Some Entries From The Diaries Of Aldona Yauky, Liberty Township, Henry County, Indiana. Batson Church and Cemetery Caretaker |
June 14 Bob Gordon died. Put in tombstone base. (Gordon was the
husband of Ella Runyan, she being the daughter of Abraham
and Annie Margaret Kissel Runyan. Gordin was born in 1868).
June 15 To town (New Castle) Dug grave in the p.m.
July 24 Lawrence Whisler began painting barn.
Aug. 7 Painted lane fence at Batson Cemetery
Aug. 19 Attended Mooreland Fair Tractor pulling contest.
Sept. 6 Went to State Fair with Orlo Pierce.
Sept. 7 Scraped sod off cemetery lane.
Oct. 19 To "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in the evening.
1951
Jan 7. Asa Brown's widow buried.
Jan. 29 12 degrees above zero. Home all day. Took more cold.
Jan. 30 3 degrees below zero.
Feb. 25 To town (New Castle) and to Apollo Club.
Mar. 10 Vint Boyd died.
Mar. 16 Boys cut big tree. Walter Miller died.
Apr. 28 Hottest since 1906. To town in a.m. Not feeling good.
May 2. Nelson Cross died. Saw four dead men in week.
May 12 Jersey has blood poisoning.
May 19 At cemetery putting in bases.
May 23 Big airplane crash near New Lisbon.
July 16 Began combining wheat. Picked berries.
Nov. 15 Rea gets a television. (Rea was Mr. Yauky's son).
Dec. 24 Standard Store in New Castle robbed of $5,000.00.
1953
Jan. 15 Doctor told Orlo Pierce he had six months to live.
Jan 16. To see Orlo in evening. He is very discouraged.
Jan. 20 Greatest Presidential Innauguration ever. (Eisenhower).
Jan 30. Orlo Pierce died at midnight. I was there. No phone. Went
to town for Main (Funeral Home).
Feb. 5 Tested calf. Got Orlo's suit. Some surprise.
Feb. 7 To town (New Castle) at noon for dinner. To Farlows in the
evening. They not in good humor.
Feb. 25 C. (Charles Miller) and I appraise Pierce farm for $200 per acre.
Mar. 13 My 76th birthday.
Apr. 15 Pierce farm sold for $28,000.00.
June 8 93 degrees. Rained in the a.m. I not good.
June 14 To church. leg bad.
June 15 Picked cherries and gooseberries.
June 19 Rosenburgs (Julius and Ethel) die just before sundown.
July 2 Frank Frazier died.
July 4 Washed auto. My hip bad. Rainy.
July 22 Summit Taylor cut his finger off mowing.
July 31 Senator (Robert) Taft died of cancer.
Sept. 8 Poor Carrie gone 24 years. (Carrie was his wife).
Sept. 28 D.E. Bowman is buried.
Oct. 31 Warmer. To doctor. Legs bad. Can't walk without cane.
Nov. 1 To church and Elmo Woods for dinner.
Nov. 15 To church. Boys dig Charles Stone's grave. (Charles born 1879
buried at Batson).
Nov. 18 Baker Park (New Castle) on fire. Ralph Manifold dead.
Dec. 11 Sarah Hutchens died.
Dec. 17 5 degrees below. To Hagerstown. Wright Brothers 50-year
celebration. Big crowd, I fair.
Dec. 27 Nancy Boyd told me to send her a baby card ten years from
now.
This information appeared in the book "A Henry County Sampler" by
Richard P. Ratcliff. Copyright 1987.
husband of Ella Runyan, she being the daughter of Abraham
and Annie Margaret Kissel Runyan. Gordin was born in 1868).
June 15 To town (New Castle) Dug grave in the p.m.
July 24 Lawrence Whisler began painting barn.
Aug. 7 Painted lane fence at Batson Cemetery
Aug. 19 Attended Mooreland Fair Tractor pulling contest.
Sept. 6 Went to State Fair with Orlo Pierce.
Sept. 7 Scraped sod off cemetery lane.
Oct. 19 To "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in the evening.
1951
Jan 7. Asa Brown's widow buried.
Jan. 29 12 degrees above zero. Home all day. Took more cold.
Jan. 30 3 degrees below zero.
Feb. 25 To town (New Castle) and to Apollo Club.
Mar. 10 Vint Boyd died.
Mar. 16 Boys cut big tree. Walter Miller died.
Apr. 28 Hottest since 1906. To town in a.m. Not feeling good.
May 2. Nelson Cross died. Saw four dead men in week.
May 12 Jersey has blood poisoning.
May 19 At cemetery putting in bases.
May 23 Big airplane crash near New Lisbon.
July 16 Began combining wheat. Picked berries.
Nov. 15 Rea gets a television. (Rea was Mr. Yauky's son).
Dec. 24 Standard Store in New Castle robbed of $5,000.00.
1953
Jan. 15 Doctor told Orlo Pierce he had six months to live.
Jan 16. To see Orlo in evening. He is very discouraged.
Jan. 20 Greatest Presidential Innauguration ever. (Eisenhower).
Jan 30. Orlo Pierce died at midnight. I was there. No phone. Went
to town for Main (Funeral Home).
Feb. 5 Tested calf. Got Orlo's suit. Some surprise.
Feb. 7 To town (New Castle) at noon for dinner. To Farlows in the
evening. They not in good humor.
Feb. 25 C. (Charles Miller) and I appraise Pierce farm for $200 per acre.
Mar. 13 My 76th birthday.
Apr. 15 Pierce farm sold for $28,000.00.
June 8 93 degrees. Rained in the a.m. I not good.
June 14 To church. leg bad.
June 15 Picked cherries and gooseberries.
June 19 Rosenburgs (Julius and Ethel) die just before sundown.
July 2 Frank Frazier died.
July 4 Washed auto. My hip bad. Rainy.
July 22 Summit Taylor cut his finger off mowing.
July 31 Senator (Robert) Taft died of cancer.
Sept. 8 Poor Carrie gone 24 years. (Carrie was his wife).
Sept. 28 D.E. Bowman is buried.
Oct. 31 Warmer. To doctor. Legs bad. Can't walk without cane.
Nov. 1 To church and Elmo Woods for dinner.
Nov. 15 To church. Boys dig Charles Stone's grave. (Charles born 1879
buried at Batson).
Nov. 18 Baker Park (New Castle) on fire. Ralph Manifold dead.
Dec. 11 Sarah Hutchens died.
Dec. 17 5 degrees below. To Hagerstown. Wright Brothers 50-year
celebration. Big crowd, I fair.
Dec. 27 Nancy Boyd told me to send her a baby card ten years from
now.
This information appeared in the book "A Henry County Sampler" by
Richard P. Ratcliff. Copyright 1987.
Excerpts from Aldona Yauky's (born 13 Mar 1877-died 30 Nov 1956) Diary.....caretaker of Batson Church and Cemetery in the 1940's
few sample entries from Yauky's historical diary. The remaining preserved entries are stored at the Henry County Historical Society
and museum.
few sample entries from Yauky's historical diary. The remaining preserved entries are stored at the Henry County Historical Society
and museum.
Many of the grave markers at Batson are gone or illegible now....destroyed by time, the elements and vandals. The following are a few
persons believed to be buried at Batson with no known marker:
Jesse Dinkins (1846-1929), son of John and Elizabeth Dinkins.
John Dinkins (1848-1927), son of John and Elizabeth Adams Dinkins.
Alice Runyan Dinkins (1858-1909), wife of John Dinkins. Alice's obituary lists Batson as place of funeral and internment.
Noah Thomas Runyan (1803-after 1880).
Anna Barned Runyan (1812-1894), wife of Noah Thomas Runyan.
Martin Runyan (1853-1905) son of Noah and Annie Barnes Runyan. Obit lists his burial at Batson.
persons believed to be buried at Batson with no known marker:
Jesse Dinkins (1846-1929), son of John and Elizabeth Dinkins.
John Dinkins (1848-1927), son of John and Elizabeth Adams Dinkins.
Alice Runyan Dinkins (1858-1909), wife of John Dinkins. Alice's obituary lists Batson as place of funeral and internment.
Noah Thomas Runyan (1803-after 1880).
Anna Barned Runyan (1812-1894), wife of Noah Thomas Runyan.
Martin Runyan (1853-1905) son of Noah and Annie Barnes Runyan. Obit lists his burial at Batson.
| Aldona Yauky (1877-1956) Millville resident and Batson Cemetery and Church caretaker. Mr. Yauky is buried at Batson in the center part of the cemetery. Henry County, Indiana. Liberty Township. |
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