Mound Chapel Cemetery Marks 130th Anniversary

The Christian County Genealogical Society's Joan Pearson Blood has this cemetery photographed and you can find photo's on the website:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilchrgs/

The Mound Chapel Cemetery is marking its 130th anniversary in 2002. Although the earliest known burial at this location dates back to 1852, and the next burial in 1862, the cemetery was officially established in 1872; in connection with the Mound Chapel, a United Brethren Church which was built on an acre of ground donated by Elijah Chesterman and his wife, Anna (Dappert) Chesterman. This property is located in Section 23 of Johnson Township, here in Christian County. The cemetery was surveyed in 1907 by J .W .Dappert, who made a map of the cemetery showing all burials. In 1962 his son, Boyd Dappert prepared a plat of the cemetery and this was recorded in the county records.

The church and most of the trees on the property were destroyed in 1948 by a severe windstorm. On March 25, 1948 a large group met to clean up the damage. On that evening three trustees were elected to care for the cemetery: John Dappert, Frank Masters and John Brookens.

The cemetery has been well maintained over the years, due to the efforts of The Mound Chapel Cemetery Association, which was formed in 1949 to ensure care would continue into the future. For many years, John A. Brookens, grandson of John Dappert, was secretary for the Association. He made notes as to relationships and maiden names of those buried in the cemetery. His daughter-in-law, Rosella Brookens, who for many years served as chairperson for the Association, has gone to great lengths to elaborate on the information provided by John Brookens. Rosella has compiled an unofficial set of books, by using the 1850, 1860 and 1870 printed census reports, researching old county histories and referencing J.W. Dappert's, "History of Mound School". She then continued by copying down all legible names and dates from the tombstones, and interviewing people she knew or was able to locate and contact. It has been Rosella's intention that the history she has gathered and recorded would be of benefit to genealogists or anyone else who may be seeking information on ancestors or friends.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the history of the Mound Chapel Cemetery or who may be seeking information on those buried there, is encouraged to contact Rosella Brookens thru this blog. The Mound Chapel Cemetery Association would welcome new members to share in the continued preservation of the cemetery.