W. P. A. Cemetery Survey - Taylor Cemetery, Defiance Township

The Works Progress Administration was formed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in reaction to the Great Depression as a means of employing Americans and stimulating the economy.  Established in 1935, one of the projects of the W.P.A. was to conduct Historical Records Surveys, one of which included finding information on cemeteries and the graves of veterans.  The W.P.A. was disbanded in 1943, but the historical information provided on these surveys continue to be of interest and are, thankfully, preserved.

In this series, some of the general surveys of Defiance County cemeteries will be shared, transcribed as written with a few punctuation and/or spelling changes for readability.  The surveys were probably done around 1936.
 
For more up to date information on the cemeteries, check out this chart on our website:
 http://defiancecountygenealogy.org/cemeteries.html

Taylor Cemetery

1. Name of cemetery: The Taylor Cemetery, Defiance Township

2. Location, how reached:

On State Route #66, two miles south of the City of Defiance on the west side of the road at the bridge over Powell's Creek.  In section two, Defiance Township.

3. Name and address of caretaker:

No caretaker, trustees of the township help some in keeping up the graves.

Photo from www.findagrave.com

4. General description, size, appearance, etc.:

This cemetery is situated about fifty yards back off the road on a hill: on one side is Powels Creek, on the other is a deep ravine.  It is well wooded, with large oak trees, has an iron gate and wire fence around it  It comprises about two acres, although not all of it has been used.  It is situated on a very pretty spot.  It is undenominational, although most of the people buried there are Presbyterians, on account of the old Presbyterian Church that one time stood here.  It started as a family plot for Halls and Sprouls, later was used by all neighbors.

5. Name and date of first burial recorded:

The first gave was made in 1852 for Mordica Hall, a young woman twenty years of age.

Mordica Hall at www.findagrave.com

6. Names of important people buried there:

Most important grave to the present generation is that of Lyman Carpenter, a one armed Civil War veteran who was born in Defiance Township in 1844 and died in 1925 in Defiance, Ohio.  Many important pioneers of Defiance Township, such as the Sprouls, Halls, Nicelys, Kleinhens and Carpenters are buried here.

Lyman Carpenter at www.findagrave.com

7. Markers of unusual appearance:

One being erected for Lyman Carpenter of gray granite.

8. Unusual epitaphs:  None

9. Is cemetery used for new burials?

There has been no one buried in this graveyard for ten years, but it is still open if anyone ares to bury here.

C. Cadwallader and C.Gish, Reporters

Consultant: L. F. Myres, R.F.D. #8, Defiance, Ohio