Cemetery Stones

The Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery is filled with my relatives most of whom were Longs, Browns, Grahams, Reiters, Tyreys.  But, I did photographs some that weren't related (as far as I knew)

The stone above appears to say "Miller" but I don't know whose stone it was, but it was so different from most of them in the cemetery.

Manion and McKay Grave Stones

In Memory of Paul E. Manion 1925-1945 Died at Sea, Attached U.S.S. P.C. 815.  According to this Wikipedia article, this ship collided with another ship in San Diego in 1945 and one person was lost at sea and presumed dead.  His name was not mentioned in the article, but I have to assume it was Paul E. Manion.  The ship, oddly enough, was at one time under the command of L.Ron Hubbard of Scientology fame. Paul's parents were Carrie Wilson (1856-1979 and William Clinton Manion (1869-1979).

He was not their only child to die young:  Ross D. 1908-1927  Ruth E. 1913-1937.  William Clinton Manion's first wife was Elizabeth Reiter whose stone can be seen here.

Valentine A. Manion (1838-1860) was the son of Susan Graham and John Samuel Manion.

Although this is clearly a Manion, but I am not sure who.

John F [Franklin] Manion Nov 10, 1864-May 13, 1925 and his wife Lucina McKee Sept 8, 1865-June 3, 1945  John F. Manion was the son of William G. Manion and Minerva McCulloch (Grandson of Susan Graham and John Samuel Manion).  Minerva's stone can be seen here.

Thomas J[Jefferson] Manion born June 18, 1831; died Feb. 9, 1908 was the husband of Mary [Ann Pounds] and also the son of Susan Graham and John Samuel Manion.  Although I am related to all of these Manions above (through Susan Graham), the McKays below were photographed because, I had read enough of the Bethlehem records to know they were the "movers and shakers" of the church.

Elizabeth G. [Wilson] McKay born Dec. 8, 1824 died Jan. 23, 1894 was the wife of John Michael McKay (1821-1891).

Rev. Robert W. McKay Feb. 7, 1903- Oct. 26, 1947  Berta Lee McKay Sept. 3, 1906-Nov. 8, 1998

Mary L McKay March 9, 1851-Nov. 2, 1937  Wm Robert McKay March 9, 1859-Nov. 2, 1938.  At this time, I don't know the maiden names of Mary and Berta Lee McKay.

Stones in the Bethlehem Cemetery

 I took photos of many of the stones in the Bethlehem cemetery which are seen throughout the posts.  But, some of the stones included individuals who were not mentioned in the written records which I transcribed.  Most of them are cousins of mine.

 Bert (Albert) M. Brinley Feb. 18, 1888-Jan. 1 1963 (1964) and Yetta G. Washburn Brinley May 14, 1890-June 24, 1936  Bert's mother was Jane Valle and her mother was Caroline Tyrey, the sister of my great-great grandmother (Eliza Tyrey Reiter).

 Ida A. Brinley Brown 1879-1927 James Brown 1865-1934 Both Ida and James are cousins of mine.  James is the first cousin of my great grandfather Thomas Long and Ida is Bert Brinley's sister (see above)

Daughter J.F.- M.V. Brown Oct. 31, 1885-Dec. 13, 1885 I haven't figured out who this is since there is no name other than "Daughter".  Although the death date looks like 1995, I'm pretty sure it is 1885.

Homer Leo Couch April 13, 1916- Feb. 11, 2010 and Mae Gladys June 28, 1916-March 16, 1992.  Although I am related to about a dozen Couches, I am not sure how Homer Leo fits in.  His wife was Mae Miller and I don't believe I am related to her either.

 Myrtle Eoff Quick April 29, 1906-May 28, 1970 Charles Lloyd Quick March 7, 1900-Feb. 3, 1980 I'm not sure I'm related to either of these two either, but the name Quick caught my eye since Quicks might be related from when family lived around Spanish Lake in St. Louis, Mo.

 Martin Uriah Graham Nov. 11, 1854- May 19, 1916  Amanda A. Wilhite May 13, 1860-Feb. 12, 1943  Martin was a double cousin since his father was William Kane Graham (brother of my great-great grandmother Mary Graham Brown) and his mother was Sarah Elizabeth Long (sister of my great-grandfather Milton Long).  Although Amanda wasn't related, her father was Ezekiel Wilhite and her mother was Martha Jane Wilson.

George Jay Graham March 10, 1886- November 25, 1938 is the son of Martin Uriah and Amanda Graham.  He died in Montana, but is buried in Grubville, Mo.

For a list of all cemetery stones transcribed by Jefferson County Historical Society, click HERE.

Church Records 1926-1932

These records are for Bethlehem Baptist Church on Highway Y in Dittmer or Grubville, Missouri.  To be more specific, see the geological survey marker I found there. (Double click to enlarge)

The documents were not found in the church but in the open attic of an abandoned log house.  They were not in great shape, but at least we salvaged some wonderful information.

March 1926 ". . .John and Hazel Drinnen called for letters which was granted. . .E.J. Hamrick, moderator; Annie McKay, clerk"

July, 1926 ". . .election of messengers to meet with the Jefferson County Baptist Association:  James Adams, Charles Henry and wife; alternates E. J. Hamrick and Virgie Wilson. . . "  In the margin is written in pencil "Aug. 1926 Bro. Carroll; Oct. 1926 Bob Richardson"

July 23, 1928 p. 187 ". . .1) elected messengers to association.  Elected were Brother John Wilson, James Adams and wife.  Alternates: Charles Henry and wife, Annie McKay. 20 Collect $7.00 due Adolph Eaton 3) $50 collected for missions 40 Ballot on pastor results Bro. Wm. Montgomery. . .O.B. Waine Scott, moderator; Annie McKay C.C.
Sept. 22  "Letters granted to Freemont Pounds and wife. . ."
Oct. 28 "A letter granted to Mrs. James (Nettie) Pounds. . ."

July 28, 1929 p. 170 ". . .messengers to Jefferson Co. Association:  Charles Henry and wife, Bertha Wilson; Alternatives:  James Adams, Shelby Wilson and wife.  Messengers to pledge $25 to District business.  Next vote on pator.  Bro. William Montgomery was elected for the coming year.  Wm. Montgomery, Moderator; Annie McKay, clerk"

Dec. 28, 1930 ". . .Sister Pearl Green called for letter to join S. Kingshighway Baptist church which was granted. . .Bro. J. Williams, moderator; Annie McKay, Clerk"
June 28, 1930 ". . . after sermon, Mrs. John A Henry granted a letter of dismission. . . "
July 26, 1931 ". . .James Wilson and wife, Charles Henry were messengers. . ."

July 24, 1932 " . . .those elected [messengers] were Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Wilson and Mrs. Annie McKay.  Alternates Mr. and Mrs. James Williams and Charles Henry. . . Bro. John Williams, moderator, Annie McKay, C.C.
Bro. A.P. Hamrick held a 2 weeks meeting beginning 4th Sunday in Aug. 13 additions.
No Business meetings from July 1932 to March 1933."

Church Records 1924-1925

 June 29, 1924 ". . .there were two requests for letters of dismission:  Sisters Winnie Manion and Anna Maness which were granted. . . E. J. Hamrick, Moderator; Annie McKay, Clerk"

 July 29, 1924 ". . .Bethlehem Baptist met in regular conference at 2 PM Sat. before 4th Sunday in July. ..the church proceeded to elect messenger to the association. Clerk ordered to write the annual letter to the association.   Messengers:  Bertha Wilson, James Adams, Robert McKay. . ."

 January 25, 1925 ". . .Thelma and Floyd Miller requested letters from this church to join Antioch Baptist in Chesterfield, Mo. which was granted. . ."

 May 23, 1925 ". . .Brother Howard Miller was granted a letter from this church on his request to join Lafayette Park Church in St. Louis. . ."

Aug. 22, 1925 ".. . Messengers were elected to meet with the Jefferson County Baptist Association:  J.M. Wilson, Bertha Wilson, Myrtle McKay. Alternatives:  Charles Henry and wife, Virgie Wilson.  Charles Henry was appointed board from Bethlehem Church. . .
Sept. 1925 Brother Carroll preached on Sunday. No October meeting.
November 1925 Brother Carroll held a week's meeting collected for District Missions $15.35"