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Springdale Cemetery

Jefferson County Tract Book
Town 4 North, Range 10 East (Madison Twp.):
SE 1/4 Section 34 - 160 acres - May 6, 1808 - John Taylor
[It does not appear that John Taylor secured this patent.]

SW 1/4 Section 35 - 160 acres - May 2, 1812 - Benjamin Taylor
[On the same day, John Taylor was listed as receiving a patent for the SE 1/4 of Section 35. However, both patents evidently reverted back to the government, as per deed records Jonathan Lyons and John Paul obtained a patent for the south half of Section 35 (320 acres) on Aug. 30, 1812. Lyons sold his interest in the SW 1/4 to John Paul on Mar. 14, 1815. The Jewish Cemetery section is situated in Section 35, near the sectional line between sections 34 & 35.]

It appears that Philemon Vawter obtained the land patent for the SE 1/4 of Section 34, if not the second owner after John Taylor. Philemon and his wife, Annie sold 50 acres in the SW corner of the SE 1/4 to William Vawter on March 5, 1813. (William Vawter was most likely the husband of Frances Vawter, daughter of Philemon Vawter and Ann Vawter.) However, Philemon sold the same tract of land to Rufus Gale five months later, on Aug. 11, 1813. Also, Philemon sold to John Vawter 10 acres in the SE corner of the SE 1/4 on Mar. 7, 1814. A month later, Philemon died on Apr. 15, 1814.

Deed of Conveyances
Per Philemon Vawter's Will, his real estate was divided between his wife and children. Son, David Vawter was to receive a half tract after his mother's death. In 1835, David's siblings conveyed their interest to him. At the same time, brother Beverly sold 32 acres to David, which most likely was the west half of Milton Stapp's 1839 partition. The east half being the land conveyed by David's siblings to him.

William Hendricks, Commissioner to David Vawter
John Alling held land in trust due to Vawter's debts: Jul. 26, 1834 - 76 acres
Circuit Court: Jul. 30, 1836
[Debts had been paid. However, Alling died before releasing the land to Vawter.
Court ordered land to be released to Vawter.]
Deed: Apr. 5, 1837
[Commissioner William Hendricks Jr., by deed conveyed land to David Vawter]
Recorded: Apr. 12, 1837

David & Lucinda Vawter to Milton Stapp
Part of the SE 1/4 of Sec. 34; $6,000
Deed: Nov. 14, 1836
Recorded: Oct. 28,1837
Bk O: 59-61
[David Vawter and Milton Stapp were first cousins.]
David & Lucinda Vawter to William & Cornelius Fellows
Same land; $5,750
Deed: Apr. 26, 1837
Recorded: Oct. 28, 1837
Bk O:61-62
[Evidently the Fellows who lived in Louisville, Ky. failed to secure the land.
Note that Milton Stapp was David Vawter's lawyer in his stead.]

Milton Stapp to City of Madison, by Mayor Moody Park
Bond: Oct. 27, 1838 - 60 acres
Notes due: Jun. 23, 1839 - $3000; Jun. 23, 1840 - $3,710
[Payable at the branch of the State Bank of Indiana at Madison.]
See Final Record for copy of bond.

A. Collins bill to the Corporation of Madison, which included a fee of $1
for marking off Graveyard on Jan. 24, 1839.

Milton Stapp - Exparte
Circuit Court - 1839 March Term - April 5, 1839
Stapp's petition to partition 59 90/100ths acres in half.
The west side was 31 78/100ths, east side 28 12/100ths acres.
Image of land survey also included.

Final record concerning Milton Stapp - City of Madison
Deed of Conveyance Recorded: Dec. 4, 1848 - $6,710
Restates the original bond made Oct. 27, 1838 and a description of the 28+ acres that was set off during the Circuit Court's March Term of 1839. Deed recognized that the bond which included the 28+ acres had been fully paid, giving the City of Madison the deed by Milton Stapp and wife Elizabeth.

My understanding of the above bond & deed records, concerning land where most of the Springdale Cemetery is now located. The original cemetery section is situated on the east end. As the 1876 Plat Map was used for context, the cemetery includes more than the original cemetery section (Plat 1). Included in the outlined cemetery area are Plats 1-5, -possibly Plat 6, and the Public Burial Grounds.

First Addition to Springdale Cemetery (Plat 2)
Aug. 23, 1849 - Survey of New Addition north of the original plat
Sep. 06, 1849 - Set price of lots / Lots ready for sale at Mayor's Office

Jewish Cemetery Addition to Springdale Cemetery
Hebrew Cemetery established on Aug. 25, 1877. Addition added Dec. 30, 1884
Hebrew Cemetery added to Springdale Cemetery on Apr. 9, 1912

The Vault in Springdale Cemetery
The Madison Courier dated Aug. 21, 1885

Chapel for Springdale
The Madison Courier dated Aug. 14, 1916