MyIndianaHome.net

Riker Cemetery

Section 9, Township 5 North, Range 11 East
Shelby Township, Jefferson County, Indiana

Photos by Ruth Hoggatt, © 2000

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The Ryker family cemetery is in a pasture just off the road, and less than a half mile from Jefferson Presbyterian Church. Within the last three years, the grounds have been cleaned of brush and a fence with a gate erected. There must be other graves here as most of the stones are on the boundaries of the cemetery with a space in the middle (now filling in with trees). Transcription by Robert W. Scott, July 9, 2003.

Beebe, Patsy. A field stone with the name roughly carved in. No dates.

Benefiel, __y d. 07-24-1845 [This is surely Amy Benefiel. The part of the stone with the other letters is broken away]

Conaway, Henry. "In memory of Henry Conaway, who died September 28th 1838; aged 38 years and 12 days. Also his son and daughter Hugh and Cyntha Ann"[RWS note. The inscription says Cyntha, not Cynthia]

Riker Samuel who died June 24,1843 [RWS note: this is the only example of the original spelling of the Ryker name I have seen in Jefferson County]

PA_M_MOP of Jacob Ryker b. ? d. ? [Listed by Jeanie Rhodes. I did not find this stone. However, Jacob Ryker donated the land for the nearby Jefferson Presbyterian Church]

Weatherford, John, Weatherford, died March 12, 1857; aged ?3 years, 3 months, 25 day"

Weatherford, Sarah, wife of John Weatherford, born Feb 21, 1809, died May 26, 1891
[RWS Note. Sarah was John's second wife.]

Weatherford, H.N., died March 12, 1857. (age __3 years, 3 mos., 25 days) [Jackie Rhodes read the same date, but read the name as John. Using chalk, I found H.N. Weatherford and believe this is Harden Weatherford, who was son of John Weatherford and his first wife Rachel Ryker. Harden was a brother to Peter Weatherford, the P.A. Weatherford buried here.)

Weatherford P. A. Co. H., 10th Indiana Cavalry [No dates]
[RWS: As noted, this is probably Peter Weatherford, son of John and Rachel Ryker Weatherford.]