A brief history of the formation
and maintenance of the Welsh Church Union Cemetery.
According to Madison County
history, it states that the north-east part of the Town of Nelson was settled
first and the location of the church was made a field of religious endeavor
soon after the settlement of this Town, probably before 1800 by the English
Presbyterians and English Baptists, though both organizations have long
ceased to exist.
The church and cemetery
are located on lot No. 49 on the farm now owned by Lee R. Murray, the first
owner of this farm was Seth Curtis who purchased it from the Holland Land
Co. Sept. 16, 1793. Many of our present day citizens have inquired
why the church and cemetery are located so far from our busy highway (US
Route 20), the truth is, one of the first directly west state roads built
about 1795 passed directly south of it before the Cherry Valley Turnpike
was built in 1806. Early historical records refer to it as the "Old
State Road".
The English Presbyterians
built the first meeting house, records show that they were active in 1813,
how much earlier we are not advised. Many of these pioneers sleep
in unmarked graves in the old part of the cemetery. The oldest marker
in the cemetery known to us today marks the grave of Mary S. daughter
of Arisabulus and Experience Smith who died March 8, 1809.
There are also markers showing
the last resting place of many of the first settlers, who came here from
the New England States. Among them to name a few are family names
prominent in Town of Nelson early history, Knox, Hamilton, Keith, Smith,
Curtis, Lovejoy, Card, Cook, Kiney, Maxium, Sayles, and Booth.
The oldest marker with a
Welsh name on it, is Samuel Jones who died March 11, 1830. One of
his descendants Mrs. LeRoy Tarr lives in Waterloo, N.Y. and she also has
relatives in Madison and Earlville. Many generations of Welsh families
have been buried there down through the years.
The English Presbyterians
disbanded their society on February 13, 1848. The English Baptists
also used the church, at a meeting held on March 19, 1839, the First Free
Baptist Union Society was formed, the trustees were authorized to procure
a lease for the meeting house and burying grounds for the benefit of said
Society and Town. This Society also disbanded and a deed dated July
5, 1853 shows that this Society in consideration of one dollar paid by
the Welsh Congregational Church in the Town of Nelson, N.Y. the receipt
of which is hereby acknowledged, do hereby sell, transfer and fully surrender
unto the said church, or to the trustees that may be appointed or chosen
by said church and to their successors in office, all our right, title,
interest or claim in and to said meeting house, reserving to ourselves
and to the inhabitants of the neighborhood, and vicinity, the right and
privilege of holding funerals in said house whenever it may be needed for
that purpose.
The first meetings of the
Welsh Society were held in homes about 1848. The Society was fully
organized June 22, 1850.
In 1876 the old meeting
house was moved and remodelled into a residence and the present church
was built. This was during the pastorate of Rev. Griffith Jones.
The old residence was destroyed by fire March 28, 1946.
Early records of the cemetery
show that a meeting was held July 12, 1862 for the purpose of organizing
a cemetery association. It was voted by a majority of those present
that it be known as the Union Cemetery Association of the Town of Nelson,
R.S.Cook acted as chairman, L.D.Knox, secretary.
As years passed by, committees
were named from time to time to make improvements. At a meeting held
in 1865 it was resolved to build a stone wall around the north and west
sides of the burial ground. At a meeting held in 1896 it was resolved
to build a one strand wire fence on the west side with posts 1 rod apart,
evidently cattle or sheep were able to jump over the stone wall.
On February 10, 1887, a
deed was recorded that William Richards sold for the consideration of $1.00
that part which for many years was known as the new part north of the old
cemetery, the premises were conveyed on the express condition that a lawful
fence be maintained around it and that the gate at the entrance be kept
closed.
In 1925 a small parcel of
land north of the church was purchased from Morgan Lloyd and in 1938, more
land was purchased from Morgan Lloyd and Lee E. Murray.
On June 20, 1924, a special
meeting was held to vote on incorporating the cemetery for the purpose
of establishing a perpetual care fund, all present voted in favor.
On November 14, 1925 a certificate of incorporation was filed at the Secretary
of State Office in Albany. There are now 89 lots under perpetual
care. A major portion of this fund is invested in government bonds
and the remainder in savings banks.
In 1954 one of our faithful
trustees donated and built a cement block vault which is an added improvement
and convenience.
At the annual meeting which
is held on the last Tuesday of April of each year, officers are elected,
sexton appointed, date is set for a work bee which consists of grading,
levelling markers and general cleanup. Also plans for raising funds.
The grounds and surroundings
are kept neat, the gleaming white tomb stones and the church with its lofty
spire give it a tranquil and peaceful appearance. It is hoped that
the following generations yet unborn will continue to care for and preserve
this historic spot.