The area along Bloom Street in Danville that is today Memorial Park was once burial grounds - three separate burial grounds: The Old Presbyterian Cemetery [sometimes referred to as the Mahoning, or Danville Cemetery], Petrikin Cemetery across the alley to the east, and Potters field, now an alley on the west side of the park.
Below are all the records, as I find them, relating to those who were buried on these grounds - many of whom are still buried here, their stones laid flat and covered with dirt to build the Memorial Park.
"In the heart of the city there is a park that lies over the graves of 10,000 dead. The plot was formerly a cemetery, established long before the Revolution, the time when Danville was a frontier post. In it lie buried all the pioneers of this section.
For more than 100 years it remained in use and for about 50 years it was the only burying ground in a radius of 25 miles. About 25 years ago the Grove Presbyterian Congregation, which owned the land, purchased a new plot and the old cemetery was allowed to run wild. Soon the brush and weeds were so thick that it was not possible to push one's way through. The graves were uncared for, and the spot became an eyesore of the city. A movement was begun several years ago, looking to having the tract deeded to the city to be used as a public park." - The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 1908
Although "hundreds" by some newspaper accounts, were moved to new cemeteries, many others "those with no descendants in the area" simply had their stones laid flat, and "fill" [ground] laid over top. As to how many burials there truly were, it's impossible to know. One plot was "Potters field", and there have been no records of who was buried in this area designated for the poor and indigent.
The Historical and biographical annals of Columbia and Montour counties By J.H. Beers, he tells us that over four hundred graves [marked] were found that still contained remains, when the ground was transferred from the Mahoning Presbyterian Church to the Grove Presbyterian Church- but many more did not have stones, markers, or record of any kind.
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ROBERT CURRY, 1780
ROBERT CURRY, 1780
AND WIFE 1825
"It is a matter of history that the first space cleared within this possession was for a burial ground. Robert Curry, one of the afore-mentioned trustees, who was killed and scalped by the Indians below Mineral Point, was brought hither for interment by a party of scouts in the month of June, 1780. According to tradition, Mr. Curry was the third or fourth person who was laid to rest in this virgin soil. "
1785-1885, Centennial anniversary of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, Danville Pa.
"It is a matter of history that the first space cleared within this possession was for a burial ground. Robert Curry, one of the afore-mentioned trustees, who was killed and scalped by the Indians below Mineral Point, was brought hither for interment by a party of scouts in the month of June, 1780. According to tradition, Mr. Curry was the third or fourth person who was laid to rest in this virgin soil. "
1785-1885, Centennial anniversary of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, Danville Pa.
His wife, who escaped capture, was buried beside her husband in 1825.
This same publication gives the following history of the grounds:
While circumstances connected with the war, and the unsettled condition of the country prevented the formation of a Presbyterian church in Mahoning settlement earlier than the year 1785, it ap- pears that such an organization was contemplated by the residents at least ten years before. The evidence for this is furnished by the deed, on record in Sunbury, for the plot of ground on Bloom street, which includes the burial place and the original site of the church.
This, it is distinctly stated, was purchased and conveyed to certain trustees in 1775 for the use of the Presbyterian congregation of Mahoning. According to the original paper, this plot consisted of
" three acres and seven perches, and allowance of six per cent, for roads, etc., situate in Mahoning township, Northumberland county, and State of Pennsylvania."
In the language of the indenture, which bears date September 8, 1775, Amos Wickersham conveys
this parcel of ground "to John Simpson, Robert Curry, Hugh McWilliams, and John Clark, trustees of the Presbyterian congregation of Mahoning, for the consideration of five (5) pounds lawful
money of Pennsylvania," * * * "to have and to hold the same, with the appurtenances thereof, unto the said John Simpson, Robert Curry, Hugh McWilliams, and John Clark, in trust lor the use of the said congregation, their heirs, and assigns forever." In the receipt appended, it is stated that the above-mentioned pur- chase money was received from John Simpson. This disproves the statement, which has frequently appeared in print, that this plot was donated by Amos Wickersham, of Philadelphia,' for a
specified purpose. As the ground itself was then a portion of the outlying wilderness and densely covered with timber, the amount paid, viz : $13.33, would appear to be its full value.
The evident intention of the purchasers was to secure a tract for immediate use as a burial place which would also be suitable for a church building when it should be required. There was no limitation connected with the transfer except that the ground was to be held in trust for the use of the congregation. In the selection of this site, they were guided, without doubt, by the near location of the great spring in the valley below, as well as by the natural advantages of the tract itself."
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ROBERT DUNLAP 1843
In the spring of 1831, Mr. Dunlap accepted a call from the congregation, and on the 14th of June, was ordained and installed. In the following year Mr. Patterson felt constrained to tender his resignation, which was reluctantly accepted by the congregation. On the 17th of April, 1832, the pastoral relation was dissolved. This beloved pastor, who was first in the line of bishops to whom the care of this congregation has been committed, was privileged to serve it in this relation for fully one third of the century which has passed away. After his retirement from this charge Mr. Patterson continued to preach at Derry until his death.
He entered into rest on the 8th of May, 1843, in the seventy-first year of his age. Devout men carried him to his burial in the old Mahoning grave-yard, and the entire community mourned his loss. In token of affectionate remembrance the congregation to which he had ministered so long and faithfully erected an appropriate monument over his grave. In a graceful tribute to his memory prepared shortly after Lis decease by direction of the Presbytery, Mr. Patterson is described as u a man of good talents and acquirements, a sound and pious preacher, a judicious counselor, cautious in forming intimacies, but firm in his friendship, almost proverbially prudent, mild in manners, and one who scarcely ever, if at all, had an enemy." - 1785-1885, Centennial anniversary of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, Danville Pa.
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DR ALFRED YEOMANS D.D. 1863
And wife
MR JOHN BOYD PATTERSON 1832
And wife
"This congregation has had so many excellent pastors that I confess to some embarrassment in speaking of them in this brief sketch as their merits and talents deserve. Not less acceptable to the church, however, nor less worthy of honorable mention were the accomplished and devout women who in turn held the position of, Mistress of the Manse" in this congregation. Two of these, viz : Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Yeomans sleep in the old grave-yard by the side of their husbands." 1785-1885, Centennial anniversary of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, Danville
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The Danville Morning News
Sat, Jul 27, 1907
Transcription:
NEARLY FOUR HUNDRED GRAVES
List Compiled of Those Who Lie Buried in Old Cemetery.
Eleven gentlemen, who at the adjournment of the citizens' meeting, Tuesday night, volunteered to assist the committee on public improvements convened at Bloom street last evening and very carefully went over the old cemetery compiling a list of the names of those who are buried there. The following gentlemen had the work in hand: Burgess W J. Rogers,
A. H Grone,
William Deutsch,
Adam Mayan,
Thomas Evans,
J. C. .Miller,
Herbert Dreifuss,
George B. Jacobs.
Frank G, Schoch,
Walter O. Green and
Seth Lormer.
It is well known that a large number of tombstones have disappeared while all traces of many graves have been lost.
The committee, however, succeeded in finding the names of some four hundred that are buried there The members of the committee found much difficulty in working their way through the rank growth of bushes. In addition many of the tombstones were lying flat on the ground, while the lettering on others is so indistinct that the names and dates could be deciphered only with the greatest difficulty.
As a matter of general interest a few names representing the leading families of the community are herewith appended along with the dates at which they were buried :
Mary James, 1801 ;
William Robertson, 1813;
Thomas Blackwell, 1826;
Elijah Blackwell, 1828;
Mary Mattes, 1831;
William Davis, 1872;
Julia Eliza Welts, 1824;
Peter Blue, 1820;
Joseph Sperring, 1855 ;
Edward O. Wharton, 1835;
Mary A. Sholes, 1845;
Daniel Hoffman, 1838;
Mary Reese, 1856;
Catherine Morgan, 1855 ;
Sabina Clayton, 1851 :
Joseph Roberts, 1851 :
Mary Bryant, 1857;
Edward Bryant, 1858;
John Fields, 1S48;
Thomas David, 1847 ;
Elijah Brawn, J846:
Julia Anna Foust, 1848;
John Foust 1853;
Sarah O. Lewis, 1866;
Ann Bowen, 1864;
Matthew Tovey, 1865;
John Carr, 1826 ;
James Chamberlain, 1802;
Mary Dixon, 1806;
Mary Elizabeth McMahan, 1808;
Elizabeth Williams, 1815;
Ellen Jones, 1810;
John Jones, 1832;
John Schulenberg, 1841 ;
John Montgomery, 1833 ;
Christiana Montgomery 1845 ;
W. B. Hendrickson, 1817;
Abram Hendrickson, 1837;
Mary C. Hendrickson, 1852;
Peter Hendrickson, 1823.
Amour other representatives of old families buried in the cemetery are:
John Russel,
Robert Russel,
Gilbert Voris,
Jane Voris,
John C. Gulick,
Margaret Gulick,
Isaac Gulick,
William Donaldson Hassenplug,
Jacob Sechler.
John Sechler,
Hannah Sechler,
William Mapstone,
Thomas Hayes,
Michael A. Hayes,
Robert Clark,
Thomas and Harman Gearhart.
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It was in 1875 that I first found mention of plans to remove the burial grounds. In 1887, notes were made on "all of the readable stones". A list, compiled from those notes, can be found at the Bloomsburg Public Library.
| NAME | DATE OF DEATH |
| Christina Best, Wife of George Best | 29 April 1836 |
| John Best | 19 December 1870 |
| Valentine Best | 28 October 1857 |
| Hannah M. Boyd | 24 December 1864 |
| John Boyd | 29 August 1801 |
| John C. Boyd | 18 October 1849 |
| Daniel Barton | 27 April 1808 |
| Emele Barton | 5 November 1819 |
| Agnes Blue, Wife of Isaiah Blue | 28 January 1864 |
| Hannah Blue | 6 April 1870 |
| John Blue | 25 September 1861 |
| Mary Blue | 28 September 1838 |
| Peter Blue | 19 March 1826 |
| Mary W. Caldwell, Wife of William Caldwell | 15 December 1853 |
| Daniel Cameron | 16 March 1834 |
| Daniel Cameron | 16 March 1831 |
| Catherine Cameron | 11 July 1849 |
| Mary C. Cameron, Wife of Daniel | 14 July 1873 |
| Andrew Childs | 7 May 1864 |
| Elizabeth Childs, Wife of James Childs | 11 October 1875 |
| Esther K. Childs | 28 May 1849 |
| James Childs | 10 January 1871 |
| John Childs | 12 December 1867 |
| Margaret Childs | 1 December 1834 |
| Mary G. Childs, Wife of John Childs | 31 July 1846 |
| Andrew Clark | 1831 |
| Florence Clark | 28 May 1841 |
| Joseph Corneilison | 18 August 1851 |
| Letitia Corneilison | 16 September 1863 |
| Sarah Cornelison, Wife of Adam Cornelison | 13 September 1852 |
| Stewart Cornelison | 30 July 1881 |
| Thomas Cousart | 2 August 1853 |
| Jane Curry | 21 April 1825 |
| William Curry | 9 November 1852 |
| Fannie Everett | January 1829(sic) |
| Isabella Everett | 19 January 1849 |
| James Everett | 18 February 1859 |
| Mary Everett | 20 November 1789 |
| Obed Everett | 30 March 1852 |
| Daniel Fraser | 26 March 1828 |
| Isabella Fraser | 19January 1856 |
| James Frazier | 19 March1836 |
| Jane Frazier | 2 January 1828 |
| John Frazier | August 1821 |
| Margaret Frazier | 19 March 1824 |
| Mary Frazier | 1823 |
| Sarah Garrett | 5 June 1856 |
| William Garrett | 20 September 1842 |
| Achsar Gearhart | 13 March 1813 |
| Benjamin Gearhart | 22 October 1868 |
| Benjamin Gearhart, 2nd | 22 February 1854 |
| George Gearhart | 17 May 1817 |
| Mary Gearhart | 12 November 1867 |
| Phoebe Gearhart | 21 June 1845 |
| William C. Gearhart | 15 September 1834 |
| Anna Grier | 10 September 1828 |
| Isabella J. M. Grier | 12 June 1856 |
| M. C. Grier | 25 December 1878 |
| Abram Gulick | 4 March 1852 |
| Catherine Gulick | January 1840 |
| Isaac Gulick | 29 April 1862 |
| John Gulick | 2 November 1837 |
| Margaret Gulick, Wife of John Gulick | 20 October 1855 |
| Mary Gulick, Wife | 2 October 1848 |
| Priscilla Gulick | 4 March 1852 |
| Elizabeth James | 12 October 1865 |
| Thomas James | 17 December 1863 |
| Peter Kolb | 5 January 1845 |
| James Lemon | 6 January 1843 |
| James Lemon Sr. | 11 December 1842 |
| Lucinda Lemon | 3 September 1849 |
| Ruth Lemon | 21 August 1840 |
| Thomas Lemon | 9 December 1849 |
| William Lemon | 3 January 1847 |
| Mary Martin | 1856 |
| Hugh McBride | 2 December 1808 |
| Mary McBride | 3 December 1818 |
| Nathaniel McBride | 10 June 1821 |
| Jane C. McCullough | 12 September 1853 |
| John McCullough | 15 November 1832 |
| Elizabeth McWilliams | 9 January 1813 |
| Hugh McWilliams | 1877 |
| Jane McWilliams | 4 August 1808 |
| Robert McWilliams | 4 March 1832 |
| John T. Mervine | 13 November 1872 |
| George Miller | 20 October 1843 |
| Alex Montgomery | 29 May 1848 |
| Christina Montgomery | 15 November 1848 |
| General Daniel Montgomery | 30 April 1831 |
| Daniel S. Montgomery | 26 March 1859 |
| Daniel W. Montgomery 28 August 1830 | |
| Isabella Montgomery | October 1815 |
| Jane Montgomery | 29 October 1807 |
| Jane D. Montgomery, Wife of Alex Montgomery | 8 March 1876 |
| Margaret Montgomery | 18 March 1876 |
| General William Montgomery | 1 May 1816 |
| Honorable William Montgomery | 8 June 1846 |
| William Montgomery, Jr. | 1806 |
| Daniel Moore | 12 March 1829 |
| Robert Moore | 20 March 1871 |
| Mary Moore | 16 August 1825 |
| John M. Mulfinger | May 1869 |
| James N. Nolan | 31 March 1857 |
| Reverend John B. Patterson | 23 September 1832(sic) |
| Rebecca Patterson | 20 January 1842 |
| John B. Patterson | 23 September 1832(sic) |
| Abner Pitner | 22 August 1867 |
| Mary Pitner | 22 August 1867 |
| Anna Reynolds | 2 January 1839 |
| Charles Reynolds | 7 May 1842 |
| Mary Reynolds | 6 January 1877 |
| Thomas Reynolds | 8 August 1880 |
| Elizabeth Ross | 26 June 1816 |
| Jane Ross | 1 July 1820 |
| Catherine Russell | 27 April 1846 |
| John Russell | 6 June 1851 |
| John F. Russell | 11 July 1841 |
| Lucinda Russell | 14 August 1851 |
| Mary Russell, Wife of Andrew | 11 November 1866 |
| Robert Russell | 26 September 1816 |
| Robert G. Russell | 15 August 1872 |
| Barbara Sechler | 6 January 1807 |
| Christina Sechler | 5 October 1831(sic) |
| Elizabeth Sechler | 11 February 1846 |
| Hannah Sechler | 7 January 1829 |
| Herman Sechler | 20 July 1826 |
| Jacob P. Sechler | 31 July 1842 |
| John Sechler | 5 October 1831(sic) |
| John Sechler, Jr. | 16 July 1844 |
| Rudolph Sechler | 26 June 1857 |
| Sarah H. Sechler | 4 November 1849 |
| Susannah Sechler | 20 September 1871 |
| Bridget Sholes, Wife of Cyrus | 19 February 1820 |
| Catherine Sholes, Wife of Orrin | 8 June 1826 |
| Elizabeth Shultz | 26 August 1856 |
| Jacob Shultz | 13 August 1863 |
| Anna Siglar, Wife of Thomas D. | 7 December 1843 |
| Elizabeth Snyder, Wife of Jacob | 2 October 1853 |
| John Sunday | 17 September 1858 |
| John Thomas | 7 August 1855 |
| Anna G. Voris | 26 April 1881 |
| Gilbert Voris | March 1797 |
| Jane Voris | October 1816 |
| John Voris | 5 April 1848 |
| Joseph Voris | 24 May 1866 |
| Sarah C. Watson | 25 March 1849 |
| Eleanor Wilson, Wife of George | 1 October 1827 |
| Captain John S Wilson | 12 April 1847 |
| Elizabeth G. Wagner | 27 October 1842 |
Robert Curry and his wife were removed to Fairview Cemetery.
Jacob Gearhart's remains were not found, but the family erected a stone in the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Riverside in his honor.
The Montgomery families — those found — were transferred to Fairview Cemetery.
The Shultz Lot was removed in 1901
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PETRIKIN CEMETERY
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According to a 2009 article in the Danville News, no records have been found for the Petrikin Cemetery, but approximately 29 graves were recorded as being moved to other cemeteries. Dr Petrikin and his family remain under the park grounds.
Dr David Petrikin 1 Dec 1788 – 14 Mar 1847
His Wife
& 5 others, "presumably his children"
June 25, 1908
June 25 1908
BODIES WERE NOT REMOVED
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Workmen Unexpectedly Uncover Remains of Petrikin Family.
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Pursuant to the action of council at its last meeting the work of obliterating the graves in the old Petrikin cemetery has been carried very expeditiously forward during the present week. As was done in abolishing the older and larger cemetery adjoining, the tomb stones have been laid down flat upon the graves before the spot was graded. This branch of the work was rendered mora than usually difficult by the existence of a monument marking the resting place of the Petrikin family, which had to be disposed of.
Seventy five or one hundred years ago Dr. Petrikiun was one of the leading physicians of this section. He was a resident of Danville and was prominent in local affairs. The little cemetery now in process of abandonment belonged to the Petrikin family and in connection with the monument above alluded to was a spacious vault, which stood near the southern entrance.
For many years prior to abandonment the vault was practically a ruin. There was a tradition that all the bodies years ago were removed. No one dreamed that the bodies were still in the old cemetery, especially as no person claiming relationship with the dead or who was otherwise interested came forward with any request when the borough, as required by law, advertised its attention of abandoning the cemetery.
The surprise of the workmen, therefore, can easily be imagined, Tuesday, when in leveling the vault they suddenly uncovered a deep pit containing seven bodies those of Dr. Petrikin, his wife and five others presumably children of the former. Only a few traces of the coffins could be seen, while of the bodies little more remained than the bones. The bodies originally had been arranged on shelves, which, in process of time had given way and the bodies when found lay together five feet below the surface.
The seven bodies were interred at intervals during a period of over sixty years. The first interment was made in 1821. Nothing was left for the workmen to do but to proceed as in all other cases where the bodies are unclaimed. The marble shaft, therefore, was laid down over the bodies whose resting place it marked. A few shovelfuls of earth did the rest and the last trace of the Petrikin family was obliterated.
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POTTERS FIELD
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There are no known existing records of the burials in The Potter's Field to the west of the park. In an article in the Montour American, a Danville Newspaper, it was reported that interments were apparently made until 1850. This cemetery was filled with graves belonging to those who died without means or without family or friends.==================================
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Cemetery Where Pioneers Were Buried fora Century Now Beautified by City
Special to The Inquirer.
DANVILLE, Pa., July 25.
In the heart of the city there is a park that lies over the graves of 10,000 dead. The plot was formerly a cemetery, established long before the Revolution, the time when Danville was a frontier post. In it lie buried all the pioneers of this section.
For more than 100 years it remained in use and for about 50 years it was the only burying ground in a radius of 25 miles. About 25 years ago the Grove Presbyterian Congregation, which owned the land, purchased a new plot and the old cemetery was allowed to run wild. Soon the brush and weeds were so thick that it was not possible to push one's way through. The graves were uncared for, and the spot became an eyesore of the city. A movement was begun several years ago, looking to having the tract deeded to the city to be used as a public park.
After much time spent in searching old records and deeds, the city was given a clear title to the land and at once set about beautifying it. Comparatively few of the bodies were removed, the tombstones of the remaining graves being laid flat and covered with earth. The tract has ben cleared, graded and sodded.
Since the improvement land values in that section have risen 25 per cent..
For more than 100 years it remained in use and for about 50 years it was the only burying ground in a radius of 25 miles. About 25 years ago the Grove Presbyterian Congregation, which owned the land, purchased a new plot and the old cemetery was allowed to run wild. Soon the brush and weeds were so thick that it was not possible to push one's way through. The graves were uncared for, and the spot became an eyesore of the city. A movement was begun several years ago, looking to having the tract deeded to the city to be used as a public park.
After much time spent in searching old records and deeds, the city was given a clear title to the land and at once set about beautifying it. Comparatively few of the bodies were removed, the tombstones of the remaining graves being laid flat and covered with earth. The tract has ben cleared, graded and sodded.
Paths have been made, beds of flowers planted, urns and settees donated, and m the near future a monument to the soldier and sailor dead of Montour county will be therein erected.
The monument will cost in the neighborhood of $20,000, the greater part of which has already been donated by popular subscription.
Since the improvement land values in that section have risen 25 per cent..
May 1907
June 8, 1907
July 1907
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