TIP #374 POTTER'S FIELDS - COUNTY FARM CEMETERIES Many terms have been used throughout the years for the burial locations of certain individuals. The oldest term is potter's field which was taken from the following Scripture found in the Gospel of St. Matthew: "Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests . . . and they took counsel, and brought with them the potters' field to bury strangers in." Potter's fields were also referred to in Bible times as "fields of blood". People have always felt the need and obligation to honor the dead with a decent burial. Thus potter's fields were set up in most counties and states as a place to bury those who were indigent, "unbefriended", and those who had died as criminals. In Kentucky, the term potter's field does not appear much, these cemeteries were known primarily as the poor house or the county farm. The Indigent: In the founding days of most Kentucky counties, there were provisions made for the indigent or those with medical conditions making it impossible for them to take care of themselves. A check of the very interesting Court Order Books indicates that these individuals were placed in the care of other citizens of the county who clothed, fed and provided medical attention for them. At the end of the year (or whenever deemed by the particular county), the "guardian" was paid out of the county revenue a sum of money for the upkeep for the ensuing year. This will explain certain instances on the census reports where there is an individual residing with the family that seems to have no biological connection with the rest of the family. Upon the indigent's death, in the oldest days of the county, there is never a mention of the burial location. It is assumed that he or she was buried either in the family burial plot or possibly a church cemetery. There were few municipal or city cemeteries at this time. A local carpenter or casket maker was hired and paid to make the plain pine box for burial. Later on, the county established what was called the county farm. It might have been known in various areas of the state as the county farm or poor house, or other titles. Housekeepers were appointed by the county, normally a couple who they felt could handle the care of others and a building of some description was built. You will find these on the census records from 1850 on for several censuses. The county made a payment to the caretakers annually and in some counties, kept a detailed list of the monies spent and the names of the individuals there. In some counties the reports do not show the names of the residents or the lists are missing altogether. Upon the death of a resident, a cemetery which was set aside nearby, was used for their burial. Very few clues to the existence of these exist prior to the time of funeral homes. Likely a wooden cross or a stone carved by a pocket knife was the only indication of the burial. Many of these old cemeteries have been destroyed or overgrown over the years. With the emergence of the funeral home burials of the very late 1890's to early 1900's, records were kept by them. They were quite "disguised" at times and sometimes were kept on a separate list or in the back of the funeral home register. A local embalmer prepared the body and the funeral home provided the inexpensive casket. The only indication sometimes that this was a "county burial" is that there is no next of kin listed as responsible for the funeral expenses and the county was billed. Funds were set aside by the counties for these burials. Some of the newer county farm cemeteries can still be found with little tin markers showing the funeral home that handled the burial and a card slipped in (some missing, faded from the weather) showing the individuals name - possibly a date. When the county farms ceased their existence, most burials take place in church or municipal cemeteries. The Unbefriended. It is imagined that the same rules applied to those who were not residents of the county or who lived here on their own with no family. Perhaps the individual was here on business or to visit family and died while in the area. It was costly to have the remains shipped back home (if they had one) although this was done by railroad many times. The criminals. In the days of hangings and lynchings, it would be considered to be an abomination to bury a criminal in a sacred family or city cemetery. There were exceptions to the rules of course; in fact, here in Barren County there was a murder in the 1850's by a prosperous husband of his new bride - he then committing suicide. They were buried in the same casket (which I never could understand), and their remains are in the municipal cemetery. However, most times, in the case of hangings, a wagon stood by and as the body was cut down from the gallows, his body was placed on the flat bed and driven out of town to an 'unknown burial spot'. Perhaps this was in fear that if anyone knew where the individuals remains rested, they were be dug up out of revenge. No marker was placed on the gravesite and only the family, if family he had, knew where he was buried. A little note here about hangings. With protests today about televising executions; people in the olden days thought this all the "rage". The local paper or a printer, sent invitations to the hanging. It was by ticket only that one could view a hanging. The prisoner was allowed, as is the case today, ministerial assistance and many jails contained old bathtubs where the prisoner could be baptized if he had repented. Ministers often stayed around the clock preaching to the sinner in the hopes of repentance. The prisoner had been allowed to write as many letters as he wished - to family members or the newspaper. The eager newspaper editor appears to have "ambulance chased" to the family daily to see if they had had correspondence with their convict family member, and printed them in glowing details in the paper. On the day of the funeral, the streets of town were overly crowded with entire families coming to see the hanging, often with picnic baskets. A fence was often erected around the gallows with enough room within the fence for the invitees to stand. The rest, without tickets, climbed the fences, climbed nearby trees, climbed to the top of nearby buildings It was a noisy crowd that cheered the henchman on; and the loud sobbing of family who were expected to be present also. I would imagine that the poor houses or county farms were not the cream of the crop, and sometimes residents there might have been abused. With the county ownership it is hoped that the rules were stricter and the people better taken care of. (c) Copyright, 3 January 2002, Sandra K. Gorin. All rights reserved. sgorin@glasgow-ky.com Col. Sandi Gorin, 205 Clements, Glasgow, KY 42141 (270) 651-9114 Publishing: http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/ SCKY resource links: http://www.public.asu.edu/~moore/Gorin.html < >< God Bless America ><>