Hi everyone, This is rather long, but I'm hoping someone mind find this article interesting, if not helpful. Zebulon Sheetz was a brother to my ancestor Frederick Sheetz who was married to Nancy Emerson, daughter of Thomas and Mary Downey Emerson. Please excuse any typos! :-) Adina ============================================================ Newspaper Article regarding Sheetz Cemetery and the Sheetz family of Monticello, White Co., IN Source: Herald Journal, Monticello, Indiana, August 23-24, 1997 Page 1, Cover Story LINK TO THE PAST Early development of White County can be traced to small cemetery near Monticello. By Marsha Geier Herald Journal Staff "As the Heritage Lakes Festival is celebrated, a large segment of White County history can be traced to a small tract of land near Monticello. This portion of early White County history rests on a high bluff overlooking the Tippecanoe River. It is a tiny cemetery, the final resting place of one of White County's early citizens and some of his descendants. They were among the first settlers in White County. The cemetery is named for Zebulon Sheetz, a man who played a significant role in the early development of White County. The grandfather of Zebulon Sheetz, Gerhard Heinrich Shutz, came to Philadelphia in 1739 from Rotterdam on the ship Snow Betsie. The family history unfolds with the Sheetz family living in Viriginia. His parents were Henry and Ann Barbara Endt Sheetz. Zebulon Sheetz was born in 1793 near Shepherdstown, Va., one of 10 children. He became a gunsmith and a farmer. He lived in Bethel Valley near Cold Stream Post Office, Va. (now West Virginia), made rifles for the Virginia Militia and served in the War of 1812. His first wife was named Isabella Cram and they had three children. After her death, he married Mary Patterson, and they had five children. He and his family were active members of the Bloomery Mills Prebyterian Church. He was ordained an elder in November 1825. In the early 1830's, a large delegation--including the Sheetz family--moved west. Zebulon and his family were given a letter of dismissal from their church at Cold Stream to move "to any Presbyterian churh in the West, in whose neighborhood God might cast his lot." He was also given a testimonial of appreciation of the high community regard for his church service. He is first traced to Indiana with his purchase of 36.36 acres of land east of the Tippecanoe River. This purchase was recorded at Crawforsville on the first day of November 1834. Zebulon Sheetz played a significant part in the early organization of the Presbyterian church in White County. In 1836, a small church class was formed. Zebulon; his wife, Margaret; mother Ann B. Sheetz; and son, Austin C. Sheetz were included in the membership. The class met at the cabin of John Wilson, another early settler, a mile west of Monticello on the Moore farm. Later history records that "meetings were also held at the house of Zebulon Sheetz, on the east side of the river, until the completion of the school house at Monticello in 1836." In the spring of 1836, the Presbytery of Logansport was petitioned by members of the Presbyterian Church residing in White County. They requested that a church be organized in Monticello. Zebulon Sheetz, a former ruling Elder in the Bloomery Mills Church, Winchester Presbytery, Va., was chosen as the first Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Monticello. It is believed that Zebulon Sheetz owned most of what is now East Monticello and land as far north as what is now the Hickory Ridge area. Records from the White County Historical Society say the County Commissioners appointed John Ream, William Sill and Zebulon Sheetz as trustees to receive title to a cemetery north of town in November 1838. The sum of $30 was appropriated from the County Treasury to be spent for the ground. According to local historian David Lottes, the road now known as U.S. 24 did not travel the same route east of Monticello. There was no bridge across the Tippecanoe River. There was a crossing or ford perhaps a mile north of where Washington Street bridge is located. Lotte notes. "It is possible that the cemetery was located along this road. We can't be sure, but it would have been a convenient location. And he owned property in the area." The Monticello Hydralic Company is mentioned in early county history. The company inagurated a line of industries involved in the early growth of Monticello. In February 1848 the Legislature enacted that Phillip Wolverton, John Burns, Ashley L. Pierce, Henry Ensminger, Randolph Brearly, John C. Merriam, Zachariah Van Buskirk, Isaac Reynolds and Zebulon Sheetz should constitute a "body politic and corporate under the name of the Monticello Hydraulic Company." They were known as "incorporators." The purpose of the company was to develop water power in the Tippecanoe River in Monticello. Records show that in January of 1849, the Monticello Hydraulic Company bought a small tract from a man known as Rowland Hughes. In June of the same year, another small tract was purchased from Zebulon Sheetz and "a dam was thrown across the river." History records are sparce but they state, " a saw mill was also built by Zebulon Sheetz." Citizen Sheetz is mentioned in obscure bits of White County Historical Society footnotes... **In the presidential election held in November of 1836, Zebulon Sheetz was listed among the men who voted. **A union meeting was held at the courthouse Tuesday evening, May 14, 1862. J.C. Brown moved that a committee of five should be appointed to consider the propriety of organizing a vigilance committee at Monticello. The motion, after some discussion was carried...Zebulon Sheetz was appointed to this committee. **On the 18th of May, another rousing war meeting was held at the courthouse with Levi Reynolds, president, and Zebulon Sheetz and D.D. Dale, vice-presidents. **Zebulon Sheetz was among a committee of 10 men selected to draft a constitution for "The White County Temperance Society..." **When a Mr. Kenton resigned after his year's service as probate judge, Zebulon Sheetz was elected to succeed him. Kenton was also one of the pioneers of the county and, according to history books, "was a mild, dignified Virginian, who firmly suppressed any levity in court, either on the part of attorneys or laymen." "(Sheetz) and Judge Newell were as different as honest dirt and pure snow. Zebulon Sheetz served in this position for a credible service of four years." As the years pass, the name of Zebulon Sheetz is not found in any additional public records. His descendants moved away. The small cemetery on the bluff is the final resting place of Zebulon Sheetz. It is the only reminder of his presence so many years ago. There are seven graves in the tiny plot. Inscriptions upon the stones within the shady grove include: **Ann Barbara Sheetz (mother of Zebulon) who was born in York Co., Pa., July 1750 and died in White Co., Ind., July 25, 1839. According to history books, "No white person is buried in White County who was born prior to her birth." **Eve, wife of Jonathan Oates (early White County settler) who died Jan. 1, 1845, aged 33 y, 3 m, 10 d. **Sara S. (daughter-in-law of Zebulon), wife of Moses H. Sheetz, who died Jan. 14, 1853, in the 32nd year of her age. **Margaret (second) wife of Zebulon who died Dec. 12, 1861, aged 69 years. **Mary A. (daughter of Zebulon) wife of T.M. Thompson, died Oct. 24, 1867, in the 42nd year of her age. **Zebulon Sheetz died Nov. 9, 1868, in the 75th year of his age. **Thomas M. Thompson (son-in-law of Zebulon) died Aug. 24, 1881, in the 72nd year of his age. The tiny, 30-by-30 foot plot is located on a high bluff on the east bank of the Tippecanoe River, near Bluewater Beach. Youth groups from the Presbyterian Church and other volunteers have cleared and maintained the spot in past years. The area is wooded and the cemetery is not visible to the casual observer. The cemetery is on privately owned land and access is limited." End of article.