MOUNT TABOR (OLD)

"Probably the oldest cemetery or "graveyard" in the township is one which is located about half a mile west of the site of Mount Tabor Methodist Episcopal church. The deed to this land has been lost or mislaid, and we are unable to give the doner's name. However, as the land was entered by Jacob Payton in 1832, it is fair to presume that he donated the land as was usual in such cases." John Ellis, 1898.

The pioneer cemetery was established at a point about a mile west of the present Mt. Tabor church and when the church later was erected the bodies were removed to the church yard. Haimbaugh, History of Delaware County, Indiana, 1924.

Robert Bradbury, in his column of June 23, 1935, noted that the first public cemetery in Liberty township was on land donated by Jacob Payton in 1832. The property is said to "about a half mile west of where Mount Tabor M E Church was located."

For those familiar with the modern Mount Tabor Cemetery, the church sat on the south east corner to the left of the main entrance. A half mile west would have placed the original location in Section 30, Township 20 North, Range 11 East if it was on the south side of the road or Section 19 if on the north. If it was a bit farther west than estmated, Section 25 is to the south and Section 24 is to the north. Unfortunately at this time, it appears that recording of Jacob's deed did not survive the ravages of time.

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