Assumed to be the
Barkersville Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery
Located in Township 44N Range10W Section 16, NE¼ of SW¼.
This cemetery was located by Wayne Johson- June 7th, 2001 from a topgraphical map of the area. See communcation below. Anyone having any information on this cemetery- please E Mail me or Wayne Johnson
It is located on top of a steep hill overlooking the Missouri River bottoms approximately one and one quarter (1 ¼) miles east of the turnoff to Wainwright, Missouri Access to this cemetery is gained by entering the Indian Point subdivision entrance, approximately 80 yards East of Harlan Lane which enters Hwy 94 from the South in the direction of the River. You proceed North along the improved road for about 250 yards which takes you up approximately two-thirds of the way to the crest of a large hill. At this point a road, Clovis Pt., turns to the left, West, and proceeds slightly downward for approximately 120 yards where it ends in a dead end. Proceeding on foot at a slightly oblique angle to the right to the axis of the road (West and slightly North) for approximately 30 yards you will encounter the cemetery in the middle of the woods. The area was apparently fenced in the distant past; however the fence is only slightly visible and is mostly gone.
Added June 05, 2004 >>>> The listing for Wharton B. Thorp and unknown burial were added June 05, 2004 as a result of a recent visit to the burial site. In the interim since the initial visit, a house has been built within approximately twenty (20) feet of the burial site. It was necessary for the house to be relocated slightly due to the presence of the cemetery. Stones and burial site were well protected during the construction phase and the owner is most interested in restoring, maintaining and protecting the burial site. As a further note on Mt. Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church, the church was constructed on this site in the 1880's and as a result of changing times was moved to Wainwright in 1898 by two large wagons and four teams of horses. It is the same church building that currently stands abandoned in Wainwright. June 05, 2004 - W.J.
Dearing, Mollie E. died May 28 1891 - aged 22 yrs. 1 mo. 11 da. - Wife of W.E. Dearing In thou oh Lord I put my trust. - one footstone M.S.D.
Thorp, Wharton B. - born June 22, 1849 died January 18, 1892-
Unknown burial without stone.
History of Callaway County- 1884-page 804- the biography of Joseph A.Dearing indicates that the Dearing Family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Barkersville....... "Joseph B and Parthenia F. [Wallace] Dearing emigrated from Nottoway County, Virginia to Callaway County in 1840- Joseph B. died ca. 1845 and Parthenia Jan 10 1881. Their children were: Edward H.; Joseph A.; Virginia [Mrs. W. C. Bugby sic] ; and Sarah F.[ Mrs. William Powell]....."
"Today I visited a cemetery, which I will refer to as Barkersville-Dearing Cemetery, located in Township 44N Range10W Section 16, NE¼ of SW¼. It is located on top of a steep hill overlooking the Missouri River bottoms approximately one and one quarter (1 ¼) miles east of the turnoff to Wainwright, Missouri Access to this cemetery is gained by entering the Indian Point subdivision entrance, approximately 80 yards East of Harlan Lane which enters Hwy 94 from the South in the direction of the River. You proceed North along the improved road for about 250 yards which takes you up approximately two-thirds of the way to the crest of a large hill. At this point a road, Clovis Pt., turns to the left, West, and proceeds slightly downward for approximately 120 yards where it ends in a dead end. Proceeding on foot at a slightly oblique angle to the right to the axis of the road (West and slightly North) for approximately 30 yards you will encounter the cemetery in the middle of the woods. The area was apparently fenced in the distant past; however the fence is only slightly visible and is mostly gone. The property was owned by a Mr. Larry Schweiterman until about four years ago when it was sold to a Mr. Kelly Burre, who is developing it as a residential subdivision named Indian Point. The subdivided property which includes the cemetery has recently transferred title to a Jefferson City buyer and is as yet unimproved.
I observed that there were two headstones, both removed from their disarrayed bases and a smaller stone, presumably a footstone was found between the two stones. All three stones showed significant weathering on porous marble or sandstone and were partially covered and obscured by growth of moss and lichens. One stone appeared to bear the inscription: Mollie E., (Married to?), M.E. Dearing, died, May 28, 1891. It appears that her age at death followed; however it was indeterminate due to the overgrowth of moss and lichens. The other stone, similar in size and shape, bore obvious markings and designs; however inscription was not legible. The footstone between the two larger stones bore the initials, M.S.D. . The stone with legible portions bears considerable more and smaller inscriptions near the base and would reveal more with a good cleaning. Generally the condition of the stones is quite good and with removal of moss and lichens the second stone may reveal its’ information.
While I was getting ready to try to locate the cemetery, an individual whom I approached asking information regarding the cemetery, was cutting grass in the area. It was his impression that the cemetery, evidenced by only three stones, was it was originally just South of what had been Old Barkersville Church and that this was its’ cemetery and that there were more graves here which may or may not be evidenced by hidden or missing stones. Records indicate the existence of two Barkersville cemeteries; however at this point in time this material fact is unconfirmed. Later visit to cemetery to clean stones may reveal more information. A total of fifteen digital pictures were taken of the immediate area." Records also indicate that Barkersville Methodist Church had existed in the town of Barkersville which was on the very banks of the Missouri River in its early days. The town and presumably the church building was severely damaged in a large flood in the 1880's. It is speculated that Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church was built as a result of this disaster. The flood of 1903 is known to have obliterated the town of Barkersville and all traces of businesses, schools, and churches from its' former site. W.J. June 05, 2004
