USGenweb Ohio Cemetery Photo Project Licking Co.

These tombstone photos have been generously donated by Robert M. Sizelove, Sr. & the kind assistance of
Joe Cullison on Nov. 10, 2004.
The most recent update to this page was made on 5 Sept., 2008.

I wish to present my readings for the Channell Family Cemetery. I found reference to this cemetery in the Ohio Cemetery Records, reprinted in 1989, from a book titled “Old Northwest” Genealogical Quarterly, published in1898 - 1912, page 356. I recently had a descendant of an early pioneer thought to be buried in this cemetery email and wanting to know if I knew anything about it‘s location and content. When they mentioned it being Channel Cemetery, I first thought of the Channel Cemetery located in Liberty Twp. on Sportsman Club Rd., but there is no individual with the surname, Mason, to my knowledge buried there. After looking over an old Licking County map, I discovered a second Channell cemetery located in Madison Twp. On my first visit to the area, all I found was Bowling Green Cemetery which is very clearly marked with a modern sign near the highway just west of the village of Marne. Recently I received an email message from a local resident, named Joe Cullison, he mentioned that there was a real old unmarked cemetery just above the railroad tracks and bike path, about a mile west of Miller Ranch Rd. (tr183). I would like express my thanks and acknowledge the kindness of Mr. Cullison. On 10 November, 2004, he met with me and we hiked the 1 to 1¼ miles, west to the bluff which was situated as earlier descriptions mentioned, high above the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks (just northeast of RR marker 154). The property was described in 1910 as being on the farm land of George Taylor, and it also mentions that Miss Channell was his wife. My thoughts are that at this time there might have been access from Marne Road (CR585). I’m not sure when the railroad would have been built through the area, but it’s quite possible the tracks cut the burial place off from easy access. The old readings which were copied in 1910 from earlier readings, maybe as early as 1890’s, listed an inventory of about 10 individuals, being buried here between 1825 to 1856, but my reading of Alpheus Channell‘s death date pushes this up to 1872 as last known burial. The cemetry measures about 50 foot by 100 foot in size, is totally overgrown with ivy, brambles, tree roots, and even couple large fallen trees. On first glance you wouldn’t even notice the cemetery existed. This poor little isolated cemetery has been uncared for probably a hundred years, and in nearly the worst condition of any cemetery I‘ve ever seen. My first readings are preliminary and very scant. Joe and I searched the area as best we could, given the amount of heavy roots and timber, it will be nearly impossible to do further research until the overgrowth is removed. It will take several days and lots of help to remove the brush, fallen trees, and undergrowth, just to allow search of the earth for the actual memorials. Most have toppled and are covered by roots and soil. My hopes and prayers are that perhaps the owners of the land where this cemetery is located will permit a restoration effort, by a local boy scout or church group with some supervision. It would be nice to see this little known historical site saved and the dignity restored to honor the ancestral loved ones buried here. The original readings done in 1890’s, mention the following individuals, and I mention them here simply to insure they are not forgotten. “Channell, John Jr.b.[dates match my readings], Absalom d, Aug. 6, 1849, age 43y 5m 24d “ [ on first reading, I thought the four in the year of death could be 1819, but since there is a wife mentioned, it surely must be 1849 and age 43.];” Hannah, wife of Soloman, d. Mar. 21. 1855, ae 65y, Julia, wife of Alpheus, Sept. 13, 1855 ae 49y 7m 28d” [I found a memorial for her husband Alpheus, which was not read in earlier reports, but so far not the stone for Hannah.]; “(also children of Julia & Alpheus); Brown, Rebecca B., wife of J. Brown, d. Nov. 19, 1855, ae 41y3m 3d; Dewees, Martha, wife of Samuel, d. Aug. 1851; Hall, Mary V., wife of A. F. Hall, d. Mar. 15, 1856, ae. 23y 4m 16d; and last memorial, Lees, Sarah Ann, dau. of William & Mary, d. Aug. 8,1848 ae. 17y 8m 8d.” There are other members of the Channell Family buried at the nearby Bowling Green Cemetery, also located in Madison Twp. Near Marne Rd. This concludes my reference to the previous readings done well over one hundred years ago. Although I have made some references to the location, I would ask that anyone interested in visiting this cemetery please wait until ownership of this cemetery can be determined and permission obtained before returning. I will try this winter to correspond with the township trustees and see if they can work out permission with the owner of the land, for volunteers to clean and restore the cemetery. Robert M. Sizelove, Sr. © 10 Nov., 2004.* Update: On 18 April, 2008, Jodie Robinson sent the following information she found in an old newspaper. "The remains of the infant child of W. H. Ryan, who died yesterday morning, will be taken to Madison township tomorrow morning. Interment made in Channel cemetery" Newark Daily Advocate, 11 Aug 1895". The following notice was found the next day in a Columbus newspaper:"The burial of the child of W. H. Ryan was made in Channel cemetery in Madison township this morning." Cols Dispatch, 12 Aug 1895." This moves the last known burial at this cemetery up from 1872 to 1895. I did not find any memorial marking the location of this burial.