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The oldest of these sacred spots in Jefferson Township is that at Foster Chapel, which was used as a burying-ground as early as 1808, when the burial of a child of a Mr. Maythorne first dedicated the ground to the purpose for which it is now used. The original lot was, as we find most early cemeteries, without much regularity or order, but an addition has since been made, and order and regularity are maintained. It is under the charge of the Board of Township Trustees. The location is an admirable one for its purpose, and is known far and near as containing the remains of Jonathan Alder.
From the gravestones that mark the resting-places of about the first interred here, we find the following: During 1810, Jane Buck and Jane Smith; 1812, Hannah Alder and Thomas Foster; 1814, John Kilgore and Margaret Alder; 1815, J. Blont; 1817, Anna Morris and her son John; 1818, Henry Smith; 1820, Elizabeth Moore, John Belsher and Thomas Tomlinson; 1821, Elizabeth Powers and an infant son of Paul Alder; 1823, Rachel Downing, Walter Powers, Harry and Henry Smith. Among the elder persons interred here we record the following: John Kilgore, eighty-five years; Thomas Kilgore, eighty years nine months and twenty-four days; and Elizabeth Timmons, seventy-seven years four months and six days. The monument of Ambrose Beach marks the doorstep of the original church building. He was an old pioneer of Canaan Township, and an honored citizen.
New Hampton Cemetery, containing about two acres and located near the village of Jefferson, was laid out and granted by Samuel Jones in the year 1823, and in the same year he dedicated it by the interment of his wife. Among a few other early interments, we find Daniel Sexton in 1823; Sarah, wife of Samuel Sexton, in 1827; and Elizabeth, their daughter, in the same year. Anna, wife of Levi Hann, died in 1831; and Anna, wife of Jacob Hann, in the year following. This cemetery contains the remains of Rev. Isaac Jones, who was interred in 1842. The grounds were never regularly laid out, hence no systematic order was maintained, and under the control of no special body or company; but for the last few years it has been managed by the officials of the township to which it belongs.
Pleasant Hill Cemetery is located about one mile west of Jefferson, and contains five acres, including the fence and half of the pike. It was laid out by Sebastian Roberts in 1864. The first interment was Thomas, father of Sebastian Roberts, in September of the year in which it was laid out, and in December of the same year was interred Susan, widow of Thomas Roberts. In 1869, the founder's body was laid to rest in the yard. The cemetery remained in the hands of the widow and his heirs until the fall of 1880, when it was bought by an incorporated stock company of ten members. The company was fully organized March 7, 1881, and the following Board of Officers elected: Trustees are Dr. J. N. Beach, Dr. J. T. Colliver, Quinn Bradley, Dr. Charles Snyder and Martin Kuehner; the last-named was chosen President; Jacob McNeal, Secretary; and W. W. Fellows, Treasurer. Since the yard was laid out, lots have been for sale. Good order and system have been maintained.
Another of the cities of the dead is Blair Cemetery, located four miles northwest of town, and containing one acre of land. It was donated to its sacred purpose in 1853, by G. W. Blair, and on May 1 of the same year, it received the body of Rebecca J. Blair, the donor's daughter. It now contains about two hundred interments, and, in consequence of its location, is sometimes called Pleasant Hill. It has always been free for interments, and G. W. Blair looked upon as General Superintendent, but is under control of the Township Trustees.
Calvary Cemetery is nicely located three-fourths of a mile south of the Catholic Church, on the Lilly Chapel pike, and consists of two acres, which was donated for the purpose by John Fry in 1877. It was consecrated November 14 of the same year, by Archbishop J. B. Purcell, of Cincinnati, and has ever since been the burial-place of the Catholic people of this vicinity, whose loved ones are asleep in the Lord.