Last updated 21 Nov 2008
What's Genealogy got to do with Jolly Games (my company)? Nothing, it's just a sideline interest of mine.
Red Oak, Ohio, in Brown County happens to be the resting place of my ggggg-grandfather, Alexander Jolly/Jolley, along with a host of other folks. While visiting Ohio, I went to the 2 graveyards in Red Oak, one at the the Red Oak Presbyterian Church, built in 1817 and still standing, and the other at the older Red Oak Baptist Church, built by Alexander Jolly but no longer there. I took about 60 pictures of various gravestone markers, which I will list here. If anyone wants a photo of any particular gravestone, I will be happy to scan it and post it on this site for them. Keep in mind this is NOT a complete listing of graves in these graveyards, I just put down what I took photos of. Since I did this, two other people have generously provided me with complete text listings of headstones from both graveyards, which I provide here;
For a nearly complete listing of the Red Oak Presbyterian Graveyard, click here
.For a nearly complete listing of the Red Oak Baptist Graveyard, click here.
The Presbyterian Red Oak graveyard is a little unique in that both blacks and whites are buried there, since the history of the church includes the use of the church for abolitionist meetings. The black and white sections of the graveyard are separate, but when I took the photos I was not aware of this, so there are most likely families here from both races. Rosie Rides, a.k.a. Aunt Jemima (one of 3 used in the advertising campaign, I think), is also buried here. This graveyard is located just off highway 68 on Cemetary Road, just east of highway 62.
The Red Oak Baptist Church graveyard is much harder to find, since the red-brick church is no longer there and the road it's on is unmarked. This is off highway 68, about a mile down West Henry road, turn right across the white cement culvert and down a little dirt road a ways, off to the right, adjacent to the dirt road. This is where Alexander Jolly is buried, along with Philip C. Jolly and Phebe Ralston, among others. To see a very old painting of the church when it was still standing, click here. Apparently Alexander Jolly was a preacher here, after having built the church; I found at least one record that indicated he had married a couple. The painting of the church he built is hanging in the aforementioned Red Oak Presbyterian Church. On the painting, you can barely see the words "The Old Red Oak Church". I can't make out the painter's name.
Here is a headstone text listing; some of them are a bit worn, so the translation may not be entirely accurate, but most of the gravestones I photographed were in pretty good condition, or else I didn't photograph them. There are an awful lot of stones I didn't take pictures of, this is only a sampling. If you see a family that belongs to you, there may be others by the same name in that same graveyard.
After the headstone text listing, there is a more comprehensive listing of who's buried in the Red Oak Presbyterian Graveyard. This is a continuing data-entry effort, so if the list seems to cut off prematurely, it's because I haven't typed it in yet.
In Memory of Father, John Hopkins, 1801-1884, Mother Nancy C.M. 1788-1851
In Memory of Jane Voris, died Feb 1st, 1846, aged 37 years. (Click here to see a photo of the gravestone.)
In Memory of Ralph Voris who died August 3? 1840, aged 6X years. (tombstone faded and worn)(Click here to see a photo of the gravestone.)
In Memory of Eliza N., wife of Jas. Culter (Jason?) died April 12, 1832 aged 23 years (could be 29)
Elizabeth, wife of William Torrance, born Jan 27, 1792, died Aug. 28, 1843. In hope of a glorious resurrection.
Phebe, wife of Henry Martin. Born March 27 AD 1796, Died May 18 AD 1858, Aged 62 years, 1 month, & 21 days
In memory of Alexander Wilson, son of Henry & Phebe Martin, who died at Memphis Tenn. Jan 23rd, 1847, and his remains brought home by his father and buried here on the 13th day of xxxxxxx (unreadable in photo).
In Memory of William Campbell, son of Henry & Phebe Martin: who died April 7th A.D 1844, aged 13 years and 11 months.
Samuel Tweed, died XXX 12, 185X, aged 76 years. (tombstone cracked up and flat on ground, somewhat overgrown, maybe 18X5 instead of 185X).
Sarah, wife of Samuel Tweed, died Feb 25, 1856 (faded) aged 86 years (maybe, also faded).
Samuel G. Kirkpatrick, died Dec.9 1861 in the 31 (?) year of his age
Alexander Hamilton died June 18, 1869 (could be 1863) aged 71 years, 5 Ms & 11 dys. (religious quote at bottom of stone, hard to read)
Rebecca, wife of Alx Hamilton, born March 16, 180X, died Nov 18 (or 8), 1875
Lucinda, wife of William Patton & daughter of John & Mary Snedeker, born Aug. 29, 1814, died Oct. 14, 1836, Aged 22 years, 1 mon.& 15 ds. (See a photo of the gravestone)
Wife of Robert McPherson born Oct. 10, 1816, died Jan 18, 1880 aged 63 years, xxxx (too faded to read in photo, somehow did not get wife's name in photo, if it was on the stone at all)
Rachel Fisher, died Oct 17, 1861, aged 81 years, 3 mos.(3 is faded)
Sarah, dau. of Alex & Mary McNutt, born Jan 5 1800, died Oct 12, 1875.
Martha, wife of Alex Jolly and Daughter of L.& L. Culter, born Jan 1 1830 died April 24, 1851 & their infant son, died April 1 1851. (this Alexander Jolly is the son of Samuel Jolly, son of Alexander Jolly from the other Red Oak graveyard listed below. The closeness of deaths between infant and mother implies complications due to childbirth).
John Carr, died Dec 17, 1852 in the 61 year of his age.
Jane, daughter of John & Ann Carr, died Aug. 19, 1849, aged 23 years.
Ann, wife of John Carr, born March 4, 1795, died April 28, 1858, Aged 63 years, 1 mo., & 24 ds.
Infant son of T. & M. Carr, died June 7, 1848, aged 7 weeks.
Matilda died Oct. 21 1850, aged 43 years, Nancy died Aug. 14 1870 aged 51 years 2 ms, 2 ds, wives of Thomas Carr. Alexander, son of T.& M. Carr died Sept. 28, 1856 aged 22 ys, 4 ms, 22 ds. (this is all on one tall gravestone)
In Memory of Jane Baird Consort of James Baird who died May 2d 1852 in her 62d year.
In Memory of Mary Baird who died April 18th 1855 in her 35th year.
Eliza L. wife of Scott Kinkead & daughter of Wm. (William) & Rachel Fisher, born May 1, 1815, died April 9? 1852 aged 36 years, 11 mos, & 9 days. (See a photo of the gravestone).
Beneath this stone lies the body of Alexander Dunlap, who long lived a Christian on Earth, seeking a better Country in the triuphant hope of which he left the world Mar. 16, 1828 in his 85 years. My flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till the last trumpet joyful sound. (See a photo of the gravestone).
Mary, wife of Wm. Dunlap (William Dunlap) died May 7 1846, aged 67 years, 18 days. (negative only, no printed photo)
In memory of Sarah Dunlap, consort of Thomas Dickings, born March 2, 1779, died Jan 19, 1846 in the 67 year of her age.(See a photo of the gravestone).
In memory of Ann K. Dickings who departed this life July 19, 1839 in the 24 year of herage. She lived beloved and died contented & finished her course in life with peace.*** O. Weep thee not for me, When I am gone, For we again shall meet, When time is done.
William Kelly, Born Mar 9, 1809, died June 5, 1863, Gone to my rest.
Jane, wife of John McGreger, died Mar. 8 1859, in the 75 year of her age.
In Memory of Margaret McPherson consort of Adam McPherson who died Sept. 16, 1853, in the 69 year of ehr age.
In Memory of Adam McFerson (note different spelling in prior entry) who died Oct. 26 1840, in the 59 year of his age. (tombstone split in two)
Rachel Willson (Wilson variant?), born June 6, 1825, died May 25, 1845, aged 18 yrs, 11 mos, 15 days (obviously the math here is wrong, but this is how it reads).
John Shepherd (Shepard/Shephard variant) died July 31, 1812 in the 63rd (I think) year of his age. (See a photo of the gravestone).
Martha wife of John Shepherd died Nov 5, 1825, in the 75 year of her age. (See a photo of the gravestone).
Sally, wife of Wm. Wills (William Wills) died July 11, 1832in the 46 year of her age.
Phebe Ralston, wife of P.C.Jolly, born Aug 22, 1803, died FEb 6, 1885. Philip C. Jolly, born March 18 1805, died March 15 1885. (these are on opposite sides of a tall gravestone, with giant letters JOLLY on the base, only have negative of Philip's half).
James R. Son of Philip & Phebe Jolly, died March 26 1830, Aged 2 years, 11 mo. and 25 days.
Infant son of Philip & Phebe Jolly died Feb 19, 1831.
Phebe E., daughter of Philip & Phebe Jolly, died Aug 22 1843, aged 5 mo. & 26 days (Philip and Phebe had a pretty rough time, obviously).
William M. Jolly, son of Philip & Phebe Jolly, died in New Orleans March 5, 1850, aged 21 years, 3 mo. and 2 days.
Alexander Jolly. Died Dec 17 1833, Aged 69 years.(my great, great, great, great, great, grandfather, he supposedly built the old Red Oak church that used to be standing next to this graveyard, I have a photo of a painting of it).
Sarah Bell, daughter of Jesse H. & Mary Ann Hodkins, died Oct. 25, 1855, aged 1 year & 4? mo.
Jonas Mann, who died in the Christian hope July 13?? AD 1844 in the 40 years of his age.
Memory of Mary Pangburn consort of Samuel Pangburn who departed this life Aug. 23rd 1830 in the 41st year of her age. (this one was hard to read, date may be 1880, but I believe it is correct)
Eva May dau. of W.W. & L.J. Liggett died Aug. 27 1872, aged 3 yrs, xxxxx(last part worn)
In memory of Wm. Dixson (William Dixson) who died June 10, 1838 in his 73 year. See photo. Husband of Grizzy, noted below.
In memory of Grizzy, consort of Wm. Dixson.s (that's how it reads) who died March 1, 1825 in her 54 year. (See a photo of the gravestone)(Notes on the family; The tombstone with Grizzy on it has some history. She was the wife of William Dixon, who along with Cornelius Washburn, built the first log cabin in Brown Co., Ohio. (The original log cabin was moved to the Georgetown fairgrounds where it can be seen today.) This was a time when, normally, settlers only ventured across the Ohio River from Kentucky to encounter indians who may had raided them and stolen their horses or killed their families. The name Grizzy sounds as if she may have been a rather robust woman. However, in fact, she only weighed about 90 lbs. Her husband William was over 300 lbs.)
Elizabeth, wife of Henry Mefford,died May 31, 1871, aged 76 years 5 mos. & 19 ds.
In memory of Eliza Jane, consort of Leroy J. Kindle, who died Aug.10, 1839 in her 29 year.
In Memory of Elizabeth Mefford, consort of John Mefford, who died Aug 1, 1846 in the 71 year of her age.
In Memory of John Mefford who died April 21st 1834 in the 70th year of his age.
Mary wife of Thos McGonnell (Thomas McGonnell) died Nov.5 1832 aged 53 years, 28 ds.
In memory of Jane, consort of James Carr, died Nov.5, 1842, aged 58 years. (note that there is a Jane Carr in the other Red Oak graveyard, also).
Mary Ann (wife of?) Jesse H. Hodkins, died Nov. 5? 1856, Aged 36 years, xx mos. & 13 days.