Black Cemetery
Also known as Old Black Grave Yard , Smith-Black Cemetery
Benton County, Missouri, USA
From Hwy 65, go east on Rt AA 3.3 miles, then south on a dirt road 1/2 mile to Mid-America Dairy sign. Cemetery is fenced, behind the barn and cow lot.
This location was once located on the main road from Cross Timbers, Hickory Co. to Lessley in Benton Co. but the road was changed hence the cemetery has been forgotten and neglected.
This cemetery was originally know as the Old Black Grave Yard. The original owner of the property was Thomas Black, hence the name. Interestingly, there are no persons named Black listed in the burial records as being interned here. The Black family was intermarried with the Jenkins family, who intermarried with the Smiths. Many of these families have been laid to rest here.
This cemetery has fallen in to disrepair. It seems that a previous owner of the farm used some of the headstones for other purposes, such as fencing, and kept pushing the fence line in so his cattle could graze thereby allowing the cattle to do their business on the graves.
A group of concerned descendents formed a committee to reclaim as much of the cemetery as possible. A few years ago, this committee was able to clean and restore this historical cemetery. Their work included a new monument, secure cattle proof fencing and other improvements.
The new monument erected lists the family names of those believed to be buried here but the headstones are missing. It is believed there were at least 100 to 150 people buried here over the years.
(text by M. Shaum)
From Hwy 65, go east on Rt AA 3.3 miles, then south on a dirt road 1/2 mile to Mid-America Dairy sign. Cemetery is fenced, behind the barn and cow lot.
This location was once located on the main road from Cross Timbers, Hickory Co. to Lessley in Benton Co. but the road was changed hence the cemetery has been forgotten and neglected.
This cemetery was originally know as the Old Black Grave Yard. The original owner of the property was Thomas Black, hence the name. Interestingly, there are no persons named Black listed in the burial records as being interned here. The Black family was intermarried with the Jenkins family, who intermarried with the Smiths. Many of these families have been laid to rest here.
This cemetery has fallen in to disrepair. It seems that a previous owner of the farm used some of the headstones for other purposes, such as fencing, and kept pushing the fence line in so his cattle could graze thereby allowing the cattle to do their business on the graves.
A group of concerned descendents formed a committee to reclaim as much of the cemetery as possible. A few years ago, this committee was able to clean and restore this historical cemetery. Their work included a new monument, secure cattle proof fencing and other improvements.
The new monument erected lists the family names of those believed to be buried here but the headstones are missing. It is believed there were at least 100 to 150 people buried here over the years.
(text by M. Shaum)
Nearby cemeteries
Benton County, Missouri, USA
- Total memorials38
- Percent photographed53%
- Percent with GPS3%
Cross Timbers, Hickory County, Missouri, USA
- Total memorials113
- Percent photographed75%
- Percent with GPS2%
Benton County, Missouri, USA
- Total memorials12
- Percent photographed92%
- Percent with GPS0%
Cross Timbers, Hickory County, Missouri, USA
- Total memorials5
- Percent photographed20%
- Percent with GPS0%
- Added: 21 May 2007
- Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2217857
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