From a Memorial Address by Hon. J. W. Armstrong at the Hillhouse Graveyard, Camden County, Missouri

Some of the real pioneers I have known are buried here and many more in other family graveyards in this vicinity. The first funeral I can distinctly remember was that of Uncle Minter Hillhouse, which I understand was the third person buried here. This was in May, 1871.



The first person to be buried here was an old man by the name of Hedley, who came to the home of Uncle Minter and Aunt Margaret during the Civil War. He came sick and a stranger, but was taken into their hospitable home and cared for until his death. The fortunes of war had stripped the farm of both wagon and horses and the sons were all gone from home – some in the army wearing the blue and one the grey. There was no means of moving the body to a distant graveyard. Uncle Minter and Uncle Dick Craddock made a coffin and prepared a grave, dug mostly by Uncle Minter himself. These two secured some little assistance and carried the body across the Hollow from the old home and deposited it here.

Submitted by Jerry Parrish....
Also, the picture that appears on the home page of the Hillhouse Cemetery appears to be the first church, and I believe a school house as well, that A.Y. Carlton (my great great grandfather) taught at before moving the school to the "Pritchett schoolhouse". Worthy of special mention is A. Y. Carlton, a schoolmaster of the old sort, born in North Carolina, but who moved here from Kentucky in 1842. He once taught school in a rude school house on this farm, situated near the home where Uncle Dot died a few months ago. It was through him that many of the children of the first settlers gained all the education possible for that day and age.