Jurisdiction:  Bainbridge Township Section 15

 

Status:  Under went a restoration in 2001. BCGS Cemetery Records updated  October 24, 2011. 

 

Location:  North side of Territorial Road, 1/4 mile West of M-140.    Bainbridge Township Cemetery borders it on the west, a row of maple trees are the dividing line

 

Location of Cemetery Records:  No records on file other than BCGS readings 1972 & 2002.

 

Bainbridge Township Cemetery borders it on the west, a row of maple trees are the dividing line

Location of Cemetery Records:  No records on file other than BCGS readings 1972 & 2002.

Cemetery Governing Body:  Ownership is in limbo; the township is trying to acquire a “quiet deed” to it.

Size: approximately 1 acre   

 

 

Construction of Territorial Road through Bainbridge Township occurred in 1835, which eventually lead to an influx of settlers.  In 1848/49, Martin Byers and his family arrived in Michigan and purchased land along Territorial Road.  He later donated a corner of his land to Bainbridge Township for burial grounds and moved the “old” cemetery to this location. The old cemetery was located on what used to be the J. Sutherland farm, which was on the south side of Territorial Road at the corner of Michigan-140 Highway, Section 22.  The earliest burial is most likely Mary Campbell who died on March 19, 1831.  The earliest headstone is dated 1815 - Barby Wise (5yr 2 mo 8da), however this is believed to be an engraver’s error.    

Byers Cemetery contains many early Bainbridge Township pioneers.  Martin Tice and his wife, Sarah, are two of the earliest settlers buried here.  He left New Jersey in 1833, worked on the road crew building Territorial Road and eventually settled in Section 17 in 1835.

Martin Byers held Mennonite services in his home and “preached at each meeting except at such odd times as the services of preachers from elsewhere could be obtained”, as did his brother, David Byers.  Martin slipped on an icy stoop at the age of 93 and died; both he and his second wife, Pheobe (Hauser) are buried in Byers Cemetery.  Martin had many children, one daughter, Henrietta L. Byers, married George F. Stewart; they are also buried in Byers Cemetery. 

Also interred here are Henry Hiram Selter and his wife, Mary Young, and his in-laws Isaac & Betsey Young.  David Byers married Henry and Mary on May 28, 1838.  It was the first marriage performed in Bainbridge Township.  Mary had been the first teacher at the schoolhouse built in Shingle Diggin’s about 1837.  She was only 16 when she married, 25 years old when she died and was the mother of four children.  Henry Selter’s second wife, Orilla (Olds) Selter is interred in the same family plot.

Many of those buried here were early township officials:

Township Supervisors include – Samuel McKeyes, Levi Woodruff, W. C. George, John Byers, and Thomas J. West.  Township Clerks – George Peters, and Simeon Woodruff.  Township Treasurers – Samuel McKeyes, David Byers, Levi Woodruff, John Byers, Henry H. Selter, Ambler Olds, Asaph Woodruff, and Wendel Elgas.  Justices of the Peace – Levi Woodruff, Samuel McKeyes, Woodbridge C. George, David Byers, George W. Peters, James R. Campbell, H.H. Selter, J. H. Peters, Ambler Olds, William H. Cook, and Balaam Dodge.

Simeon Woodruff, a Presbyterian Minister and local pioneer is buried here along with his brother, Levi Woodruff and three other members of the family.  Levi Woodruff settled on section 10 in 1837 with his wife and 10 children. 

Veterans include: Robert Hamilton b. Oct 1772 d. Nov 1848 “Born at Pelham, Hamshire Co., Mass.” - “He faithfully served his country for years in the War of 1812 and led an exemplary life”

Solomon Wise, son of E & B Wise, d. July 2, 1863 “He gave his life for his country at Gettysburg, PA”

Henry Bellinger “Michigan, Pvt. CoE 168 Inf WWI”

Asa Grant VanBlarcom “Co. A 1^st Rec Mich Art” Civil War

Marvin T. Hoag and Eugene Cribbs, GAR members

 

In 2001, a dispute began over who owns Byers Cemetery and ultimately, who should care for its upkeep.  From a letter to the editor of the Herald Palladium on November 28, 2001, the Clerk of Bainbridge Township, Debra Grieser, writes the following:

 

“Editor, The law states that a township cannot spend township money on cemeteries that are privately or religiously owned. There are 10 cemeteries in Bainbridge Township. There are six cemeteries that are privately or religiously owned. They include the following: Brant, Kniebes, Penn Yan, Baptist, Catholic and St. Paul's. At present we have documentation that three cemeteries are owned by the township. They include the Boyer, New Hope and Township cemeteries. There is one cemetery still in question, the Byers Cemetery on Territorial Road. Anyone having any information or documentation as to ownership of the Byers Cemetery, please contact the township hall at 468-8040. Your assistance in clearing up this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Clerk

Bainbridge Township