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Macedonia Cemetery #2

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

This historic cemetery began about 1900, probably after the older Freewill Cemetery became full. The "Polley Negroes" family and serves as the final resting place for many area residents, including formerly enslaved persons. Burials at the cemetery include enslaved persons who escaped Virginia, including members of the Polley family. There is a stone for George W. Polley, the youngest son of Nancy Polley, who was part of an antebellum court case involving emancipated slaves who had been captured and re-enslaved before being freed in a Wayne County court case. Although Nancy Polley is also buried here, there is no stone to designate the location of her grave. Macedonia Cemetery #2 is located 1/2 mile beyond the Macedonia #1 Freewill Cemetery which is 1/2 mile north of the church. Both cemeteries or on the right side of the road north of the church. (east) (3537 Burlington Macedonia Road).

Images

Macedonia Cemetery stones seen from CR 120

Macedonia Cemetery stones seen from CR 120

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

There are two cemeteries associated with the Macedonia African American Church listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Freewill Cemetery was established first, followed by Macedonia Cemetery. Both sites are on Macedonia Hill 1/2 mile and 1 mile north of the church on County Road 120. The address for the Macedonia Cemetery is 3537 Burlington Macedonia Road. Located on the east or right side of the road, just a small section is visible from the road. Some of the area has not yet been cleared although some 48 stones have been read there are probably more to be found in the surrounding woods. The church members buried in this cemetery are grandchildren and great-grands who inter-married with the original settlers and bare few of the original names.

Of note is a stone marked Polley, which marks the grave of the youngest son of Nancy Polley. The son was born after the famous case of the Polley family's abduction in Ohio by slave catchers who had crossed the river. The Polley family, mother, father and children were manumitted in Kentucky around 1850 and brought to Lawrence County, Ohio by their former owner. A dispute over money owed from the original owner's estate led the aggrieved party to hire slave catchers to enter Lawrence County and take just the children back to Kentucky where they were held as slaves for several years before they were finally freed. According to local information, Nancy Polley (1834-1918) is buried here with daughter Elizabeth (1874-1941) and her son George W. (1879-1966).

Sources

lawrenceregister.org - African American History, Stories

Ironton Register "Fugitive Slave Case" 2 Feb 1860

Federal Census 1870

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Carrie Eldridge

Additional Information