Amity in Johnson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Barnett Cemetery
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Barnett Cemetery Marker
This site was originally the burial place for Nancy Kerlin Barnett (1793-1831), an early Johnson County pioneer who moved to Blue River Township with her husband William Barnett (1786-1854). She asked to be buried overlooking Sugar Creek, which according to family legend was her favorite spot. In the early 1900s, the county wished to build a gravel road and bridge in the area, but her family protected her grave to honor her final wish. As a compromise, the county eventually built a road around the grave. In 2016, archaeologists investigating the site, after farm machinery impacted it, discovered six additional remains. After work to widen the road, the remains were re-interred here below road level.
Original marker on display at Johnson County Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 39° 25.198′ N, 85° 58.539′ W. Marker is in Amity, Indiana, in Johnson County. It is on County Route E400S 1.3 miles east of U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franklin IN 46131, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana and specifically in Greater Indianapolis. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
this page online
Regarding Barnett Cemetery. Nancy Kerlin Barnett was married to William Barnett, the great, great, great grandson of Pocahontas.
The photo below of Nancy Kerlin Barnett was originally submitted by Kern Butler, the fourth grandchild of Nancy Barnett and the ninth grandchild of Pocahontas.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The original marker at this location, now in a museum.
Also see . . . Barnett Cemetery. WRTV ABC Indianapolis report - A look at a 'unique site': Johnson County's Cemetery in the Middle of the Road.
In 2016, county officials decided they needed to improve safety on County Road East 400 South.(Submitted on December 13, 2023.)
Before Schmidt and his team went to work in 2016, folks here believed Nancy Barnett's was the only grave in that mound. Schmidt soon discovered that she had company.
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, April 14, 2024
2. Barnett Cemetery Marker
This view is looking towards the west.
Additional commentary.
1. Regarding the Photo of Nancy Kerlin Barnett
Since the first known photo of a person was taken in 1838 in France, and Nancy Kerlin Barnett died in 1831, the photograph shown on this page could not be a photo of her.
— Submitted January 15, 2025.
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, April 14, 2024
3. Barnett Cemetery Marker
This view is looking east from the grave of Nancy Kerlin Barnett.
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, April 14, 2024
4. Nancy Kerlin Barnett gravestone
5. Barnett Family Member?
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 2,898 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 13, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 14, 2024, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. 5. submitted on December 13, 2023.
