Amity in Johnson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Barnett Cemetery

Photographed By Craig Baker

1. Barnett Cemetery Marker

Inscription.
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. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Historical Blue River Township (approx. 3.2 miles away); Thompson Mill (approx. 4½ miles away); Edinburg (approx. 4.6 miles away); Franklin Wonder Five (approx. 5½ miles away); Home of Columbus Horatio Hall (approx. 5.7 miles away); Birthplace of Roger D. Branigin (approx. 5.9 miles away); George King – 1782-1868 (approx. 5.9 miles away); Johnson County Court Houses (approx. 6 miles away).

More about this marker. See the Other Nearby Marker “Nancy Kerlin Barnett” — the original marker at this location.

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.

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.

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
Photographed By Craig Baker

2. Barnett Cemetery Marker
had company.

(Submitted on December 13, 2023.)

Photographed By Trevor L Whited, April 14, 2024

3. Barnett Cemetery Marker

This view is looking towards the west.

Photographed By Trevor L Whited, April 14, 2024

4. Barnett Cemetery Marker

This view is looking east from the grave of Nancy Kerlin Barnett.

Nancy Kerlin Barnett gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Trevor L Whited, April 14, 2024

5. Nancy Kerlin Barnett gravestone

Nancy Kerlin Barnett image. Click for full size.

6. Nancy Kerlin Barnett

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 14, 2024, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. 6. submitted on December 13, 2023.