Shiloh Cemetery (Rush Henry County line)
Written 1975 by Ester Oldham
Transposed by Donna Tauber 2009 Yes, this is a Cemetery in this Community which once related to Presbyterian Churches. The Church is no longer in existence. Shiloh Cemetery is located in Center Township, Rush County, Indiana 2 miles north of Mays in Rush County, at the corner of Road 100 East and 1100 North - 2 miles south of Dunrieth, Henry County, Indiana - 1 mile south of the Rush-Henry County lines. A Brief History of Shiloh Presbyterian Church and Cemetery -
Shiloh Church organized September 16th, 1832 In the year of 1828 John Montgomery Hudelson, Catherine (Irwin) his wife, and their son John Miller Hudelson and his wife Matilda (Hinds) and another son William Hudelson and his wife Margaret, moved from Harrison County, Kentucky from the bounds if the Hinkston "Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church" to the northern part of Rush and southern part of Henry County, State of Indiana. In the year 1829 James Hudelson, another son of John Montgomery and Catherine Hudelson, with his wife Elizabeth (Vanderson?) and their family, also John Johnson with his wife Jane (Hudelson - a sister of John Montgomery Hudelson) came from the same locality in Kentucky and settled near the former Hudelsons. Afterwards, others came - Robert Irwin and Samuel - sons of John M. and Catherine Hudelson, also Samuel Maze, Moses McIlvaine? and Alex Hudelson. Then came James Hudelson, son of William and Ann Hudelson, with his wife Ester (Craig) and their family. This James died shortly after arrival. All these people being members of the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church wished to establish a congregation of this faith and petitioned Presbytery to supply them with occasional preaching. Accordingly the Rev. Alexander Porter and Rev. James Worth and others gave them their services. I have (Ester Oldham) the very first Session Book of the Shiloh Church and the first record recorded in that book as follows: Shiloh, Indiana September 16th, 1832, a delegated session met at a home, constituted with prayer, proceeded to examine John Montgomery Hudelson and Samuel Maze who had previously been elected to serve as Ruling Elders and were ordained this day. On this day the following persons were received into communion of the Shiloh Church by Certificate from their former Church in Kentucky: John Montgomery Hudelson , Catherine his wife, Samuel Maze, Isabelle his wife, James Hudelson, Jane Johnson and Ester Hudelson. By profession or examination: John Johnson, Jane McIlvaine, Elizabeth Hudelson, Elizabeth Smith and Nancy Johnson. This making a total of 12 Charter Members. The session that organized the Congregation was presided over by Rev. James Worth, pastor of the Spring Hill Presbyterian Church of Rush County. (that church was organized in 1825) Their old Session book also records the first Baptism of the new members and 10 infants were baptized with Sacramental Communion on September 18th, 1832. This meeting was held in a Grove located one mile north of the present Shiloh Cemetery, on the Rush-Henry County line. According to the Session Book record on this September 18th, 1832 the ordinance of Baptism was administered by the Rev. Worth. For the next few years after the organization met in homes, barns and in groves. Soon after the organization other families came from Kentucky, also some came from Hopewell, Ohio. Rev. John Pressly was the first regular Pastor of the church for 4-5 years. In 1850 Rev. R.E. Stewart was called to Pastorate between Shiloh and Vienna (Glenwood) at this time the Membership was 130. After years many more united with the church - at one time member ship was 300. John Montgomery Hudelson donated the ground for the Church building and Cemetery. Robert Irwin Hudelson, his son, gave the name "Shiloh." The first building for Worship (a log cabin) was build a little south of the present cemetery. Then in 1853 another building was built across the road from the cemetery. This building was destroyed by fire in 1880. This church was a very thriving and spiritual church for many years, and in later years was known as the "United Presbyterian Church." For several years there was a school building on the south east corner of this road 1200 N, across the road from the church and cemetery, known as the Shiloh School. In about the year 1903-1905during the pastorate of Rev. R.W. Thompson and Rev. H. Robb some differences or controversy of some kind came about in the church and part of the members organized a Sabbath School in the old school house in Mays. A junior Missionary Society under the guidance of Mrs. Rev. Rabb was also organized at Mays. Presbytery decided that a church building at Mays for the congregation formerly worshiping at Shiloh would be best for all, so the beautiful stone church was erected in 1908 on Mays. A regular Pastor continued here until about 1930 when Presbytery decided that the Mays congregation be attached to the Rushville United Presbyterian Church. However, afternoon services were held in the Mays church with the Rev. McKune from Rushville church officiating from 1928 to the fall of 1930. The Rev. H.E. Lobaugh succeeded Rev. McKune and was still preaching at the Mays church each Sunday afternoon. A quote from a history written by Mrs. Albert (Lucy Jane Hudelson) Kirkham January 24th, 1933 - quote 'We hope Rev. Lobaugh will continue as long as we financially able to support a Pastor, but we are few in number and at present laboring under the effects of a hard depression.' However saddened and painful as it is for those last few faithful members, Presbytery closed the Mays Church and of course took over the beautiful building and the property in about 1934. Two families from this church then united with the Ebenezer Church, and two or three other families went to Rushville. A few attended the Center Christian Church 1 miles west of Mays. In 1912 the Shiloh Cemetery Association was organized and friends and relatives of those buried in the Shiloh Cemetery, purchased the Shiloh church building and presented it to the Cemetery Association in connection with the cemetery as a convenience to those coming from a distance for burials. So, the church building was used as a Chapel to the cemetery. Even a few funerals were held here. However, because of the upkeep of the building and a need of the Chapel in connection with the cemetery became less, the Cemetery Association sold the old church in 1938 to Wayne White, a farmer who moved the building about halfway between Mays and Raleigh and converted it into a barn or tool shed. Amount received for the building was $400.00. At this time in the year of 1975 The Shiloh Cemetery Association is very active and the cemetery is very well kept. We have eight board members who are all very much interested. We have received many compliments to the beautifully kept cemetery. Just this Spring we set out some new evergreen yew shrubbery, and are planning to have a granite plate mounted on the north and east brick gate posts with the name "Shiloh" inscribed in the granite. The Association owns 14 acres of ground south of Mays from which we rent and receive one half of the proceeds from the crops for our maintenance. There are 526 burials (in 1975) on this cemetery, 13 of which are war veterans. We still have occasional burials and know there will be others as their names are already on their stones. Also we have sold a few new lots in the past year or so. And I know of others interested in buying lots. I just finished a copy of the alphabetical burials for the Henry County Historical Society for Henry County records, as they thought that many Henry County people might be buried here, which there is. I also sent in a history of the church and cemetery. Now I think I will make another copy to place in the rush County records at the Rush County library. Our present officers are:
President - Paul Rae
Vice President - Carl Southers
Secretary - Helen Hully
Treasurer - Ester Oldham This history complied in August, 1975 by Ester Oldham
NOTE John Montgomery Hudelson, who donated the ground for Shiloh Cemetery, was my husband's (Clarence Oldham) Great Great Grandfather.