History: Woman’s gravesite joins other markers in Washington County
Woman’s gravesite joins other markers in county
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WATERTOWN -- When Susan Weekley's mother died of cancer on Jan. 8, 2019, her family wasn't sure what kind of headstone to put at her grave in Woodruff Cemetery, Watertown.
So after looking at a lot of different styles and talking with the attorney who handled her mother's estate, she decided to go with a historical marker.
There are more than 100 historical markers in Washington County, according to the Historical Marker Database (hmdb.org). They range from churches to monuments to events, such as the Buckeye Belle explosion in Beverly.
In the Barlow/Vincent area, there are two markers which designate a historic bridge and a prominent Washington County resident in the 1800s.
The Mill Branch Covered Bridge was placed near the bridge at the Barlow Fairgrounds.
The inscription reads: "The Mill Branch Covered Bridge spanned the Mill Branch of the Little Hocking River, 0.3 mile East of Ohio 339 in Belpre Twp. This 19th Century 'multiple king post' truss bridge consisted of one span of 59', with 5' overhang at each end, 12' of width and 11 1/2' height and a 7 ton load limit. In 1980, the bridge was moved to the Barlow Fairgrounds by the county.
"In 1995 the Barlow Fair Restoration Committee began a five year restoration of the buildings on the fairgrounds. In 1999 volunteers and donors worked on the bridge, replaced and painted the siding, constructed new approaches and installed a new roof. In 2007, major restoration of structural beams was completed by the Righter Company and community volunteers and donors."
The second can be found in front of the Veto Presbyterian Church at the corner of Ohio 339 and Veto Road.
Erected in honor of Ephraim Cutler, the inscription reads: "Ephraim Cutler (1767-1853) arrived in Marietta from Connecticut in 1795. Prominent in southeast Ohio, Cutler was appointed judge of the court of common pleas and justice of the peace, surveyed land for the Ohio Company, and was a trustee of Ohio University.
"In 1802, Cutler was chosen as a Washington County delegate to Ohio's constitutional convention in Chillicothe. A contested issue at the convention was whether to permit or exclude slavery in the new state of Ohio.
As a member of the committee that introduced Article VIII, or the bill of rights, of Ohio's Constitution, Cutler drafted Section 2, which specifically excluded slavery or involuntary servitude in Ohio on the basis that the Ordinance of 1787 forbade It. The section passed through the convention by one vote. Veto Lake was named for Cutler's role in having slavery vetoed in Ohio."
But for the grave of her mother, Rhea "Susie" Nelson, Weekley wanted something that told a story.
On the front is a photo of her mother with her history, but on the back are family photos – her siblings, her children, her grandchildren, and the family gathered around her for her final Christmas in 2018.
Weekley said her mother was a huge fan of Elvis Presley and although the family knew she would soon pass, Nelson hung on until Jan. 8 -- Elvis' birthday.
Her son, Brody, said no one realized the significance of the date until he saw it on social media.
"It was a sign to me that everything was good," Weekley said.
The family went to Sewah Studios in Marietta for the marker and it took approximately eight months to make. The family worked on the verbiage of the history and photos were chosen for the marker.
Weekley said she was able to walk through the studio and see the marker being made.
She said they had looked at a black stone for the headstone, but it would have to be shipped in, making it more expensive than the marker, which cost the family about $2,400.
"It also helped to keep a local business in business during COVID," Weekley said. "That was important."
Two weeks ago, the marker was set in place at her mother's gravesite. It can be seen from Ohio 339 and stands as a reminder of the life Nelson lived.
Along with the names of family members, it lists how she loved game shows, spaghetti, hot dogs, RC Cola, wind chimes and Elvis.
There are several sets of wind chimes placed in the trees around her gravesite and Weekley said they will chime even when there's no wind. She has a solar powered light that shines on the marker and a bench where family can sit and reminisce.
She said the family was on board with having a historical marker instead of a headstone.
"We wanted something special and unique," she said. "We want people to be able to see her and read her story. You'll know Mom's history."
Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.
At a glance:
¯ There are two historical markers in Barlow/Vincent.
¯ One is near the Mill Branch Covered Bridge at the Barlow Fairgrounds.
¯ The second is near the Veto Presbyterian Church on Ohio 339.
¯ Family members of a local woman placed a historical marker with her history and photos at her gravesite two weeks ago.
Source: Times research.