Pioneer Boatman Memorial Cemetery

Lincoln and Walnut Streets

East Palestine, Ohio

Find A Grave, Boatman Memorial Cemetery

Medal of Honor, Home of Heroes, Joseph Davis, Boatman Cemetery

Pioneer Boatman Memorial Cemetery was begun in the late 1700's and was dedicated in 1976 to Barnerd Boatman, a Revolutionary War soldier, who served with General George Washington.  It was formerly known as "The Old Cemetery", "Quaker Cemetery", "Old East Palestine Cemetery" and "The Presbyterian Cemetery".  It had been abandoned for many years when Barnerd Boatman's grave was found.  It was once the graveyard of "The Calvanistic Meeting House", the first church in East Palestine.  There are about 194 known burials in the cemetery that are listed on one side of a permanent memorial marker.  On the other side are names of 21 veterans of 4 wars:  the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War.  Burial records have not been found.  The permanent marker was erected in 1990 by the American Legion, Post 31, of East Palestine. Restoration began in 1989 by Margaret Meek Travis and Kathryn Bauknecht.  In 1994 the Boatman Cemetery Memorial Association was formed.  Restoration continues as donations are received.  The cemetery is listed on the Ohio Historic Inventory of Cemeteries.

Boatman Cemetery

East Palestine

By Vincent F. Taddei

   The historical cemetery is located on the south side of Lincoln Avenue in downtown East Palestine.

   The cemetery has been previously called “Old East Palestine Cemetery,” and although there is no evidence that the site was ever quaker it was also referred to as “East Palestine Quaker Cemetery.

   The inscription on the plaque truly reflects the tradition and historical significance that the cemetery contains.

   It reads: ”Boatman Memorial Cemetery named for Bernard Boatman, Veteran of the American Revolution.  Dedicated tot eh Pioneers and Veterans whose sacrifice established our heritage and insured our freedom.  Resolution 1937, Nov. 8, 1976”

   Various obituaries from the Valley Echo report veterans from as far back as the revolutionary war are buried at Boatman Cemetery.  One grave that correlates with a report in the Valley Echo is that of Bernard Boatman.   The broken and neglected grave displays the man’s efforts in the Revolutionary War before he died in January 1845 at the age of 95.