Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller
Date: October 10, 2023
The half-acre Stonewell Cemetery built in 1817 as a family burial ground by Nathan Wilson has been deeded to the sitting President since President James Monroe but no President has taken up the offer. The cemetery has six family graves with space to bury one more person. The tombstones are surrounded by a strong seven-foot-high circular wall built with large stones in the shape of the dodecagon, a 12-sided shape that looked circular to me. The walls were added in 1838-1939. The wall is considered one of the best examples of dry-stone masonry in Ohio. The entrance faces geodetic true north. The builder of the cemetery deeded it to the President with the hopes that the President would take care of the upkeep and could be buried there if he desired.
The engraving above the gate states: This wall which encloses the family burying ground of Nathaniel Wilson (one of the early Pioneers of the West, who emigrated from Cumberland County, Pa and settles near this place AD 1798, when all around was one continued and uninhabited wilderness) was commenced by him AD 1838 & finished in the following year by his son Gustin, the former having suddenly died May 12, 1839.
One funny and stupid urban legend/folklore associated with the cemetery is this: if you climb up on the wall and walk around it thirteen times, the spirits within will suck them into the circle.
