Most of the cemeteries in Elizabeth Township are on township property, but one is tucked away on the private property of Mark and Cameron Armstrong on Knoop Rd. It is known as the Gearheart (Gearhart/Sheets) Cemetery. The little walled cemetery sits just feet from the north side of their beautiful home. This is how the Gearheart Cemetery looks now:
The Armstrongs purchased the property in 2016 and have started preliminary exploration of the cemetery, locating broken and misplaced headstones, etc. They plan to rebuild the stone wall and restore as many of the headstones as possible to preserve and honor the memory of some of Elizabeth Township’s first pioneer ancestors. This is something they feel compelled to do, even though they have no family buried there. And because it is not on township property, it cannot receive township funds for restoration.
Catherine Cartrought Gearheart (also spelled Gearhart, Gearheard, Gerhard), who died in Elizabeth Township in 1833 is buried in the cemetery. Her husband, John W. Gearheart Sr., died in Virginia before the family left for Ohio. Their descendants are many, and some of their family, although many with different surnames, are still in Elizabeth Township and the surrounding area. Their grandson, Civil War Veteran Samuel Gearheart, is also buried in the cemetery. John and Catherine Gearheart’s local descendants include, but are not limited to:
- Descendants of their daughter, Sarah Gearheart Bousman, including the John V. and Cassa (Bousman) Benham Family, the Grover and Maud (Bousman) Shroyer Family, and the Harley and Mary (McNeal) Urick Family and others.
- Descendants of their daughter, Sarah Gearheart Bousman, including the John V. and Cassa (Bousman) Benham Family, the Grover and Maud (Bousman) Shroyer Family, and the Harley and Mary (McNeal) Urick Family and others.
- Cartrought Gearheart’s broken headstone:
- Headstone of Civil War Veteran, Samual Gearheart
- Broken headstone of Catherine Gearheart (possibly John Sr.’s mother). Hers was the first burial in Gearheart Cemetery.
A complete list of the 12 burials in the cemetery can be found at:
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2416430/gearheart-cemetery
The total cost projection from Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration, LLC for restoring the headstones is $4,200, less the amount already pledged comes to $3,350. The wall will be restored as well, but there has not yet been a finalized quote. It is thought the cost will be at least as much as the headstone restoration.
Because the cemetery is designated as an historical site within the Elizabeth Township Rural Historic District, it is eligible for support through the Elizabeth Township Historical Society (ETHS). The ETHS has made a monetary pledge towards the restoration. In addition, one member who is a Gearhart descendant has also pledged through the Society. We encourage anyone, whether a descendant or not, to do the same to help preserve the history of Elizabeth Township’s early pioneers.
If you are interested in visiting Gearheart Cemetery, please contact the Society at eths2007@gmail.com or the Armstrongs at squeak6@aol.com.
Work on the cemetery will begin this summer. Before and after pictures will be shared. Donations may be made through The Elizabeth Township Historical Society, which is a 501-3c nonprofit organization. The donation is tax deductible.
Thank you for your consideration.
Send donations to:
Elizabeth Township Historical Society Cemetery Preservation Fund
Gearheart Cemetery Restoration Project
5760 E Walnut Grove-Clark County Rd
Troy, OH 45373