Elizabeth Rodenberger - Found at Last!

On my trip yesterday to the DAR Library in Washington, DC, I discovered the burial location for my 5th great-grandmother!  From the Cemeteries of Union County, Indiana book, Elizabeth Rodenberger, wife of John Rodenberger, died on September 30, 1842 at the age of 51 years, 11 months, 30 days.  She is buried in  Philomath Cemetery in Brownsville Twp, Union Co., Indiana.

Elizabeth's calculated birthdate would be October 1, 1790.  Her first child, Samuel Rodenberger, my 4th great-grandfather, was born to her at age 18 (thanks, Ray for the calculations). 

Elizabeth and John (Johannes) had at least 10 children:  Samuel, Leah, Rachel, Elizabeth, John W, George, Jacob, Paul, Peter, and Sarah.  Samuel, Leah, and Rachel were born and baptized in Upper Milford Twp, Northampton Co, Pennsylvania.  After Elizabeth's Pennsylvania birth, the family arrived in Ohio before 1818.  John Rodeberger was enumerated in the 1820 Federal Census of Montgomery Co, Ohio. In 1832, John purchased land in Wayne Co, Indiana, an adjoining county to Union Co.

Elizabeth is still a mystery since I don't know her maiden name or who her parents were.

A side note on the value of cemetery surveys.  The book mentioned above that contained this vital information was compiled in 1934 [Lacks title page, title information from 4th leaf - from the DAR Library catalog].  Based on the photo of the cemetery on the Find A Grave website, I'm fairly certain that these gravestones would be unreadable today.

This cemetery is located off of C. Rodenburg Rd. on the south end of Philomath. The condition is severely neglected. At one time, there used to be a church close by the cemetery but all that is left is the foundation.

Added by: R James
5/28/2011

This cemetery is located off of C. Rodenburg Rd. on the south end of Philomath. The condition is severely neglected. At one time, there used to be a church close by the cemetery but all that is left is the foundation.