McCortney Cemetery (Warren Cemetery)

McCortney Cemetery is also known as Warren Cemetery.

Warren Cemetery (McCortney Cemetery)

Warren Cemetery, also known as McCortney Cemetery, is located in southern Pulaski County, MO., “in a field, near the bank of the Big Piney River”, south of Miller Cave and Miller Ebb and Flow Spring. From Big Piney, cross the Ross Bridge and turn left.

The Old Stagecoach Stop Society, with help from the Waynesville LEAP classes, restored the graveyard, starting work in 1989. The oldest stone is that of James Madison Williams and is dated July 18, 1850.

“This marker was found under a downed tree and layers of leaves. It is a sandstone field stone and the inscription was scratched in the rock with a sharp object (nail?). This is the oldest stone found so far and is on the highest point of the graveyard, somewhat alone.”

Robert Warren 1838-1909

Died at his home on Big Piney, August 21, 1909, at 3 o’clock p.m., Robert Warren, aged 60 years. He was born in Overton County, Tennessee, November 15, 1838, was married first to Miss Virginia Barnett in Pulaski County, Missouri, who died November 12, 1876. Married second time to Miss Nancy Jane Barnett a sister to first wife. His children number 11, 5 by first marriage, and 6 by second marriage. Nine of his children survive him. His grandchildren number 26.

Mr. Warren was buried on Sunday, August 23rd, by the I.O.O.F., of which he was a member of Relfe Lodge.

Note: Robert Warren has two tombstones, one in Hopewell Cemetery and one in McCourtney Cemetery. McCourtney Cemetery is sometimes referred to as Warren Cemetery.

Wilford Elza McCowan 1900-1901

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1878-1912.

Wilford Elza, son of Perry E. & Matilda Ellen McCown, born near Duke in Pulaski Co., MO, March 19th 1900, died at his grandfathers Mr. Robert Warren's near Duke, July 3d 1901 at 6-15 p.m., aged 1 yr, 3 ms & 14 ds. Of a family of 4 children, 2 still living, Malissa Jane and Nora Lavana McCown. Grandfather & grandmother Warren & Vitula McCown still living and 7 uncles & 7 aunts still living. Service at the house & at the grave July 4th at 3 p.m. on Thurs. and buried at the McCourtney grave yard. by J.J. Watts

Robert Sidney McCown 1898-1900

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1878-1912.

Robert Sidney, son of Perry Eli and Matilda Ellen McCown, born in Piney T., June 18th 1898, died in Piney Township, Pulaski Co., MO, Sept. 13th 1900 at 2 a.m., aged 2 ys, 2 ms, and 25 ds. A funeral discourse was preached at the McCourtney Cemetery, from Rev. 7X9 to 17 and hymn page 6 "Almighty Maker of my frame", Sept 13th 1900 at 5 p.m., we laid him to rest.

Dolphus Hermon Mackelfresh 1896-1898

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1878-1912.

Dolphus Hermon, son of Quiler and Nancy Ann Mackelfresh, was born in Piney Township, July 1, 1896, and died in Piney Township, Feb. 12, 1898, at 11 a.m., aged 1 yr, 7 ms and 11ds. He was buried at the McCourtney Grave Yard Feb. 13, 1898 at 4 p.m. Remarks by Watts---A funeral sermon was preached by Watts at the Ellsworth Church, from the text Rev. 21X4 at 11 o’clock a.m. April 10, 1898. J. J. Watts

Florida Wilford Null 1877-1894

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Florida Wilford, son of Josiah and Hannah Null was born in Jefferson Co., MO, January 14th 1877, died in Piney T., Pulaski Co., MO, Oct. 20th 1894 at 8 p.m., aged 17 ys, 9 ms and 6 ds. A funeral sermon was preached at his fathers residence, from Psalms 89X48 by J.J. Watts, Oct 22d 1894 at 1 p.m., after which he was taken to the McCortney Cemetery where religious service was held by Rev. A Hendrix before he was buried at 3 p.m. Father, mother, 4 brothers, and 5 sisters survives him.

James Madison Huff 1855-1887

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

James Madison Huff, born in Pulaski Co., MO, Apr. 3d 1855, died in Phelps Co., Oct 16th 1887 at 10 a.m., aged 32 ys. 6 ms. and 13 ds. Singing, Prayer, and remarks at the McCourtney Cemetery by J.J. Watts, Oct 17th 1887, at 4 p.m. A funeral sermon was preached at the Hopewell Church from Isaiah 48 X 10 by J.J. Watts, Aug. 17th 1890 at 11 a.m. = Widow, 3 children, 3 brothers and 1 sister survives him.

Christina Davis 1821-1887

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Sister, Christina Davis, born in Randolph Co., N.C., Apr 29th 1821, died at her home near Hopewell School House, Pulaski Co., MO, March 10th 1887, aged 65 ys. 10 ms. and 11ds. A funeral sermon was preached at the McCourtney Cemetery by Rev. A. Hendrix. Singing, prayer, and remarks by J.J. Watts, March 11th 1887 at 3 p.m. 4 children survive and 19 grand children and 3 sisters in N.C.

Annie Belle Merrell 1884-1885

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Annie Belle, daughter of B.F. and Sarah Merrell, born in Pulaski Co., MO, July 28th 1884, died on the Elbow Hollow, Pulaski Co., Aug 7th 1885, aged 1 year and 9 days. Singing, prayer and remarks at the McCourtney Cemetery by J.J. Watts, Aug 8th 1885. Father and Mother, 7 brothers, 2 sisters survives.

John and Catherine Foster 1813-1882

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Mr. John Foster, born in Tennessee, June 4th 1813, died on Piney River, Miller's place, Nov. 14th 1882 aged 69 ys. 5 ms. and 10 ds. Singing, prayer and remarks at the McCourtney Cemetery by J.J. Watts Nov. 15th 1882. Catherine, his wife, died same place July 12th 1881 aged 67 ys. 8 ms. and 15 ds. A funeral sermon of both was preached at the Hopewell Church from Phil. 1 X 23 by J.J. Watts July 15th 1883.

Martin Era Huff 1881-1882

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Martin Era, son of the late Alexander M. and Margaret Huff, born on Piney, Pulaski Co. May 13th 1881, died there in Piney Township, Nov. 7th 1882, aged 1 yr. 5 ms. and 24 ds. Singing, Prayer and remarks at the McCourtney Cemetery by Rev. J.J. Watts, Nov. 8th 1882. 1 sister survives.

Mattie Elizabeth Riden 1878-1882

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Mattie Elizabeth, daughter of James W. and Darcus Elizabeth Riden, born in Pulaski Co., MO, January 20th 1878, and died in Piney Township, Pulaski Co., Apr 17th 1882 aged 4 ys. 3 ms. and 27 ds. Singing, prayer, and remarks at the McCourtney Cemetery by Rev. J.J. Watts April 18th 1882.

Eliza Elizabeth Merrell 1872-1882

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Eliza Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Franklin and --------- Angelina Merrell, born on Mill Creek, Phelps Co. Sept 3d 1872, died on the Shaw Hollow, Pulaski Co. April 8th 1882 aged 9 ys. 7 ms. and 5 days. Singing, prayer and remarks at the McCourtney Cemetery, by Rev. J.J. Watts April 9th 1882, taken up and re-buried at Watts Lawn. Father, step-mother, 4 brothers survive.

Martha Huff 1835-1882

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Miss Martha Huff, daughter of the late Alex. and Eliza Huff born in Morgan Co., MO, Feb 17th 1835, died on Big Piney at Hopewell, Pulaski Co., Feb 24th 1882, aged 47 ys. 7 days. A funeral sermon was preached at Hopewell School House from Isaiah 48 X 10 by Rev. J.J. Watts Feb 25th 1882 and she was buried at the McCourtney Cemetery. Reburied at Watts Lawn. 1 sister survives.