CEMETERY HISTORY:
The history of the cemetery starts with Thomas McQuillan who cleraed and settled the land on which the cemetery was established. Mr. McQuillan, a Civil War Veteran, was land granted this property from the Federal Government for his service during the war. He is buried on Lot # 285 front and center of the old cemetery next to Cemetery Rd. along with other family members. It is presumed that it was a family cemetery at the beginning and grew as the township gained in population over the years.The first registered burial was in 1879.
Until about 1900, the burial ground was referred to has the
McQuillan Cemetery. After then, obituaries in the Tri-County Chronicle started calling it the Novesta Cemetery at times. It was about this time that Mr. McQuillan moved to Kingston, Michigan and may have turned over operations to the Township. Even into the early 1900's, some obituaries referenced the McQuillan Cemetery has the place of burial.
Mr. Thomas McQuillan, Civil War Veteran and early Township settler, died in November of 1903 and is buried in the Novesta Township Cemetery. His grave is marked with a G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) cast iron flag holder and is pictured below and is the first grave that is pictured.
The original cemetery included 335 lots and was located from the north lane to the south lane. 50 more lots were added at the south border line. 190 lots were added on the north border and west border of the cemetery.
For Cemetery Information: Call Joann Tauber at 989-670-2943
The history of the cemetery starts with Thomas McQuillan who cleraed and settled the land on which the cemetery was established. Mr. McQuillan, a Civil War Veteran, was land granted this property from the Federal Government for his service during the war. He is buried on Lot # 285 front and center of the old cemetery next to Cemetery Rd. along with other family members. It is presumed that it was a family cemetery at the beginning and grew as the township gained in population over the years.The first registered burial was in 1879.
Until about 1900, the burial ground was referred to has the
McQuillan Cemetery. After then, obituaries in the Tri-County Chronicle started calling it the Novesta Cemetery at times. It was about this time that Mr. McQuillan moved to Kingston, Michigan and may have turned over operations to the Township. Even into the early 1900's, some obituaries referenced the McQuillan Cemetery has the place of burial.
Mr. Thomas McQuillan, Civil War Veteran and early Township settler, died in November of 1903 and is buried in the Novesta Township Cemetery. His grave is marked with a G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) cast iron flag holder and is pictured below and is the first grave that is pictured.
The original cemetery included 335 lots and was located from the north lane to the south lane. 50 more lots were added at the south border line. 190 lots were added on the north border and west border of the cemetery.
For Cemetery Information: Call Joann Tauber at 989-670-2943
Novesta Township Cemetery Rules & Regulations:
1. All burials shall be paid for prior to burial
2. All monuments and markers shall be placed on a foundation.
3. All foundations will be installed by the township contractor or a
party approved by the Township Board.
4. All foundations must be 3" in depth with an apron extending
out from marker a minimum of 4" and a maximum of 6".
5. Not allowed: Cement tops, stones, woodchips, fencing, trees,
shrubs, framing, curbing and elevated dirt mounds.
6. The Novesta Township Board may decide to remove any
existing cement skim top, loose stone, curbing, shrub or tree
deemed to be unsightly or in disrepair at it's discretion.
7. Cremation burials shall be handled through a funeral home.
8. Maximum of 2 cremations per grave. Two markers per grave
are allowed for the two cremations; however both markers
must be placed on one foundation.
9. Grave blankets and winter decorations will be removed by
April 1st. Summer flowers and decorations by October 31st.
10. Novesta Township shall not be financially responsible for
damage to lots, monuments, flowers or articles removed from
any lot. Novesta Township shall in no way be held responsible
for a failure to properly determine the legal successorship of
any burial right, owner or purchaser. (June 2005)
Cemetery Rates:
One grave site to purchase:
Township Resident $150.00
Non resident $600.00
Cemetery Burials:
Winter Rate
Weekdays $675.00
Sat., Sun., Holidays $725.00
Summer Rate
Weekdays $375.00
Sat., Sun., Holidays $400.00
Infant Burials $160.00
Cremain Burials $150.00
Burial Contractor and Supervisor will determine when winter
rates go into effect. Once winter rates go into effect they will
remain on until April 1st.
Burial permit and check, for required charge, must be pre-
sented to township clerk or treasurer for each grave site.
SUMMER RATES IN EFFECT AS OF 04/01/10.
Visit www.rawson.lib.mi.us for Novesta Township Cemetery
records.
Top pictures left to right:
Memorial Day 2009
WWII Vets: Lawrence Englehart - Cass Bartnik
Right Side Bar Pictures
Thomas McQuillan's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Peter Churchill's Grave - Civil War Veteran
David O. Ramsey's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Henry M. Hudson's Grave - Civil War Veteran
James H. Mattoon's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Francis Barber's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Wm. N. Wills Grave - Civil War Veteran
Robert Warner - Civil War Veteran
William Crawford - Civil War Veteran
Josiah B Lewis - Civil War Veteran
records.
Top pictures left to right:
Memorial Day 2009
WWII Vets: Lawrence Englehart - Cass Bartnik
Right Side Bar Pictures
Thomas McQuillan's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Peter Churchill's Grave - Civil War Veteran
David O. Ramsey's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Henry M. Hudson's Grave - Civil War Veteran
James H. Mattoon's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Francis Barber's Grave - Civil War Veteran
Wm. N. Wills Grave - Civil War Veteran
Robert Warner - Civil War Veteran
William Crawford - Civil War Veteran
Josiah B Lewis - Civil War Veteran
