Plaque says West Point Cemetery dedicated 1885 but grave markers go back much further. Earliest burials -- three within 15 days in June-July, 1853. Buried here are Hulings S. & George M. Miller, father & brother of poet Joaquin Miller.

The following information is transcribed from the WPA Linn County Cemetery Survey, researched & prepared by Leslie L. Haskin on (undated, ca. 1940):

The West Point Cemetery is situated on Section 33, Township 15 South of range 3 West in Linn County.... The land comprising the cemetery is a part of the original F. G. Vaughn (?) D.L.C. ...

The most conspicuous landmark in the vicinity of the cemetery is the West Point Butte about one mile to the south-east. This butte, striking for its long level summit and abruptly cut western extremity gives name both to the cemetery and to all the surrounding region. It marks the county line between Linn and Lane Counties. It is historically interesting as the scene of one of Joaquin Miller's early adventures....

The first burial of record in this tract is that of Jesse Hasket who died, following the bite of a rattlesnake, on June 5th, 1853; the second that of Geo. L. Greenwood who died June 29, 1853, and the third Vitula Lewis, daughter of John and Martha Lewis who "Was Bornd and Died" Oct. 8, 1856.

The oldest birth date recorded here is that of Enos Martin, (the man who gave the land for this cemetery), who was born in the year 1805. Following this, in order, are- Lynn Snodgrass, 1807, Elizabeth Snodgrass 1909, Reason B. Willoughby 1810, and Hulings Miller, father of Joaquin Miller the poet, in 1812.

Historical & Biographical Notes:

Peater Clover. It is not known positively but it is presumed on good evidence that this is an early burial here. The Clover family had a D.L.C. in this region. The stone, of native tufa, is typical of the very early burials here previous to the time that marble could be obtained.

R. B. Willoughby. 1810-1881. Eleanor Willoughby, 1821-1905. These are very early pioneers of the neighborhood. This cemetery is very often called, locally, the "Willoughby Cemetery." The Willoughby claim was a short distance south f this tract and is still [ca. 1940] owned and tilled by members of the family.

Hulings Miller. 1812-1882. Hulings Miller- the father of "Joaquin" Miller the poet. (Whose real name, by the way, was Cincinnatus Heine Miller). Hulings Miller settled on a Donation Land Claim in Lane County, only a few miles south-east of this cemetery at an early date. His house was on the "Territorial Road", no longer used, which skirted the foothills here. Hulings Miller died from injuries received from a run-away team which became frightened while Miller was opening a gate on his farm. The small clump of trees where the accident took place may be still pointed out by neighbors. The Hulings Miller farm was just south of the Lane County line. West Point, the prominent abrupt butte projection out from the range and clearly in sight from this cemetery, marks the dividing line between the two counties. On West Point Butte young Cincinattus Heine Miller had one of his boyhood adventures. With other boys he climbed this butte one day to engage in the sport of rolling stones down the precipitous slopes. A stone rolled by Miller struck and killed a neighbor's cow. In fear of punishment Miller ran away from home, thus, at an early age, beginning his adventurous wanderings.

Hesse Hasket. 1821-1853. Little his known of this man save that his was the first grave in this tract and that he died from the poisonous bite of a rattlesnake. His stone is a neat slab of hand-dressed native tufa. This type of stone is typical of the very early burials here.

Vitula Lewis. "Bornd and died Oct 26, 1855." Willie Lewis. "Bornd and died Oct. 8, 1856." These children of John and Martha Lewis are among the earliest burials here. The stone is of hand-cut native tufa. The lettering is very neatly and expertly done but the spelling is quaint. The Lewis family were very early settlers here. This cemetery is often referred to as "The Lewis Cemetery."

Eliza J. Deffenbacker. 1850-1931. This woman's grave is marked by a white marble stone of a size and type universally used for Civil War Veterans. Her grave is also marked by an iron G. A. R. insignia and an American flag. No reason could be learned for this distinction given to a woman.

Enos Martin. 1815-1896. This man gave the land here to be used for cemetery purposes. The Martins were early settlers and the cemetery is sometimes called "The Martin Cemetery."

B. R. Holt. 1825-1900. S. S. Holt. 1830-1917. The Holts were pioneers of the year 1852. Their farm was situated about one-half mile north of this cemetery. A picture (wood-cut) of this farm home as it appeared in 1878 is shown in ... "Illustrated Atlas Map of Marion and Linn Counties". (San Francisco, 1878).

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References used to prepare these cemetery pages are provided.
Lisa L. Jones prepared and is solely responsible for the content of these pages. 
Copyright 2001.