Rosehill Cemetery on Puttygut Road, like many small, local cemeteries, is surprisingly old. Eugene Smith, whose death was recorded in 1818, is the oldest listed burial. However, records before 1884 are obscure. Indications are this burial ground was used before 1812.
After establishment of East China Township in 1859, the cemetery board set rules concerning who should be buried in Rosehill. In general, burial rights extended only to residents and those who had contributed to upkeep but now lived in "West China." In 1860, Reed Jerome was appointed cemetery master with final say on burials.
In 1882, 1/8 of an acre was set aside for the burial of "strangers,, probably meaning non-residents. The following year, the ground was leveled and the cemetery fenced at a cost of $130. In 1884, the cemetery was surveyed, lot prices set (not specified) and cornerstones were placed to mark sections. The gate was fitted with a chain and lock. In 1890, a well was dug. A building was erected in 1896 and seats were added five years later. The cemetery was named Rose Hill in 1901. (i.e. Rosehill)
During the early 1900's 8 acres were purchased adjoining the original property and a new fence and well were added. In 1920, increased use of the cemetery caused the board to order a survey and map of plots. A sexton was hired in 1927 for $300 a year. During the Depression, the sexton was asked not to go over $70 in work so as not to overdraw the cemetery fund. Dole labor was used and a $3 lot care fund was established.
Interesting material is on file concerning burials at Rosehill. In 1898, for example, a body buried in the wrong plot had to be reinterred at township expense. Old death records tell stories of hardship and lack of facilities which now would save life. The causes of many infant deaths are listed as infantile paralysis, meningitis, hydrocepholus, chronic Brights Disease, dysentery and Blue Baby.
During the 1940's old problems such as cattle straying into the cemetery coninued to occur. On the other hand, modern items also appear. Mausoleum construction required submission of specific plans. A law firm was hired to defend the right of the township to remove gravel from an undeveloped rear section of cemetery property.
In 1951, $100 was appropriated to cover part of the expense of placing bronze markers on the graves of 32 American veterans buried in Rosehill. Some of these are Civil War veterans. Until 1954, cemetery caretakers were hired by the township. Since then, a professional service has been contracted.
An ongoing effort by township employees has kept cemetery records up to date. A concerted effort has been made to pinpoint older grave sites. The material on file is often used by people searching out ancestors.
