by Sean Behling
Loveland, Ohio – On Saturday, May 7th, a presentation from the Sons of American Revolution to the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association will be at 12:30 AM. Then, a parade will leave from the John Ramsay Homestead in White Pillars at 12:45 PM, ending at the cemetery a few hundred feet away. This will give way to a formal dedication, where the Clough Valley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in conjunction with the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association, the Cincinnati Chapter/Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and the Loveland American Legion Post #256 will be marking new and restored gravestones for Thomas Paxton, John Ramsey, and Isabella Paxton Ramsey.
The ceremony will showcase the most recent improvements at the cemetery that honors some of the earliest pioneers in Clermont County.
The Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery began in 1813 with the burial of Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton. Lt. Col. Paxton was a Revolutionary War Soldier who served with General George Washington at Valley Forge in 1777 as well as General Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. The curved bridge on West Loveland Avenue over the Little Miami River dividing Historic Downtown and the West Loveland Historic District is named in honor of Col. Paxton.
Paxton is considered the first permanent settler between the Little Miami River and the Scioto River in the Virginia Military Tract, credited with raising the first local crop of corn, and was the founder of Loveland. Paxton’s involvement goes even further, from helping to have the first polling place in Clermont County to helping make the statehood of Ohio possible.
Paxton’s son-in-law, as well as Revolutionary War patriot and one of the first settlers of Clermont County, Captain John Ramsey, was buried in the cemetery in 1847, as were other family members up until 1913.
In 1997, the nonprofit (501c3) organization, Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association, Inc. was established. Thanks to this organization, a much-needed restoration of the cemetery was made including the restoration of headstones, removal of brush and dying trees, installing a new decorative gate, and the replacement of rusted barbed wire fencing with a black aluminum fence.
Jan Beller, Director of the Loveland Museum Center and Executive Director of the Greater Loveland Historical Society says, “We are fortunate to have such a historical site right in our own thriving town.”
Just recently two new benches were made by Emma Clemons with Girl Scout Troop 43534 and placed under the new solar-lighted flagpole. The new flagpole was made possible by the Loveland American Legion Post 256 and Auxiliary, and Loveland VFW post 5749.
Rob Geiger, President of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association said, “Community support has been generous over the years, and many local businesses, individuals, and organizations have contributed to the preservation of this cemetery. Most recently, thirteen graves from the early 20th century which were unmarked or only marked with field stones will now be marked with new granite stones donated by Riverview Monuments. Also, the gate provided by Eads Fence Company and the flagpole donated by the American Legion and the VFW help enhance this historic location.”
• A presentation from the Sons of American Revolution will be at the cemetery at 12:30 PM.
• A parade led by bagpiper Robert Reid will leave the John Ramsay Homestead in White Pillars at 12:45 PM. The John Ramsay Homestead is at Valley Forge Drive and Ramsey Court in the White Pillars subdivision.
• The formal grave dedication begins at 1 PM.
If you want to experience a momentous piece of Loveland History, come and view this special event unfold on May 7th.
Loveland Magazine Publisher David Miller will be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony.
