Pioneer Boatman Memorial Cemetery was begun in the late 1700's and was dedicated in 1976 to Barnerd Boatman, a Revolutionary War soldier, who served with General George Washington. It was formerly known as "The Old Cemetery, Quaker Cemetery, Old East Palestine Cemetery or The Presbyterian Cemetery". It had been abandoned for many years when Barnerd Boatman's grave was found. Boatman Cemetery was once the grave yard of the first church of East Palestine, "The Calvanistic Meeting House". In 1838-1839 that was probably the only beauty spot in the hamlet with it's new frame church. There were many graves in the area, unfortunately many unmarked.

There are about 194 known burials in the cemetery which are listed on one side of a permanent memorial marker. On the other side are names of 21 veterans of 4 wars, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican and Civil Wars. Burial records have not been found. The permanent marker was erected in 1990 by the American Legion Post 31 of East Palestine, Ohio and dedicated to the veterans and early pioneers and their families.

The earliest marked grave is that of Robert Scott Hamilton, 1836. By 1881 the cemetery was completely filled.

Restoration was first begun about 1989 by Margaret Meek Travis and former local resident Kathryn Bauknecht. In 1994 the Boatman Cemetery memorial Association was formed and have continued restoration as donations are received. The City of East Palestine cleaned out the cemetery and erected a new 6' chain link fence to deter vandalism.

Since 1990 Boatman Memorial Cemetery has been listed on the Ohio Historic Inventory of old cemeteries.

The Boatman Cemetery Memorial Association is trying to find old burial records of the cemetery. Anyone having old records or information please contact:

Mrs. Julia Clark
36 North Walnut Street
East Palestine, OH 44413

Contributions for continued restoration may be sent to:

Sky Bank
189 North Market Street
East Palestine, OH 44413