Baby James by Mary Turner Stoots I received a website inquiry on May 10, 2021, from Glenn Soden, president of the Bexley Historical Society. He said that they had a baby’s tombstone on display that was found in a pond in Bexley. It is for the son of Major John Coons, and the child died in 1827 at the age of seven months. Glenn asked if we would like a photo or rubbing of the stone for our records, because they discovered through a Fold3 grave registration card that the father of the deceased child was buried in the Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Reynoldsburg, a block south of the museum. I wrote back to Mr. Soden and thanked him for the offer. I also suggested that the tombstone belonged with the parents of the child and that we would send someone to Bexley to retrieve it so there would be little effort required on their end. I said, “Would you please ask your Board of Directors to consider our offer for the sake of the child? He should not have to rest in an unmarked grave.” Mr. Soden read my response to the Bexley Board of Directors, and they voted unanimously to transfer custody of the headstone to the Reynoldsburg-Truro Historical Society. Later, our Treasurer, Marvin Shrimplin and Recording Secretary, Mark Myers went to the Bexley Historical Society and met with Trustee Nancy Beck, Trustee Gail Storer, and President Glenn Soden. They were given a tour of the facility and presented with the headstone. I contacted Barth Cotner to find out the proper protocol surrounding the placement of a headstone in a graveyard, and he offered to pay for a base to be poured. I thanked him and said RTHS would pay for it, and he replied, “No, Mary. It’s the right thing to do” Here is some history regarding the headstone: Major John Coons was born on April 5, 1787, in Shenandoah, 28 Virginia. He married Ann Catharine Rhodes on August 28, 1806, in Washington County, Maryland. She was born on June 8, 1788, in Frederick, Virginia. John served as a Major in the War of Division, 4th 1812, 2nd Brigade. After their marriage in 1806, the Coons moved to Franklin County and their first child was born here in 1807. They had 10 children in 26 years: 1. Elizabeth - 1807 to May 16, 1889 2. Rachel Hannah - August 13, 1809, to September 23, 1890 3. George - October 12, 1811, to August 23, 1889 4. Allen Jackson - 1814 to August 23, 1885 5. John - 1820 to 1898 6. Thomas S. - April 9, 1822, to May 11, 1871 7. Madison - February 22, 1825, to September 19, 1899 8. Son (James) February 1827 to September 29, 1827 Aged 7 Months Comes Home to Reynoldsburg 9. Mary Ann – 1829 to (Death Unknown) 10. Daniel L. – 1833 to 1898 The Primitive Baptist Church was organized in Truro Township by Elder John Hanover at the home of John Coons on September 13, 1822. It was then called Friendship Church and was known as a Predestinarian Baptist Church (Predestinarian meaning that God’s children will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ before they can go to heaven.) The membership then included Thomas Torance, Thomas Torance Jr., Mary Torance, Daniel Whetsel, John Coons, (Ann) Catharine Coons, and Mary Dean. Daniel Whetsel was elected church clerk, and John Coons, Deacon. For some years, the society held their meetings at the homes of members, generally at Whetsel’s or Coons’s. John Coons served as one of the many pastors who have preached there over the last 200 years. These Baptists do not use the title of “Reverend,” except for Jesus Christ. Members are called “Sister” or “Brother” or “Elder” with the last name appended. Major John Coons died on November 4, 1865, in Truro Township, Ohio, having lived a long life of 78 years, 7 months, and was buried in Reynoldsburg in the Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Ann passed away on March 19, 1871, at the age of 82 years, 9 months, and 21 days. Mary Turner Stoots is president of the Reynoldsburg Truro Historical Society. Her rendition of this story appeared in the Historical Society’s newsletter and is reprinted here with their permission. Reynoldsburg Magazine • Spring, 2022
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