Cemetery Descriptions

Hudson's largest active cemetery is Markillie (pronounced Mark'-i-lee with the accent on the first syllable). Initially it was established as a family graveyard by John Markillie, Hudson's first professional photographer, for the burial of his mother, Lucinda, in 1850.

Subsequent acquisitions of contiguous acreage have established it as Hudson's principal burial ground. It is comprised of four sections, i.e. Memorial (where only flush mounted markers are permitted), Markillie (which is the most mature section with the majority of its burials occurring in the late XIXth and early XXth Centuries). Old Hickory, (with a heavy concentration of post World War II burials) and Hoftmatr Mills. (a recently developed area which is just now coming into general use).

Entrance to St. Mary's Cemetery, a three acre tract which lies immediately to the south of. and is contiguous to Markillie. is made through the same imposing gates providing access to Markillie Cemetery. Although St. Mary's is a consecrated Roman Catholic cemetery containing both "Old" and "New" sections, its operations today comp under the purview of the Hudson Cemetery Board. History tells us that the impetus St. Mary's came from an Irish serving nun who saved sufficient money from vhich she was paid to contribute its establishment in about 1880.

On the south side of Chapel Street, proximate to the Western Reserve Academy Campus, is the Olde Hudson township Burying Ground. In this small cemetery most of the pioneer men and women prominent in the founding of Hudson are interred. Here, for instance, David Hudson and Owen Brown are buried. Protected from vandalism by a cyclone fence, it is dominated by stela-type markers, many in a sad state of disrepair. Their virtually illegible inscriptions have been preserved by rubbings which are on file in the archives of the Hudson Historical Society. It is a closed cemetery and no burials have been made here for one hundred years.

Draper Cemetery, located in the north side of Route 303 (East Streetsboro Road), is a two acre cemetery which was originally platted in 1861 although some of the burials took place much earlier. Moses Draper, a farmer and saw-mill operator, and his first wife, Amarilla, with seven small children, moved to Hudson about 1831. Following the death of Amarilla in 1850. he married twice more. He died in 1873 and is buried in the cemetery bearing his name. Hudson's first acknowledged historian of note. Lora Case, is also buried here. Perhaps because of its small size and its aura of age, many people in Hudson do not realize that Draper is still an active cemetery.

O'Brien Cemetery, in a remote area off Hudson Drive in Hudson's southwest corner, is our prettiest cemetery. Situated on a grassy knoll shaded by some magnificent old trees, it overlooks a small lake - a truly pastoral scene. Unfortunately, the cemetery is not unblemished. Over the years vandalism has taken its toll. However, recently, with excellent cooperation from the city and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Hudson Cemetery Board has made a concerted effort to improve its condition. Named after Henry O'Brien, a Protestant Irishman who was one of the founders of the Episcopal Church in Hudson, it contains Hudson's first burial of record - Mary Deacon in 1806.

The Hudson Cemetery Board feels that the following passage whose author is unknown capsulizes the underlying philosophy for establishing and maintaining cemeteries.

"LIVES ARE COMMEMORATED DEATHS ARE RECORDED FAMILIES ARE REUNITED MEMORIES ARE MADE MORE TANGIBLE AND LOVE IS UNDISGUISED. THIS IS A CEMETERY.

COMMUNITIFS ACCOND RESPECT, FAMILIES BESTOW REVERENCE, HISTORIANS SEEK INFORMATION AND OUR HERITAGE IS THEREBY ENRICHED.

TESTIMONIES OF DEVOTION, PRIDE AND REMEMBRANCE ARE CARVED IN STONE TO PAY WARM TRIBUTE TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TO THE LIFE NOT DEATH - OF THIS LOVED ONE. THE CEMETERY IS HOME LAND FOR FAMILY MEMORIALS WHICH ARE A SUSTAINING SOURCE OF COMFORT TO THE LIVING.

A CEMETERY IS A HISTORY OF PEOPLE -
A PERPETUAL RECORD OF YESTERDAY
AND A SANCTUARY OF PEACE
AND QUIET TODAY.
A CEMETERY EXISTS
BECAUSE EVERY LIFE
IS WORTH LOVING
AND REMEMBERING -
ALWAYS."