South Cortland Cemetery

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South Cortland Cemetery, Cortlandville, Cortland County, New York
Lat: 42° 34' 09"N, Lon: 76° 03' 13"W
(Contributed by John Hoeschele, Apr 17, 2010)

To reach this cemetery from the city of Cortland, at the intersection of Routes 13 and 281, drive south onto Route 13 for approximately 0.5 miles. The cemetery is on the west or right side of the road, across from the Wal-Mart.

This cemetery's history is not well documented, but this much is known:

1. While the early town of South Cortland (circa 1800-1930s) was known to have at least one "house of worship," this cemetery is located several hundred feet north of that church's known location based on Census and other period maps showing South Cortland. It also does not appear to be affiliated with any single family, as approximately two dozen families were interred here. Accordingly, the cemetery would best be termed a 'community graveyard' or 'rural graveyard.'

2. To date (Spring 2010), research of deeds and other records at the Cortland County clerk's office archives do not reveal clear ownership and title of the cemetery; indeed, lack of clarity on this point led the Town of Cortlandville to gradually assume responsibility for the property's care and upkeep in the 1970s and 1980s, in accordance with NYS laws/regulations regarding abandoned cemeteries.

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Robert McAllister b. 1816 d. 1879 Wife: Caroline b. 1814 d. 1886 Line Note: R21	Caroline (Allen) McAllister b. 1814 d. 1856 Line Note: R21
Watsford McAllister b. 15 Aug 1842 d. 2 Aug 1885 Jane Cobb b. 1833 d. 15 Mar 1905 Line Note: R21-1	Jane (Cobb) McAllister b. 1833 d. 1905 Line Note: R21-1 Jane (Cobb) Dayton McAllister did have a prior husband, Willson John Dayton, who appears to have died near the end of the Civil War. Willson Dayton married Delilah Main of Virgil, Cortland, NY. Willson and Delilah had a daughter, Almeda A. Dayton in 1852. Delilah (Main) Dayton died 1860. Willson Dayton married Jane Cobb in 1861. Almeda Dayton died 1862. Willson and Jane (Cobb) Dayton had daughter Florence Dayton in 1863. Willson Dayton died in 1864.
Daniel McAllister b. Mar 1851 d. 20 Oct 1932 Spouse unknown Line Note: R21-4	Sarah McAllister b. May 1856 d. 20 May 1920 Spouse unknown Line Note: R21-5
Neither Daniel McAllister nor Sarah McAllister appear to have ever married. In 1880, both lived with their mother. In the 1900 and 1910 Census, they both lived with an uncle. In the 1920 Census, they lived together. In the 1930 Census, Daniel was alone. They were always marked single, never indicating a number of times married previously.
Morgan McAllister b. 10 Dec 1845X d. 8 Aug 1870 Never married Line Note: R21-2