Worthington Cemetery
Site Brief:
Founded: 1855
Location: Defiance, OH
Additional name(s): Archibald Worthington
Affiliate group(s): N/A
History:
Archibald Worthington (1818-1895) was a farmer that owned land in Highland Township, Defiance County Ohio. He migrated to Ohio upon gaining his freedom from slavery in Virginia. He and his wife raised their children on his land in Section 7 of Highland Township. He designated part of his land to be a cemetery that "was built by him, on his land, for 'his' people, no one but colored persons were ever buried there" according to the 1936 WPA Cemetery record for Worthington Cemetery. The cemetery was used until about 1890 when he moved from the area. He moved with his third wife to Wilmington, Ohio where he ran a business until his death in 1895. He is buried in Sugar Grove Cemetery in Wilmington. The land was given to his living children James and Matilda. His oldest son Henry Worthington joined the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and saw battle, eventually taken as a Prisoner of War. Before he could be freed, he developed typhoid fever and passed away on January 8, 1865. He is buried in Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina. James and Matilda sold the land when they moved out of the area. The cemetery was considered abandoned and the land was bought and sold many times. The stones were moved in the early 1900's to make farming the land easier. It is currently owned by Ayersville Water and Sewer Co. who lease it for farming.
The Defiance Public Library has applied for an Ohio Historic Marker for Worthington Cemetery in April 2023. On July 13,2023, the application for the historic marker was approved. The community is planning a ceremony to celebrate the markers installation at the edge of the cemetery (by the end of 2024). There is a community organization that has formed called Friends of Worthington Cemetery and their goal is to inform and educate the community about the cemetery.
