05/29/2026
On a narrow strip of wooded land, not far from the banks of Rocky River in southern Anderson County, there stands a lonely group of fieldstones. They lie hidden in the shadows of a small group of hardwood and cedar trees, half buried in a thick carpet of leaves. Many years ago, these stones were carefully chosen and placed to mark the graves of those who once called this land home. But over 200 hundred years have passed since that time, and a mystery remains…who were these people? There is only one stone bearing an inscription- a large field stone bearing the inscription of “RH.” Can this mystery be solved from this one clue?
The area where this cemetery is located is near the confluence of Rocky River and Governors Creek. Governors Creek is a meandering and picturesque creek that winds its way across the landscape with small waterfalls and large flat rocks until it spills into Rocky River. I have often wondered how it got its name. Perhaps it was because of an old Indian graveyard located in this area in which an Indian “governor” was said to have been buried. I read that for several years after this area opened up for settlement, the Indians who remained continued to clean the burial ground where the governor lay. The term “governor” would not have been a title the Native Americans would have given to their own people. It was a term of European origin that settlers would have used to show who had authoritative power in a particular Native American tribe. Could the first white settlers that moved to this frontier land have given this body of water the name Governors Creek? And what has become of the Native American burial ground? We may never know the answer to that question.
But let’s get back to the first mystery…who was “RH?” It is interesting to note that this cemetery lies within what was once known as the Hall Township. The Hall family began arriving in the area of Rocky River in the 1770’s. Perhaps the “H” stood for Hall? This was my first solid lead.
Further research revealed three men by the last name of Hall, possibly brothers, migrated to this area in the 1780’s-1790’s. One of those men was named Robert Hall. Was this a coincidence or could Robert Hall be the “RH” I was looking for?
Historical plats mention that Robert Hall acquired land in the area of First Creek, Bear Creek, and Rocky River. The deeds went on to state that Robert’s land “straddled Rocky River.” Also, Robert Hall’s significant landholdings bordered land owned by the Tucker family. Interestingly, a Tucker Cemetery is presently located a ¼ mile up the road from where the “RH” marker stands.
By February of 1802, Robert Hall had passed away and his estate was being divided among his heirs. With time, the land passed out of the Hall family and eventually the history of the little cemetery near the banks of Rocky River was forgotten, much like the old Indian burial ground.
Today a large fieldstone marked “RH” stands surrounded by other unmarked fieldstones that were probably members of the Robert Hall family. Robert’s wife? Children? Grandchildren?
So, have we solved the mystery of “RH?” I believe so, but of course, that’s just my opinion. What’s yours?
