Today no burial list exists from the time when Turner Cemetery was an active burial ground (1785 to the mid-1880s). The following list of burials has been compiled from information on the tombstones, lists in newspapers and books in the early 1900s (probably based on the tombstones), individual family burial records, and other secondary sources. If additional information is known about a particular person or family, the name is linked to a page about them. Click on the name to go to the page.
Because of the lack of any official record of people buried in Turner Cemetery, the information we have is confusing, contradictory, and incomplete. The TC/MSBA Historical Committee is continually researching, adding new information and correcting errors. We welcome information about the people buried in the cemetery. Contact hwilson.turnercem@gmail.com.
Note: In 2011, the Turner Cemetery/MSBA Historical Committee was given the records of around 30 Civil War soldiers who were listed on the Pennsylvania Dept. of Military Affairs “Record of Burial Place of Veteran” form as having been buried in Mary S. Brown Memorial #10. We know some of these records are incorrect and are in the process of researching the rest to determine whether the men are actually buried in the graveyard. At present, these men will be listed under the “Military Veterans” tab.
Attison, Elizabeth (1755?-Nov. 28, 1828, at age 73), no tombstone (Note: Another source says date of death is 1823.)
Bell, Mary R., wife of William C. Bell, no tombstone. Click on Mary Bell’s name for more about the Bell family.
Bell, Samuel, infant, no tombstone
Bell, Thomas (died April 22, 18?8, possibly 1848), tombstone exists, possibly died at 7 weeks old.
Bell, William C. (1813?-July 6, 1851, aged 38), tombstone exists
Blashford, James (Jr.) (March 15, 1795-May 14, 1859), son of James and Violet Blashford, tombstone exists. Click on James Blashford’s name for more information about the Blashfords.
Blashford, Violet (Jan. 30, 1762-July 30, 1830, aged 68), no tombstone, married to James Blashford, mother of James Blashford (Jr.). Violet is believed to be the sister of Susanna Clark Turner.
Boother (0r Bougher), Abraham (buried c. 1820 or 1830) Revolutionary War veteran, buried with honors of war, no tombstone, listed on memorial plaque in church under the date 1775.
Booker (or Bougher), Frances McElroy (no dates), wife of Abraham Booker. Her mother, “Old Granny McElroy,” was married to Henry McElroy, one of the original “squatter” settlers on Squirrel Hill in or near Nine Mile Run valley, arriving there about 1770. A spring on their property was called “Granny Spring,” after Old Granny McElroy. The spring was used by the McElroys and by occasional Indians who came by, accompanied by Simon Girty at times. Right below the spring was a salt lick, at which the early settlers dug a brine well to get much-needed salt. The well gave its name to Salt Works Road, which later became Saline Street.
Booker (or Bougher), Rebecca (no dates). daughter of Abraham Booker and Frances McElroy Boother (no dates).
Brewno, Henry (buried around 1848?), Mexican American War veteran, no tombstone
Burchfield, Adam (Feb. 15, 1762-Apr. 24, 1826, aged 65), married Mary Cochran c. 1773, removed to Homewood Cemetery in 1899
Burchfield, Mary C. (1773?-Oct. 19, 1853, aged 80), removed to Homewood Cemetery in 1899
Burtt, Joseph Smith (Aug. 28, 1804-1844). His parents were Joseph Burtt (17862-Mar. 4, 1845) and Sally Smith Burtt (Feb. 4, 1776-Aug. 1, 1825). He was the husband of Rebecca Boother.
Carr, Edward (Aug. 13, 1767-Oct. 13, 1834, aged 76), born in London, married Elizabeth Sanders on Dec. 23, 1797, in London, no tombstone. A record has been found for an Edward Carr who had 14 children, 4 born in London and the rest in Pittsburgh.
Carr, Elizabeth (Nov. 16, 1778-Oct. 19, 1818), no tombstone. It is likely Elizabeth was the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Carr.
Castleman, Rachel (1750?-Oct. 13, 1832, aged 82), tombstone exists. She married Jacob Castleman (1748-April 10, 1816) in 1769. Jacob is buried in Beulah Presbyterian Cemetery in what is now Wilkins Township, Pa. They had four children, Margaret, Mary (or Molly), Susannah and Rachel. Click on Rachel Castleman’s name for more information about the family.
Clark, J. P., no dates, Civil War veteran. His tombstone says Co. C (or G?) 103 PA INF. Identifying him has proved difficult because of conflicting information in the records. Click on J. P. Clark’s name for more information about him.
Craig, William, War of 1812, said to have served in Admiral Perry’s fleet. His wife’s name was Elizabeth. Click on William Craig’s name for more information about the Craig family.
Craig, Mrs. William (Elizabeth), Died 1804. A source from around 1905 says “Nothing further legible” as if read from a tombstone, but no tombstone has been identified for her. Mrs. Craig’s is the oldest recorded burial in Turner Cemetery.
Davis, Jake?, No information available
Duke, James, (1819? – Sept. 18, 1834, aged 13 years), no tombstone. The Warrantee Atlas of Allegheny County shows that Charles Duke owned property along Nine Mile Run near the Turners’ farm in the late 1700s. Another source says he owned 60 acres in Scotch Bottoms, now part of Hazelwood.
Duncan, John S. (no birth date, died Oct. 10, 1861), headstone and foot stone still exist. Duncan was a professor of penmanship at Duff’s College. Click on his name for more information about him.
Ebdy, Edward Schenley, (1857?-April 21, 1880, aged 23 years), tombstone exists. Some sources give his age as 27, but his tombstone clearly shows his age as 23. Click on his name for more information about him.
Fowkes, Samuel (1806-March 30, 1863, aged 57) (tombstone exists). Civil War veteran (spelled Fawkes or Foulk in other sources), member of Co. K, 102 Reg. Pa. Vol. Fowkes married Louisa Ward Cadman on Sept. 12, 1850, and was mustered into the army on August 15, 1861. He was discharged on a Surgeon’s Certificate on March 15, 1862. His parents were William Fowkes and Mary Unk.
Girty, James (died 1853, age unknown) removed to Allegheny Cemetery on Nov. 10, 1898. Click on James Girty’s name for more information about the Girty family.
Gruebaugh, David (1789?-Dec. 19, 1845, aged 56) Tombstone exists
Hackethorn, Elizabeth (1808?-October 22, 1835, aged 27), tombstone exists. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Jane Redding (also spelled Reading).
Hoffman (tombstone illegible except for name)
Jamison, Henry (Jemison in other sources) (1786?-Sept. 5, 1848, aged 62) tombstone exists
Jones, Delmont (Aug.3,1803 – Dec. 30,1878, aged 76), no tombstone. He married Mary Ann Carr, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Carr, on April 16, 1826. They were blessed with 9 children. Edward Carr was also buried in Turner Cemetery. For more information about Delmont Jones and his family, click on his name.
Little, Joseph (1788? – Oct. 25, 1860, aged 72), tombstone exists. Click on Joseph Little’s name for more information about the Little family.
Little, Joseph Jr. (Mar. 26, 1826 – Sept. 2, 1886), born in Tyrone, Ireland, removed to Homewood Cemetery in 1893
Little, Maria L. (Mar. 2, 1821 – June 13, 1852), tombstone exists. Consort of John C. Little. The tall, thin tombstone had been in good condition until a few years ago, when it cracked in half over the winter.
Little, Mary (1775? – Feb. 20, 1852, aged 77) tombstone exists. wife of Joseph Little. Mary was about 13 years older than Joseph.
Little, Mary A. (No dates), wife of Joseph Little Jr., removed to Homewood Cemetery in 1911, Section 3, grave 348.
McCaslin, possibly John Turner McCaslin. In 2017, a marble headstone with no inscription and a foot stone with “J. T. McC” were uncovered in the graveyard. John Turner McCaslin was the son of Susanna Turner’s sister, and was raised by the Turners. He died on March 13, 1846, and was removed to Allegheny Cemetery in 1911, Sec. 3, grave 348, by his daughter, Mary Fritz.
Mulligan, John G. (May ??, 18?? – Oct. ?, 18??)
Mulligan, Mary, no tombstone. A source from 2006 says “nothing further legible” as if reading from a tombstone, but it can’t be identified today.
Nelson, William (born in 1833), tombstone exists. Civil War veteran, Co. G 2nd U.S. Cav. Click on his name for more information about him and the other Nelsons who served in the Civil war.
Jonathan Patterson (Feb. 7, 1837 – Feb. 12, 186?, possibly 0 or 3), headstone and foot stone. The headstone says he was the son of George and Anna Patterson.
Redding, John Jr. (aka Reading) (1814?-February 17, 1829) (tombstone)
Redding, Nancy (aka Reading) (1801-Sept. 24, 1816) (tombstone)
Thomas, ? (Apr. 22, 18?8 (possibly 1848)(tombstone) Ken Girty thought this might be the tombstone of his ancestor, Thomas Girty, older brother of Simon Girty, but not enough of the tombstone remains to know for sure.
Tomkins, Thomas (1794?-March 30, 1851) (tombstone)
John Turner (1755-May 20, 1840) (tombstone)
Turner, Mary Newton Girty (c. 1720-c. 1785)
Susanna Turner (1763-1833) (tombstone)
Warmcastle, William (d. Sept. 13, 1843) son of John and Leah Mitchell. This blackened sandstone tombstone (28” high x 18” wide) is one of the most elaborately carved tombstones at Turner’s. A deeply carved bas-relief urn resides in a recessed niche at the top of the stone, with a decorative leaf shape carved at both sides. A carved line separates the niche containing the urn from the carved text. The words read (first line) In memory of (second line) WILLIAM WARMCASTLE (third line) Son of John and (fourth line) LEAH MITCHELL (fifth line) who departed this life (sixth line) illegible except for date on right 18?3 (seventh line) illegible, possibly “in the ?? year of his life.” As in other sandstone tombstones at Turner’s, the “In” and “of” in the first line are enclosed in circles. Behind the tombstone on the Saline St. side a few inches below present-day ground level is a substantial stone with a recess carved into it, possibly the base for the headstone. (Note: Mark thinks date of death is September 1843.)
Winders, Ann (1823?-Mar. 18, 1850) (tombstone)
The following additions to the list of graves were made after 2017 by researchers looking at old burial records in the “Registration of Deaths in the City of Pittsburgh and other records. It is not certain that the burials were in Turner Cemetery, although the records
Elmer James Coumony (1892-1892), age 7 months. His parents were James and Margarett Ann Coumony. His burial record lists Hazelwood as the cemetery of his interment. His burial record lists Hazelwood Cemetery as his place of interment.
Mary Ann Bell Evans (1876-August 10, 1877), age 14 months. Her parents were B. and Mary A. Evans.
Mary Freese, born 1847, died Sept. 18, 1884.
Henry Garrett, born 1884, died Sept. 8, 1884. His parents were Henry and Emma Garrett.
Charles S. Gisbert, born Oct. 30, 1892, died December 10, 1892. His parents were Charles and Amanda Gisbert.
Matti Emma Jammison (1855-May 15, 1877), age 22. Her father was J. A. Jammison of Saltworks Station. Her burial record states that her place of burial is Methodist Graveyard Hazelwood.
Three Robinson children, Harry H. Robinson, born 1871, died June 28, 1873; Mary Klein Robinson, born May 1878, died Sept. 27, 1878; and Jennie Harris Robinson, born May 1878, died Sept. 30, 1878. Their parents were Francis G. and Jane Robinson.
William A. Schoeff (1873-January 7, 1873). His parents were Peter and Ann Eliza Schoeff. His burial record lists Methodist Graveyard Hazelwood as place of burial.
Edward L. Smeltz, born 1969, died May 21, 1873. His parents were John and Sarah Smeltz.
Robert Graham Schmeltz, died 1879, buried with his little brother, Edward.
William Harman Thomas, born June 1880, died April 12, 1881. His parents were John and Amanda Thomas.
to be continued . . .
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