On this page are photos taken at the Cole (Dike/Dyke*) Cemetery, Town of Andover - Elm Valley NY; NOTE: The name as most commonly spelled in the 1800s was Dike, and in the 1900s the spelling became more acceptable as Dyke. Either has become acceptable as evidenced by the name of the Creek, Streets and even the Museum--Nathaniel Dyke Museum.
Shown is every stone that is viewable as of 7/26/2003. Many slate stones are completely weather blasted and have become completely smooth.....nothing remains of inscription. Original List was formed from visit/observation of Ron Taylor & William A. Greene.
Benjamin Cole, d. 1907
Dike Plot
Leottly Dike
Lydia Dike (Photo#1) by Ron Taylor,2003
Lydia Dike (Photo#2) Unknown Photographer, Unknown Date.
From files of Allegany County Historian, submitted by William A. Greene
D.A.R. Marker for Nathaniel Dike, Rev. War Veteran
Nathaniel Dike Grave
Rachael Cole, Wife of Daniel Cole d.1857
Simon Adams & Eunice Baker
Willard Adams, d.1837 - photo 2003 by Ron Taylor
(2/2016; Only the lettering "Willard" remains on the stone. The rest of the face of the stone has dropped off.)
Photo by Ron Taylor, 2003
Zeriah Dike, daughter of James & Phebe Dike
1st Settler Burial in Allegany County
Below is photo taken 2/22/2016 by Ron Taylor; Photo 2 below is enhanced in black & white to help show the actual lettering, now so badly deteriorated. The listing in between is from visual observations in the past along with tracings done several years ago and transcribed here.
Zeriah Dike - 1797-1798
Following is a transcription of engraving on tombstone of Zeriah Dike, first death of settlers in Allegany County and First Burial in county and Town of Andover. The transcription is based on both visual and tracings of the stone.
Zeriah Dike was the Grandchild of the 1st County Settler, Nathaniel Dike. Both of these Dike family members along with several of the Stephen Cole family are buried in the “COLE-DIKE CEMETERY”.
TO
THE
MEMORY OF ZER
IAH DIKE DAUGHTER
OF JAMES AND PHEBE
DIKE DIED JAN 21
1798 AGED 10 MONTHS
AND 5 DAYS OLD
The above transcript is presented with lettering shown in exact location as it appears on the stone......
Above is same photo, enhanced to black & white to help readers.
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