Sammi Cemetery

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Eilers Road near Ochs

(Also know as Haroman Cemetery or Eilers Cemetery)

Sec. 17, R17W, T12N

History

Many of the early pioneer families in Michigan had their histories interwoven with famous names in history.  Families coming to the Michigan Territory and the White Lake area were no exception.

On the fourth of July in 1849 Henry g. Sammis married Hannah Lincoln at Martha’s Vineyard, living in Macomb Co., New York for the next 13 years.

Then they journeyed to Montague in a covered wagon and finally purchased 40 acres in Section 20 in Montague Township from R.L. Harmon for $300.  He built a log cabin and later a modern home of that day.  Sammis worked in Albert Mear’s store in Whitehall.  He died October 23, 1894 and was called one of “God’s Noblemen, a very good citizen.”  His wife Hannah Lincoln Sammis was a cousin of Abraham Lincoln.

She was born in Bethel, Vermont May 13, 1828.  After living 13 years in New York, she lived 47 years in Montague in her homes on Eilers Road across from the Sammis Cemetery.  Henry and Hannah had three children and raised two others.  Fannie Belle who married Charles M. Potter who are the parents of Mrs. Ruth Backus, Mrs. Lou M. Phelps and Walter Sammis.  Adopted Eddie Wadleigh, son of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Wadleigh, his mother being the youngest sister of Hon. H.E. Staples.  Eddie died several weeks before Henry Sammis.

Hannah Lincoln Sammis was admired and loved by everyone who knew her.  She lived 20 years after her husband passed away, her death being September 4, 1915, well past 87 years old.

Henry and Hannah are buried in the Sammis Cemetery with other of their family and relative.  This cemetery was at first called Harmon Cemetery but after the Sammis’ came and cared for it and were buried there its name was changed to Sammis Cemetery in their memory.  It is now owned by Montague Township.

Being related to Lincoln, they were staunch Republicans.  After the cemetery had only a small number buried there, an early day farmer wanted to remove the burials so he could farm the land.  Eliza Perkins, wife of H. Lincoln was buried here March 5, 1881.  Lincoln was a brother of Hannah Lincoln.

(Courtesy of the White Lake Area Historical Society)

For photos go to www.findagrave.com.