About 1856 Jonathan Riley, born circa 1791, brought his family to this area from Kentucky, and he received this land grant in 1863. Legend says this burial ground began when a thief was killed nearby and Riley gave permission for his burial here. Riley's family and neighbors also used the cemetery. In 1883 Thomas Riley and William Autry set aside this one-acre tract for a graveyard. Burials stopped here before 1897, except for that of Riley's daughter Mrs. Martha Susan Autry, born 1853, who was interred here in 1937. Some graves are now designated only with sandstones, and many others are unmarked.