Walter Oakman’s headstone
Walter was the son of Walter Oakman and Christina of Darraghmore in Ballyminimore Townland near Glenavy, County Antrim. Walter was among the first settlers of Ypsilanti in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
From the two publications, “The Story of Ypsilanti” by Harvey C Colburn and “Past and Present of Washtenaw County”, we learn of Walter’s arrival in Ypsilanti with a fellow by the name of John Phillips, who was employed by Walter as a “companion or servant”.
Succumbing to malaria a week or so after purchasing 123 acres of land, Walter was the first recorded person to die in Ypsilanti, Michigan, sometime between 12-19 September 1824. His was the first burial service at Woodruff Grove. With no preacher to offer any prayers, a Mrs Grant read a chapter from the Bible, a hymn was sung and he was buried.
Following Walter’s death, John Phillips searched through Walter’s letters and found the address of his Oakman family in Ireland. He wrote to them to let them know of Walter’s death, receiving in reply a request for him to come to Ireland, his passage paid for by Walter’s family. John journeyed to Glenavy and met with the family, who in turn gave John the 123 acres of land in Ypsilanti, as well as paid his return passage.
Years later, John Phillips removed Walter’s body from the old Woodruff’s Grove Cemetery and reburied it at the new Highland Cemetery. Walter’s grave is the oldest gravesite in the cemetery. His headstone reads:
In
Memory of
WALTER OAKMAN
from Glenavy Ireland
who died Sept 19th 1824
aged 20 years
[two lines below this are unreadable]
Walter is remembered on his Oakman family’s grave at Glenavy Parish Church