To enable better identification of these grounds, a proposal is underway this date to officially rename this cemetery “Peter I. Bellinger Family Burial Ground.” Current landowner Mr. Terence “Terry” Spillane of Miller Road, German Flatts, Herkimer County, NY confirmed Peter I. Bellinger is cited in his property deed as a previous landowner. About twenty digital photos of the burial ground were personally shot by amateur family genealogist and Find-A-Grave contributor DJ Paul during the week of May 17, 2015, accurately depicting the Peter I. Bellinger Family Burial Ground (a/k/a: “Bellinger Family Cemetery” or “Second Bellinger Cemetery” or “Bellinger Cemetery”). The photos accurately convey the badly neglected grounds and rather unacceptable and deplorable state of this cemetery. It took several hours to remove many large and small fallen dead branches and tree limbs and to cut and remove perhaps 100+ saplings of <1” or less in diameter. The cemetery photos were shot only after this yard-work and light brushing of monuments was complete. An original perimeter steel/iron chain link fence appears serviceable and appears to surround this near square burial ground with approximate 30'x30' dimensions. However, while this fence seems unbroken, it is badly fallen and mostly detached from the existing solid medal fence poles. Some portions of this fence are fallen to earth and overgrown by small trees and vegetation. Some larger trees >2” in diameter grow within the fenced burial grounds and these need to be removed. The seven remaining monuments each face west; whereas, the cemetery grounds are essentially aligned on the cardinal directional points of the compass. Monuments are arranged in two rather straight rows, a front row with 4 monuments and the rear row containing 3 monuments. The front row is on the right and rear row is on the left in photo. Monument in lower right is Peter I. Bellinger (with American Flag), then southward is a large gap (probable grave of Dorothy Steele), then Menio Bellinger, then the infant David Bellinger, and last the tall Lucinda Bellinger monument. The rear row has David Bellinger (center left in photo), then his wife Elizabeth, and last the smaller gravestone of Horace Bellinger. All seven monuments are significantly eroded by the ravages of time, but remain standing upright with the following three exceptions:

The Peter I. Bellinger (d.1844) monument has listed to the right at perhaps a 20 degree angle, yet seems firmly attached to the base. A small barely visible moss-covered individual grave-site marker is noted about six feet to the east side rear of Peter's main monument, No inscription can be seen on this site marker.

The David Bellinger (d.1886) monument is broken from its base and lays on the back, face-up. A one foot triangular piece of the monument on upper front left side is broken off from the main monument piece. David's monument was found about half buried in mud and vegetation and this earthen matter was removed for photo purposes. Removed debris has stained the monument a dark brown shade. A photo viewer can see David's monument where is lays on his grave near center left, just below where one badly rusted fence pole still stands.

The Elizabeth (Edick) Bellinger (d.1876) monument is tilted squarely backwards at a 40 degree angle, but at least for now remains firmly fixed in its base. This monument base has likely sunk into the grave. A small plain grave-site marker is found about six feet to the rear east side of the main monument (close examination of this photo will show this grave marker at center left. No inscription is observed on this grave marker.

Photo by DJ Paul dated 21 May 2015.

Coordinates of Bellinger Family Cemetery.
Latitude: 42.987555; Longitude: -74.928740

Photo shot from Miller Road, across the open farm hay-field owned by resident Terry Spillane. There can be seen two large maple trees in the distance perhaps 500 yards from Miller Road. Bellinger Family Cemetery is located in the woods under the right side maple tree as indicated by a red colored down arrow. Note: Herkimer County Historical Society records define access in a confused manner. East side of Quinn Road is now classified a "seasonal road" by the Town of Little Falls (road closed in winter), and west side of road has not been maintained by German Flatts Township. The German Flatts section of Quinn Road has devolved into little better than a frequently flooded and overgrown ATV, snowmobile, or goat path. Employees of Township of German Flatts Highway Department claim that Quinn Road has officially abandoned by German Flatts many years past. Quinn Road junction with Shoemaker Road is unmarked and barely discernible. The Town of Little Falls has better maintained their portion of Quinn Road, providing far better access to Quinn Road from Decker Road for the gallant few who might attempt cemetery access from Quinn. Cemetery access from Quinn Road is via "Posted - No Trespassing" lands that is a highly overgrown brush field and over a nearly impassable valley containing an active small stream. Miller Road cemetery access -- under landowner permission -- is strongly recommended.

Photo by DJ Paul, dated 21 May 2015, updated 26 Jun 2015.