From the records of the Shelby County Historical Society (apprx. 1971)...On site of the old North River Church, now gone - 1 1/2 miles east and 2 1/4 miles north of Leonard. On Howerton Farm now. Three Singletons are buried here, unfenced, in brush and trees, stones flat on ground, extinct.



Located at old North River Baptist Church site, 1 1/2 miles east and 2 1/4 miles north of Leonard, Missouri. Only two stones remaining. Church gone. Graves in pasture and overgrown with weeds and grass. Probably originally several graves, only four known now to be buried there.

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PETITION



We the undersigned members of the North River Baptist Church of Shelby County, Missouri, sometimes designated as the United Baptist Church of North River, Shelby County, Missouri, state that the church building of said congregation has not been used for church purposes since about 1944. That the building is in very bad condition and in disrepair, north half of the roof of the church building has fallen in, the windows are broken out and the door will not remain closed.



That the members now attend other churches in that neighborhood. That it is not practicable to continue such church.



We ask, petition and direct the last board of deacons and trustees of said church being Frank Ward, Guy A. Woodward and J. W. Garnett to sell the church piano, benches, fixtures and all appliance and also the church building according to their best judgment. Said building to be dismantled and removed. The majority of said Board to control, also to sell and dispose of the lands whereon the church is located being described in the deed dated October 12, 1891 from James Singleton and Rebecka Singleton his wife to Charles L. Harris, Harvey W. Garnett and Joseph Dodd (all now dead) Trustees of the United Baptist Church at North River, Shelby County, Missouri and their successors and recorded in Shelby County, Missouri Recorders' office in Book 56 at page 35.



That the burial ground on the North side of the church ground whereon are located three graves being those of James and Rebecka Singleton and their daughter Belle Singleton be not sold or disposed of.



That the net proceeds from the sale of such properties to be divided one-half to the Garnett Grave Yard or the officers thereof, both in Shelby County, Missouri said funds be delivered to the officers or trustees of said Cemeteries.



That the last board of trustees of said North River Baptist Church being those above named are directed to do all things necessary or by them deemed advisable to carry out the directions hereof.



Dated this 29th Day of March, 1950.

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Information on file with Shelby County (MO) Historical Society & Museum