In 1817, Nathaniel Wilson III set aside land along the east side of his property in Hocking Township as a family burial ground. To protect the site, Wilson began construction of the sandstone walls in 1838, situating them in the shape of a dodecagon. Sadly, Nathaniel Wilson died on May 12, 1839, and did not live to see the walls completed. His youngest son, Gustin, finished the construction of the cemetery's wall, which is considered to be one of the best examples of dry-stone masonry in Ohio.

Hoping to preserve the area from vandalism, Nathaniel Wilson III enlisted the help of Thomas Ewing to convey the cemetery to President James Monroe. On October 24, 1817, the land was deeded to President Monroe and his successors forever in trust for Nathaniel Wilson and heirs for their use as a family cemetery. No evidence has been found that President Monroe ever accepted the deed; however, for many years it had been the tradition of Fairfield County officials to notify each new president that he was the trustee of the cemetery, thereby giving Stonewall the local nickname of "The President's Cemetery."