Name of Cemetery Cherry Privet
Location NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Sec 31 T. 12 N. North Otter R2. W.
Oldest Grave Wm Cherry died - 10/7/1836 Age 44 years
Number of lots 88
Number of graves 250
Number of graves to be leveled 74
Number of Veterans graves that need stones 2
Number of stones in cemetery that need resetting 60
Number of stones that need recutting 30
Rods of fence around cemetery 50
Condition of fence Fair
Rods of fence to be repaired none
Rods of fence to be replaced none
Number of people interviewed 8
Inquire to find if any veterans grave in cemetery has no marker. 2

Notes: Cannot Locate 2 veterans. No Markers which might give name.

Bridge - B. H. (Blackhawk War) should be War of 1812
Lair, James - C (Civil War)

The Cherry Cemetery is over a hundred years old. This cemetery was laid out by Mr. Cherry for the benefit of the Cherry family and their heirs in 1834 for burial purposes. At first this cemetery was a private burial grounds but later friends and relatives of the vicinity were given the privilege to bury their dead there. Originally there had been a driveway in the cemetery but now ¾ of that driveway is taken up with graves.

Land records of Macoupin County have been searched for a deed to the cemetery but none has been found. The land on which this cemetery is located is still in the Cherry Estate and no exception is made of the cemetery in the transfers of land.

The only description that we can give of the Cherry Cemetery is that made by the fieldmen of the cemetery as fenced in and could read as follows:

1 acre of land in the SE. corner of the NW. ¼ of the SW. ¼ of Section 31, T.12 N. R.7, West of the Third Principal Meridian and measures: Commencing at the SW. corner of the Cherry Cemetery and running thence North 235 feet; thence East 190 feet; thence South 235 feet; thence 190 feet West to the place of beginning, containing 1 acre more or less, situated in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois.

The Cherry Cemetery is not incorporated at the present time.

There are no trustees to the Cherry Cemetery at the present time.

[handwritten] Lots in this cemetery were acquired by a Custom deed whereby an individual selected the lot of his choice and it became his free for burial purposes. There had never been a caretaker for the cemetery. Friends and relatives of the deceased used to take care of the burial grounds but no one seems interested in it now.

The Cherry Cemetery is in a forgotten state. The grounds are covered with brush, brier, sprouts and tall grass and one can hardly walk through. The cemetery is infested with ground-hogs which have molested every grave. There are 250 graves in the cemetery and 159 of them need filling or leveling. Most of them are sunken. 60 tombstones are down and need resetting. 30 tombstones are weather-worn and old and the inscriptions need recutting. The woven-wire fence which encloses this cemetery is in fair condition. The land is level.

To reach the Cherry Cemetery one travels the Emmerson Airline Road for 3 ½ miles East of Palmyra, then turn north ¼ mile to the Cherry farm where one gains permission to cross the pasture about 1/8 mile east to the cemetery.

There are 15 soldiers buried in the Cherry Cemetery. Those listed with "*" have Government Markers.

*Name: Bettis, Carl Elmo; War - P. T; Rank - Seaman; U. S. Navy; Died 11/29/l928; Grave 5 Lot 48 Block 1
Name: Bettis, Carl Elmo
Field Check: Grave No.5 Lot No. 48 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Carl Elmo Bettis; Ill. Seaman 2 cl. U. S. Navy Nov. 29, 1928
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.5 Lot No. 48 Block No.1
Death Certificate Data: Died 11/29/1928
Service Record: U. S. Navy; Rank Seaman 2 C L.; Company - Ill. Seaman 2 C. L. U. S. Navy P. T. War
Inspection of burial ground: Good

*Name: (Burleson, James E); Civil War; Sgt Co. E 122 Illinois Inf. ; Died 10/31/1883; Grave 2 Lot 30 Block 1
Name: Burleson, James E.
Field Check: Grave No.2 Lot No. 30 Block No.1 Uprigbt marker
Information on Marker: Sergt. James Burleson; Gov.Marker: Co. E. 122 Ill. Inf; Pvt. Marker: James
Burleson; Died 10/31/1883; Aged 59 yrs. 4 m's.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 30 Block No. 1
Date of Burial: 11/1/1883
Death Certificate Data: Died 10/31/1883; Cause - Peritonitis
Service Record: Ill. Inf. Sgt Civil War; Co. E 122nd Inf.
Inspection of burial plot: Poor, grave sunken

Name: (Bridges, Wm); Black Hawk War  (Should be War of 1812)
No work sheet found
He died 1845 “near Palmyra” according to his widow’s pension application for his service, War of 1812.

Name: Butcher, J. W; Civil War; Pvt. Co. B 32 Illinois Inf; Died 1/7/1892; Grave 7 Lot 29 Block 1
Name: Butcher, J. W.
Field Check: Grave No. 7 Lot No. 29 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Pvt. Marker - J. W. Butcher; Born 7/15/1841; Died 1/7/1842
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 7 Lot No. 29 Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data: Died 1/7/1892 at Palmyra; Cause - Suisibage
Service Record: Ill. Inf; Pvt. Co. B. 32nd Ill. Inf. Civil War
Inspection of burial plot: fair

*Name: Cherry, Jesse M; Civil War; Pvt. Co. E 32 Illinois Inf; Died 7/14/1922; Grave 1 Lot 5 Block 1
Name: Cherry, Jesse M;
Field Check: Grave No. 1 Lot No. 5 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on marker: (Gov. Stone) Jesse M. Cherry; Co. E. 1222 Il1. Inf
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 1 Lot No. 5 Block No. 1; Died 7/14/1922
Death Certificate Data: Died 7/14/1922 at Palmyra, Ill; Cause Broncho Pneumonia; Born: 4/14/1840 at
Palmyra, Ill.
Service Record: III. Inf. Pvt. Co. E. III. Inf. (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: Good

*Name: Clevenger, Michael B; Civil War; Pvt. Co. E 122 Illinois Inf; Died 4/6/1864; Grave 4 Lot 18 Block 1
Name: Clevenger, Michael B.
Field Check: Grave No. 4 Lot No. 18 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Gov. Marker: M. B. Clevenger; Co. E 122 Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 4 Lot. No. 18 Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data: Died 4/6/1864
Service Record: Ill. Inf. Pvt. Co. E. 122 Ill. Inf. Civil War
Inspection of burial plot: fair, Stone leaning
Note: Also have stone in pasture of Cherry farm. Evidently moved to Cherry Cem.

*Name: Eads, N. G; Civil War; Pvt. Co. F  1 Illinois V. Inf; Died 3/12/1888; Grave 2 lot 46 Block 1
Name: Eads, N. G.
Field Check: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 4 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov. Stone) . G. Eads; Co. F. 1st Ill. Vol. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 46 Block No. 1 Died Mar 14, 1888
Death Certificate Data: Died 3/1888 at Palmyra; Cause - Pneumonia; Born - Indiana
Service Record: Ill. Inf. Pvt; Co. F. 1st Ill. Vol. Inf. (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: Good Stone leaning

Name: Gowin, Thomas J; Civil War; Pvt. Co. E 45 Missouri Inf; Died 10/15/1832 (as is); Grave 4 Lot 81 Block 1
Name: Gowin, Thomas J;
Field Check: Grave No. 4 Lot No. 81 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on marker: Pvt. Marker-Thomas J; Aug. 6, 1841; Oct 15, 1932; Pvt. Co. E 45th Reg. Mo. Vol.
Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 4 Lot No.  81 Block No. 1; Buried 10/17/1932
Death Certificate Data: Died 10/15/1932 at Virden, Ill; Cause Myocardetis, Old age; Born 8/6/1841 at
Ky, Madison County; Next of Kin - Son Alvin of Palmyra and Frank of Carlinville.
Service Record: Date Enlisted - Aug. 10, 1864; Date Discharged - Mar. 6, 1865; Inf. Pvt. Co. E 45th Reg.
Mo. Vol. Inf. Civil War.
Inspection of burial plot: Good

*Name: Grimmett, H. B. War - S; Co. K 8 Missouri Inf; Died 3/8/1898; Grave 10 Lot 37 Block 1
Name: Grimmett, H. B.
Field Check: Grave No. 10 Lot No. 37 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Gov. Marker - H. B. Grimmett; Co. K. 8th Mo. Inf; Sp. Am. War
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 10 Lot. No. 37 Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data: Died 3/8/1898
Service Record: Mo. Inf; Am. Co. K. 8th Mo. Inf. (S. A. War)
Inspection of burial plot: fair

*Name: Lair, Austin S. Civil War; Pvt; Co. F 48 Illinois lnf; Died 4/4/1914; Grave 2 Lot 76 Block 1
Name: Lair, Austin S
Field Check: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 76 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Gov. Marker - Austin S. Lair; Co. F 48. Ill. lnf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 76 Block No.  1; Date of Burial: 4/6/1914
Deatb Certificate Data: Died 4/4/1914 at Palmyra, 1lI; Cause - Exhanstion; Born 7/2/1828 in Illinois
Service Record: Ill. Inf. Pvt.; Co. F. 48th Ill. Inf. (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: Poor. Grave Sunken
Austin Sims Lair d. March 28, 1914 Death Certificate give burial date of April 4, 1914 2 p.m.

Name: Lair, Samuel; Civil War; Pvt; Co. E 122 Illinois Inf Died 3/19/1914; Lot 2 Lot 64 No Marker
Name: Lair, Samuel
Field Check: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 64 Block No. 1; No marker
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 64 Block No. 1; Buried - 3/21/1914
Death Certificate Data: Died 3/19/1914 at Palmyra, Ill; Cause - Cancer of Prostate Gland; Born 6/5/1835
in U. S.
Service Record: III. Inf. Pvt; Co. E. 122nd Ill; Inf; (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: fair

Name: (Lair, James); Civil War; Pvt. Co. A; 32 Illnois Inf; *Died 9/26/1911
No work sheet found
James Miller Lair d. March 28, 1904 Illinois Soldier & Sailors Home, Quincy, Illinois

*Name: Mahan, Preston L; Civil War; Pvt. Co. A 32 Illinois Inf; Died 11/2/1861; Grave 7 Lot 13 Block 1
Name: Mahan, Preston L
Field Check: Grave No.7 Lot No. 13 Block No.1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov. Marker) P. L. Mahan; Co. A. 32 Ill. Inf; (Pvt. Stone) Preston, Son of Jas &
S. A. Mahan; Co. A. 32 Regt. Ill. Vol. Died Nov. 2 -1861; aged 23 years.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 7 Lot No. 13 Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data: Died 11/2/1861
Service Record: Ill. Inf. Pvt; Co. A. 32nd Ill. Inf. (Civil War)
lnspection of burial plot: Poor. Grave sunken & stone leaning

*Name: Richards, J. W; Civil War; Pvt. Co. E 122 Illinois Inf; Grave 5 Lot 21 Block 1
Name: Richards, John W.
Field Check: Grave No. 5 Lot No. 21 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov. Marker) J. W. Richards; Co E. 122 Ill, Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 5 Lot No. 21 Block No. 1
Service Record: Infantry; Pvt; Co. E 122 Ill. Inf. (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: Good

Name: Shores, Andrew J; Civil War; Pvt. Co. H 122 Illinois Inf; Died 1926; Grave 4 Lot 45 Block 1
Name: Shores, Andrew J.
Field Check: Grave No. 4 Lot No. 45 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Pvt. Marker - Andrew J. Shores; 1841-1926
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 4 Lot No. 45 Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data: Died 1926; Born 1841
Service Record: Infantry; Private; Co. H. 122 Illinois Inf; Sources - Macoupin County Roster
Inspection of burial plot: Good

Name: Slagle, Ransom; Civil War; Died 1915; Grave 5 Lot 88 Block 1
Name: Slagle, Ransom
Field Check: Grave No. 5 Lot No. 28 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Pvt Marker - Ransom Slagle; 1834 - 1915
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 5 Lot No. 28 Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data: Died 1915; Born 1834
Inspection of burial plot: Fair

Name: Smith, Joseph C; Civil War; Pvt. Co. C 32 Illinois Inf; Died 5/28/1896; Grave 6 Lot 51 Block 1
Name: Smith, Joseph C.
Field Check: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 65 Block No. 1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: (pvt. Stone) Joseph Smith; died May 28, 1896; age 55 yr & 3 mo.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 65 Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data: Died 5/28/1896; Born Feb. 1841
Service Record: Inf; Pvt; Co. C. 32nd Ill. Inf. (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: Fair

Name: Wyzard, Wm; Mexican War/Civil War; Pvt; Co. K 59 Indiana Inf; Died 11/27/1928; Grave 6 Lot 51
Block 1
Name: Wyzard, Wm H.
Field Check: Grave No.6 Lot No. 51 Block No.1; Upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov. Marker) W. H. Wyzard; Co. K. 59th Ind. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 6 Lot No. 51 Block No.1
Death Certificate Data: Died 11/27/1928
Service Record: 59th Ind. Inf. Co. K. 59th Ind. Inf. (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: Fair Stone Leaning

Note: I believe William N. Cherry and William Tosh, both served in the War of 1812 in Col. John K. Wynn's 1st Regiment West Tennessee Militia, Capt. James Holleman's Company. William Bridges served War of 1812, not Black Hawk War.

[Those listed with ( ) or Listed on Gen. Garrity’s List but cannot locate in cemetery are the following]
(Bridges, Wm)
(Lair, James)

Whereas James A. Sims and William C. Nevins, Administrators of the estate of James H. Cherry, deceased did on the 7th day of November A.D. 1887 become vested with the tile (as is).in fee simple absolute and free from all incumbrance in and to the premises hereafter described of the said premises by a deed executed and acknowledged by James O. Henderson and WHEREAS the said William C. Nevins has since the said 7th day of November A.D. 1887 died and Levi B. Smith has by order of the County Court of said Macoupin County been duly appointed as administrator debones now of said estate in place of said Nevins and is now acting with said Sims.

Now therefore this indenture withesseth (as is) that in the said James A. Sims and Levi B. Smith as administrators of the estate of James H. Cherry, deceased and under and by virtue of an order of said county court of Macoupin County rendered on the 6th day of March A. D. 1891 for and in consideration of the sum of $10.800 to us in hand paid by them have granted, bargained and sold and do hereby grant, bargain and sell unto Cyrena A. Pendrois, Martha J. Butcher, Sarah E. Lynch, Lucy M. Sims, William B. Cherry and John M. Cherry 1/8 interest each; and Clarida E. Cherry 2/8 interest by whom said payment was made the said premises to-wit:

The W. 1/2 of the NE. 1/4 of the E. 1/2 of the NW. 1/4 and the SE. 1/4 of the NE. 1/4 and the NE. 1/4 of the SE. 1/4 of the SE.1/4; and the W. 1/2 of the SE. 1/4, all in Section 16, and also the SE. 1/4 of the SE. 1/4 of Section 19, and in Township 11, North of range 9, West of the Third principal Meridian containing 360 acres more or less, Except a graveyard 1 rod square about 175 yards south from the NW. corner of the W. 1/2 of the SE. 1/4 of Section 16, T. 11 N. R. 9 as above described, situated in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same unto them and their heirs forever as fully and effectively to all interest and purpose they the said administrators might or could sell and convey the same by virtue of the aforesaid order of said county court as above referred to.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the said administrators have as such administrators of the estate of said James Cherry deceased hereunto set tbeir hands and seals this 10th day of March 1891.

James A. Sims (Seal)
Levi B. Smith (Seal)

This deed is dated March 10, 1892 and was recorded in the office of the Recorder of deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on April 4th 1892 in Book EQ of Deed Records at pages 100 and 101.

*Could be a Cherry Cemetery Exception.

Copied Dec. 28, 1939