The Macoupin County Archives has in its files, indexes/listings of many veterans buried in numerous Macoupin County cemeteries. WPA workers compiled the indexes during the Depression Era (about 1939 – 1940) and among these cemetery records we found the Chesterfield Cemetery information.Return to Cemetery Main Page
The following list of veterans is made up of two sources the typed sheets and the original work sheets that the workers filled out. The instructions stated to check these sources: burial plot, cemetery record, death certificate or burial permit, patriotic organization (name), official U. S. Records or other. This information will give you an idea of where to begin. The history and deed information has been edited to save space, but I tried to keep spellings and grammar as they were originally written, although some parts are confusing and some difficult to read. You may also notice some discrepancies between the different sources.
Chesterfield Cemetery
Chesterfield Township Section 1 - Township 9 - Range 9
Macoupin County, Illinois
¼ Mile Northeast of Chesterfield (Macoupin County, IL)
The Chesterfield Cemetery was started over a hundred years ago. It was first known as the Kirby Cemetery as Mr. Kirby owned the land at the time the land was deeded for cemetery purposes. Later Mr. Smith came in possession of the land then the cemetery was called the Kirby-Smith Cemetery. Today this cemetery is called the Chesterfield Cemetery and is under the direction of the Chesterfield Cemetery Association. It originated early in 1830.
The burial grounds of the Chesterfield Cemetery was started 40 years or more before the land was deeded for burial purposes. IN 1875 Mr. Kirby deeded a part of his land on which there were already some graves to the County of Macoupin for a public cemetery. The deed conveying the title to the land over to the County reads as follows: THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH THAT THE GRANTORS: John Kirby and Nancy Kirby, his wife, of the town of Western Mound in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois for and in consideration of the sum of $1.00 in hand paid, conveys and warrants to the County of Macoupin, in the State of Illinois, the following described real estate, to-wit: Commencing 15 rods and 12 feet the south of the corner between John J. Leach and John Kirby on the Township line, between Township 9 Range 9 and Township 10 Range 9 ………………the same to be used as a cemetery for the Kirby-Smith Neighborhood…….
(This deed is dated May 5, 1875 and was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on June 25, 1875 in Book “BJ” of Miscellaneous Records, at page 186)
On the same day that the preceding deed was made, Mr. Leach also gave a part of his land for the cemetery. The deed transferring the title over to the County reads as follows: THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH THAT THE GRANTORS: John J. Leach and Harriet Leach, his wife, of the town of Chesterfield in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois for and in consideration of the sum of $5.00 in hand paid, Conveys and Warrants to the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois the following described real-estate, to-wit: Commencing 15 rods and 12 feet due South of the corner between John J Leach and John Kirby on the township line between Township #9 and Township #10, N. R. 9 running 1 ½ rods West;……………………The same to be used as a cemetery for the Kirby and Smith Neighborhood, situated in the County of Macoupin, in the State of Illinois………………………
(This deed is dated May 6, 1875 and was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on June 25, 1875 in Book “BJ” of Miscellaneous Records at page 186.)
In 1889, a plat was made of the land lying to the west of the Kirby Cemetery (as it was then known). This land belonged to Mr. Smith who later deeded the land over. The certification of the survey reads as follows…………………………. Platted by Irvin Smith. Plat of Union Cemetery. An addition of the Smith and Kirbey Graveyard……………………………..The forgoing certification of survey and a map of the addition is dated and recorded on September 25, 1889 in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois in the Large Plat Book “A” at page 34.)
In 1927, the new addition which was surveyed in 1889 was deeded to the Chesterfield Cemetery Association. The deed transferring the title of the land over to the Association reads as follows: THE GRANTORS: Andrew J. Smith and Mary Smith, his wife, of Carlinville in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois for and in consideration of $1.00 or more dollars in hand paid CONVEY and WARRANT to Chesterfield Cemetery Association of Chesterfield, County of Macoupin and State of Illinois the following described real-estate, to-wit:…………………………exception however lot #21 in block #4 of the Irvin Smith Cemetery as shown on a certain Cemetery plat recorded in the Recorders office of Macoupin County, Illinois in Plat Book “A” at page 34……………………………….(This deed is dated September 6, 1927 in Volume 342 of Miscellaneous Records at page 70.
The present trustees of the Chesterfield Cemetery are the following:
Herman Williame President Erwin Costley Treasurer
Grant Long Secretary L. A. Moore Trustee
Don A. Drum Trustee
In 1927, at a meeting of the association, a motion was made and recorded that no trees be planted in the cemetery. In this cemetery there is just one beautiful large pine tree in the southeast corner.
The Chesterfield Cemetery is a public cemetery. Lots are sold to individuals for 10 and 20 dollars each. The money from the sale of the lots is put into a cemetery fund which in turn is used for the repair and upkeep of the cemetery grounds. There is no special caretaker, but a man is hired 3 or 4 times each year to mow the grass. Any additional funds that are needed are solicited.
The Chesterfield Cemetery is in good condition. The land slopes to the East and to the North giving it good drainage. The grass is nicely cut and the grounds are kept neat and clean. The driveway is not surfaced but it is good condition. A woven-wire fence encloses this burial grounds with a gateway in the center of the north side. The fence is in good condition. 225 graves have been counted in this cemetery. Few of them need filling in.
To reach the Chesterfield Cemetery one must travel State Route 111 for ¼ mile east of Chesterfield and the cemetery lays on the south side of the Highway about 30 feet.
Name of Cemetery: Chesterfield
Location: In the N. W. Cor of the NW ¼ of Sec 1-T. 9 N-R9 W
Oldest Grave: Joseph A. Skeen died 7/19/1835 age 32 yrs. 5 ms.
Number of lots 162
Number of graves 225
Number of graves to be filled 35
Number of graves to be leveled 115
Number of Veterans graves that need stones 2
Number of stones in cemetery that need resetting 39
Number of stones that need recutting 10
Rods of fence around cemetery About 70 rods
Condition of fence: Good
Rods of fence to be repaired none
Rods of fence to be replaced none
Number of people interviewed 6
Inquire to find if any veterans grave in cemetery has no marker 2
There are 10 veterans buried in the Chesterfield Cemetery, a list of which appears on the following page.*Have government markers
Note: Information from typed sheet is in regular type and information from work sheets is printed in BOLD.
Name: *G. E. Brown, Civil War, Corp., Co. E 33 Illinois Inf. Grave 1, Lot 7, Block 5
Name: G. E. Brown
Field Check: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 7, Block No. 5; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov Marker) Corpl. G. E. Brown, Co. E 33rd Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 7, Block No. 5
Service Record: 33rd, Ill. Inf.; Rank Corpl., Co e 33rd Ill Inf (Civil War)
Inspection of burial plot: Poor Stone LeaningGrave need Leveling
Name: *Albert Lynn Drum, World War, Mach Mate 1 Cl., U. S. Preck Navy, Died 5/18/1926; Grave 5,
Lot 38, Block 2
Name: Albert Lynn Drum
Field Check: Grave No. 5, Lot No. 38, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov Marker) Albert Lynn Drum, Ill, Mach Mate 1 Cl, U.S. Navy; May 18, 1926
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 5, Lot No. 38, Block No. 2
Date of Burial: 5/20/1926
Death Certificate Data: Born – 5/8/1898 Near Barr Store, Barr Twp.; Died – 5/18/1926 at Chesterfield
Cause of Death: T. B.
Next of Kin: Mrs. Don Drum (mother) of Chesterfield
Service Record: Date of Enlistment was 1/29/1920; Discharged – 1924; Rank – Mach. Mate 1 Class; Ill. Mach
Mate 1 C.L, US Navy
Inspection of burial plot: Good
Name: *Dean Drum, World War, Staff Sgt., 6 Div. Tn. Q.M.C.; Date of Death: 1/6/1932; Grave 6, Lot 38, Block 2
Name: Dean Drum
Field Check: Grave No. 6, Lot No. 38, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov Marker) Dean Drum, Ill Staff SGT 6 div Tn QMC; Jan 6, 1932
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 6, Lot No. 38, Block No. 2
Date of Burial: 1/11/1932
Death Certificate Data: Born – 9/12/1895 Near Barr Store Barr Twp.; Died – 1/6/1932 at Alberquerque, New
Mexico
Cause of Death: T. B.
Next of Kin: Mrs. Don Drum (Mother) of Chesterfield
Service Record: Enlisted – 1917; Discharged 1919; Rank – Sgt; Staf Sgt. 6 Div. Tn QMC
Inspection of burial plot: Good
Name: S. L. Hays, Civil War, Pvt., Grave 6, Lot 17, Block 4 – No Marker
Name: S. L. Hays
Field Check: Grave No. 6, Lot No. 17, Block No. 4; marker - none
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 6, Lot No. 17, Block No. 4
Service Record: Civil War
Inspection of burial plot: Good
Name: Henry Lee, Civil War, Pvt. Co. D 122 Illinois Inf., Died: 9/7/1881; Grave 1, Lot 25, Block 3
Name: Henry Lee
Field Check: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 25, Block No. 3; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Pvt Marker) Henry Lee, died Sept 7, 1891; age 50 years 3 ms 6 ds
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 25, Block No. 3
Death Certificate Data: Died – 9/7/1891
Service Record: Civil War; Rank – Pvt; 122 Illinois Infantry Co. D
Inspection of burial plot: Good
Name: Edward Long, Civil War, Pvt. Co. A 2 Reg. Ark. Cav., Grave 1, Lot 39, Block 3
Name: Edward Long
Field Check: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 39, Block No. 3; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Pvt. Stone) Edward Long, Born Sept. 9, 1835
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 39, Block 3
Death Certificate Data: Born – 9/9/1835 in Green County
Next of Kin: Mrs. Robinson Daughter, Grant Long Son
Service Record: Date Enlisted: Aug 11, 1863; Date Discharged – May 6, 1868; Rank – Private; Co. A 2nd
Regiment Arkansas Calvary; Sources – Discharge Certificate; Clerk - Loveless
Inspection of burial plot: Good
Note: Also see excerpts from his granddaughter’s letter at the end of this listing.
Name: Lewis P. Moore, Civil War, Pvt. Co. K 7 Illinois Vol.; Died 1/23/1909; Grave 1, Lot 19, Block 3.
Name: Lewis Moore
Field Check: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 19, Block No. 3; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Pvt. Stone) Lewis P. Moore, Co. K, 7 Reg. Ill Vol Inf;
June 14, 1844 – Jan. 23, 1909
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 1, Lot No. 19, Block No. 3
Death Certificate Data: Born - 6/14/1844 – Died - 01/23/1919
Inspection of burial plot: Good
Name: Allen P. Peebles, Civil War, Capt. Co. D 122 Illinois Inf.; Died 11/11/1923; Grave 6, Lot 8, Block 4
Name: Allen P. Peebles
Field Check: Grave No. 6, Lot No. 8, Block No. 4
Death Certificate Data: Address is Chesterfield, Ill; Born – 12/26/1845 at Macoupin Co.; Died – 11/11/1923 at
Chesterfield;
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Service Record: Rank – Capt., Co. D. 122 Ill Inf.
Inspection of burial plot: Good
Name: *James Sprowel, Civil War, Pvt. Co. D 122 Illinois Inf.; Died 1915; Grave 3, Lot 5, Block 5
Name: Jas Sprowel
Field Check: Grave No. 3, Lot No. 5, Block No. 5; upright marker
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 3, Lot No. 5, Block No. 5
Death Certificate Data: Died 1915
Service Record: Ill Inf. Co. D Ill Inf., Civil War
Inspection of burial plot: Poor Stone Leaning
Name: N. S. Walton, Civil War, Pvt., Confederate Sol.., Died 10/23/1917; Grave 2, Lot 9, Block 4; No Marker
Name: N. S. Walton
Field Check: Grave No. 2, Lot No. 9, Block No. 4; marker - none
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 2, Lot No. 9, Block No. 4
Death Certificate Data: Certificate No. 2554; Address – Chesterfield, Ill; Born – Feb 3, 1844 in Kentucky;
Died – 10/23/1917 at Chesterfield
Cause of Death: Concussion of brain – Struck by train
Service Record: Southern Soldier
Inspection of burial plot: Fair
The graves of S. L. Hayes and N. S. Walton do not have any markers. The graves were pointed out to the fieldman by the trustees of the cemetery.
The oldest grave that we can locate in the cemetery by the dates on the markers is that of Joseph A. Skeen, who died on July 19, 1835 at the age of 32 years 5 months and 9 days.
Correspondence from Nettie Long Borman
There is a letter included in this veterans’ cemetery file from Nettie (Long) Borrnan of West Salem, Wis. and dated Dec. 5, 1939. This letter is edited, but contains some of the following information.
Mr. Loveless, I have made a copy of Grand-father’s discharge paper from the Army. Some of the print is very hard to make out, as it as dimed from age, but trusting that you will get the desired information.
Known That Edward Long Private of Captain-,“ Dennis N. Roberts Company of Second Regiment of
Arkansas Volunteers who was enrolled on the Eleventh Day of,” August – one Thousand eight hundred and – Sixty Three Serve Three years, are during the war is hereby Discharged from the Service of the United States – This Sixth day of May 1865 at Springfield Missouri,” by reason of Surgeon Certificate (can’t make out) No objection too his being re-enlisted is know too exist. Said Edward Long was born in Green County in the State of Illinois.
Given at Springfield, MO. this Sixth day of May 1865
John F. M. Euahun, R. A. G. f, No. 99, Commanding Port
There are a couple names I can’t make out I don’t believe it is necessary too have them.
L. 86, Headqrs. Dept. No. 1805. Titles for record Arp 3. 1867, ( (107)
Headqrs. Dept of the _____
St. Louis, MO. April 28, 1865
To be Discharged by Order of Maj Gen. Dodge
S. M. G. of D. R. C May 27, 68
S. M. G. of D. R. C. June 3, /68
Oct. 28, 1870 2, Auditors Office