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). The cemeteries below were checked for veterans and I found there was also other information that a genealogist might find useful. 
I generally *didn't copy the legal descriptions of the property if they were very long and drawn out. If you want that information, contact the Archives.

As in previous issues of the Macoupin County Searcher, I listed veterans* information from both typed sheets and work sheets. The work sheets are typed in bold and the typed sheets are typed in a normal font. In some cases the work sheet had additional or conflicting information from the typed sheets. The work sheets with soldier information stated to check these sources: burial plot, cemetery record, death certificate or burial permit, patriotic organization (name), official U. S. records or other. These sources would probably be good sources to check still, today, as we have no way of knowing how thorough die WPA workers were. In these records, as always, I try to keep the spellings "as is" even if it appears incorrect.

Tine Sawyer cemetery is located 3 Miles South of Mt. Clair, Illinois

The Tine Sawyer Cemetery is located in the Southeast corner of Section 11 of Dorchester Township. It is near the century mark since Valentine Sawyer donated this plot of ground for a burial place for the people of that community.

In 1839, the district built a school house on the Southeast corner of Section 11. This school was known as the "District School #1." After a short time it was decided by the families of the community to donate and help build the school larger so that it might be used for church purposes also. This congregation became known as the "Hard Shelled Baptists."

In 1851, a deed was made transferring the title to the tract of land on which the cemetery is located which reads as follows -    this indenture: MADE THIS 17™ DAY OF June, 1851 between Valentine Sawyer and Mary Sawyer his wife of the County of Macoupin, State of Illinois party of the first part and the trustees of schools in Township 7, North Range 7, Macoupin County, Illinois and their successors in office of the second part, witnessed that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of $5.00 to them paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has transferred, remised, released and quit claim to the said party of the second part and their successors in office forever all one certain piece or parcel of land now in the possession of the said party of the second part situate, lying and being in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois and known, designated and described as follows: *——. In Testimony whereof the said party of the first part have hereunto set then- hands and seals the day and year first written. (This deed is dated June 17, and was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, State of Illinois on November 5, 1851 in Book U, Page 587.)

After many years there came a division in the religious faction. One faction, known as the "Christian" decided to build a church of their own on the west side of the road at the Southwest corner of the present cemetery. The other group, known as the "Baptist" bought a building at Clyde, Illinois and had it moved on the grounds adjoining the cemetery. For many years services were held in both the Christian and Baptist churches.
A mistake was discovered in the deed of June 17, 1851 to the plot of ground and the cemetery trustees found it necessary to meet with the members of the school board and settle this mistake. The deed was intended to read for cemetery purposes only, but it stated for school ground purposes. This matter was taken care of and the deed corrected and drawn up to read as follows: THE GRANTORS: The trustees of schools in Township 7, Range 7, of the town of Dorchester in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois for the consideration of $1.00, CONVEY and QUIT CLAIM to the trustees of the "Valentine Sawyer Graveyard" of the town of Dorchester, County of Macoupm and State of Illinois and then- successors in office, all interest hi the following described real-estate, to-wit: **Legal description of this correction of deed:  **——. (This deed is dated April 11,1904 and was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on November 10,1905 in Book GU, Page 144.)

It is understood that the above described tract of land is to be a public cemetery and no lots are to be sold.

*The land description here has not been copied. See Macoupin Co. Archives for a complete legal description.
**The land description here has not been copied. See Macoupin Co. Archives for a complete legal description.

In 1829, a warranty Deed for coal rights was made conveying the rights to the coal beneath the cemetery which reads as follows: THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH, THAT THE GRANTORS, Dempsey B. Sawyer and William P. Sawyer, the duly appointed trustees of what is known and called the Valentine Sawyer Graveyard, who acquired title to the premises herein below described by deed from the trustees of schools of Township 7, Range 7, by G. W. Richards and Henry Suhling, trustees of schools, dated April 11, 1904 and recorded in book "GU" Page 144 (Macoupin County records) and who have been properly authorized to transect business for the said Valentine Sawyer Graveyard, for and in consideration of the sum of $100.00 in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, CONVEY and WARRANT unto the Superior Coal Company, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Illinois, ALL COAL BENEATH THE SURFACE of the following described real-estate in Macoupin County, State of Illinois, to-wit: ***——. (This deed is dated August 5,1925 and was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on October 24, 1925 in Book 337, Page 541.)

In 1926, the trustees tore down and sold the lumber from the Baptist Church and the seats from the school room for $25.00. With this amount and an additional $15.00, (which was donated) Mr. G. R. Bond with the trustees, D. B. Sawyer, Wm. B. Sawyer and A. Wooldridge bought the plot of ground adjoining the original cemetery on the north. The deed reads as follows: THE GRANTORS: R. H. Isaacs and his wife Nellie C. Isaacs of the city of Gillespie, in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois for and in consideration of $40.00 in hand paid CONVEY and WARRANT to the trustees of the Valentine Sawyer Cemetery Association and their successors in office of the town of Dorchester, County of Macoupin and State of Illinois the following described real-estate, to-wit:   ****.——. (This deed is dated July 13, 1926 and was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on July 14, 1926 in Book 341, Page 272.)

The Christian church was torn down and sold for $25.00. This amount and the money received for the sale
of the coal rights beneath the surface of the cemetery was put in the cemetery fund. From this fund a sexton was hired and paid $50.00 per year to care for the cemetery. This money was readily exhausted and the cemetery became very much neglected. They had no other means of raising the fund to again hire a sexton.

In 1932, a meeting was held of the patrons of the Valentine Sawyer Cemetery and it was decided to call a "clean-up" of the cemetery.   This has been the means of caring for the cemetery ever since.

On October 19,1934 the patrons of the cemetery held a meeting and a committee of four was elected to plan some means of taking care of the cemetery. This committee consisted of (he following:

Mrs. Bessie Lindley, Chairman    George Compton
Myrtle Giberson            Alonzo Wooldridge

The following members were elected to serve as trustees:

D. B. Sawyer    Wm. B. Sawyer
A. Wooldridge

Mr. William B. Sawyer has been a trustee of this cemetery ever since the group first organized and that has been for quite a number of years.

On September 20,1937 a petition was filed with the Secretary of State, the Honorable Edward J. Hughes for the organization of a Cemetery Association, which reads as follows:

State of Illinois
Macoupin County:

To Edward J, Hughes, Secretary of State:

We the undersigned, Mrs. Bessie L. Lindley, George R. Compton, Laura V. Piper, Alonzo Wooldridge, Bertha Wooldridge and H. E, Acroggins (sp. as is) hereby present this our petition set form our desire to organize a cemetery association under the act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois entitled "An Act to provide for the organization, ownership, management and control of cemetery associations", approved May 14, 1903 and all

*** The land description here has not been copied. See Macoupin Co. Archives for a complete legal description.
**** The land description here has not been copied. See Macoupin Co. Archives for a complete legal description.

acts amandatory (as is) thereof, said cemetery to be located in Macoupin County, and to be known by the name and style of "TINE SAWYER CEMETERY ASSOCIATION."

The Post-office addresses of the business office of the said cemetery is at 511 North Union Street in Staunton, in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois.    -
Signed:    Bessie L. Lindley
George R. Compton
Laura V. Piper
Alonzo Wooldridge
Bertha Scroggins
H. E. Scroggins

(This petition was dated September 20,1937 and was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on September 22, 1937 in Book 382, Page 537.)

On September 20, 1937, the Secretary of State, the Honorable Edward J. Hughes granted a charter to the "Tine Sawyer Cemetery Association" which charter reads as follows: *****——. (IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereto set my hand and cause to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Illinois, done in the city of Springfield on the 20th day of September 1937 and of the Independence of the United States, the one hundred and 62nd.

This charter is recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on September 22, 1937 in Book 382 Page 536)

The Tine Sawyer cemetery is located approximately 3 miles south of Mt Clair on an improved road. This could be made into a very attractive burial plot as there is a good drainage and its genera! location makes it easily reached.

The Tine Sawyer Cemetery is in a very run down condition. The ground is run over with brier and the new addition, which covers an area of 8 rods is all covered with brush and has never been cleared off. This part of the cemetery has never been used. The driveway and the road to the cemetery needs repair. Two-thirds of the graves are just plain sunken holes and need refilling. All the graves need leveling. About 75 stones are down and need resetting and fixing. About 8 stones need recutting due to their being weather worn and the inscriptions cannot be read. On the west side of the cemetery is a clay bank about 6 feet higher than the road. On the north corner of the edge of the ground there is a grave and when there heavy rains this ground washes away leaving this grave in a very poor condition. This corner could be rip-rapped with stone so that the ground wouldn't wash away the soil and protect the grave.

Name of Cemetery:    Tine Sawyer Cemetery
Locate and number vets in cemetery    23
Oldest Grave    Valentine Sawyer's Wife   120 years (as is)
Number of Graves    600
Number of Lots at present           151
People Interviewed: Mrs. V. Lindley, Miss Laura Piper    2
                    Woolridge
Rods of Fence around cemetery at present None    66      90 rds (as is)
Rods of Fence to be repaired    None
Rods of fence to be replaced    None
Number of graves to be filled    2/3
No. of graves to be leveled    all of them
Stones to be reset    75
Stones to be recut    8
Driveways to be built    60 rods
Driveways to be repaired    entire drive

.It is understood that a Mr. _______ who was employed by one of the local farmers, made known to his employed that upon his death he wished to be buried in a standing up position. This wish is supposed to have been carried out. There is just an ordinary rock placed to mark his unusual grave. This information was given by Mr. A. Woolridge (as is) who is one of the trustees of the cemetery.

*****This letter is just a recap of what me signers of Hie petition requested. See the Tine Sawyer WPA file at the Macoupin County Archives for the entire letter.

The oldest grave in the Tine Sawyer Cemetery is that of: Mary Sawyer, wife of Valentine Sawyer, who died in 1854

History

Valentine Sawyer, the donor of the land which is now the "Tine Sawyer Cemetery" was born in Plymouth, North Carolina. There he grew up and attended the common schools. When he was able to shift for himself he engaged in the shipping and coasting service at which he worked for several years. He then returned to his native town and married Miss Polly M. Spence and seven children were born to this union. Valentine Sawyer decided to go west and find a new home in Illinois. Their long journey to Illinois was made with a single horse and wagon, having walked most of the way. At night they camped out along the road. At Louisville they crossed the Ohio River and at Danville they forded the Wabash River. It took them three months to make the journey. Upon reaching Illinois they settled in the southern part of Macoupin County, which is now called "West Prairie" of Dorchester Township. Here they found them selves in a sparsely settled country, where game was abundant and wild animals were frequently seen. Sometimes the animals would attack a pioneers home and do serious damage. Mr. Sawyer made his home on what was known as "Williams Creek" which skirted the prairie and there under went the usual hardships and trials of the pioneer settlers who settled on the western frontier. The nearest mill and market was at Alton, Illinois. In 1839, Mr. Sawyer built the first mill in Dorchester Township. This mill was run by horse-power and every man did his own grinding and gave 1/8 of the grain as a toll. Money was scarce and for a time it was a struggle to provide for the wants and needs of the family. Through his efforts he became the owner of many acres of land and a comfortable property. Mrs. Sawyer died in 1854, after which Valentine Sawyer and his two eldest sons went to Texas and settled in Bell County where Valentine Sawyer died at an advanced age. Mr. Sawyer and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sawyer was a Democrat.

The first marriage in Dorchester Township was that of Daniel B. Sawyer and Miss Minerva Scroggins.

There are 13 veterans graves in the Tine Sawyer Cemetery that do not have any markers as shown on veterans record. These graves have been pointed out to the field men by Mrs. Bessie Linley who is one of the oldest members of the Tine Sawyer Cemetery Association and known them to be veterans of the wars in which they are listed.

There are 23 veterans buried in the Tine Sawyer Cemetery.

*Have Government markers.

Name:   Bounds, Horace W; Civil War; Lot 97 No Marker
Name:   Bounds, Horace W.
Field Check: Lot 97

Name:   Davis, John         Mex, Pvt. Co. 1, 1 Illinois Inf; Died 1910; Grave 4 Lot 137
Name:   Davis, John
Field Check:    Grave No. 4 Lot No. 137; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Davis 1826 Dr. John; M. 1910- John Davis Co. 1 1 Ill. Inf. Mex War.
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 4 Lot No. 137
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in fair condition

Name:   Farris, George W. Civil War; Lot 124 No Marker
Name:   Farris, George W.
Field Check:    Lot 124

Name:   Hart, Thomas        Civil War; Lot 64 No Marker
Name:   Hart, Thomas
Field Check:    Lot 64 No Marker

Name:   Holt, W. W.        Civil War; Pvt. Co. H 122 Ill. Inf.; Lot 116 No Marker
Name:   Holt, W. W.
Field Check:    Grave - North side Lot 116; No marker
Information on Marker: Rebel Soldier

Name:   Jarman, Wiley     Civil War; Pvt Co.b 144 Illinois Inf, Died 12/28/1906; Grave 5 Lot 20
Name:   Jarman, Wiley
Field Check:      Grave 5 Lot 20; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Wiley Jarman, July 29, 1847 - Dec. 28,1906; Co. B. 144 Ill. Inf.
Death Certificate Data: Certificate No. 6343; Address - Staunton, Ill.; Died - Dec. 28, 1906 at Staunton;
Cause of Death: Crushed between cars on coal switch; Born - 1864 at Staunton, Ill
Service Record: 144 Ill. Inf.; Co. B
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in fair condition

Name:   Linton, James      Mex. War; Lot 150 No Marker
Name:   Linton, James
Field Check:      Grave No. (?lost/last grave?); Lot 150

Name;    O'Neal, John F.   Civil War; Pvt. Co. H 28 Illinois Inf; Grave I Lot 91 No Marker
Name:   O'neal, John F.
Field Check:      Grave 1 Lot 91; No Marker/Upright marker
Information on Marker: J. F. O'neal; Co. H. 28th Ill. Inf.
Service Record: 28th Ill. Inf. Co.H.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in poor condition

Name:   Orcut, Benj; Civil War; No Marker
Name:   Orcut, Ben
Field Check:      Grave 3 Lot 134

Name:   Page, Stephen M; Civil War, Pvt Co. H 18 Iowa Inf; Grave 2 Lot 24
Name:   Page, Stephen M.
Field Check:      Grave 2 Lot 24
Information on Marker: S. M. Page. Co. H. 18th Iowa Inf,
Service Record: 18 Ia. Inf; Civil War Co. H.
Inspection of burial plot; Grave in poor condition

Name:   Perrin, James; BH War; Grave 2 Lot 69 No Marker
Name:   Perrin, James
Field Check:       Grave 2 Lot 69 No. Marker
Service Record: B. H. War

Name:   Perrin, John; Civil War; Corp. Co I; 122 Illinois Inf.
Name:   Perrin John
Field Check:      Grave 1 Lot 69; Upright marker
Information on Marker: John Perrin; 1823 -1873; Co. 1 122 Ill. Inf; Mary E. Perrin 1850 -1869
Cemetery Record Data: Grave 1 Lot 69
Service Record: 122 I11. Inf. Co. 1; Rank - Corp
Inspection of burial plot: Fair Condition
(On side margin, written in, is "Records do not start till 77)

Name:   Piper, Dan; Mex. War; Lot 135 No Marker
Name:   Piper, Dan V.
Field Check:      Lot 135

Name:   Purdy, John; Mex. C War (as is): Co. L 3 Illinois Cav; Grave 5 Lot 68 No Marker
Name:   Puesy, John
Field Check:      Grave 5 Lot 68; No marker
Service Record: 3 Ill Cav. Co. L

Name:   Purdy, Wm. C; Mex. War; Lot 75 No Marker
Name:   Purdy, Wm. C
Field Check:      Lot 75

Name:   Rodgers, Cornelius; Mex War; Lot 6 No Marker
Name:   Rodgers, Cornelius
Field Check:      Grave on North end Lot 6; No marker
Information on Marker: Mex War

Name:   Sawyer, Earl Dwight; W war; Pvt. Co. E 52 Inf. 8th Div; Died 26 Feb. 1921; Grave 7 Lot 113
Name:   Sawyer, Earl Dwight
Field Check:      Grave 7 Lot 113; Upright Marker; No foot marker
Information on Marker: Private Earl Dwight Sawyer; Co. E 52 Inf. 6th Div; Sept 29, 1888 Feb 26, 1921
Cemetery Record Data: Grave? Lot 113; Date of Burial - March 11, 1921
Death Certificate Data: Died Feb 26, 1921 at Staunton, Ill; Cause - Crushed by Slate in mine; Born - Sept.
29, 1889 at Bunker Hill, Ill.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in fair condition

Name:   Scroggins, J. C.   Civil War; Pvt. Co. I 28 Illinois Inf.;   Grave 2 Lot 129
Name:   Scroggins, J. C.
Field Check: Grave 2 Lot 129; Upright marker
Information on Marker: J. C. Scroggins; Co. 128  Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave 2 Lot 129
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in Poor condition

Name:   Scroggins, William    Mex. War; Pvt. Co. 1 1 Illinois Inf; Grave 1 Lot 50
Name:   Scroggins, William
Field Check:      Grave 1 Lot 50; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Wm. Scroggins Co. 1; 1 Ill Inf. Mex War
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in Poor condition

Name:   Stevens, Wm. C; Civil War; Lot 20 No Marker
Name:   Stevens, Wm C.
Field Check:      Grave - North side; Lot 20; No marker

Name:   Swenk, Alex;      Civil War; Pvt. Co. K 89 Indiana Inf; Grave 3 Lot 36
Name:   Swenk, Alex,
Field Check:      Grave 3 Lot 36; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Alex Swenk; Co. K, 89 Ind. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave 3 Lot 36
Service Record: 89 Ind. Inf. Co. K.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in poor condition

Name:   Walker, G. H.; Civil War; Pvt, Co. I 122 Illinois Inf. Grave 2 Lot 76
Name:   Walker, G. H.
Field Check:      Grave 2 Lot 76; Upright marker
Information on Marker: G. H. Walker; Co. 1 122nd Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave 1 Lot 76
Inspection of burial plot: Poor condition

Name:   Walker, John H; Civil War; Grave 1 Lot 76
Name:   Walker, John H.
Field Check:      Grave 2 Lot 76

Tine Sawyer Cemetery
Additional Information

The following information concerning the Tine Sawyer cemetery was previously printed by the Staunton Area Genealogical Society. The historical part of the article was given to the Staunton Star-Times by Mrs. Floyd Bruhn for publishing July 22, 1965. It is being reprinted here due to the important significance it has to the above WPA information. This cemetery has been indexed by the Genealogical Society.

Tine Sawyer Cemetery
Located in Section 11 T7N R7W Dorchester Township, Macoupin Co., Illinois

To reach the Tine Sawyer Cemetery take Illinois Route 4 North from Staunton to Bunker Hill Road (the road heading West, across the highway from Memorial park Cemetery.) Drive 2.2 miles West on Bunker Hill Road to the road marked 1675E/21ON., turn north and drive 1.6 miles to the cemetery.

Tine Sawyer Cemetery is named for Valentine Sawyer, who came to Illinois in 1829. He married Mary Ann Spence. In 1851, they deeded two acres, more or less, to the Trustees of the School District, and their successors thereafter, to be used as a cemetery. Mary Ann (Spence) Sawyer died 29 November 1853, and was buried in this cemetery. Her tombstone bears the earliest date in the cemetery. If others were buried before mis time, no tombstones were found- After the death of Mary Ann, Valentine went to Bell Co., Texas with two of his sons, where he died in 1873.

In 1904, the deed to this cemetery was recorded, with C. W. Richards and Henry Suhling as Trustees. Later, the same year, an election was held of the Cemetery Association and Addison Fletcher was chosen Moderator and J. C. Wooldridge was named Secretary. Trustees elected were, D. B. Sawyer, Harrison Wooldridge and W. P. Sawyer, to serve as such for their natural lives.

In 1926 the Cemetery Association purchased additional ground directly north of the original cemetery from R. H. and Nellie C. Isaacs. At that time the old West Prairie Baptist Church stood on that ground. Funeral services for many buried in the cemetery were held in that church. The structure was later torn down after being abandoned.

Due to the lack of modern machinery and chemicals to control the weeds and brush the cemetery became very overgrown and the care of the cemetery was left to the Association. They would have a meeting (held at the Upper Springdale School) and have a work day to clean up the cemetery as best they could, but this did not prove very successful as many did not show up and the burden fell upon just a few.

In about 1950, George Sawyer of Staunton started work on the cemetery with a few who offered their help. Mrs. Sawyer contacted several families for donations to buy chemicals to kill the weeds and brush. In a couple of years the .cemetery was so improved that it could be mowed with a power mower, which was purchased by Mr. Sawyer.
The new officers elected in 1959 were: Mrs. Harry Suhling, President; Mrs. Floyd Bruhn, Secretary-Treasurer, Trustees: Jess Scroggins, Earl Wooldridge, Harry Suhling and James Stiller. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Oberta were custodians.

Officers elected at the Association meeting in 1982 were Bud Sawyer, President, Vera Suhlng, Secretary, Grace Brackman, Treasurer. Trustees: Earl Wooldridge, James Stiller, Harry Suhling, Wes Brackman and Don Willhoit.

The Staunton Area Genealogical Society contacted the Cemetery Association to see if the cemetery had been indexed. The old records must have been lost over the years, if there were ever any records kept, and the only map and records of burials are of the newer part of the cemetery, lying across the North Road.

The Genealogical Society agreed to read the tombstones in the entire cemetery to have a record of those graves marked. As the graves are not in direct lines or rows, it was decided to index alphabetically with the thought that due to the fact that the cemetery is not very large, one could possibly find the particular headstone they were searching as long as they knew it was located in the cemetery.

Time and the elements have taken their toll on many of these old tombstones making some of the names and dates very difficult to read. Care was taken to be as accurate as possible, however, if any names or dates are incorrect, we of the Genealogical Society apologize for human error.

There are a few stories (hat have been uncovered about some of the people buried in the cemetery. There are probably many more stories that have been lost over the years.

Mrs. George Sawyer and Mrs. Floyd Bruhn searched through old letters, and Bible records to trace one such story.

In 1861, a Mrs. Edie Brooks and her children made a trip by river boat up the Mississippi River from Arkansas to Alton, Illinois. While enroute, the children took the measles and four of them died. They were on their way to visit Mrs. Brooks' sister and family, Mrs. And Mrs. Smith Farris. (Mrs. Sawyer's grandparents.)

After reaching Alton, Mrs. Brooks traveled by covered wagon to West Prairie and had her children buried in the Tine Sawyer Cemetery. After a short visit, Mrs. Brooks returned to her home in Arkansas.

Many years later, a Mr. Brooks came to West Prairie to search for the graves of those children, who were his brothers and sisters. It is not known if this brother had been on the trip with his mother or not. With the help of W. P. Sawyer, who had helped to dig the graves, they were found and Mr. Brooks placed headstones at the graves. These children were William A. aged 2 1/2, died June 11, 1861; Charles aged 1 yr. 1 mo. died June 11, 1861; Fanney J. aged 6 1/2 yrs. died June 12, 1861 and Henry C. aged 9yrs. 11 mo. died June 16, 1861. This story is typical of the hardships many suffered in the early days when medical knowledge was scarce and transportation was such that this mother had to leave her children buried in Illinois when she returned to her home in Arkansas.

There was an orphaned boy attending school in West Prairie by the name of Claud A. Walker. Claud died at age 12 and is buried in the cemetery where a tombstone was placed in his memory. The thoughtfulness and comradeship of this era is shown in the tombstone reading:

Walker
Tribute of Love to
Claud A. Walker
1887-1899
Erected by
Friends, Schoolmates and Teacher M. E. Wilder
Oct. 16, 1899

William McKimmey and his wife Nancy never had any children of their own, but took in a boy and girl, children of German immigrants who died one winter within a few weeks of each other. These children were raised by the McKimmeys as their own and inherited the estate when Mr. McKimmey died in 1871 and Mrs. McKimmey died in 1885. These children placed the following tombstone:

McKimmey
Emigrated from North Carolina 1831
The Orphans Friend

W, H. McKimmey
born Apr. 14, 1800
died Mar. 1, 1871

    Nancy  
Wife of William H. McKimmey
born Nov. 1, 1804
died Mar. 3, 1885

This cemetery was indexed by Staunton Area Genealogical Society members: Keith Brodie, Vera Ruffini, Juanita Morgan, Judy Soens, Mary Smith, Ellen Dal Pozzo and Shirley M. Dal Pozzo. The Tine Sawyer cemetery index, in its entirety, was previously printed and published by the Staunton Area Genealogical Society (now known as the Macoupin Co. Genealogical Society).

Tine Sawyer Cemetery
Obituaries

Staunton Star-Times 10 June 1919 page 5 (submitted to MCGS by Sharon Buethner)

Aunt Sallie Sawyer died June 9 and was buried June 11 at Tine Sawyer Cemetery. She was an aged resident of this city.

Staunton Star-Times 17 June 1910 Page 1

Mrs. Sawah (Sawyer) Sawyer died 10 June 1910 at Staunton, aged 79 years, 11 months, 25 days. She was born 15 Jun 1830 in North Carolina. She married Henry Sawyer in 1846, and he died in 1884. Their children:
Mary, wife of Harrison Wooldridge; Luella, wife of William Best of Worden; Wesley, Cleveland, John and Marion all of Staunton. Her brothers and sisters: Frank Sawyer of Ramsey, IL; Marion Sawyer of Nokomis, IL; Maria Farr of Gillespie; Ollie Brown of Texas. She was buried at Tine Sawyer Cemetery on 11 June. She and her invalid son John lived together in their home just west of the public school and during her declining years she faithfully cared for him. She left 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Edwardsville Intelligencer March3,1931 "Observed Birthday" (submitted by Sharon Buethner)

Mrs. Mary Wooldridge, a life long resident of the vicinity of Staunton passed her 83rd birthday celebration. She has been ill for the past 3 weeks and the event was not celebrated.

Mrs, Wooldridge was born in West Prairie, 4 miles west of Staunton, March 1, 1848 and was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sawyer.

Valentine Sawyer who donated the Tine Sawyer cemetery, one of the oldest landmarks in this part of the country, was her grandfather.

With the exception of 3 years spent in Harvel, after her marriage to Harrison Wooldridge of West Prairie in 1868, she has always resided in this vicinity. After the death of her husband in 1924 she spends winters in Staunton and the summers at one of her houses located on a part of 200 acres which she still owns. At present time she has rooms with Mrs. Minnie Blase, who cares for her during her illness.

Mrs. Wooldridge recalls the changes in the City of Staunton since her girlhood.

The family traded at the store of the late Charles Fischer, father of the Fischer brothers of Staunton, and at the Hosea Snell store in early days. "We used to have to help the men folk shell corn around the fireplace of an evening, which they brought to Staunton to be made into meal at the mill, but we did not think our task hard at that time."

She has 3 sons: Alonzo Wooldridge of near Staunton, Hampton Wooldridge of Staunton, and John Wooldridge of Gillespie, Ill.

Mrs. William Best of Worden, Ill. is a sister and Mrs. Sabra Sawyer, who celebrated her 83rd birthday on Feb. 14th, was reared by Mrs. Wooldridge's parents and the two have always been like sisters, so nearly are they of the same age.

Note: Mary was married to Harrison Wooldridge, son of Larkia and Catherine Ellen Truitt Wooldridge. Harrison died 17 July 1924.

Road Petition To Relocate Road Near Thomas Hart's

The following petition was found hi the Tine Sawyer Cemetery Index. It is important as it contains the names of many of the people living in the area in 1844.

To the Hon. The County Commissioners Court of the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois, at the June Term of said Court A.D. 1844.

The undersigned would most respectfully petition your Honorable Court for liberty to allow your petitioner to keep the Road leading from Staunton to Carlinville, it being on the line between your petitioners and Mr. Thomas hart running North and South and is on as good if not better ground than laid out, and has been traveled on for upwards of Two years last past, without any complaint from the Citizens or travelers said road is fenced on both sides and left 30 feet wide.

And your petitioner is in duty bound will ever pray April 6, 1844,

Alexander Parisber

We the undersigned Voters of said County would most respectfully ask that the prayer of the petitioner be granted.

Thomas Martin        Henry Caldwell        George Leonbard
William Patterson    John Herington        Daniel B. Savage
John F. Funderburk    Robert Linton        W. B. Higgins
John Spence        I. Banner        Joseph Spence
Thomas Hart        Wm. McKimy        John H. Coopman
Whitmill Harrington    Thomas Parisber        John West
S. Snell        Anderson Scrogins    John McWalker
Horsia Snell        James S. Faris        Cornelius Newbrey
Elis Cormack        Robert Cannon        Snodon Sawyer
John Snell        R. R Cormack        J. P. Cowel
I. R. Gillham        John Landon        William Wilcox
Isaac A. Funderburk    J. Brown        S. H. Chapman

Filed and Recorded June 5, 1844. J. A. Chestnut, Clerk.

Viewers:    John Snell, Valintine Sawyer, S. S. Chapman

Report September Term 1844. County Court.