Lost Cemetery

Excerpted from the Illinois State Journal, Springfield, Illinois Issue: October 13, 1971, (Story and photos by Henry Willhite)

Contributed by Mary Ann Kaylor

While searching for coins, Carl HANNON and Bob PRATT found gravestones on the Carl HANNON property.

"Nine stones in all were uncovered. Large concrete slabs held two stones each about 20 inches wide and 40 inches tall, which were bolted to the slab with an iron strap. The inscription on one slab reads: SAMUEL C. REYNOLDS, died Nov.14, 1857 at the age of 23 years, 10 months and 25 days. Another bears the name ALEXANDER HORD died Nov. 13, 1856 at the age of 36 years and 16 days. An epitaph on one slab reads:

"For now that we see through glass, darkly but then face to face: now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I'm known now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity these three; but the greatest of these are Charity."

Another inscription reads:

OSCAR and ORVIL S. STONE, twins, died, OSCAR M. on Aug. 9, 1856, and ORVIL S. six days later, Aug. 15, 1856.

One stone is inscribed

H.G. and A.S. WESTON, died Sept. 3, 1858, age 8 years, 1 month, 19 days.

One stone was that of an 8 month old child,

GEORGE F. VIRDEN, died July 5, 1855.

The History of Virden, written by HENRIETTA VIRDEN, tells of an ALEXANDER HORD who built the first home here which he and his family occupied. MR. HORD was a clerk of the First Baptist Church here. After many inquiries concerning the tombstones and their location, LYNN BERRY, local funeral director, came upon the information that many years ago a Baptist Church stood near the spot where the stones were unearthed." Why the stones have remained hidden this many years remains a mystery. A few years ago a call to LYNN BERRY led him and me to a field southwest of here where still another burial plot had been found. A flat stone revealed the names of

CHARITY and CHARLES STEWART, Revolutionary War soldier and his wife. CHARLES STEWART was born in 1738 and died at the age of 73 years in 1833. (?1760?-mak)

Perhaps more of the past history of Virden and its early settlers remains but a few feet underground. We can only remember that many covered wagons passed this way in the quest of a homesite. Hardships were plenty, and many burials must have taken along the roadsides, in church cemeteries, and those that may have been near a school house where public meetings were held in lieu of a church building.

(Submitted by Mary Ann Stewart Kaylor----I searched Virden, Girard & misc. cemetery readings and could only find ALEXANDER HORD and CHARLES & CHARITY STEWART as listed in any of the books. ALEXANDER HORD is listed as buried in Virden Cemetery. CHARLES & CHARITY STEWART are listed in N. Otter Twp. cemetery readings as buried in STEWART/CRUMP CEMETERY, Sec. 20. Perhaps this will help someone find their long lost family!)

Contributed by Richard Davidson who found the card with his grandmother's, Emma Adcock Davidson's, belongings in her trunk.