Asbury Cemetery History - 1 Jan 1998 - Macoupin County Illinois
©1997 Mary Ann Stewart Kaylor

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ASBURY CEMETERY aka ASBURY MOUND CEMETERY in Macoupin County IL

Contributed by Mary Ann Stewart Kaylor

If you have any information about this cemetery, please contact Mary Ann.

Located SE1/4 of NE1/4, Sec. 20, T11N-R9W, the land was donated 11 March 1849 by BENJAMIN KIDD and wife HANNAH, when he deeded 3/4 of an acre of his land to the trustees on which to build their church and also lay out the cemetery. This deed is recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois, Book R of Misc. Records, page 313 August 1, 1849. Five days later JOHN HENDERSON and wife CATHERINE, made a deed for an additional tract of land for the Asbury Chapple grounds and cemetery on the 16th of March 1849. This deed is recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on August 1, 1849, Book R of Misc. Records, page 314.

In 1881 an additional acre of land was deeded by JAMES W. HENDERSON to the County of Macoupin for a graveyard which is a part of the Asbury Mound Cemetery. This deed is dated March 23, 1881 and was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on August 16, 1882 in Book DF of Warranty Deeds, page 339.

In 1938, a petition for incorporation was sent to the Secretary of State, requesting a charter. The petition is signed by P. L. DINGLEDEIN, JOHN RICH, F. W. CONVERSE; K. L. ROBISON; C. R. CONVERSE and HUGH H. DRUM and was dated July 14, 1938. The petition was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Macoupin County, Illinois July 18, 1938 in Vol. 387 of Misc. Records, page 475. A charter was granted to the Asbury Mound Cemetery Association by the Sec. of State, EDWARD J. HUGHES and was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County Illinois on July 18, 1938 in Vol. 387 of Misc. Records, page 474. The Trustees were JOHN RICH, Pres.; RALPH EDMISTON, Vice Pres.; P. L. DINGELDEIN, Treas., C. R. CONVERSE, Sec., F. J. STEIDLEY, Trustee; HUGH H. DRUM, Trustee.

The first burial in the cemetery was that of ELVIRA STEIDLEY, wife of JOSEPH B. STEIDLEY, who died 7 Mar 1849. There are 156 lots and 680 graves. There are at least 10 veterans buried in Asbury: ENDIMON FANSLER; JAMES W. HENDERSON; JAMES D. JAYNES; JOHN W. PARKS; GEORGE W. RANEY; GEORGE W. RIVES; H. H. SHINPAUGH (no stone); DANIEL E. STOUT; HIRAM DRUM (no stone); CHESTER CONVERSE. JOHN W. STEIDLEY, a veteran, is buried in Steidley Pvt. Cemetery close by.

The care of the cemetery remained constant until the death of one of the caretakers in 1979, CHESTER R. CONVERSE. In the years to follow, the cemetery became neglected... briars, brush taking over and stones needing reset. Concerned family members (myself included) decided something should be done, so a meeting was held in March 1988 at Palmyra. Plans were made, with the help of a very knowledgable person, to renovate the cemetery. Letters were sent out to known descendants of loved ones buried there asking for help, both physically and financially. This was accomplished and a temporary board of trustees was set up until such time as the old one (1975, not registered at courthouse) could be re-established. The church building was still standing in disrepair. It was decided it was too dangerous, so the building was sold at an auction 29 June 1988 for the wood, pews, etc..

JOHN HENDERSON, the donor of the addition to the Asbury Mound Cemetery was born in Berkeley County, Virginia. In 1830 he came to Macoupin County and settled in Sec. 20 of Barr Twp. At the same time his brother DAVID came to this county and settled on Sec. 30 of Barr Twp.. These were the first two settlements made in the southwest part of the township.

JEREMIAH CONVERSE resided on sec. 20, across the road from Asbury. His father was ALFRED CONVERSE and BETSEY COREY/CORY. They came from VT to Greene County in 1844. Jeremiah was born in Addison Co. VT in 1822. Jeremiah removed to Barr Twp. Macoupin County in 1874, owning 220 acres of land. He died in 1900, his wife having passed away in 1897. Both are buried in Asbury cemetery.

The above information was derived from the re-organization in 1988, with much thanks to the person who researched this so thoroughly, as well as from personal knowledge...as I have grandparents, two sets of ggrandparents and many cousins buried here (CONVERSE, ROBISON lines). The upkeep of the cemetery is an ongoing financial burden, so any donations would be appreciated! Just let me know and I will point you in the right direction.

I have the readings for the cemetery which I would be glad to search for anyone!



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