What is the Thompson Cemetery?
The Thompson Cemetery is a rural cemetery in Central Illinois. The descendants of Revolutionary War soldier, John Thompson, as well as his friends, family, and neighbors are interred there. The first burial appears to have been John Thompson, in 1843. The last burial appears to have been William “Bill” Thompson in 1940. There are at least 42 adults and 20 children buried there with many unmarked graves both inside and outside the current fence. The cemetery is located adjacent to farm fields in Barrow, Roodhouse, Illinois. The coordinates are: 39°30’30.2″N and 90°24’11.4″W.
Why is it worth saving?
This cemetery is a part of United States history and the families that were the earliest settlers of Central Illinois. The memory and the history of those buried in the cemetery is worth preserving for future generations. The number of children buried there is a testament to how hard life was for the early settlers.
Property Dispute with the Melisa Smith Irrevocable Trust
Through the years the Cemetery has been maintained by the families of those buried there. According to the 1865 Deed the cemetery was given to the cemetery trustees. The Thompson Cemetery Association was created in 2000 to continue the conservation and maintenance of the cemetery.
After 150 years of good relations with neighbors, in 2019 Melisa Smith and her daughter disputed the bounds of the cemetery claiming that it does not include over half of the property. The Melisa Smith Trust is maintaining a closed gate and has warned that anyone accessing the cemetery will be considered to be trespassing and subject to a complaint to local law enforcement.
All efforts to settle this outside court have failed and we are sadly pursuing the matter in the Greene County Court.
Fundraising
Please donate to the Thompson Cemetery Association. The Association is a Federally recognized non-profit and your contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Please use the contact form to let us know that you would like to donate
Contributions may also be mailed:
Peoples Bank & Trust
PO Box 258
White Hall, IL 62092
Deposit to: Thompson Cemetery Association
Thank you for your interest in preserving the cemetery!
Russell Wells
Many thanks to Russell Wells of Roodhouse for his years of taking care of the Cemetery.
Stay Connected with the Cemetery and Relatives
The friends of the Thompson Cemetery are interested in connecting with other descendants of John Thompson and others interred in the Cemetery. Please use the Contact page to register and also use Facebook to follow us.
