In Oxford Township T-14 N R I E Henry
County, Illinois. NW corner of E ½ of NW ¼
Section 30. Located ½ mile North of a boulder with a
placque marking
the former town of Oxford. First designated burial ground in Oxford Township.
One acre and 36 perches of land was given by Daniel Briggs family for a
cemetery.
On the Plaque: "Oxford Town Site" -- On Knoxville Stage Route laid out by James and Daniel Briggs in 1839. Business: Bachus Hotel, Shumway and Goodman General Stores, Bank, Brick Yard, 3 churches, 3 saloons, Amos B. cole Appt. Postmaster and J. P. in 1840. Pop. 850 in 1860. Railroads caused moves to Alpha and New Windsor in 1872. Bicentennial Plaque by community donations in 1976. Rock from Max Streeter Farm.
Most of these were of English descent born in New England states who migrated to this area 1830-1850. Some came over land and others went by flatboats down the Ohio River, lived awhile in Kentucky or Indiana, then up the Mississippi River and Illinois River and landed at New Boston, Illinois.
There are 267 marked graves, and of these, 66 were children aged 3 years or younger. The care of this cemetery is by the township taxes supervised by a cemetery board; Max Briggs, Sidney Cole and Howard McCurdy who addresses are all Alpha, Illinois 61413.
If you have information, tombstone photos you'd like to contribute on person's buried here feel free to email them to me. tombstone photos prefer .jpg format. I thank you and I know our Ancestors who came before us will thank you, too!!!
There used to be a fence around this cemetery. This is all that is left of the fence. The entrance Gates.
Thumbnails of photos click on them to open in own window for a bigger view. Thanks!
Still in the process of putting names by these photos. You have treat on the Oxford Cemetery as I have a copy of the cemetery listings and have put some of their extra info on this page and previous page. Need a break right at the moment. been working two days non stop and still have the St. John's to name too.
