Restoration of Union Church Cemetery
A few local people have expressed an interest in saving the cemetery at the early site of the old Union Church near Fandon.
Union Regular Baptist Church was organized in November 1831, with ten members. Meetings were held in homes of the members, and in a school building, until finally a log meeting house was erected, and in 1847 a deed for 2 1/4 acres was given by Benjamin Matthews and wife, to Buckner Waymack and Abel Crisp (as trustees of the church). A cemetery was soon started at the site. Early ministers who preached here were Elders Thomas H. Owen, William Bradley, Micajah B. Rowland, Samuel L. Dark, Robert Mays, John Driskell, and George Tracy. Elder Isaac N. Vanmeter later served this church as pastor for over 35 years, assisted by Elders T. N. Frazee and Jacob Castlebury. In 1873 this church built a frame meeting house in Fandon, where meetings were held until 1932. Elder Lewis E. Frazee, of Carthage, was probably the last regular pastor. Union Church was a member of the Spoon River Association, and was of the Primitive Baptist denomination. Benjamin F. Myers and Peter Bloomfield, of Colchester, were among the last members.
BURIAL LIST PROVIDED BY THE MCDONOUGH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (WITH ADDITIONS MADE FROM READINGS OF STONES WE HAVE FOUND DURING OUR RESTORATION PROJECT):
IN THE ARCHER FAMILY PLOT:
ARCHER, Lizzie, died Feb. 17, 1863, age 11 ms, 23 ds. Dau. of J & S.
ARCHER, Willie, died Dec. 10, 1858, age 1 mo, 5 ds, Son of J & S.
IN THE KERR FAMILY PLOT:
KERR, John B., died July 9, 1873, age 38 yrs, 8 ms, 20 ds.
KERR, ----.
DUNSWORTH, Mary A. Kerr, died July 31, 1887, age 19 yrs, 2 ms, 20 ds.
KERR, Alexander, died April 8, 1883, age 21 yrs, 5 ms, 16 ds, Son of John and Mary.
THE MATTHEWS FAMILY.
MATTHEWS, Benjamin, born August 2, 1792, died September 17, 1878.
MATTHEWS, Hannah A., died Sep. 3, 1858, age 18 days. Dau. of G. W. and Mary Matthews.
MATTHEWS, Silve, died Sep. 7, 1862, age 1 yr, 7 ms. Son of G. W. and Mary Matthews.
MATTHEWS, Jacob S., Died May 12, 1858, age 45 ys, 6 ms, 24 ds.
MATTHEWS, Mary Ann Shoopman, born 1796, died - unknown
THE OSBORN FAMILY:
OSBORN, John, born 1795, died November 12, 1870.
OSBORN, Frances, wife of J., died July 16, 1870.
OSBORN, John W., son of J. & F. Osborn, died March 21, 1863, age 15 yrs, 8 ms, 10 days.
THE THOMPSON FAMILY:
THOMPSON, Lizzie V. Kerr, died Feb. 19, 1889, age 22 ys, 6 ms, 17 ds, wife of F. L.
THOMPSON, Charles, died Sep. 6, 1887, age 9 ms, 21 ds, Son of F. L. & L. V.
THE WHEELER FAMILY:
WHEELER, Nathan, died Mar. 11, 1850, age 30 ys, 17 ds.
WHEELER, Charles, died Oct. 1, 1856, age 1 ys, 1 ms, 13 ds. Son of J. D. and M. J.
WHEELER, America K., died June 12, 1851, age 1 ys, 1 ms, 27 ds. Daughter of J. D. and M. J.
WHEELER, John L., died Aug. 21, 1851, age 6 ms, 7 ds, son of T. C. and H.
ADDITIONAL NAMES OF KNOWN OR PROBABLE BURIALS:
Mary Driskill, first wife of Jacob S. Matthews. daughter of Elder John Driskill.
Nancy Matthews, daughter of Benjamin Matthews, who married John Jackson Driskill son of Elder John Driskill
Elder John Driskill, his wife, and son, John Jackson Driskill
Elder Robert Mays
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