The Cousin Collector

Winslow Cemetery
Grant Township
Township 60, Range 32, Section 24
Winslow, DeKalb County, Missouri

Kelly and Kris photographed this cemetery.

Walnut Grove Cemetery
AKA Riggs Cemetery
Adams Township
Township 59, Range 30, Section 15
DeKalb County, Missouri

On 5 June 1880, James M. Riggs deeded to John W. Riggs, William G. Baker, and Absolom H. Riggs, Trustees, the land for this cemetery. It was established by Absolom Riggs north of his house and called “Walnut Grove Cemetery” because it was located at the edge of a grove of walnut trees. Caroline (Fitzgerald) Riggs, wife of W. W. Riggs, died in 1879 and was the first to be buried in this cemetery.

Union Chapel Cemetery
Sherman Township
Township 59, Range 33, Section 26
Oak, DeKalb County, Missouri

From the intersection of US29 and Hwy 36 in St. Joseph, take Hwy 36 east for 12 miles, turn north onto state road 31/6 for 9 miles. Just as the road takes a 90 degree turn to the east, you will turn left, or west, onto state road V/Y. Proceed west on V/Y for 2 miles and turn north, or right, onto Bray Rd (which is also state road F). Proceed north on Bray Rd approximately 3/4 of a mile and you will see the church on the top of the hill, on the east, or right, side of the road. The drive and church are visible before the cemetery. From Union Star, proceed east out of town on 169 for approximately a 1/4 of a mile, turn south, or right, onto state road F. Proceed south on F for 4 miles, until the road takes a 90 degree turn to the east for a 1/4 of a mile, and then another 90 degree turn back south. After this second turn you will proceed approximately 1.5 miles and the cemetery will be on the east, or left, side of the road.

Kelly Alvarado photographed this cemetery.

Thornton Cemetery
AKA Salem Cemetery
Washington Township
Township 57, Range 33, Section 3
Clarksdale, DeKalb County, Missouri

From Cameron, starting at Walnut and Hwy 36, proceed west on Hwy 36 approximately 17 miles, turn north, or right, onto Hwy 31/6. Go half a mile to Rogers Road (this is a gravel road) and turn west, or left. Proceed approximately 1.25 miles (this can be a pretty rough road in places) and the road will turn north and become Thornton Road. After the road has turned, proceed 1/2 mile north and the cemetery will be on your left hand side just after the Bayfield intersection, over the top of the hill.

In the half mile between Rogers Road and Bayfield Road, Thornton Road is very low-lying and subject to flooding from the nearby river.

From St. Joseph, starting at the intersection of Frederick and Riverside Drive (Colony House furniture store/Frederick Baptist Church), go east on Hwy 6 for approximately 6 miles to 135th Road (this is a gravel road) and turn north, or left. This road will make a 90 degree turn to the east and then another 90 degree turn back to the north. Right after the second turn back north, you will turn east, or right, onto NE Railroad/Bayfield Road (it is known as both) for approximately 1/2 mile, and then turn north, or left, onto Thornton Road. The cemetery is just over the first hill on the left hand side.

The cemetery sign is very visible, although it appears you are pulling into someone’s driveway, as there is a house on the right side. Just go past the house and make a 90 degree turn to the north, or right, and you will see the cemetery grounds.

Many thanks to Richard Thornton who provided additional information about the Thornton family buried in this cemetery: “When my Aunt Artie Thornton did her research on the family she made some errors early on that she tried to correct in later records. She really wanted William Thornton [Sr.] 1766-1843 to be a Revolutionary War hero. She found a listing in the DAR Patriots’ List for a William Thornton with the death and birth dates pretty close to our records but the wife’s name was “Ann.” Artie decided that it was our Thornton and his wife sometimes used the name “Ann.” Later she discovered this was an error after having the marker made and placed in the cemetery. William’s wife was named Patsy Martha Owen, as it shows on the marriage record in Virginia and in her father’s will. At one time when Aunt Artie was looking at census records and came across the name “Patsy” she read it as “Betsy” and assumed William had a sister since his wife’s name was “Ann.” I thought she had a marker made for the cemetery. William didn’t have a sister.”

Kelly submitted the photographs for this cemetery.

Thomas Cemetery
Adams Township
Township 59, Range 30, Section 29
DeKalb County, Missouri

In 9 May 1878, William Thomas and his wife, Malissa, deeded 40 acres to John Armour, with the exception of the one acre that was currently being used as a family cemetery.

We were unable to locate this cemetery in October, 2011.