McWorter Cemetery
Site Brief:
Founded: 1836
Location: Illinois
Additional name(s): Old Philadelphia Cemetery, New Philadelphia African American Cemetery, McWorter African American Cemetery
Affiliate group(s): N/A
History:
The McWorter Cemetery, also referred to as Old Philadelphia Cemetery and New Philadelphia African American Burial Ground is located in rural Pike County, Western Illinois. According to cemetery records, the earliest burial occurred in 1851 with the death of Francis McWorter. The McWorter family owned the land on which the cemetery was established. Mr. James Washington who died in 1950 is believed to be the last known burial in the cemetery.
The McWorter African American Cemetery is historically significant as the final resting place of Free Frank McWorter, founder of the first known town in the United States to be platted and legally registered by a freed African American prior to the civil war. Free Frank's wife, Lucy, seven of their adult children, and grandchildren. Members of the African American community of New Philadelphia and Hadley Township, Illinois are interred in the cemetery. There are several star-shaped metal Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Veterans grave markers in the cemetery. In 1988, Free Frank's gravesite was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Free Frank was born enslaved in South Carolina in 1777. Free Frank had a vision of freedom and self-determination. In 1795, Frank relocated to Kentucky with his enslaver where he was allowed to hire out his time to others. Frank was allowed to keep a portion of the earnings. Frank saved money to purchase his pregnant wife's freedom in 1817, then purchase his own in 1819, ensuring future children would be born free. In 1830, Free Frank and Free Lucy migrated with free family members to the Illinois frontier where they established a farm. In 1836, Free Frank a freed man planned, mapped out, and founded a town on 42 acres. Frank names his town Philadelphia, later known as New Philadelphia. Frank sold lots in his town to provide additional earnings to purchase freedom for family members remaining in bondage.
The townsite was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009. The historic townsite was included in the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program in 2013. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's "Many Voices, One Nation" exhibition includes the Migration of Free Frank McWorter collection. December 2022, New Philadelphia National Historic Site was established as America's 424th National Park.
Free Frank & Free Lucy Heritage Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of descendants who are dedicated to seeing this piece of history restored, preserved and protected. Honor the history and culture by honoring the lives, legacies and ensuring the contributions of those buried in this sacred place are recognized through preservation, storytelling, education, and shared with the community for the benefit of present and future generations to learn from this history.
In July 2023, the Free Frank and Free Lucy Heritage Corporation funded the preservation project to repair and secure the cemetery. Sixteen (16) original gravestones were either repaired and/or reset. Three new civil war veteran military stones provided by U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs were placed in the cemetery. Next phase of preservation efforts includes, hiring an historic preservation professional to assess the condition of the cemetery and make recommendations for the most reliable approach for locating additional graves. Create a scaled map of the visible depressions. Restore the cemetery to a condition befitting the dignity and honor of our ancestors.
BCN Contact Information:
Lonie M. Wilson
loniewilson@yahoo.com