MCWORTER CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1836

ADDITONAL NAMES: Old Philadelphia African American Cemetery / New Philadelphia African American Cemetery

AFFILIATION(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.

BCN Contact Information:

Lonie M. Wilson

loniewilson@yahoo.com