Burritt Town Ship

 

It is not our intent to “History” anyone to death, but as you have heard the history that was basically that of the two churches, we feel that a short look into the past of the rest of Burritt would be of interest.

 

Burritt was the 5^th Township in our County to organize –Augrst 1835- just 17 years after Statehood of Illinois. In these early days, living and working was a hardship, remember – no electricity, on radios, no television, no cars, truck or tractors. Just walking, an ox, horses and wind, was the transportation and power of the day. Small communities or settlements, sprang up, very likely for convenience and protection.

 

One such area was Manchester Settlement, started fy one John Manchester in about 1835, along with Isaac Hame, John McIntosh, A. Shearman and Elias and Alva Trask. Manchester Settlement was located near the intersection of Trask Bridge Road and Winnebago and Cemetery Roads. At the end of Cemetery Road and South of Trask Bridge Road, stood a Blacksmith Shop and a Wagon Shop. Across the road and East of Cemetery Road was the Inn and Post Office. This Post Office was later moved to Wempletown.

 

The Manchester Cemetery was and is still located west of Winnebago Road and south of Trask Bridge Road. Buried in this obscure, weed infested area are the pioneers of our earliest heritage of Burritt. The Rev. W. Stillwell, founder of our first church, lies peacefully on the western slope, under a beautiful old tree. His head stone long since, toppled by the elements, reading simply –Rev. Wm. Stillwell, died May 12, 1850. Near Stillwell’s grave are other headstones of our early pioneers, John Manchester, ‘no readable dates’. Mary Ann, daughter of S. & J. Toogood died Oct. 7, 1855. Nancy Westbrook, age about 20, wife of T. Westbrook, died Jan. 19, 1846. Apparently of child birth as her infant daughter rests with her. The whole McIntosh family rests here. John McIntosh, Born Sept. 26, 1810, died Sept. 18, 1866. His wife Catherine, age 31, died Sept. 27, 1840 and three children, Henry died Sept. 23, 1841. Eldridge, died Aug 15, 1846 and John D. died July 11, 1850. Other head stones show a Julius, son of J & M Scott, died July 31, 1844, age 2 months & 3 days and Catherine, wife of R. Brainard, died Dec. 3, 1855. Age 40 years 1 month 15 days. These headstones, almost lost by time, are mute testimony of the hardships of the early pioneers of Burritt.