I am searching for living relatives of those interred in Bald Bluff (a/k/a) Ball’s Bluff Cemetery in Atlas Township, Pike Co., Illinois.

Eight other descendants and I have entered a lawsuit against the surrounding landowner to get a recorded easement to the cemetery, which we are entitled to by law. This owner, and her father before her, never stopped any cemetery visitors since they purchased the land in 1935 until the past several years. Now she has had her nephew stop visitors even though we have been trying to negotiate a settlement with her. A year ago, we elected to pursue a settlement through the court. Our next court date is September 1 when we expect a judgment at last. We are not asking for your financial support.

Our lawyer has asked that we build a list of living relatives that he might use this to demonstrate to the judge that there are many people who are interested in the preservation of this cemetery. Bald Bluff is about three acres with over 100 known names of those interred here between about 1850 and 1930. There are thirty-five known surnames. We believe that there are nearly two hundred graves when we are allowed in a map the area. Even though you may never have the opportunity to visit Bald Bluff, I know that you don’t want the owner’s nephew to continue to use the area for jeep racing and fee-based hunting. Over the past forty years, since the owner’s father died, the cemetery has suffered more abuse than nature. The perimeter fence was removed so that cattle could roam through the cemetery and, of course, they knocked over stones. A road was built around the circumference of the cemetery for the jeep club. In the building of this road, several tombstones were pulled down and then shoved down the hill. For the past four or five years, the nephew has allowed hunters to come on the land for a fee. When the court rules for us, as I am sure it will, we will rebuild the fence, set up many stones that are down on the ground, clean brush, and repair the road to the cemetery. Further, we will establish an association to maintain the cemetery. There are funds available for the cemetery’s maintenance once we clear up the access problem.

You can help by providing a list of names that you know of living relatives of your ancestor interred in Bald Bluff. Again, we are not asking for your financial support and you will not be party to the suit. Please include names of living relatives such as you, your children, grandchildren, siblings, parent, nephews, nieces, cousins will all swell the list. Please notify your research partners also. I will compile the list and eliminate duplications. We want to demonstrate to the judge that the cemetery matters to many. Your early response will be greatly appreciated.

We will save Bald Bluff Cemetery for future generations.

Judy Jones
Marietta, GA

I am a descendent of people buried in Bald Bluff Cemetery. Some of my relatives are currently living in Pleasant Hill, IL which is not too far. I have tried to get to this cemetery on my own but my cousin knows how to get there and I haven't gone with him recently to see if he has access......
I believe Demoin ancestors are also buried there.

Would you share your name and the name of your ancestors interred on Bald Bluff? Judy

I have mention of Barbara Ellen Robb marrying James Demoin(Desmoins). Would that be someone in your same line? If so she would be a sister to my GGGrandfather.

Thanks you for any information you might share,

I don't actually know if any relatives are buried at this cemetery, but Sapp is in my children's family tree and I know that their line lived in the Pike County area. Does anyone have any first names?

I don't know any living relatives.But Eva "Jones"Sapp my granmothers sister was married to Will Sapp.They lived at times in Pike county IL and Aurora IL.I have her funeral card and a picture I believe.

Thank you for your response. I am happy to tell you that the access to Ball's Bluff (aka Bald Bluff) Cemetery is now settled. Descendants are in the process of graveling the road and cleaning the cemetery.

There are too many Sapp ancestors interred on Ball's Bluff to name in this forum. I call tell you that they are from two different, but related families. The most are from the Matthew Sapp (born 1822) family. There are some also from the William Sapp (born 1796) family. If you want to persue this further, contact me.

If anyone reading this message is interested in helping with helping clean the cemetery, please reply. The cemetery is nearly three acres. The descendants doing the most of the work are from 60 to late 70's. Young help would be greatly appreciated. If interested, please contact me for further information at judyth_jones@yahoo.com.

I just read the posts regarding Bald Bluff Cemetery's abuse. I have relatives buried there, Huffman and Wetherbee families. I appreciate all of your effort to gain access and clean up the grounds.
Shirley Gallagher

Thank you, Shirley. I will pass your kind words on to my aunt and other descendants who live in Pike Co. and are still working on restoring the cemetery.

I recognize the surnames that you mention. A Huffman married one of Matthew Sapp's sons and is buried on Bald Bluff. And, of course, Wetherbee is an early family in the township.

I am in the process of writing a book on the genealogy of early Atlas township (about 1820 to 1850). I am getting pretty familiar with a lot of the early surnames. It is a joy to work on.

Judy