Sarah Ann (McMurtry) Raymond

Birth:    1834
              New York

Died:     1905
              McDonough County, Illinois

Sarah Ann (McMurtry) Raymond was a native of New York state.  She was married February 19, 1858, to Gabriel "G.F." Raymond, a farmer from Orange County, New York. They were the parents of five children: Sarah A., Margaret A., John U., Gabriel J. and Mary C.

G.F. and Sarah Raymond came to Illinois in 1858 and settled first in Birmingham Township, Schuyler County, on forty acres of land. Eleven years later they sold that property and relocated to Bethel Township in McDonough County, Illinois where they purchased 80 acres.

In the 1880 census Sarah Raymond was a 46-year-old housewife who was further identified as a midwife. Her husband was listed as a plasterer, her daughter Mary and son Gabriel J.(who worked on the farm) lived at home at that time.  Two of the Raymond's grandchildren, Bertha and Daniel Smith, ages 5 and 3 respectively.
Sarah Raymond died at age 71 years, 8 months, 25 days.

Her daughter Sarah Downey and son G.J. Raymond are buried in this cemetery. She shares a tombstone with her husband.


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Gabriel "G. F." Raymond

Birth:    Aug. 11, 1834
             Orange County, New York

Died:    1906
             McDonough County, Illinois

Gabriel F. Raymond was born in Orange County,  New York where he was married to  Sarah A. McMurtry on February 19, 1858.  They moved later in 1858 to Illinois where they farmed, first in Birmingham Township, Schuyler County, on 40 acres they purchased.  In 1869 they moved to McDonough County, Illinois where they had purchased 80 acres on section 21 in Bethel Township. 

His biography in a McDonough County history provides additional details.  G. F. Raymond was a son of Uriah and Margaret (Decker) Raymond. He received a common school education and resided with his parents until he was 22 years old. Politically Mr. Raymond was an independent. He held the office of justice of the peace. He was a member of the United Brethren Church.

G.F. and Sarah Raymond had five children, of whom four survived—Sarah A., Margaret A., John U., Gabriel J. and Mary C.

Source for biographical information: History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885, Continental Historical Co., Springfield, Illinois, Transcribed by Karl A. Petersen for McDonough County ILGenWeb, Bethel Township, Early Settlers.



Here is the video from May 2010 showing the condition of the cemetery now, including a close up of the G.F. Raymond stone:




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