Grayville in White County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Thomasanne Payne Home Site

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 15, 2012

1. Thomasanne Payne Home Site Marker

Inscription.

On this site was the home of Thomasanne Payne, Authoress of the Song 'Sleep Soldier Sleep' which she wrote in honor of James Bethel Gresham from Evansville, Indiana. He was the first American Soldier to die in World War I. The song was accepted as a national funeral song and made her famous all over the world.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I.

Location. 38° 15.453′ N, 87° 59.786′ W. Marker is in Grayville, Illinois, in White County. Memorial is at the intersection of Court Street (Illinois Route 1) and North Street (County Road 20), on the right when traveling south on Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 South Court Street, Grayville IL 62844, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gray Mansion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gray Opera House (about 400 feet away); The Gray Family Cemetery (about 400 feet away); Present Site of The Gray Family Cemetery (about 400 feet away); "Empire Corner" (about 800 feet away); Vincennes to Shawneetown Stage Coach Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Gray's Stables and Slave Quarters

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grayville.

Also see . . .
1. "Sleep Soldier Sleep" Copyright Info. Google Books entry (Submitted on December 13, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. James Bethel Gresham. Wikipedia biography (Submitted on March 21, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 15, 2012

2. Thomasanne Payne Home Site Marker

"Sleep, Soldier, Sleep" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner

3. "Sleep, Soldier, Sleep"

Library of Congress:
Original sheet music

"Sleep, Soldier, Sleep" inset image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, March 21, 2021

4. "Sleep, Soldier, Sleep" inset

Library of Congress:
The main characters

Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 636 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on March 21, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.