Near Thompsonville in Franklin County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Settlement in Franklin County

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 27, 2025

1. First Settlement in Franklin County Marker

Inscription.
First settlement in Franklin Co. made here 1804 by the Browning's, Jordan's, Estes, J. Wm. Barbrey who was killed by Indians and buried near
——————— Jordan block house built 1/4 mi. s.e. 1909.
——————— Liberty M.E. Church organized 1825 by Alexander McGreery and Wife, Henry Yost and Wife, Sion Mitchell and Wife, John Waller and Wife, Rev. Benj. Handcock who was a Revolutionary soldier and others
——————— This memorial created Aug. 10, 1918.

Erected 1918.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1918.

Location. 37° 53.356′ N, 88° 44.422′ W. Marker is near Thompsonville, Illinois, in Franklin County. It is on Southwest End Road west of Miller Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is outside Liberty Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1797 SW End Rd, Thompsonville IL 62890, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Log Cabin (approx. 2.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles

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away); The Tobacco Industry (approx. 7.6 miles away); Dedicated in Grateful Tribute to the Men and Women Who Served. (approx. 7.7 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.7 miles away); Galatia United Methodist Church (approx. 7.7 miles away); West Frankfort City Hall (approx. 10.2 miles away); Walpole (approx. 10.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thompsonville.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, November 27, 2025

2. First Settlement in Franklin County Marker

Marker is outside Liberty Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.