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
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. Memorial is in Grayville, Illinois, in White County. It 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. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 102 South Court Street, Grayville IL 62844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Southern Illinois Little Egypt, in the Tri-State Region, and in the Wabash Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, 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 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
this page online
Also see . . .
1. "Sleep Soldier Sleep" Copyright Info. Google Books entry (Submitted on December 13, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
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
Photographed by Larry Gertner
3. "Sleep, Soldier, Sleep"
Library of Congress:
Original sheet music
Original sheet music
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 21, 2021
4. "Sleep, Soldier, Sleep" inset
Library of Congress:
The main characters
The main characters
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 834 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on March 21, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
