Good morning, all!  Wanted to announce my newest book – Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church – Cemetery Photos – Through 1920.  Located in Washington County about six miles north of Springfield, off Hwy 555, the church was established in 1833, at the time known as Beech Fork Presbyterian, renamed about 1843 to Pleasant Grove. 

This is where Captain John Linton, my 4^th and 5^th great-grandfather, attended church with his family.  His land extended to the boundaries of the church, or very close to it – he lived about three miles from the church.  He and Ann Mason Linton, his wife, are not buried there, but in the Linton family cemetery on their land.  However, his grandson and great-granddaughter, Edward Edwards Linton and Catherine Elizabeth Taylor, who married – and are my 2^nd great grandparents – are buried at Pleasant Grove, as well as four of their children. Of Edward and Catherine’s perhaps eleven children, only three lived over the age of 20 – Alice Clark Linton, John Edgar Linton and Frances – and great-grandmother Frances was the only child to marry and have children.  Four to six infants are buried in the Linton cemetery.  Alice, John, Annie and Mary are buried at Pleasant Grove.  Frances is buried in St. Dominic Cemetery in Springfield.

Ritchey’s father, Rex Edwin Brown, was pastor at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian from 1960-1963.  They lived in a house near the church.  In 1983 we went to the 150^th anniversary of the church, and again 2008 for the 175^th anniversary.  It was a great time to visit with those they remembered from their Washington County days, and for me to come to the church that my ancestors worshiped in!

The book contains photos of gravestones for those buried through 1920.  There are also photos taken in 2008 during the 175^th anniversary.  The photos are arranged alphabetically.  There is also an alphabetical list at the back of the book.

You can purchase this book at Amazon.