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    1. Re: [ILWILL] Town of Wallingford
    2. zavada
    3. Hi Debbie, Thanks for the kudo. I've always loved history,genealogy and antiques. Love to help when I can. No I don't have a phone number for Wilton center cemetery. You could try locating the Wilton township supervisor. I don't know who that would be,but I bet the Manhattan Public Library or maybe the Manhattan Post Office would know. The Manhattan Public library has a centennial booklet which contributors added info about founding families. Might be a resource. Manhattan also has UNINDEXED microfilm of local newspaper which starts in early 1900's maybe 1920 or so. Wilmington public library has the earliest microfilmed newspaper for the area(and would cover Wallingford & Wilton). They are indexed from mid 1860's to current. Who are you looking for?Might have something. I live less than 12 miles from Wilton and Wallingford. I could take digital photos for you. The following is from the History of Will County 1878: page 633 Village of Wallingford As previously stated,NELSON,KIBBIN and WILEY had purchased of the Indians the tract known as the "reservation." Afterward that portion which now constitutes the site of the village was sold to H.B.GOODARD,by whom,in turn, it was conveyed to Charles W. KEITH,who laid out the town and offered the lots for sale. Doubtless,high anticipations were indulged in, regarding the destiny of Wallingfor,as KEITH advertised it extensively. Charts of the town were lithographed and sent to every corner of the East and West. Some of them still in existence show what a nice town may be built on paper, all with streets and alleys,public squares and fine parks. But,alas,for human expectations! the enterprise proved a failure, and Wallingford stands a monument of blasted hopes. It is now simply a little trading-point,with a score(score means about 10)of houses,a store and a few shops. KEITH,after having disposed of a few lots,sold the site and the adjoining farm to Noah THAYER,of Aurora,who still owns it. PS-I have from the 1873 Atlas of Will County- a stone lithograph of "Res. of Noah THAYER esq. Wallingford Will Co.ILLS" shows a very grand and probably exagerated view of is farm and lands. Lithos in this Atlas -were a sort of early advertising and the person who wanted to be included with a litho had to pay for it. Just like advertising in a newspaper today. This particular litho is very large 12"x7",almost a third of a page large. Most were about 3"x4". I may also have from this same atlas a plat of Wilton township but not sure about that one. I was at an auction MANY years ago on the THAYER farm. I can still remember the barn because it was built in an east coast New England style and not a midwestern one. It sat on the only hill or rise around for miles. Small creek ran nearby. Hope this helps. Kathy

    06/18/2002 05:01:39