Willow Valley Cemetery
                                                       Ithaca Township, Richland County, Wisconsin  USA


                                 
            HERE THEY SLEEP Narrative

WILLOW VALLEY CEMETERY

Catalogued October 30, 1974 by H. A. Dieter. Location is two miles north of Sextonville, Wisconsin on County Trunk B, Section 30, Town of Ithaca. The first acre of land was donated on June 1, 1855 by Thomas P. Derrickson. The names Derrickson and Willow Valley remained synonymous for nearly a half century. Death and burial records often identified with Derrickson, even after the formation of a cemetery association, known as Willow Creek, which was organized April 12, 1868.  A board fence, partially picket,  was ordered built and the same properly installed during that year. In later years more land was added and a new fence built with the name Willow Valley placed over one entrance. The grounds are in fair condition with the exception of a very old section about midway. Many such family plots became public cemeteries as communities were established. However, a certain number of graves here remain marked only by plain footstones. They stand in mute evidence of their time. The first known burials in 1849 were those of Hester A. and James F., children of  Thomas P. and Rachel L. Chew Derrickson. The father, Thomas, was buried in 1909 in a private plot one half mile north and a few rods southeast of Aubrey Corners. Further reference can be found in a separate account of the Thomas P. Derrickson Plot, touching their lives and related events.



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