USA > Illinois > Edwards County > History of the English settlement in Edwards County, Illinois : founded in 1817 and 1818, by Morris Birkbeck and George Flower > Part 1
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
977.3791 F66h
HINAUS AREADER SAUER
٠٠
٠٢
.
SOG. HISTORIC!
CHICAGO
MONUMENTE
FOR CONSER:
1856
Chicago historical Society's
COLLECTION
Vol. I.
The Library of the University of Illinois.
1
.
1
anborough Jamais
George Flower
Photo-Monical Printing Co , Chicago.
The Library of the University of Illinois
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S COLLECTION .- VOL. I.
HISTORY
OF THE
English Settlement in Edwards County
ILLINOIS,
FOUNDED IN 1817 AND 1818, BY MORRIS BIRKBECK AND GEORGE FLOWER.
BY GEORGE FLOWER.
WITH PREFACE AND FOOT-NOTES BY
E. B. WASHBURNE,
MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY: HONORARY MEMBER OF THE MASSA- CHUSETTS AND VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETIES; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY; AUTHOR OF THE "SKETCH OF EDWARD COLES, AND THE SLAVERY STRUGGLE IN ILLINOIS IN 1823-4." ETC., ETC.
CHICAGO : FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY. 1882.
977. 3791 F66h
11 Mr 36
CONTENTS.
Introductory, - - 7
Preface, - - 9
CHAPTER I.
Prefatory Remarks The Founders of the English Colony in Illinois, Morris Birkbeck and George Flower-Sketch of Morris Birkbeck - His Father a Quaker-His Education and Early Life in Eng- land-Travels of Birkbeck and Flower through France -- Edward Coles visits Mr. Birkbeck and Family at Wanborough, England -- Coles afterward becomes Governor of Illinois, and Birkbeck his Secretary-of-State- Characteristics of Birkbeck -Embarks for the United States in April, 1817 Richard Flower, father of George Flower Reflections on the United States George Flower in the United States a year before Birkbeck. 17
CHAPTER II.
Mr. Flower sails for America- Reflections on the Voyage Arrives in New York and visits Philadelphia- Invited to Monticello by Mr. Jefferson Journey Westward - Visits Dr. Priestly, on the Susquehanna Lost in the Journey to Pittsburgh From thence to Cincinnati -The Town as he found it, and the People -- The Neave Family -- Crosses the Ohio River and visits Lexington, and also Gov. Shelby, in Lincoln County -Fording of Dick's River-Hears of the Illinois Prairies for the first time Visits Nashville, Tenn .- Meets Gen. Jackson at a Horse-Race-Return- ing East, visits Mr. Jefferson at Poplar Forest, South - western Virginia Description of his House and his Personal Appearance, Dress, etc .- Visits Col. John Coles, father of Edward Coles, in Albemarle County-Passes the Winter with Mr. Jefferson at Monticello-At the Inauguration of Mr. Monroe, and meets Ed- ward Coles for the first time-Mr. Birkbeck and his Family arrive at Richmond, from England. 30
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2
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III.
Joins Mr. Birkbeck and Family in Richmond, Va .- Miss Andrews, afterward Mrs. Flower Decides to go Westward from Richmond -- Incidents of the Trip-Meets with Mr. Sloo, U. S. Land-Officer at Shawneetown, who conducts the Party to Illinois-They stop at Gen. Harrison's, at North Bend-At Vincennes-" Painted Warriors, Bedecked Squaws, and Bedizened Pappooses" -- Mr. Birkbeck's Daughters and Miss Andrews-Difficuities of the Journey bravely met Mr. Birkbeck proposes Marriage to Miss Andrews Offer Declined -Leads to Unpleasant Results-The Party first Establishes itself at Princeton, Indiana- A Visit to the Shaker Settlement at Busro-Account of the French-Cana- dian Settlement at Cattinet Birkbeck and Flower start out in Search of the "Prairies"-Pass through New Harmony, George Rapp's Colony -Description of the Place-Cross the Wabash and enter the Territory of Illinois, and reach the " Big-Prairie " Settlement -- " Boltenhouse Prairie," a Beautiful Sight -Crossing the Wabash into Illinois Territory-Hard Ride to Birk's Prairie -- The Prairie Flies-Captain Birk, a Specimen Pioneer- His Cabin and his Family Intense Prejudice against the British -- Journey Continued-Reflections on the Pioneers -- Long Prairie reached, where the English Settlement was afterward made - Return to Princeton-Timber-land around Boltenhouse Prairie entered at Shawneetown - Mr. Birkbeck to remain and Mr. Flower to return to England to procure more Funds and beat up for Recruits-The Decision made. - 47
CHAPTER IV.
Fear of Speculators-Desire to get a Grant of Land from Congress- Mr. Jefferson Written to on the Subject - His Answer-Letter of Hon. Nathaniel Pope Reply of Mr. Birkbeck-Mr. Flower sets out for England-Long Horseback-Trip to Chambersburgh, Pa., Accompanied by Mrs. Flower-The Outfit-Incidents of the Jour- ney-Mrs. Flower Remains in Chambersburgh-Mr. Flower Sails from New York to Liverpool-Birkbeck's Notes of Travel-The Emigrants. - 75
CHAPTER V.
First Party of Emigrants Sail from Bristol, in March, 1818 -Many of Mr. Birkbeck's Neighbors and Acquaintances among them - Letter of Richard Birkbeck -- Farm Operatives in England Per- sons composing the Party - Land in Philadelphia, in June, 1818
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CONTENTS.
-Reach Pittsburgh and descend the Ohio River to Shawnee- town-Arrive at Mr. Birkbeck's Cabin on Boltenhouse Prairie- The "Barracks"-Sufferings and Discomforts of the Party- Wanborough laid off by Mr. Birkbeck-The next Ship-load of Emigrants sail in the following Month, April, 1818-Mr. Flower's Family with this Party-Other Persons composing it-Mr. Flower Journeys by Carriage from Philadelphia to Chambersburgh with his Family-The last Ship-load of Emigrants proceeding to their Destination-Want of Harmony-A Black Sheep in the Fold -- Arrival at Pittsburgh-Preparations to Descend the Ohio River -The Perils of the Voyage-Stop at Shawneetown -- The Appear- ance of that Village-Mr. Fordham comes from the "Settlement" to meet Mr. Flower and Party at Shawneetown-His Account of Mr. Birkbeck and condition of Things at the "Settlement"- Preparations to receive the Emigrants-Log - Cabins and Hard Food-The first Meal on their Arrival-The blessing of an Iron Teakettle- No Greetings from the Settlement-Mr. Birkbeck and Mr. Flower at Variance-A short Dialogue between them, and they never Speak to each other afterward The Cause of the Estrangement-First Experiences-A Sickly Season-A Time of Trial-Labor and Self-Sacrifices of Mrs. Flower-A Noble and True Woman-The first building of Cabins-Close run for Pro- visions-Settlement in Village Prairie-Emigrants coming in- Determined to lay out a Town-The spot Selected-The Name Agreed upon. - 95
CHAPTER VI.
Albion Founded-Town Surveyed and Laid Off-First Double Cabin -Benjamin Grutt-Albion a fixed Fact-The Log- Cabin and Blacksmith-Shop-Rowdyism-Wanborough springs into Exis- tence in 1818-Efforts to obtain Water-Visit to Lexington, Ky. -Death of William Flower-Building in Albion-Old Park-House -The Sunday Dinner-Brick-Kilns-Market-House-New Roads -Brick-Tavern, built by Richard Flower-Kept by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis-The Mill-The first Store-keepers in Albion-Other early Settlers- Albion made the County-Seat-Erection of a Court- House and Jail-Pardon of Perry by Gov. Coles-Disappoint- ment of the People in not seeing him Hung-Consoling them- selves with Whisky and a score of Fights-Thirty-nine Lashes for a Poor Frenchman-Hon. William Wilson. - 127
CHAPTER VII.
Settlers on the Prairies about Albion-Death of Mrs. Wood-Other I
iv
CONTENTS.
Settlers- Billy Harris' Wagon-Visiting England -Changes in the Country at large, but little in the respective Villages-An- other Ship-load of Emigrants-An Inappropriate Settler-John Tribe-William Clark and Family-William Hall, five Sons, and four Daughters -A Well Accident-Emigration for 1820-Quar- rels of Doctors-Another Well Accident-Lawrence and Trim- mer Return to England -- Col. Carter-Further Settlers Sketched Francis Hanks, Judge Wattles, and Gen. Pickering-Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd --- Cowling, Wood, Field, Ellis, and others-Old Neddy Coad-Accident to the Sons of William Cave-Small- Traders and Farmers. - 143
CHAPTER VIII.
Religion in the Settlement-Slanders and Efforts to divert Emi- grants -First Religious Services-Mr. Pell and Mr. Thomas Brown-The Hard-Shell Baptist Preacher-Jesse B. Browne and Judge Thomas C. Browne-The Campbellites or Christian Church -First Episcopal Church-Gen. Pickering an Active Promoter- Influence of the Chimes of Bells-Bishop Chase Consecrates the First Episcopal Church of Albion-William Curtis and his Congregation-Backwoodsmen don't like Episcopacy-The Meth- odist Church Better Adapts Itself to all Classes-Reflections Thereon-A Methodist Camp-Meeting Described-Mr. Birkbeck Unjustly Assailed-Mr. Birkbeck's Letter on Religion-Features of the Country-A Glowing Description-The Calumnies against the Settlement Rebutted by Mr. Birkbeck - Toleration of all Religious Opinions. - 167
CHAPTER IX.
Consultations as to how to Advance the Interests of the Settlement -The Backwoodsmen begin to Leave the Country -- The Michaels Brothers-Moses Michaels Elected to the Legislature, and a " Weak Brother "-Descriptions of Moving Emigrants-Two Early Settlers at Albion-One of them become Governor-Eng- lish and Americans have Different Ways of Doing Things- Emigrants from Europe bound for Albion, Land at nearly every Port from St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico-A Welshman Rides on Horseback from Charleston, S. C., to Albion- British Sketches Recognized by Britains at Albion-Cobbett's Abusive Letters about the English Colony-Cobbett's Character-Replies by Richard Flower and Morris Birkbeck-Dr. Johnson's Charges Mr. Fearon's Book of Travels-Adverse Influences-The Evil Genius of Slavery. - - 183
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
nspiracy against Liberty-The Convention Question-The Salines -- Slaves to Work them-How Slavery got a Foothold in Illi- nois Provision of the First Constitution-Gen. Willis Hargrave -System Adopted to Change the Constitution -- The Project Exposed-The Pro- Slavery Men holding all the Offices Judge Samuel D. Lockwood an Exception-Letters of "Jonathan Free- man" and "John Rifle"-Handbill "Pro Bono Publico"-Letters of Morris Birkbeck -The Election takes Place - Vote of Ed- wards County-Slavery Men Active and Unscrupulous-Gov. Coles and Mr. Birkbeck-The latter appointed Secretary-of-State by Gov. Coles-The Outrages on Gov. Coles by the Slavery Party-Letter of Gov. Coles to Mr. Birkbeck-Honorable Excep- tions among the Pro-Slavery Men, Judges Wilson and Browne -The Cloven-Foot Exposed by the "Shawneetown Gazette "- The Death of Mr. Birkbeck-Buried at New Harmony, Ind .- His Memory to be held in Respect and Gratitude. 197
CHAPTER XI.
terest in the Convention Question-Difference between Slaves and Servants-Asperity and Bitterness of the Contest-The English Spoke their Minds Freely-Estrangement of Friends -The Eng- lish Settlement Persecuted-Outrages on Colored Men-Lawsuit in Albion-Threatening Letters from Kidnapers-Negroes Kid- naped in Illinois and Indiana-The White-River Desperadoes- Their Arrest-Persecution of the Colored Men in the English Settlement-Mr. Flower sends a Colony to Hayti-Account of Difficulties Encountered-The Colony a Success in Hayti-The Settlement the Object of Detraction and Misrepresentation-The Fate attending Discoverers of New Countries and Founders of Colonies-Illustrated in the Case of William Penn-Treatment of Mr. Flower-The Cause of It. - 257
CHAPTER XII.
Turder of Richard Flower, son of George Flower-Murderer Ac- quitted-Large Outlays for Food-Relations between New Har- mony and the English Settlement-Robert Owen Buys Out the Harmonites-New Harmony under Robert Owen-Men Eminent in Literature, Science, and Art Flocked Around him-His Doc- trines Promulgated Spread far and wide-Mr. Owen's Ability as a Conversationist and His Equanimity of Temper-His Address to the People of Albion-Rapp's Society at New Harmony. 277
iv
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Emigration to the Settlement Recommences-The Character of the New Emigrants-The Crackles Brothers-Mr. Joseph Apple- gath-The Good Farms about Albion-The Courts at Albion- Attended by Eminent Men-Judge Wilson, Edwin B. Webb, Col. Wm. H. Davidson, Gen. John M. Robinson, John McLean, and Henry Eddy-Their Visits to Mr. Flower-" A Good Supper and a Bowl of Punch"-Dreary Travel to Vandalia-Bear-Meat and Venison-An Enormous Elk, the Patriarch of the Prairies- The Wrestling - Match between Indians and White Men-The Indians "Down" the Pale Faces-Perilous Ride from the Wabash to Vandalia-Judges Wilson and Lockwood and Henry Eddy out all Night in a Dreadful Storm-Horseback the only Mode of Con- veyance-Its Fatigues and Dangers. - 287
CHAPTER XIV.
Long Horseback Excursions-The Cabin Found-Island Grove-The Tempest-A Horrible Night-John Ganaway's Roadside-Cabin- A Good Breakfast-Hugh Ronalds' Adventure -Narrowly Es- capes Death-Long Journey by Wagon-The Delights of that Mode of Travel-Health and Spirits Renewed -Travel of that Day and the Present Day Contrasted-Mr. Hulme's Journey - Mr. Applegath, Bishop Whitehouse, and Mr. Kleinworth's-The First Crops and Cabins-The Progress Year by Year-The Peach- Orchard -A Happy Life-Children Growing Up-"Edward's Or- chard "-The Herding of Sheep-The Boys and Girls-A Charm- ing Picture of Rural Life-The Hospitable Home-Lingering on the Porch-The Welcome Guests-The Lost Child-The Finding and the Rejoicings-The Wild Animals, Wolves, Bears, and Panthers-The Panther-The Wolf-Chase-Savage Fight be-
tween Man and Wolf.
-
297
CHAPTER XV.
Marriage Certificates-Average Cost of Marriage-Erecting Log- Houses-Farmers Trading down the Mississippi-English Farm- Laborers become Substantial Farmers and Merchants in the English Settlement-Death of Richard Flower-His Character- istics-Frequent Festivities and Family Reunions at his House -The Ancestors of the Flowers-Mrs. Richard Flower-The Buckinghamshire Party of Emigrants Arrive-German Families Come in-The Yorkshire Men-Good Pork and Beef at Albion -The Last Ship's - Party Arrive-Travelers Visiting the Settle-
vii
CONTENTS.
ment- Mr. Hulme-Mr. Welby writes an Abusive Book-Mr. Fearon writes about the Settlement, but never saw It-The Thompsons-Mr. Stewart an Edinboro' Man-Mr. D. Constable, the Man with a Knapsack and a Cane-An Admirable Charac- ter-Good accomplished by Mr. Constable-Sir Thomas Beevoir and Lady Beevoir visit Albion-The Beevoir Family in England -The Aristocracy of England not a Degenerate Race-Lord Frederick's Sermon-The American Clock-Peddler-Defamatory Books Published in England-Constitution for a Library-Albion in 1822 and 1860-Its Peculiar Characteristics-No Printing-Press, no Bank, no Lawyer for Thirty Years-Log-Cabins give way to Comfortable Dwellings-Town and County Affairs-The Steady March of Improvement in the Settlement-A Bank Established in Albion-Two Lawyers settle there-The Doctors-Joel Churchill, the "Poor Man's Friend"-Cotton grown in the Settlement at one Time-Limits of the English Settlement-Never any Quar- rels between the English and Americans-Projected Railroads -- The Southern Cross Railroad bought by Gen. Pickering-Solid Prosperity enjoyed by the Settlement-Annoyances by Insects- The "Tires." 311
CHAPTER XVI.
Difficulty in Establishing Schools-A certain Density of Population Necessary-In Town or Village of Spontaneous Growth-Oswald Warrington keeps School at Albion in its Earliest Days-Eng- lishmen and New Englanders build a School-House near Albion -- A Colored Man Assists, but his Children are not Allowed to go to School-Another School-House-The Scene at a Country School-The Little Urchin at School-The Older Scholars-The Log School-House on the Frontier an Interesting Object-Con- trasts with the Crowded City-School-Permanent Brick School- House at Albion-Influences of the School on the Backwoods- men-The Free-School System in Illinois-Statistics of Educa- tion in Edwards County-Agricultural Fair at Albion in 1858- Splendid Display. 337
CHAPTER XVII.
Success of the English Settlement-What Contributed to it-Absence of Land-Speculation-Happy Adaptation of the Country to Set- tlers-Prairie-Land a Source of National Wealth-Sterling Quali- ties of the English Laborers and Farmers-Solid Prosperity of the English Settlement in Illinois-The First Annoyances of the Early Settlers-The Prairie-Fires-First-Founders of Settle-
viii
CONTENTS.
ments rarely attain Material Advantages-What they are Com- pelled to Do-The Fate of William Penn-The Compensations -Striking Incidents in the History of the State-First - Settlers Accounted for-The Destiny which Befell the First-Founders- The Remains of Morris Birkbeck Repose in the Graveyard at New Harmony, Ind .- What became of his Children-The Pecun- iary Difficulties and Disasters of George Flower-Leaves Illinois with his Family in 1849, never to Return to Live-Cross the Great Wabash-Begin the World Anew in New Harmony- Removes to Mt. Vernon, Ind., in 1860-The Last Stage of Life's Journey-Ready to Lie Down to Sleep. 349
Appendix, -
- 361
Index of Subjects,
- - - 375
Index of Persons, - -
- - 397
INTRODUCTORY.
Hon. ISAAC N. ARNOLD, President of the Chicago Historical Society.
Dear Sir :- Twenty-two years ago there was presented to our Society a manuscript History of the English Settlement in Edwards County in this State, from its commencement in 1817, by GEORGE FLOWER. From a cursory examination of it myself, and what is said of it by those who have carefully read it, I am satisfied it is a valuable contribution to the history of our State.
It is replete with incidents in the lives of Governor Edward Coles, Morris Birkbeck, George Flower, and others of that noble band who fought out the battle of freedom in our State in 1823-4. In the interest of the history of the State, and in justice to the memory of Mr. Flower, who so generously pre- sented it to the Society, I think it should be published. I will cheerfully defray the expense. Yours, very truly,
CHICAGO, August 30, 1882. L. Z. LEITER.
L. Z. LEITER, Esq.
Dear Sir :- I have received your note of the 30th of August, authorizing the publication at your expense of the History of the English Settlement in Edwards County in 1817-18, by GEORGE FLOWER. For this act of liberality and appreciation of a valua- ble and extremely interesting contribution to the history of our State, you are entitled to the thanks, not only of our Society, but of all lovers and students of history. Your generosity enables us to publish a manuscript which would long ago have been given to the public, had not the means and resources of this Society been crippled by the Great Fire of 1871.
I desire to add to the thanks of the Society my own, not only for this liberal act, but for the example which I hope and believe will be the beginning of a series of contributions through the agency of our Society, to the history of our State, and the North- West. Very truly yours, ISAAC N. ARNOLD,
CHICAGO, September 4, 1882. President of the Chicago Historical Society.
PREFACE.
A T a regular meeting of the Chicago Historical Society, held on the 18th day of September, 1860, there was presented to the Society, through its Secretary, a manu- script History of the English Colony, founded by Morris Birkbeck and George Flower, in Edwards County, Illinois, in 1817-18. This valuable and interesting manuscript was a contribution to the Society by the author, George Flower, who was then seventy-four years of age, and residing at Mount Vernon, Posey County, Indiana. In connection with this History was received a numer- ous collection of autograph letters written to Mr. Flower by Lafayette, Jefferson, Cobbett, the Abbé Gaultier, Count de Las- teyrie, Madam O'Connor, D. Macdonald, then of New Harmony, Indiana, since Lord of the Isles and Earl of Skye, and other distinguished correspondents. Many of these letters are pub- lished in the Appendix. Most fortunately, both the manuscript and the letters had been borrowed from the Society a few days before the Great Fire in October, 1871, and thus saved from destruction.
Mr. Flower revised his History several times, but finally completed it when spending some time with his son, the Rev. Alfred Flower, at his residence on the prairie, about two miles south of Albion. In the latter part of the month of December, 1861, Mr. and Mrs. Flower made a visit to their daughter, Mrs. Agniel, at Grayville, White County, Ill. Early in January, 1862, they were both taken sick on the same day. After
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PREFACE.
an illness of one week they both died on the same day, Jan. 15, 1862. What is somewhat remarkable, they had often expressed to each other, and to their family and friends, the desire that they might pass away together. Mrs. Flower died at dawn, and Mr. Flower breathed his last at twilight in the evening. At ten o'clock of the last day the attending-physician pronounced Mr. Flower out of danger, and there seemed to be every appearance of his speedy recovery. It was not till the afternoon that the family ventured to announce to him the death of his wife. Listening to the announcement with the utmost composure, there was soon noticed a sad change for the worse, and although his bedside was surrounded by his family, he passed away so quietly and peacefully that no on was aware of the exact moment he expired. They were buried in the same grave at Grayville. Mr. Flower was greatly exercised in regard to the condition of the country at the breaking out of the rebellion, and was intensely loyal to the Government. His fourth son, Richard Flower, was among the first to enlist in the First Indiana Cavalry, at Mount Vernon, Indiana, and he fell in the battle of Fredericktown, Missouri, in the fall of 1861. *
The English Colony was located in Edwards County. The following letter from the Hon. Henry Dodge Dement, secretary- of-state, gives information as to the organization of the County in 1814, and of the extent of country it then embraced. Edwards County was cut off from Gallatin, and then White County in 1818 was taken off from the south part of Edwards. In its original organization Edwards County embraced an immense area of territory-extending practically from the Ohio river, (for its southern boundary, Gallatin County, was but rela- tively a short distance from the river,) to Upper Canada, including what is now a portion of the State of Wisconsin. The following counties, or parts of counties, in Illinois, have been formed out of the territory originally included in Edwards County :
* The battle of Fredericktown was fought on October 18, 1861, by Col. J. B. Plummer (afterward Brigadier-General), of the 11th Missouri volunteers. The rebels were commanded by Jeff. Thompson, called the "Swamp Fox," and Col. Lowe. The latter was killed.
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PREFACE.
Wabash,
Wayne,
Jefferson,
Marion,
Clay,
Richland,
Lawrence,
Crawford,
Jasper,
Effingham,
Fayette,
Shelby,
Coles,
Cumberland,
Edgar,
Clark,
Macon,
Piatt,
Champaign,
Vermillion,
DeWitt,
McLean,
Livingston,
Iroquois,
Kankakee,
Grundy,
LaSalle, Will,
Kendall,
Du Page,
Cook,
Kane,
DeKalb,
Boone,
McHenry,
Lake.
In the presence of the stupendous changes in this State, it is hard to imagine that sixty-eight years ago, when Edwards County was organized, neither Cook County nor Chicago had any existence, but that the present Cook County was in the jurisdic- tion of Edwards County, and its county-seat at Palmyra, at the Falls of the Big Wabash, a town which has long since ceased to be.
"SPRINGFIELD, August 12, 1882.
"Hon. E. B. WASHBURNE, Chicago, Ill.
"My Dear Sir :- Replying to your favor of the 9th inst., it affords me pleasure to furnish you the following information concerning the formation of Edwards County, which would seem to answer your inquiries and put you in possession of the desired information. I begin by giving you the original boundaries of the County, as described in the act creating the County :
"'Edwards County - organized Nov. 28th, 1814.
"'All that tract of country within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the mouth of Bon Pas creek, on the Big Wabash, and running thence due west to the meridian line, (3d P. M.) which runs north from the mouth of the Ohio river; thence with said meridian line and due north till it strikes the line of Upper Canada; thence with the line of Upper Canada to the line that separates this territory from the Indiana Territory; and thence with the said dividing line to the beginning.'
"The south boundary line of the County was about the middle of Township three (3) south. The territory out of which Edwards was formed comprised the northern portion of Gallatin,
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PREFACE.
and the eastern portion of Madison County. You will notice that Edwards not only embraced all the counties in eastern Illinois, as at present organized, north of Town three (3), south, but a large portion of Wisconsin as well.
" If you will take a map of the State of Illinois and draw a line east and west from the 3d P. M. to the Wabash river, on the southern boundaries of the present counties of Edwards and Wayne, a glance from this line to the northern line of the State, and east of the 3d meridian, will disclose the present counties, embraced in the original county of Edwards.
"The county-seat was located at Palmyra. If you so desire, I can send you a copy of the law forming the county.
"Very truly yours, "HENRY DODGE DEMENT."
The History of the English Settlement of Edwards County, presented in this volume, can not fail to be read with avidity by all interested in the history of Illinois. The author, George Flower, was no ordinary man. He has left the impress of his character and his services upon the State, and his name will always be honorably associated with the colony he helped to found. Very few abler men than Morris Birkbeck and George Flower have illustrated the history of our Commonwealth. Mr. Birkbeck died before his work was accomplished, but not before he had acquired a name and a fame for the great service he had rendered in saving the State of his adoption from the curse of slavery. The services of George Flower, and his father, Richard Flower, in the same connection, entitle them, as well as Mr. Birkbeck, to the lasting gratitude of the people of Illinois. The narrative of Mr. Flower is simple and unpretending in its recitals, and it bears the impress of sincerity and truth. The story of the struggles, the labors, and the sufferings of the early colonists, the picturesque descriptions of scenes and events, give to the work all the interest of a romance.
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