USA > Illinois > Edwards County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
USA > Illinois > Wabash County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
USA > Illinois > Lawrence County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
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HABITS AND MODES OF LIVING OF THE PIONEERS AND FIRST SETTLERS.
The pioneers were destitute of many of the conven- iences of life, and of some things that are now con- sidered necessaries ; but they patiently endured their lot and hopefully looked forward to better. They had plenty to wear as protection against the weather, and an abundance of wholesome food. They sat down to a rude table to eat from tin or pewter dishes; but the meat thereon spread-the flesh of the deer or bear; of the wild duck or turkey ; of the quail or squirrel-was su- perior to that we eat, and had been won by the skill of the head of the house or of that of his vigorous sons. The bread they ate was made from corn or wheat of their own raising. They walked the green carpet of the grand prairie or forest that surrounded them, not with the air of a beggar, but with the elastic step of a self-re- spected freeman.
The settler brought with him the keen axe, which was indispensable, and the equally necessary rifle ; the first his weapon of offense against the forests that skirted the water-courses, aud near which he made his home; the
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
second that of defence from the attacks of his foe, the cunning child of the forest and prairie. His first labor was to fell trees and erect his unpretentious cabin, which was rudely made of logs, and in the raising of which he had the cheerful aid of his neighbors. It was usually from fourteen to sixteen feet square, and never larger than twenty feet, and was frequently built entirely with- out glass, nails, hinges or locks.
The manner of building was as follows: First large logs were laid in position as sills ; on these were placed strong sleepers, and on the sleepers were laid the rough- hewed puncheons, which were to serve as floors. The logs were then built up till the proper height for the eaves were reached; then on the ends of the building were placed poles, longer than the other end-logs, which projected some eighteen or more inches over the sides, and were called " butting pole sleepers ; " on the project- ing ends of these was placed the " butting pole " which served to give the line to the first row of clap-boards. These were, as a matter of course, split, and as the gables of the cabin were built up, were so laid on as to lap a third of their length. They were often kept in place by the weight of a heavy pole, which was laid across the roof parallel to the ridge-pole. The house was then chinked, and daubed with a coarse mortar.
A huge fire-place was built in at one end of the house, in which fire was kindled for cooking purposes, for the settlers generally were without stoves, and which furnished the needed warmth in winter. The ceiling above was sometimes covered with the pelts of the rac- coon, opossum, and of the wolf, to add to the warmth of the dwelling. Sometimes the soft inner bark of the bass wood was used for the same purpose. The cabin was lighted by means of greased paper-windows. A log would be left out along one side, and sheets of strong paper, well greased with coon-grease or bear-oil, would be carefully tacked in.
The above description only applies to the very earliest times, hefore the rattle of the saw-mill was heard within our borders.
The furniture comported admirably with the house itself, and hence if not elegant, was in most perfect taste. The tables had four legs, and were rudely made from a puncheon. Their seats were stools having three or four legs. The bedstead was in keeping with the rest, and was often so contrived as to permit it to be drawn up and fastened to the wall during the day, thus afford- ing more room to the family.
The entire furniture was simple, and was framed with no other tools than an axe and auger. Each was his own carpenter; and some displayed considerable ingenuity in the construction of implements of agriculture, and utensils, and furniture for the kitchen and house. Knives and forks they sometimes had, and sometimes had not. The common table-knife was the pack·knife or butcher-knife. Horse-collars were sometimes made of the plaited husk of the maize sewed together. They were easy on the neck of the horse, and if tug traces
were used, would last a long while. Horses were not used very much, however, and oxen were almost exclu- sively used. In some instances carts and wagons were constructed or repaired by the self-reliant settler ; and the woful creakings of the untarred axles could be heard at a great distance.
The women corresponded well with the description of the virtuous woman in the last chapter of Proverbs, for they "sought wool and flax, and worked willingly with their hands." They did not, it is true, make for them- selves " coverings of tapestry," nor could it be said of them that their " clothing was silk and purple;" but they " rose while it was yet night, and gave meat to their household," and they "girded their loins with strength and strengthened their arms." They "looked well to the ways of their household, and eat not the bread of idle- ness." They laid " their hands to the spindle and to the distaff," and "strength and honor were in their cloth- ing."
In these days of furbelows and flounces, when from twenty to thirty yards are required by one fair damsel for a dress, it is refreshing to know that the ladies of that ancient time considered eight yards an extravagant amount to put into one dress. The dress was usually made plain with four widths in the skirt, and two front ones cut gored. The waist was made very short, and across the shoulders behind was a draw-string. The sleeves were enormously large, and tapered from shoulder to wrist, and the most fashionable-for fashion, like love, rules like the " court and grove "-were padded so as to resemble a bolster at the upper part, and were known as "mutton-legs," or "sheep-shank sleeves." The sleeve was kept in shape often by a heavily starched lining. Those who could afford it used feathers, which gave the sleeve the appearance of an inflated balloon from elbow up, and were known as " pillow-sleeves."
Many bows and ribbons were worn, but scarcely any jewelry. The tow dress was superseded by the cotton gown. Around the neck, instead of a lace collar or ele- gant ribbon, there was disposed a copperas-colored neckerchief.
The women manufactured nearly all the clothing worn by the family. In cool weather gowns made of "linsey woolsey " were worn by the ladies. The chain was of cotton and the filling of wool. The fabric was usually plaid or striped, and the differing colors were blended according to the taste and fancy of the fair maker. Colors were blue, copperas, turkey-red, light blue, etc. Every house contained a card-loom and spinning-wheels, which were considered by the women as necessary for them as the rifle for the men. Several different kinds of cloth were made. Cloth was woven from cotton. The rolls were bought and spun, on little and big wheels, into two kinds of thread; one the "chain," and the other the " filling." The more experienced only spun the chain ; the younger the filling. Two kinds of looms were in use. The most primitive in construction was called the " side-loom." The frame of it consisted of
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASHI COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
two pieces of scantling running obliquely from the floor to the wall. Later, the frame loom, which was a . great improvement over the other, came into use.
The men and boys wore "jeans " and linsey-woolsey shirts. The "jeans" were colored either light blue or butternut.
Many times when the men gathered to a log-rolling or barn-raising, the women would assemble bringing their spinning-wheels with them. In this way sometimes as many as ten or twelve would gather in one room, and the pleasant voices of the fair spinners were mingled with the low hum of the spinning-wheels. "Oh ! golden early days!"
Such articles of apparel as could not be manufactured were brought to them from the nearest store by the mail- carrier. These were few, however. The men and boys, in many instances, wore pantaloons made of the dressed skin of the deer, which then swarmed the prairies in large herds. The young man who desired to look capti- vating to the eye of the maiden whom he loved, had his " bucks " fringed, which lent to them a not unpleasing effect. Meal-sacks were also made of buckskin. Caps were made of the skins of the wolf, fox, wildcat and muskrat tanned with the fur on. The tail of the fox or wolf often hung from the top of the cap, lending the wearer a jaunty air. Both sexes wore moccasins, which in dry weather were an excellent substitute for shoes. There were no shoemakers, and each family made its own shoes.
The settlers were separated from their neighbors often by miles. There were no church-houses or regular ser- vices of any kind to call them together ; hence, no doubt, the cheerfulness with which they accepted invitations to a house-raising, or a log-rolling, or a corn-husking, or a bee of any kind. To attend these gatherings they would go ten and sometimes more miles.
Generally with the invitation to the men went one to the women to come to a quilting. The good woman of the house where the festivities were to take place would be busily engaged for a day or more in preparation for the coming guests. Great quantities of provisions were to be prepared, for dyspepsia was unknown to the pioneer, and good appetites were the rule and not the exception.
At all the log-rollings and house-raisings it was cus- tomary to provide liquor. Excesses were not indulged in, however. The fiddler was never forgotten. After the day's work had been accomplished, out doors and in, by men and women, the floor was cleared and the merry dance began. The handsome, stalwart young men, whose fine forms were the result of their manly outdoor life, clad in fringed buckskin breeches and gaudily colored hunting shirts, led forth the bright-eyed buxom damsels, attired in neat-fitting linsey woolsey garments, to the dance, their cheeks glowing with health, and eyes speaking of enjoyment, and perhaps of a tenderer emotion.
The amusements of that day were more athletic and
rude than those of to-day. Among the settlers of a new country, from the nature of the case, a higher value is set upon physical than mental endowments. Skill in woodcraft, superiority of muscular development, accu- racy in shooting with the rifle, activity, swiftness of foot, were qualifications that brought their possessors fame. Foot racing was often practised, and often the boys and young men engaged in friendly contests with the Indians. Every man had a rifle, and kept always in good order ; his flints, bullet-molds, screw driver, awl, butcher-knife and tomahawk were fastened to the shot-pouch strap or to the belt around the waist Target-shooting was much practised, and shots were made by the hunters and settlers, with flint-lock rifles, that cannot be excelled by their descendants with the improved breech-loaders of the present day.
At all gatherings jumping and wrestling were indulged in, and those who excelled were thenceforth men of no- toriety. Cards, dice, and other gambling implements were unknown. Dancing was a favorite amusement. It was participated in by all.
At their shooting-matches, which were usually for the prize of a turkey, or a gallon of whisky, good feeling always prevailed. If disputes arose, they were settled often by a square stand-up fight, and no one thought of using other weapons than fists.
The picture here drawn of the pioneers, their modes of living, their customs and amusements, while lacking entire completeness, we feel is not inaccurate and nn- truthful.
CHAPTER VIII.
CIVIL HISTORY.
EDWARDS COUNTY.
HE formation of Edwards county dates back 20 to 1814, and is the sixth county organized within the present territory of the State of Illinois. It embraced an immense area, in- cluding about one-third of the State, besides a large portion of the State of Wisconsin and a part of Michigan. As another writer said, "In the presence of the stupend- ous changes in this State, it is hard to imagine that sixty nine years ago, when Edwards county was organ- ized, neither Cook county or Chicago had any existence, but the present Cook county was in the jurisdiction 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."
The following is a copy of the original paper prepared by the Territorial Legislature creating Edwards county . " An act for the division of Gallatin county. Sec. 1. Be it enacted hy the Legislature, Council, and House of Representatives of the Illinois territory, and it is here- | by enacted by the authority of the same, that all that
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASHI COUNTIES, ILLINOIS ..
tract of country within the following boundaries (to wit) : Beginning at the north of Bompast (Bonpas) creek on the big Wabash, and running thence due west to the Meridan line, and due north till it enters the line of Upper Canada to the line that separates this territory from Indiana territory, and thence with the said dividing line to the beginning, shall constitute a separate county to be called Edwards, and the seat of justice for said county shall be at the town now called Palmyra, on the Wabash, provided the proprietor or proprietors of said land shall give to the said county, for the purpose of erecting the public buildings, a quantity of land at said place, not less than twenty acres, to be laid off into lots and sold for the above purpose. But, if such proprietor or proprietors refuse or neglect to make the donation aforesaid, then in that case it shall be the duty of the Court of Common pleas, who shall be appointed for said county, to fix upon some other place for the seat of justice as convenient as may be to the different sett e- ments in said county.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted that the Court of Com- mon Pleas shall sit in said county at the following periods (to-wit.) The court for the civil and criminal .business on the fourth Mondays of March, July, and November, yearly and every year, and three other courts shall be holden on the fourth Mondays of Janu. ary, May, and September, yearly and every year.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted that it shall and may be lawful for the governor of this territory immediately to constitute the militia in this county, thus laid off into one battalion, the commanding officer of which shall have the same power to order out the militia as is now proposed by the Lieutenant-Colonels of the respective regiments.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted that the said county of Edwards is hereby entitled to one representative in the House of Representatives of this territory, who shall he elected agreeably to law and be entitled to all the immunities, powers, and privileges prescribed by law to the members of the House of Representatives. And whereas the next general election for representatives to the legislature, will not take place before the month of September, in the year 1816, and in consequence thereof the said county will be unrepresented in the House of Representatives until the time for remedy thereof. An election is hereby directed to be held in the seat of justice for said county, on the first Thursday in March next, and continued open three days, and to be conducted in all other respects by the persons and in the manner prescribed by law, at which said election the persons entitled to vote, may elect a representative to the House of Representatives, who shall continue in office until the 10th day of October, 1816, and shall during his con- tinuance in office be bound to perform the same duties, and entitled to the same privileges and immunities that are prescribed by law to a member of the House of Re- presentatives.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted that whereas the counties 11
of Gallatin and Edwards compose one district for the purpose of electing a member of the Legislative Council, the citizens of said county entitled to vote may at any election for a member of the Legislative Council to re- present said district, proceed to vote for such members; and it shall moreover be the duty of the sheriff of the said county of Edwards, within ten days after the close of said election, to attend at the court-house of the county of Gallatin, with a statement of the votes given in the said county of Edwards, to compare the polls of the respective counties, and it shall be the duty of the sheriff of Gallatin county to attend at such time and place with a statement of the votes of Gallatin county, and upon counting the votes of the respective counties, it shall be the duty of the said sheriff of Gallatin and Edwards counties to make out and deliver to the person duly elected a certificate thereof. If the said sheriff, or either of them, shall refuse or fail to perform the duty required by this section. such delinquent shall forfeit and pay the sum of two hundred dollars, to be recovered by 'action of debt or indictment, one half to the use of the territory, and the other half to the person suing the same.
Sec. 6. Be it further enacted that the citizens of said county of Edwards are hereby declared to be entitled, in all respects, to the same rights and privileges in the election of a Delegate to Congress, as well as a member to the House of Representatives of the territory, that are allowed by law to the other counties of this territory, and all elections are to be conducted at the same time and in the same manner, except as is excepted in this law as is provided for in other counties. This act shall commence and be in force from and after the passage thereof.
Approved this 28th Nov., 1814.
RISDON MOORE, Speaker of the House of Representa- tives.
BENJAMIN TALBOT, President of the Council, pro tem. NINIAN EDWARDS.
NAT. POPE, Secretary of Illinois Territory.
It will thus be seen that. the grand old county of Edwards, which once contained many millions of acres within its boundaries, has become one of the smallest counties in the State. It received its name in honor of the Hon. Ninian Edwards, first. territorial governor of Illinois territory.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT AT PALMYRA.
Palmyra, the county seat named in the act, was accepted by the county court as the proper point for establishing the capital of the county, upon the propri- etors of said town offering to donate twenty acres of ground for said purpose. The town of Palmyra was created the 22d day of April, 1815, by the joint act of Seth Gard, Peter Keen, Gervase Hazleton, Levi Comp- ton, and John Waggoner, which was known as Seth Gard & Co. It was situated at a sluggish bend on the river within the confines of two fractional lots, numbers
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
four aud five, in township 1 south of the base line, in range 12 west of the second meridian. For some reason the proprietors of the town withheld the deed of donation to the county until the 7th of May, 1816.
From the county court's record of the February term, 1815, we find the following in relation to the acceptance by the court, and the boundaries of the twenty acres donated to the county : " Ordered that the court accept the donation of twenty acres made by the proprietors, lying in the following manner, viz. : Beginning at the northwest corner of the public.square, and running north and west, so as to include a square of twenty acres. It is also ordered, that no person cut any timber off the said twenty acres except it be for public use."
The subject is brought up again at the April term following, as the action of the court was not satisfactory to the donors of the land. The record reads, "Judge Gard, as a branch of this court objects to the manner and form in which the donation was received by the court from the proprietors on the 6th February last. The objection was heard and agreed to by Judge McIn- tosh ; therefore, it is ordered that the former donation made by the proprietors be made null and void, and agreeable to the act of the legislature in that case made and provided on the 28th day of November, 1814, it is ordered that the donation be, and is hereby rescinded in the following manner, viz. : Commencing at the north- west corner of the public square and running duc north forty-eight rods, three and a-half feet, thence west twenty- two rods, thence south parallel with the first line, thence at right angles east and north to the place of beginning, 80 as to include the twenty acres; and whereas one or more lots hath been given to Solomon Frear, etc., for building upon, the said proprietors bind themselves to give the court one to the same value, if the said Frear should build and hold the said lot."
At the third meeting of the county court it was or- dered that N. Claypoole be appointed agent for the county of Edwards, to advertise and sell the lots that the court should think proper, for the use of defraying the ex- penses of the public buildings, on twelve months' credit, by taking bond and approved security, the sale to con- tinue until all lots were sold. At a subsequent meeting of the court an order is made that the lots shall not be sold for less than $15 per lot. Palmyra was only a frontier town of the most primitive character, the build- ings being constructed wholly of logs, and the site was most unfortunately chosen. It was situated on low ground, surrounded by sloughs and marshes, and was therefore one of the most sickly portions of the West. It was for this reason, perhaps, that lots brought such a meager price in the market.
The First County Court .*- The following is a synopsis of the doings of the first county court, the session being held at the house of Gervase Hazleton, Monday, Jan. 23, 1815: " At a county court of Edwards county, begun and held in the town of Palmyra, the seat of justice of
* William Barney was one of the members of the county court, but was not present at Its first session.
said county and territory of Illinois, agreeable to an Act of the Legislature passed at Kaskaskia November 28th, 1814-Members present:
JOHN MCINTOSH,
N. CLAYPOOLE, Clerk. SETH GARD, Judges. ABNER ARMSTRONG, Sheriff."
After being duly sworn, the clerk and sheriff pro- duced their bonds with security, which was approved by the court, when they proceeded to business as fol- lows: The first order of the court was for the establish- ment of a ferry from the town of Palmyra across the Wabash river to the opposite shore, in the name of Hazleton & Co., the rates being fixed as follows : " Each wheel of a cart, carriage or wagon, 183c .; and each horse drawing the same, 12} cents. For every man and horse, from the first day of December until the last day of May inclusive, be 25 cents ; and from the first day of June until the last day of November inclusive, be 12} cents ; and for every footman and each head of cattle, 6} cents; and each head of sheep and hogs, 3 cents."
The second order reads : " That a road be reviewed from Palmyra for the nearest and best route to the county line dividing Edwards county and Gallatin; on a direct line to Shawneetown ; and that Levi Compton, Ransom Higgins and John Campbell be and are hereby -appointed to review the same, and make return against the 6th day of February next." The next order pro- vides for a road to be reviewed from Palmyra to the nearest and best route to Vallies' Ford on the river Wabash. John Compton, Wm. B. Smith and Alex- ander Wood were appointed reviewers. The foregoing constituted the first day's business. On convening the court the day following, Robert Baird was appointed to " cess and take in all land and county tax in the county of Edwards." One of the most important actions of the court was the dividing of the great county of Edwards into two townships. The order reads: "That the county of Edwards be and is hereby divided into two townships, by a line running with the Embarras creek, and all that county above to be included in one town- ship, and be called Lamot township ; and all the country south of the said Embarras creek, to include the other township and called Palmyra township." It will be seen from the description of the foregoing boundaries, that Lamot township comprised a territory of very great dimensions, and was probably the largest township on record in this or any other state, as it embraced all that country between the eastern and western boundaries of Edwards county, and extending from the Embarras to Upper Cavada.
At the same session, Ransom Higgins and John Still- well were appointed supervisors of the poor for Palmyra township; and Thomas Kennedy and James Baird for Lamot township. The court also ordered, " that the jail for Edwards county be let to the lowest bidder on Mon- day, the 6th day of February next, at 3 o'clock P. M." Until the completion of the jail, it would seem that the prisoners were confined under guard within certain
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
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