USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 19
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Ordered, That the following named persons be summoned to attend Circuit Court of this county at the October term, to serve as grand jurors, to wit:
Daniel Crenshaw, Thomas Payne,
Luther Whitney, John Sikes,
Morrill Marston,
John Johnson,
John Clark, John Harding,
Wm. Vance,
John Reed,
Leonard L. Abney, Philip Malette, Hazen Bedell,
Wm. Clark, John Waggonner,
Reuben Brattau,
Robert Wallace,
James Miller, Davidson Hibbard, - Dewey, Samuel Gooch,
Isaac R. Campbell, Edward White,
Hugh Wilson-24.
.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Ordered, That the following named persons be summoned to attend the Circuit Court of the county, at the October term ensuing, to serve as petit jurors, viz .:
Horace B. Whitney, Charles Robison,
Asa Reed,
John R. Wilcox, Charles Smith,
William Flint,
Edward Robertson, Patrick Moflit,
Peter Williams,
Samuel Brierly,
William Wallace,
Daniel Van Burkloe,
James Brierly, Nathaniel Kennedy,
Amzi Doolittle,
Robert Harding,
John Campbell,
Hezekiah Spillman,
Aaron Harding,
Ralph Raborn,
Richard Dunn,
Abijalı Wilson,
Thomas Sofly, Yaples,
Abdiel Parsons,
Enoch Hankins,
Samuel Bell,
Richard Chaney,
Arthur Parvin,
Noah W. Payne,
Benjamin T. Tungate,
Abraham Moore,
Joseph P. Puryear,
George W. Harper, Alexander White, - Lewis-36.
On reading and filing the petition of a number of the citizens of the county, recommending John Johnson as a suitable person to fill the office of Surveyor of this county, it is-
Ordered, That he be recommended and nominated to the Executive of the State, to be commissioned Surveyor of this county.
Ordered, That until otherwise directed, the courts of this county shall be held at the house of James White, at or near the head of the Lower rapids.
Ordered, That John Tillson, Jr., be authorized and empowered to obtain from the Auditor of Public Accounts of this State, a warrant on the treasury for the sum of $350, the amount of the revenue due this county from said State treasury for the year 1829; and the Auditor of Public Accounts is hereby requested to issue his warrant accordingly.
Ordered, That the Clerk of this Court make out a certified copy of the foregoing order, and enclose it to John Tillson, Jr., at Hillsboro, Montgomery county, in this State, advising him to obtain a warrant, and forward it to Tillson & Holmes in Quincy, subject to the further order of this Court, and to advise this Court of its being so forwarded.
On motion of Wesley Williams, it is-
Ordered, That the Clerk of this Court be permitted to hold his office at or near the house of Hazen Bedell, near the foot of the lower rapids, for the present, if he chooses.
Ordered, That the Clerk of this Court be required to copy the proceedings of the court, into the records of this Court, when provided, and also to copy the order issued by the Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court north of the Illinois river, in relation to the organization of this county.
Ordered, That Court adjourn till Court in course.
HENRY NICHOLS, JAMES WHITE, GEO. Y. CUTLER.
We copy the foregoing proceedings of the first County Commis- sioners' Court, in full, verbatim from the records. They are ex- ceedingly interesting for many reasons: First, they supply us with the names of nearly all the resident adult citizens in August of the year it was ushered into existence as an independent corporate com- munity. From the location of the several voting places fixed by the Court, we have evidence that the settlements were mainly on the west side, along the river from Rocky run to Spillman's Landing; none in the central portion. Three of the jury-the Hardings- resided on the head waters of Bear creek, near the line of Adams. Fort Edwards, near the foot, and the little village of Venus at the head of the rapids, seem to have been fifty years ago the chief cen- ters of population and business.
The Court held another, its regular, session in December, at the house of Commissioner White. At this session only Henry Nichols
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232
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
and Mr. White were present. A subdivision of the county for general election purposes was made, as follows: The upper dis- trict to embrace all that portion of the county lying north of a line running through the center of townships five north; place of vot- ing, house of James White; Judges of Election, Peter Williams, Andrew Vance and James Miller. Lower precinct, all south of said line, with place of voting at house of Henry Nichols; Judges, John R. Wilcox, Luther Whitney and John Shewey.
At this session was presented the first petition for a ferry license. It asked that Luther Whitney and William Vance be anthorized to establish a ferry across the Mississippi river on or opposite the southwest quarter of section 18, five north, eight west. License was ordered on condition that they pay into the county treasury the sum of one dollar, and the following ferry rates were fixed by the Court:
For crossing a man and horse $1.00
A footman .. .50
Wagon and team. 3.00
Cart and team. 2.50
Single horse. .25
Each head of cattle. .25
Each hog, sheep or goat. . 1215
This ferry was located about two miles above the present site of Hamilton, at the place now occupied by Mr. C. F. Darnell, then the residence of the petitioners Whitney and Vance. The property passed into other hands, and was for many years known as the Montebello House.
At this term was also granted the first tavern license-to Alex- ander White, at his store in said county (head of the rapids), and that he enter into bond and pay two dollars tax on said license.
Again John Tillson was asked to aid the county in procuring the revenue of $350 due from the State treasury for 1830.
Road surveys were ordered as follows: 1. Commencing at the termination of a road heretofore viewed, thence to the north line of the county; 2. Commencing where the line dividing townships six and seven north strikes the Mississippi river, running in an east direction through the settlement on Crooked creek to the east boun- dary of the county; and 3. Commencing at some convenient point on the last named road, and running in a direction to strike the Mississippi river near the residence of Hezekiah Spillman. Edward White, Hugh Wilson and John Brewer, viewers.
This " settlement on Crooked creek " must at that date have been quite limited, as we can learn of but two resident families in that region in 1830, that of Mr. Brewer, above mentioned, and Mr. Ute Perkins, near Fountain Green.
At this term, also, the first county orders wereissued, numbering one to sixteen, inclusive, for the aggregate sum of $62.50, chiefly in payment of official services.
The foregoing closes the official record of the County Court dur- ing the first five months of its existence. Within that period the
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
little eraft has weighed anchor and set sail on her uncertain voyage. Her principal officer, Clerk Williams, was a man of some previous experience; the others had seen little service of the kind. Yet they conducted the affairs of the craft reasonably well; and through all the changes and vicissitudes, the tempests and calms of half a cen- tury, she still rides the waves.
At the March term, 1830, Wesley Williams was regularly appointed Clerk, to continne "during good behavior," and required to give bond in one thousand dollars.
In that day it was deemed expedient to fix the rates at which hotel-keepers should entertain the public; but whether for mere uniformity's sake, or because they were suspected of extortion, does not appear. Thus the County Board established the rates of fare for the guidance of the one "tavern " in the county, thus:
Each meal of victuals 25 cents.
Lodging, per night. 121/2 "
Keeping a horse. 25 46
Half pint of whisky. 1212
Half pint of rum, gin, brandy or wine. 25 66 Single horse feed. 1212 "
At the March term, 1830, the taxation of the people began; and, whatever else may have been remitted, as time progressed, that has gone on steadily for fifty years. We quote:
Ordered, That an ad valorem tax be levied on the value of the following described property, to wit: On horses, geldings, mares, mules and asses, stock in trade, wagons, carts, pleasure-carriages, clocks, watches, with their appendages, and cattle; and the County Treasurer is ordered to assess the foregoing kinds of per- sonal property according to their value, at the rate of one half per centum.
Another session was held in June, at which it was-
Ordered, That the sum of $45 be appropriated for the purchase of a suitable press' books and stationery, for the use of the Clerks' offices of this county.
But the Board took care that the Clerk should not run away with so large a sum of publie money; for before receiving it he was required to enter into bonds with the Treasurer.
It seems there was now (June, 1830) sufficient population in the eastern portions of this county to justify two new election districts; one was established embracing townships six and seven north, and ranges five and six west, called the Crooked Creek distriet; elec- tions to be held at the house of Ute Perkins, with John Brewer, Thomas Brewer, and Henry Donohoe, as Judges; and another em- bracing townships three, four and five north, ranges five, six and seven west, to be called Bear creek district; elections at the house of John Harding, with John Harding, Robert P. Thurman and Robert Harding, Judges. The first of these included the present townships of La Harpe, Fountain Green, Pilot Grove and Durham; the other included Augusta, St. Mary's, Chili, Harmony, Bear Creek and St. Albans.
The following are the jury lists selected at the June term, 1830:
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234
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
GRAND JURY.
John Johnson, Sr.,
William Wallace,
Andrew Vance,
Arthur Parvin,
Daniel V. Burkloe, Edward White,
John Johnson, Jr.,
David Long,
Enoch Hankins,
John Waggonner,
William Flint,
John Brewer, Curtis Caldwell, John Harding-22.
PETIT JURY.
Charles Robison,
Peter Williams,
John Clark, Lawson Hood,
John Moffitt,
Amzi Doolittle,
Edward Long,
Hezekiah Spillman,
Edward Robertson,
William Southard,
John Ritchie,
William Clark,
Thomas Soffy,
Thomas Brewer,
Robert P. Thurman,
George Wilson,
Henry Donohoe,
Joseph Dewey,
John Reed,
Thomas Palmer,
Nathan Kennedy, Charles D. Hill-24.
At the September term, Mr. Campbell being about to remove from the county resigned the office of Treasurer, and George Y Cutler was appointed his successor. Mr. Campbell rendered the following account in delivering up the office:
Treasurer of Hancock county, Dr.
State Revenue for 1829. . $262.50
Tax on Tavern License-Alex. White,. 2.00
= 1. R. Campbell 2.00
Cr.
By county orders redeemed to this time, including allowance for taking lis's of taxable property for 1830, of $12.00, and the sum of $4.8234, commission on redeeming county orders. $257.9334
Leaving a balance of. $ 8.5614 To State revenue for 1830, in Illinois State paper, $350.00.
The revenue dne from the State for 1829, we have seen, was $350; whether its reduction to $262.50 was due to depreciation in State Bank bills, or some other cause, does not appear. The Treas- urer's bill for assessing the county was $12-cheap enough. But then he was allowed $4.822 commission, which gave him the large sum of sixteen-nearly seventeen-dollars, for his year's services.
Continning with the proceedings of the County Board :
March Term, 1830-Ordered, That Court hereafter be held at Clerk's office, head of the rapids, instead of house of James White.
COURT-SEALS
Were ordered as follows: Ordered, That the device of the official seal of this Court be as follows: On the circle the words " Hancock County Commrs'. Court," with the word "Illinois " through the middle, and on one side of said word engraved a plow, and on the other a steamboat; and that the following be the device of the official seal of the Circuit Court, to-wit: "Hancock Circuit Court " engraved on the circle, and in the middle the rising sun with the figures "1829."
Squire D. Ensley, George W. Harper, James Moffitt,
Hugh Wilson,
John M. Forrest,
Ute Perkins,
Rezin Bailey, Abraham Moore,
Alexander White,
Morrill Marston,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Isaac R. Campbell and Luther Whitney, each licensed to keep tavern-bonds $100 each, tax $2.00.
Jury lists selected at September term, 1830:
GRAND JURY.
Geo. Y. Cutler,
James W. Brattle,
Beriah Doolittle,
Robt. Wallace,
Wm. Mattox,
Edward Shipley,
Ralph Raborn,
Sam'l Gooch,
Leonard L. Abney,
James Wood,
John Reed,
Wm. H. Peavy,
Win. D. Hickerson,
Richard Dunn,
Arthur Morgan,
Wilson Turner,
Benjamin Mudd,
Reuben P. Thurman,
James Miller,
John Day,
Robert R. Williams-22.
John Reynolds,
PETIT JURY.
Pierce Atchison,
John Moffitt,
Edward White.
Alexander White,
James Moffitt,
Isham Cochran,
Peter Williams,
John Robison,
Lewis Peyton,
David Coon,
Chauncey Robison,
Daniel Crenshaw,
John Gregg,
Richard Chaney,
Jolın Waggonner,
Wm. Wallace,
Ralph Parsons,
Joseplı Dewey,
Thomas Long,
Geo. W. Harper,
James Lincoln,
Hugh Wilson,
John Johnson,
Amzi Doolittle -- 24.
New ferry license-to Richard Chaney, at mouth of Chaney creek; and another, to Andrew Vance (renewal), at section 18.
Dec. term, 1830-Tavern license to Russell Farnham at Fort Edwards, and one to James White at the head of the rapids.
Ferry license, June, 1831, to John R. Wilcox, on northwest of nine, four, nine; bond $100, tax $1.00. Rates of ferriage some- what reduced,
Under this date we find an order fixing merchants' license at $5.00 each.
County Commissioners' Court this year held at Montebello, at home of Hazen Bedell.
DELINQUENT TAX LIST.
Newspaper publishers in the county, had there been any, would not likely, as now, have coutended for the tax lists in the primitive days. The delinquent list returned by Edson Whitney, Sheriff, to the County Commissioners' court, for the tax of 1830, amounted to the sum of four dollars and forty cents, all told!
COUNTY-SEAT QUESTION.
The question as to where and how the county-scat shall be located, seems to have agitated the public mind soon after organization; and there seems, as in most cases of the kind, to have been two or more projects advocated-one to locate on the river at Fort Ed- wards, and the other at a point at or near the center. It has not transpired that any very considerable warmth was manifested in favor of either proposition; but the action of the County Board proves that both were considered. An effort was made, as will appear, to secure the fort fraction for that purpose, but failed. Had
236
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
it succeeded, and the county-seat located there, and maintained at that point, there can be little doubt but there would now be there, instead of a little city of 4,000 or 5,000 inhabitants, one of four times that population. At the December term, 1830, an order was passed by the Commissioners requesting Senators and Representa- tives in the Legislature to procure the appointment of Commis- sioners to locate the seat of justice for the county; and another inquiring of the General Land-office at Washington, whether Han- coek county can be permitted to locate her county-seat on the fractional quarter-section on which Fort Edwards is situated. We do not find of record any reply from the land department, but pre- sume the right was denied; for under proceedings of March term, 1831, the Board took action looking to a central location. George Y. Cutler, Luther Whitney and John Johnson, being appointed a committee to ascertain the geographical center of the county, and make report of situation, etc., at next meeting of the Board.
We don't find any report from the committee, or any further action on the subject, until the following:
" William Gillham and Scott Riggs, two of the Commissioners appointed to locate a permanent seat of justice, made the following report, to-wit: STATE OF ILLINOIS, ?
March 21, 1833.
HANCOCK COUNTY,
We, the undersigned, Commissioners appointed by the General Assembly for the purpose of locating the seat of justice in the county of Hancock, have taken a general view of said county, viewing the present population and the prospect of the future,-believe it to be just and equitable to locate said seat of justice on township five north, range six west, section nineteen, northwest quarter, and the most eligible site on that quarter, which we have shown to the County Commis- sioners. And we further say that the above described spot shall be the seat of justice for said county of Hancock, and the name shall be CARTHAGE. Given under our hand this 21st day of March, 1833.
WM. GILLHAM, [L. S.] SCOTT RIGGS. [L. s.]
And so the matter was settled; and at the same session the report was ordered to be certified to the Register of the General Land- office at Quincy, and that the county of Hancock claims pre- emption on the northwest quarter of section nineteen, five north, range six west,-and then ordered that the County Commissioners' Court be thereafter held at Carthage, the county-seat.
Accordingly, on the 2d of April, 1833, a special term of the Commissioners' Court was held at the new county-seat, at the house of Thomas Brewer. It had previously been held " all along shore" on the rapids, from Fort Edwards at the foot, to the house of James White at the head, with two or three intervening points about Montebello. Now it is to cease its wanderings, and remain perma- nently at Carthage.
Here the Board ordered that John Johnson, County Surveyor, be employed to lay off the town of Carthage into lots, to be done by May first, and that he be paid out of the sales for his services. And also that a sale of lots, to take place on the first Monday in June, on a credit of six, twelve, and eighteen months, be adver- tised for three weeks in the Sangamo Journal.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
And at another special term, held at the house of Wesley Williams, on June 3, Thomas H. Owen was appointed a Com- missioner to contract for building a temporary court-house, to be completed before Angust 25. This cabin court-house was built by John M. Forrest, under direction of Mr. Owen; written notices posted first at Venus and Fort Edwards. Can find no record of cost or dimensions; was probably about 16 by 24 feet.
The regular term of the Board was held in the court-house, Sept. 2, 1833. This court-house was a log-cabin situated south of the Square, about where the jail now stands. It was built of round, unhewed logs, with a clapboard roof, held on by poles; had a puncheon floor and slab benches for seats. Its door was in the north side, and it was adorned with at least two glass windows. On the south side was a platform raised about a foot from the floor, on which was placed a splint-bottomed chair, as a seat for his honor, while administering the law. This " court-house" was also used, by permission of the authorities, for a school and for Sunday preaching, and for public meetings of different character. Most of the early sermons, by ministers of the various denominations, were preached in this building. Its elapboard roof was not the best protection against the weather; for in its "latter days," it is in the memory of a lady who in it taught some of the young Carthagenians "how to shoot," that in time of a hard shower, her pupils had to seek for dry places on the floor.
In this building the County Commissioners' Court held sessions, and Judges Young, Lott and Ralston held their Circuit Courts from 1833 to 1839.
As early as 1836 action began to be taken towards the erection of a more commodions court-honse. At the term March 10 of that year, the Board appointed a commission, consisting of Michael Rickard, Sidney H. Little, and John F. Charles, to advertise and contract for the erection of a new court-house, and authorized a premium of $25 for the best plan. And at June term, 1839, the new building was finished and given in charge of the Sheriff for the use of the county. Moses Stevens was contractor and builder; cost about $10,000. This building was the west portion of the court-house as it now stands.
First tavern license granted in Carthage, Sept., 1833, to Louis Masquerier; also license to sell goods.
Dec. 5, 1834-County purchased of M. Rickard, north of town, two acres of land for a burying-ground.
Benjamin F. Marsh's bond as School Commissioner increased to $40,000, March, 1836; afterwards, Sept., 1838, increased to $75,000. Afterward, same term, removed from office, to which action he took an appeal to the Circuit Court.
Sept. 6. 1837-New official seals adopted. For the County Court: on the circle the words, " Hancock County Commissioners' Court," in the middle a spread eagle, the word "Illinois " below. Seal of Circuit Court: in the circle, the words " Hancock Circuit Court," a sheaf of wheat in the center, " Illinois " underneath.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Under date of Sept., 1838 -- We notice a tavern license issued to Jesse W. Bell, at Plymouth, a business in which he has since been continuously engaged for more than forty years.
Special term, 1838-A re-survey of the town of Carthage ordered; survey made by James W. Brattle, and old one vacated by act of Legislature.
Dec. 1839 -- Walter Bagby appointed School Commissioner, and declined; Malcolm McGregor appointed in his place; bond, $12,000. And at the March term, 1841, Walter Bagby appointed again, to fill vacancy occasioned by death of Mr. McGregor; bond $50,000.
Special term, March, 1839 -- Proposals for a jail ordered; and in 1841, built and received by the county.
This building became historic, as the place where the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith, and his brother, Hyrum, were killed, and two of their associates wounded, on the 27th of June, 1844. It was situated northwest from the court-house about 400 yards, and at that time quite out of town. It was built of stone, two stories high, the lower portion being occupied as a residence by the jailor, and the upper for the prisoners, to which access was had by steps on the south end toward the town. Windows were on the east and west sides. The building still stands, reconstructed with additions, the property and residence of ex-Treasurer Browning.
A RELIC OF SLAVERY.
Among the many relics of the " peculiar institution " scattered all over the State of Illinois, is the following, which we copy ver- batim from the records of the County Commissioners' Court, under date of Dec. 18, 1832. There may possibly be other similar entries, but, if so, we failed to observe them. Similar entries exist in Adams county, and we presume in most of the counties in the State.
Jane Buckner, a free woman of color, produced in open Court . a transcript of the record of the County Court of Nicholas county, in the State of Kentucky, as evidence of her freedom, and also of her children, which was read and ordered to be recorded, and is in the words and figures following, to-wit:
STATE OF KENTUCKY, NICHOLAS COUNTY.
SET
APRIL COURT, 1814.
An instrument of writing from under the hand and seal of Samuel Buckner, emancipating and setting at liberty sundry negro slaves therein mentioned, was produced in open court, and acknowledged by said Samuel Buckner, and ordered to be recorded, to wit :
" Know all men by these presents, That I, Samuel Buckner, of the county of Nicholas and commonwealth of Kentucky, for divers good causes moving me thereunto, do by these presents, and in pursuance of the Act of the General Assem- bly in such case made and provided, free and emancipate forever the follow- ing negro slaves, my property :- Jane, a negro woman about thirty years of age; George, about eight years of age; Will Ditto, about five years of age; Thornton, about three years old, and Lewis, one year and six months old. All of which negroes, I. the said Samuel Buckner, do by these presents as aforesaid, free and
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
emancipate from my service, and my heirs, and all other persons whatsoever, claiming said slaves, through, by or under me,-to take effect from the date of these presents. As witness my hand and seal this 25th day of April, 1814."
SAMUEL BUCKNER. [I. S.]
And thereupon the said Samuel Buckner came into court and entered into bond in the penalty of one thousand dollars, conditioned according to law, which bond is ordered to be recorded, and is in the following words, to wit:
" Know all men by the these presents, etc., etc. See Bonds filed, marked A. Whereupon it is ordered that said negro slaves, named Jane, George, Will, Thornton and Lewis, as aforesaid, be set free, and they are hereby declared emancipated according to law."
"I, Andrew J. Hughes, Clerk of the County Court for the county aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing copies are true transcripts of the records of said court. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, at Ellisville, this 13th day of August, 1814.
ANDREW J. HUGHES. Clerk of Nicholas County Court."
And so Jane Buckner, a " free woman " of Kentucky, emigrating with her four children to the free State of Illinois, as evidence that she is free, was compelled to procure and bring with her the fore- going long testimonial, and have it recorded among the archives of the county, lest the "heirs or other persons claiming them," or the authorities, under the " black laws," should sieze and remand them again to slavery.
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