USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 23
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In testimony whereof, I, Josias Randle, Clerk of the Court, have hereunto set my hand and (the county not yet having provided one) affixed my own private seal, at my office, this 21st day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1813, and of our Independence the Thirty-seventh.
JOSIAS RANDLE, C. C. C. P.
SEAL
The following are the marriage licenses issued from June 1814, to June 1819, No. 15 to No. 150. The names of the parties are spelled as they appear in the records :-
1814-June 14. William Kelley to Rebecah McMahan. July 27. Samuel Statens to Elizabeth 11. Sept. 5. Samuel Lockhart to Winney Walker. Sept. 22. James Kirkpatrick to Electa Meacham.
Oct. 13. Benjamin Stedman to Margaret Gillham.
Oct. 13. Wyatt Stublefield to Sarah Black.
Dec. 12. Bennet Nowland to Nancy Robeson. Dec. 27. George Moor to Peggy MeFarlin. 1815-Jan. 2. Jubilee Posey to Caty Smith. Jan. 24. William Wood to Polly Cox.
Feb. 1. Jesse Bell to Susan Meacham. Feb. 13. Phillip Teter to Rebeckah Robeson.
March 17. William Johnson to Lydia Hatton. May 26. Davis Carter to Caty Ragan. June 23. Orman Beeman to Talisha White. June 6. Abraham Prickett to Sally Kirkpatrick. July 31. James Heart to Fanny Puksley.
Aug. 12. Daniel Lanison to Amans Greenwood.
Nov. 22. Hiram Beck to Nancy Sams. Dec. 20. Walter McFarlin to Sally Hutton.
1816 -- Jan. John Drum to (filley Wood. Feb. 20. Abraham Casteel to Polly Nowland.
Feb. 12. Jonah Caton to Ara Clark. 12
Mar. 1]. Israel Turner to Caty Stice. April 30. Sumnel Seyboh to Tamar Pickering. May 21. Samuel Jaraway to Jenney Whitehead. June 3. Samuel Thomas to Elizabeth Isey. Ang. 5. Thomas Moore to Rebecca Holcomb. Aug. 17. William Atkins to Elizabeth Emert. Aug. 24. James Thompson to Permilia Sorrels. Sept. 11. Joseph Borongh to Sally Shepherd. Sep. 25. Robert Reynolds to Sally Whiteside.
Nov. 13. Walter J. Sealey to Vicy Meacham. Nov. 13. David H. Kennedy to Mary Coots. Nov. 27. Jephtha Lampkin to Jane Kirkpatrick. Dec. 13. John Green to Nancy Means. Dec. 19. Samuel Beeman to Polly Smelser. Dec. 23. Samuel Davidson to Vitet Enloe.
1817 -- Jan. 3. Moses Archer to Elizabeth Brazel. Feb. 7. William Wyatt to Richel Kitchens. Feb. 15. Alexander V. Bonner to Inkdah Foster. Feb. 22. William Green to Polly Starkey. Mar. 1. Rodolphus Langworthy to Lncy Meacham.
Mar. 12. Jonas Bradshaw to Betsey Siwyers.
Mar. 13. James Reynolds to Sally Black. Mar. 18. Levi Scott to Edy Ennis.
April 10. Wiley Green to Betsey Higgins,
April David Nix to Betsey Whiteside.
April 16. James Hereford to Betsey Vincence.
May 23. Jacob Deck to Sally Bates.
June 5. John Greenwood to Margaret Kirkpatrick.
June 10. Thomas Scott to Susan Cooper.
June 21. Hampton MeKinny to Polly B. Clark.
June 23. Job Diy to Jane Shockley.
July Samuel Judy to Sally Reaves.
July 15. Thomas Hamilton to Purifa Harris."
July 22. Absalom Renshaw to : lilley Woodyard.
July 23. John Bates to Nancy Crosby. Ang. 6. William Going to Anna Whitehead.
Aug. 9. Edward Welsh to Rachel Kane, widow,
Aug. 9. Philip Henson to Elizabeth Greenwood.
Aug. 9. Edward Haley f to Elizabeth Bolt.
Aug. 14. Daniel Dunmore to Turzy L. Meacham.
Aug. 16. George 1Tewitt to Peggy Bishop. Aug. 19. John Wyatt to Rebecca Wyatt.
Sept. 1. Jesse Renfro to Letty West.
Oct. 1. Iliram lluitt to Naney Herriford.
Nov. 4. John Cammel to Levinia Parkinson.
Nov. 15. Joshua Delaplain to Hannah Davidson, widow.
Dec. JO. Abraham Sippy to Sally Miller. Dec. 3. Martin Jackson to Betsey McDaniel.
Dec. Il. John C. Wood to Fanny Denson.
Dec. 21. Iliram Robbins to Betsey Dean.
Dec. 23 Alexander Byram to Polly Wood.
Dec. 26. Jehu L. Litton to Lydia Morris.
1818-Jan. 26. John McCollum to Sarah Whiteside. Feb. II. George Faris to Nancy Piper.
Feb. 17. John Crawford to Cassey Holcomb.
Feb. 17. William Howard to Elizabeth Reece.
Feb. 25. Robert MeMahan, jr., to Nancy Conway.
Feb. 27. Lorenzo Edwards to Patsey New. Mar. 3. John Richardson to Orphy Thompson. Mar. 5. James Thompson to Jean Munson.
Mar. 9. Henry Emert to Rachel Rebold.
Mar. 9. Richard Kinghton to Jenney Smart.
Mar. 20. Isaac Casteel to Betsey Albard.
Mar. 24. James Gilham to ......... Lofton.
* Purifa Kirkpatrick in Record of Certificates.
+ William Hailey in Record of Certificates.
00
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
April 15. Thomas Furguson to Betsey Medford.
May 22. George Allen to Polly Gibbs.
June 3. David M. Gillham to Polly Harkleroad.
June 9. Nicholas Russell to Polly Canby.
June 17. John T. Lawyork to Ann Trulock.
July Aquilla Low to Polly Revis.
July S. Temple Nix to Hannah Taylor.
July William Burton to Barbarry Smart.
July 18. Jacob Moore to Polly Burns,
July 18. Jacob Waggoner to Nancy Moore.
Ang. 5. Daniel Holcom to Vicy Tolly.
Aug. 17. Elias Roberts to Elizabeth Allen.
Aug. 21. John Johnson to Nancy Dugger.
Aug. 22. Moses Leeds to Mary Waddle.
Sept. 19. Solomon Penny to Jiney Renshaw.
Oct. 5. John Piper to Lneinda Beard.
Oct. 10. Warner Yates to Frances Tindall.
Oct. 20. Thomas Fenley to Charlotte Jackson.
Oct. 29. Hiram Rountree to Nancy R. Wright.
Nov. 17. John Powell to Betsey Coop.
Dee. 7. Thomas Hill to Peggy Moore.
Dee. 16. William Archer to Betsey Ilolt.
Dee. 18. John White to Peggy Robinson.
Dee. 21. John Carson to Margaret Parkerson. Dec. 24. Daniel Pettengill to Anna Bickmore. 1829 .- Jan. 13. Isaac Renfro to Rachel Carson. Jan. 18. Elias MeCance to Polly Whiteside.
Jan. 19. James Whitlock to Rhody Green.
Jan. 28. Daniel Harper to Peggy Standfield. Jan. 30. Owen Evens, to Mary Crispwell.
Feb. 2 Nicholas Cheland to Margaret Degearly.
Feb. 15. Andrew Armstrong to Mary Ann Roberts.
Feb. 15. William Kirkpatrick to Lydia Bartlett.
Feb. 22. Thomas MeDow to Mary Lofton. Feb. 26. Adam Miller to Peggy Thomson. Mar. 6. Thomas Lofton to Betsey Hayton.
Mar. 8. Mark Higgins to Rachel Brisco.
Mar. 8. James Dunn to Zilpha Thomas.
Mar. 15. Joseph Howard to Jenney Me Aliley.
Mar. 25. John Waddle to Caty Snyder.
Mar. 26. John Barnaby to Polly Johnson.
Mar. 26. Thomas Moore to Mary Parkerson.
Apr. 3. Samuel Hamilton to Polly Eldrige.
Apr. 19. James Nixon to Mary Ann Rutherford.
Apr. 21. Daniel White to Anne Brown.
Apr. 28. Daniel Tolman to Mary Ann Hare.
May 1. William Ennis to Sally Wiatt.
May 3. John Cressup to Agnes Manning (on condition if no objection of parents.)
May. 11. George Bridges to Mary Lindly.
June 3. Richard Brozale to Layodosea Enyart.
June 7. John Cormack to Fanny Randle.
Below are the marriage certificates on record from Jan- nary, 1813, to May 1819. Much diversity appears between the list of licenses and certificates. Where the authority by which the parties were married was a license, " L " is affixed, and " Ad." where it was by advertisement. The latter was common in the earlier years. It is some source of satisfac- tion, even at this late day, to observe that John Cressup and Agnes Manning, to whom a license was given on the third of May, 1519, on condition that there should be no objections, on the part of the parents, were married the same day, as appears by the Certificate:
1813 .- Jan. 29. James McKinney to Naney Lockhart, by Rev. Josias Randle. L.
Feb. 19. John Lawton to Patey Hill, by Rev. William Jones Ad. Mar. 9. William York to Betsey Kitchens, by Thomas Davidson, Esq. Ad.
Mar. 25. William Ogle to Isabella Kyle, by Thomas Davidson, Esq. Ad. Apr. 8. John Hapton to Harriet Stubblefield, by Rev. William Jones. . \d.
Apr. 9. James Sullivan to Phebe IIntton, by Rev. Josias Randle. L. May 3. Joshna Renfro to Pheraby Revis, by Rev. James Renfro. L. June 24. Daniel G. Moor to Frankey Jarvis, by Rev. Josias Randle. L.
July 2. Thomas Wadkins to Polly Green, by Thomas Davidson, Esq. Ad.
Aug. 10. James Wright to Millitson Greenwood.
Ang. 31. Samuel Huton to Peggy Wright, by Rev. Josias Randle.
Nov. 25. William Furgurson to Hannah Green, by Thomas G. David, son, Esq. Ad.
Nov. 19. George Wise to Elizabeth Jones, by Rev. Joseph Lemen. L.
Nov. Joseph Ferguson to Jane Gragg. L.
Nov. 25. Daniel Johnson to Susanna Smelser, by Thomas Davidson, Esq. Ad.
Dee. 23. John Gillham to Elizabeth Gillham, b; Judge John G. Lofton. Ad.
1814 .- Jan. 1. Thomas Green to Nelly Desha. L.
Jan 4. Samuel G. Morse to Polly Kirkpatrick, by William Gillham, Esq. L.
Jan. 5. Anthony Thomas to Cynthia Seott, by Judge John G. Lofton. Jan. 5. John Davidson to Margaret Gillham, by Judge John G. Lofton. Jan. 20. John Enox to Marjory Ferguson, by Thomas G. Davidson, Esq. Ad.
Feb. 10. William Sharone to Keziah Robinson, by Judge John G. Lofton. L.
Feb. 16. Hardy Willbanks to Susanna Gillham, by Judge John G. Lofton. Ad.
Apr. 2. Mills Whitley to Elizabeth Littleby, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
Apr. 2. Thomas Finley to Mary Little, Rev. William Jones. d.
May Timothy Lamberson to Rebekah Furguson. L.
May John Hawks to Miss. MeFarlin. L.
June 14. William Kelley to- Rebekah McMahan. L.
Dec. 13. Thomas Carlan to Rebeckah Hewitt, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
Dec. 13. William Montgomery to Sarah Rattan, by Rev William Jones. 1815 .- Jan. 5. Jubilee Posey to Caty Smith, by Rev. Josias Randles. L.
Feb. 2. Jesse Bell to Susan Meacham, by Rev. Josias Randle. L.
Feb. 2. William Wood to Polly Cox, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Feb. 4. William Ferguson to Polly Poggett, by Thomas G. David- son, Esq. Ad.
Feb. 14. Philip Peter to Rebekah Robinson, by Rev. Charles R. Mathenay. L.
Mar 18. William Rowden to Lavinia Prewitt, by John Springer, Esq. Ad.
Oct. 17. Thomas Blakenship to Hannah Carter, by Rev William Jones. Ad.
Nov. 5. John Jones to Mary Wright, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
Nov. 19. James Beeman to Litha Odle, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
Nov. 23 Hiram Beck to Nancy Sams, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Nov. 28. Martin Jones to Margaret Hutton, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
Dec. 14. Thomas Green to Rody Hegans, by Rev. William Jones. Ad. Dee. 16. Solomon Revis to Polly Green, by John Springer, Esq. Ad. 1816 .- Jan. 21. Mathew Cowin to Betsey Hewitt, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
Feb. 5. Young Wood to Polly Ewin, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Mar. 14. Israel Turner to Caty Stice, by Rev. Rivers Cormack. L.
Apr. 2. Samuel Seybold to Tamar Pickering, by Rev. Rivers Cor- mack. L.
Apr. S. Evans Smith to Hannah Turner, by Rev. Rivers Cormack. L
June 4. Samuel Thomas to Elizabeth Isley, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Aug. 5. Samuel Stockton to Lorahama Patterson. Ad.
Dec. Samuel Beaman to Polly Smelser. L.
Dec. 13. Jeptha Lampkins to Jean Kirkpatrick, by Abraham Prit- chett, Esq. L.
Dec. 19. John Green to Nancy Means. L.
1817 .- Feb. 6. David Faukner to Lydia Beeman, by Rev. William Jones. Ad.
Feb. Il. William Atkins to Elizabeth Emert. L.
Feb 11. David Canudly to Mary Cyles. L.
Feb. 13. William Wyatt to Rachel Kitchens, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Feb. 16. Alexander V. Bonner to Huldah Foster, by John T. Lusk, Esq. L.
Feb. 18. James ITareford to Patience Jones, by Thomas G. Davidson, Esq. Ad.
Mar. 25. Jonas Bradshaw to Betsey Sawyers, by John T. Lusk, E-q. L.
Apr. 19. James Heryford to Betsey Vincence, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Apr. 22. Robert Reynolds to Sally Whiteside, by John McKinney, Esq. L.
May 30. Jacob Deck to Sally Bates, by Rev. William Jones. L.
May 31. Wiley Green to Betsey fligins, by Rev. William Jones. L. June 10. John Greenwood to Margaret Kirkpatrick, by Rev. R. C'or- mach. L.
June 21. Thomas Scot to Susan Cooper, by John Springer, Esq. L. Ang. 13. Philip Henson to Elizabeth Greenwood, by John T. Lusk, Esq, L.
Ang. 14 John Bates to Nancy Crosby, by Rev. William Jones. L. .
Ang. 28. Absalom Renshaw to Milly Woodyard, by Rev. Rivers Cormack. L.
Sep. S. William Haily to Elizabeth Bolt, by Rev. Joseph Lemen. L. Nov. 16. Joshua Delaplain to Hannah Davidson, widow, by Thomas, G. Dividson, Esq. L.
Dec. 27. John L. Sitton to Lydia Morris, widow, by John T. Lusk, Esq. L.
1818 .- Jan. 15. John Cammel to Levina Packerson, by John Hone, Esq. L.
Jan. 25. Alexander S. Biram to Polly Wond, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Mar. 1s. Lorenzo Edwards to Patsey New, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Mar. 27. James Gillham to Sarah Lofton, by Thomas G. Davidson, Esq. L.
Apr. 5. Moses Finley to Sally Scott, by Rev. William Jones. Ad. Apr, 18. Thomas Ferguson to Betsey Medford, by ffail Mason, Esq. L.
May 25. George Allen to Polly Gibbs, by Thomas G. Davidson, Esq. L May 29 John Crawfor Ito Cassy Holcomb, by John McKinney, Es.
July 17. William Burton to Barbary Snart, by Hail Mason, Esq. L. Ang. 6. Daniel Holcomb to V. Tolly, by John McKinney, Esq. L. Aug. 22. Jacob Moore to Polly Birns, by Rwv. William Jones. L.
Jacob Waggoner to Naney Moor, by Rev. William Jones. L. Temple Nix to Hannah Taylor, by Mieajah Cox, Esq. L. Aquilla Low to Polly Revis, Micajah Cox, Esq. L.
Sept. 21. Angustus Langworthy to Adah Mcacham, by R. Lang- worthy, Esq. L.
Oct. 10. Moses Seeds to Mary Waddell, by Amos Squire, Esq. L.
Oct. 20. Thomas Feuley to Charlotte Jackson, by Hail Mason, Esq L.
Oct. 29. Hiram Roundtree to Nancy R. Wright, by Rev. Josias Randle. L.
Dec. 3. Martin Jackson to Betsey McDaniel, by John T. Lusk, Esq. L.
1819 .- Jan. 4. John White to Peggy Robinson, by Rev. G. P. Rice. L.
Jan. 15. Thomas Hill to Peggy Moore, by Rev. William Jones. L. Jan. 15. Shadrack Jackson to Prudance Finley, by Rev. William Jones. L.
Jan. 27. Elias MeCanee to Polly Whiteside, by Micajah Cox. Est. L. Jan. 30. James Whitlock to Rho la Green, by Rev. William Jones L. Jan. 30. Daniel Harper to Peggy Stanafield, by Rev. R. Cormack. L. Feb. 11. Owen Evans to Mary Cripwell, by Thomas G. Davidson, Esq. L.
Feb. 11. Nicholas Cheleano to Margaret Degcarey, by Thomas G. Davidson, Esq. L.
Mar. 5. William Kirkpatrick to Lydia Bartlett, by Hail Mason, Esq. L.
Mar. Il. Thomas G. Lofton to Betsey Heaton, by A. Squire, Esq. L. Mar. 25. James Dunn to Zilpha Thomas, by Rev. William Jones. L. Apr. 12. Thomas MeDow to Mary Lofton, by Micajah Cox, Esq. L. Apr. 15. Adam Miller to Peggy Thompson, by A. Squire, Esq. L.
Apr. 15. John Wadle, to Caty Snider, by A Squire, Es. L.
.Apr. 30. Daniel Tolman to Mary Ann Hare, by ffail Mason, Esq. L. May 3. John Cressup to Agnes Manning, by Thornton Peoples, Esq. L.
CHARACTER OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
In territorial days the inhabitants of the county, almost without exception, were of Southern origin. Strong sce- tional prejudices existed, especially toward the "Yankee," which appellation was given to every man who hailed from the Northern section of the country cast of the Allegheny mountains. Before the year 1817 the only representatives of the New England states, who had visited the county, were the vendors of wooden clocks and tin ware, and under these circumstances the pioneers could not, perhaps, well be blamed for their first impressions of the Yankee character. An early resident of this county states that there were three classes of society known in the territory of Illinois: First, the white man, born in a slave state, who arrogated to him- self the title of the real Westerner ; second, the negro, generally a slave; and third, the Yankee, from over the Mountains. Traces of this prejudice conld be discerned for many years, but among intelligent classes the emigrant from the East soon came to be appreciated at his real worth, and recognized as among the most valuable citizens of the county. Subsequent to 1817 the county received a large Eastern emigration, in which came individuals whose merits raised them to positions of influence, and who contributed greatly to the prosperity of the county. Especially was this the case in the Marine settlement, at Elwardsville, and later at Alton, whose rapid growth and business prosperity were almost entirely due to Eastern men.
The early settlers had great respect for the religious views of others. Although their opinions on theological subjects were very decided and very dissimilar, yet a quarrel on these matters was of rare occurrence. The Methodists and the Baptists were the leading denominations. The Methu-
92
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
dist camp meetings were mimerously attended, and proved influential means of increasing the membership of the churches. Although most of the people drank occasionally there were fewer drunkards than might have been expected. v The people of those days had a great reverence for law. The worst characters professed to be law-abiding citizens. No man claimed, that, if he did not like the law, he had the right to set it at defiance. It is claimed that the early pioneers were more moral and free from crime than the people of a later day. Thefts were of rare occurrence, and forgery, perjury, and similar crimes were seldom perpetrated. But while the higher crimes were rarely committed the lesser violations of the law were not unfrequent. Assault and battery was the most common breach of the statutes. There was much sensitiveness as to personal and moral stand- ing, aud any one who considered his honor or respectability impugned would fight in a moment his assailant. On holidays and at elections and musters, boisterous and quarrelsome conduct, induced by the use of intoxicating liquors, was often witnessed. Fort Russell was a place of frequeut rendezvous in early times, and riotous scenes often occurred there. It was stated by one of the earliest resi- dents of the county (Mr. S. P. Gillham) that for_ some years after the first settlement of the county he seldom heard of any greater crime than getting drunk, or fighting. The first punishment of crime he recollected took place in 1819, when a negro was found guilty of stealing some coffee from a boat on the Mississippi river, and whipped. When the population began to multiply and courts were established, men began to break the law, and were often punished by whipping at the post and confinement in the stocks.
The Sabbath was often employed in hunting, fishing, getting up stock, hunting bees, shooting at marks, and horse and foot-racing. It was, however, a custom to cease from ordinary labor, except from necessity, on that day, and when a farmer cut his harvest on Sunday public opinion condemned it more severely than at present. There was no dancing and but little drinking on the Sabbath. In many localities there were no religious meetings. The aged people generally remained at home, and read the Bible and other books.
All kinds of gaming were common. Card-playing was sustained by the best classes. At the sessions of the courts judge and lawyer would frequently spend the night together playing with cards for money, though the statutes rigidly forbade such a practice.
Horse-racing was one of the most popular amusements. The quarter races were the most common, and at these the most chicanery and juggling were practiced. Gov. John Reynolds speaks of having attended a horse-race, which drew crowds of people, on the 4th of July, 1807, in the American Bottom near the residence of Samuel Judy. The most celebrated and famous horse race in Illinois, in early times, was run in the upper end of the Horse-prairie, in Randolph county, in the spring of the year 1803. The two horses which ran the race were of the same size. The race was three miles and repeat, for a wager of five hundred dollars. The bye bets and all must have amounted to a thousand
dollars and more, in those days considered a very large sum. In 1806 Robert Pulliam, of Illinois, and a Mr. Musick, of Missouri, made a bet of two hundred dollars on a race be- tween two horses, of a quarter of a mile, to be run on the ice in the Mississippi river, a short distance above St. Louis. The race came off, and was run without injury to either the horses or riders. Foot-racing, jumping, or wrestling were much practiced. Bets of some magnitude were made on foot-races as well as ou horse-races. Gov. Reynolds, in his youth, was one of the best in a foot-race, and won many wagers in Randolph county, previous to the removal of the family to Madison. He ran his last race while absent from this county attending school in Tennessee.
Shooting-matches occurred frequently. These were generally held on Saturdays, and, during the summer, as often as once a week. A beef was usually the prize. A keg of whisky was usually carried to these shooting- matches, on horseback, and sometimes a violin made its appearance, and the crowd danced for hours.
The early pioneers were exceedingly friendly and sociable. A new-comer was given a hearty welcome. The houses were in general small and poor, but the hospitality of the occupants knew no bounds. A visitor at a house toward evening could scarcely get away so much was he importuned to stay over night, which, if he did, he was always treated to the best the house afforded, and never allowed to pay for his entertainment. Orchards and melon patches were looked on as common property, and the man who would charge for apples, or melons, would be denounced for his meanness the whole country over. No charge was ever made for assisting a neighbor at house- raisings, log- rollings, or harvesting.
The women were brave and self-reliant, and it was no unusual thing for them to practice with the rifle. They were often left alone, and it was well that they should know the best means of definuce. One of the pioneers of the county (John L. Ferguson) was accustomed to say that his mother could shoot a deer, or an Indian, just as well as his father could, and thought no more of it. The widow Carlock, in the Marine settlement, was also one who had the reputation of being able to use her rifle, with equal skill to any man, in shooting game, or despatching au Indian, as the case required.
PIONEER CUSTOMS AND MODES OF LIFE.
The early settler brought with him little besides his axe and rifle; the first his weapon of offence against the forests that skirted the water courses, near which he made his home ; the second, that of defence against the wily savage. His first labor was to fell trees and rear himself a house. This was an unpretentious cabin, rudely built of logs. It was usually from fourteen to sixteen feet square never more than twenty feet, and was frequently entirely built without glass, nails, hinges, or locks.
First, large logs were laid in position as sills; on these were placed strong sleepers, aul on the sleepers were laid the rough-hewed puncheons to serve as floors. The logs are then built up till the proper height for the caves,
93
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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 projecting ends of these were 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, laid across the roof parallel to the ridge pole. The house was then chin'ked, and daubed with a coarse mortar. At one end of the house was built a huge fire-place, in which fire was kindled, both for cooking purposes and to furnish the needed warmth in winter. Stoves were rarely to be seen. The ceiling above was sometimes covered with the pelts of the raccoon, opossum, and wolf, to add to the warmth of the dwelling. Sometimes the soft iuner bark of the bass wood was used for the same purpose. The cabin was lighted by means of greased paper windo vs. Over an opening in one side of the building, made by cutting out a portion of a log, sheets of strong paper, well saturated with coon grease, or bear oil, were carefully tacked, and thus furnished the window with which the cabin was lighted.
The furniture was in keeping with the building. The tables had four legs, and were rudely made from puncheons. The seats were stools, having three or four legs. The bed- stead compared well with the rest, and was often so con- trived as to permit it to be drawn up and fastened to the wall during the day, thus affording more room to the family. The entire furniture was framed with no other tools than the axe and the auger. Each mau was his own carpenter. Considerable ingenuity was sometimes displayed in the con- struction of the implements of agriculture and household furniture and utensils. Kuives and forks the pioneers sone- times 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 time.
The common dress of the carly pioneers was very similar. In winter, the covering of the feet were mostly moccasins made of deer skin and shoe-packs of tanned leather. In the summer, the greater portion of the young people, male and female, and many of the old, went bare-foot. The women wore moccasins and shoes made of deer-skin. The substan- tial and universal outside wear was the blue linsey hunting shirt. Many pioneers wore the white blanket coat ( the French capot) in winter, and this was considered very fine attire. The vest was commonly made of striped linsey. The colors were made of alum, copperas, and madder, boiled with the bark of trees, in such manner and proportions as the old ladies prescribed. The shirts were generally home- made, of flax and cotton material. The trousers of the masses were generally liusey, sometimes a coarse blue cloth, and often buckskin. Home-made wool hats were worn, and sometimes caps made of fox, raccoon, and will-cat skins. A fox skin cap, with the tail turned over the top, was thought a fine head-dress by the dashing young men. In warm
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