Chapter 1

Arthur and Patience HAWLEY ALLEN

(Updated November 2004)

 

Arthur ALLEN was born in 1784, probably in Northampton Co., N.C. He is thought to have been born free, but this has not been documented. When he was nearly 30, he married on 14 Jan 1813, in Northampton Co., N.C., Patience HAWLEY. They lived for a time in Johnston Co., N.C., after their marriage, but due to the deteriorating conditions for free African Americans in North Carolina and new opportunities on the western frontier, the ALLENs packed their possessions in wagons and traveled west to Illinois in 1828.

 

The Ancestors of Arthur ALLEN of Illinois

One of the earliest black ALLENs of record was John ALLEN, who was listed as a "negro" in Edward MIFLIN's household in Ralph PIGOT's 1721 tax list of Northampton Co., Va. Also, in that county, from 1724 to 1731, Elizabeth ALLEN was listed as a "mulatto" tithable in William STAKES's household. Sarah ALLEN was listed in 1725 in Nathaniel ANDRESS's household. Sarah may be the same person as Sarah ALLEN, "Mullattoe," who was charged with bastardy in 1730, in Accomack Co., Va., which borders Northampton County. A connection of these individuals to Arthur ALLEN of Illinois has not been made.

It seems likely, however, that Joseph ALLEN, who was born about 1714, was related to Arthur ALLEN, although no proof has been found. A York Co., Va., court record of 15 Nov 1735, charges Joseph ALLEN for not listing his "molatto" wife for taxation. Joseph purchased 100 acres in Isle of Wight Co., Va., on the south side of Nottoway River and the east side of Whitewood Swamp on 21 Jan 1745. (This land is now in Southampton Co., Va., which was created in 1749.) Joseph died about 1750, as his estate was settled in Isle of Wight County on 5 Dec 1751. The account listed James ALLEN, Thomas TABOUR, Judy (ALLEN) TABOUR, and Mary (ALLEN) BOOTH. Mary BOOTH signed the account so it is assumed she was the administratrix of the estate and probably the widow of Joseph ALLEN. Judy ALLEN, probably the daughter of Joseph, married William TABORN and is believed to be the ancestor of the TABORNs who settled in Saline Co., Ill.

The Father of Arthur ALLEN of Illinois

Arthur ALLEN of Illinois was probably the son of John ALLEN or Arthur ALLEN of Northampton Co., N.C. Since his name has never been found recorded as Arthur ALLEN Jr., it seems more likely that he is the son of John ALLEN, who was born about 1760. John ALLEN may be the same person as John ALLEN, who was apprenticed to John MUIRHEAD, of Norfolk Co., Va., a shoemaker, but ran away on 10 Jun 1769, as reported in the 23 Nov 1769 Virginia Gazette. He may also be the same John ALLEN, "a free man of mixed blood," whose wife, Betty, and daughter, Mary, were officially freed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1787 after he purchased them from their former master. John is on the 1790 census of Northampton Co., N.C., with 9 "other free." He died in or before 1799, the year his estate was probated in Northampton County. Arthur ALLEN (the elder), perhaps John's brother, was appointed administrator of John's estate and made a bond in the sum of œ250 on 3 Dec 1799, in Northampton Co., N.C., with Amos NEWSOM and Moses NEWSOM as securities. All three men made their mark on the bond, as apparently they were illiterate.

At the March 1800 court in Northampton County, Cordall BYNUM, Giles SUTER, Harwood FOISON and Hailey BROOM, were appointed to "allot & lay off one years support to Mary ALLEN Widow & relict of John ALLEN decd. (agreeably to Law) and make report to next court." Mary ALLEN, received a dower in June 1800 of one year's provisions paid in specie 17.18.4 (17 pounds, 18 shillings, and 4 pence).

At the December 1801 court in Northampton County, Thomas WILLIAMS, Anthony E. WILLAMS and William E. WILLIAMS were appointed to "audit, state & settle the acounts of Arthur ALLEN as Adm. of John ALLEN decd. & report to next court." One paper in the estate file is the account current, which shows where the administrator paid out and received the estate's money:

The Estate of John ALLEN Decd. In Act. Current with Arthur ALLEN Adm.

Dr.

1801 Oct 27 To paying Amos NEWSOMs note 4.13.2 1/4

1797 Feby 22 " paying Moses NEWSOM Jrn. ditto 4.0.0

1799 May 7 " " Jesse ALLEN's Notes 20.0.0

1799 May 4 Cash pd Jessee SMITH on Judgmt 1.17.1

1800 Aprl 3 " pd Doctr. BENBURY on Act. 1.0.0

1799 March 23 " pd John WHEELER on act. 0.10.0

1799 Novr. 23 " " Giles SUTER " do 0.3.4

1800 Augt. 30 " " Mark MURRELL " Judgmt. 4.19.2

1800 Aprl. 8 " " Mark MURRELL " Do 5.8.10 1/2

1799 Decm 27 " " Thomas WILLIAMS for Tax 0.7.0

1800 April 24 " " Benja. WADKINS on Judgmt 3.0.0

1800 March 30 " " Moses NEWSOM Senr. act. 0.8.4

1800 April 24 " " Mary ALLEN 17.18.4

Cash paid for administration 1.0.0

65.5.3 3/4

Cr.

1799 June 21 By Amount of Sale of Sd. Decd. 62.17.11

Ballance due 2.7.4 3/4

Agreeable to above Order we the subscribers have met and settled the Estate of John ALLEN dcd. agreeable to the papers brought forward before us and find a Balance due the Admr. of Two pounds seven shillings & 4 3/4.

Thos. WILLIAMS

Decmr. 5th 1801 William E. WILLIAMS

As late as 1810, the sheriff of Northampton County was commanded to take from the goods and chattels of John ALLEN's estate, 12.9.2, which Thomas FUTRELL, had recovered in a judgement against John ALLEN for the costs of a suit and for which John's administrator (Arthur ALLEN) was liable. The case was begun 10 May 1810, and witnesses were Jehu FUTRELL and John WADE.

John's widow, Mary ALLEN, and children, if there were any, may be enumerated on the 1810 census in the household of Elizabeth or "Betsey" ALLEN in Northampton County. Betsey was listed as a free person of color with five free persons in her household (page 60). She had one loom and 200 yards of cotton cloth, according to the 1810 census. There is also an Elizabeth ALLEN, a free woman of color, on the 1820 census in Northampton County (page 2). In her household were two females born 1794-1806 and one male born before 1775.

Arthur ALLEN (the elder) was born about 1750 and purchased on 24 Nov 1775, 171 acres in Northampton County, from Giles and Sarah COOK of Southampton County, for 45 pounds. The purchase of the same land by Arthur was also recorded on 26 Mar 1793, and in June 1793, he and his wife, Amy ALLEN, sold the land for 77 pounds to Nathaniel EDWARDS.

Arthur ALLEN is on the 1786 state census of Northampton Co., N.C., in Capt. DUPREE's district with his family, which consisted of two free African Americans age 12 to 50 and four free African Americans under 12 and over 50 (page 19). He is also on the 1810 census in Northampton County with 10 free persons of color in his household, one loom and 200 yards of cotton cloth.

Arthur's first known wife was Amy ALLEN, but when he died in 1815, his widow was Esther ALLEN.

Green ALLEN, who was born on 1 Feb 1807, married Angelina WADE on 14 Oct 1829, in Northampton Co., N.C., and moved to Cass Co., Mich., according to family oral tradition was a son of Emery Arthur and Esther WILLIAMS ALLEN. (Green ALLEN's family of five free persons of color was the only black ALLEN household in Northampton County in 1830.) Brothers and sisters of Green ALLEN are said to have been Jincy ALLEN (born 30 Jan 1801), Joseph ALLEN (born 28 Jan 1803, in Southampton Co., Va., died 20 Jul 1891, and married on 9 Sep 1824, in Northampton Co., N.C., Rebecca TABURN, and moved to Colombiana and Logan counties, Ohio, and then to Cass CO., Michigan), William ALLEN (who was born 25 Mar 1805), Bennett ALLEN born 20 Apr 1809, Sarah ALLEN born about 1811, Dicie ALLEN born about 1813, Frances "Fanny" ALLEN (who was born 15 Mar 1813 in North Carolina, and married on 8 December 1829, Felson NEWSOM), Emery ALLEN II born about 1815, Amie ALLEN born about 1817, Clara ALLEN born about 1819, Alta ALLEN born about 1821, and Lavina ALLEN born about 1823.

Other possible children or grandchildren of Arthur ALLEN or John ALLEN of Northampton Co., N.C., were:

1. Amy ALLEN, who sued Anthony WELLS on 7 June 1820, and John CHAVIS on 6 June 1822, for bastardy in Northampton County. Amy ALLEN is listed as "free colored person," born 1775-1794, and head of a household on the 1820 census of Northampton County with four males born 1794-1806 and one female born 1806-1820

2. Lavina ALLEN, who was a purchaser at the 1815 estate sale of Arthur ALLEN

3. John ALLEN, who married in Northampton County on 3 December 1827, Amey JENKINS

4. Wright ALLEN, who was head of a free household in 1820 in Northampton County. Living in the family was one male born before 1775, one male born 1794-1806, one female born 1775-1794, and four females born 1794-1806

On 5 Jun 1815, William HAWLEY was appointed administrator of the estate of Arthur ALLEN in Northampton County. He made a $2,000 bond on the same day with Winburn ODAM and Nathaniel NEWSOM as his securities. All the men signed their names to the bond, except ODAM, who made his mark. At the June term of court, Esther ALLEN, Arthur's widow, petitioned to have one year's provisions set apart for herself and family from Arthur's estate. Zaccheus MARTIN Esq., Hulon GRIZARD, James MUNGARS and John WOOD Sr. were appointed by the court to lay off, allot and set apart the provisions for her. On 16 Jun 1815, they allowed her 15 barrels of corn, 1,050 pounds of pork, and 50 pounds of lard.

In taking an inventory of the estate of Arthur ALLEN, William HAWLEY discovered $10.77 in cash among his belongings. He also made an inventory of the personal property belonging to the estate of Arthur ALLEN on 14 Jun 1815, and filed it with the court in September 1816, along with the estate sale. Esther ALLEN filed a suit against HAWLEY in the county court of pleas and quarter session, but the details of her complaint are unknown. She was successful and the cost of the case, "one pound 16/3" was ordered to be taken from "the goods of Arthur ALLEN decd. in the hands of William HAWLEY his administrator" on 1 Sep 1815. HAWLEY's inventory included the following:

5 weeding hoes 3 plow hoes 2 pair carting harness

1 grubbing hoe 1 plow brake 3 augers

5 axes 1 pair wedges 1 chizzel

1 gouge 1 drawnknife 1 hand saw

1 carpenters adze 1 cart and wheels 3 iron potts

1 Dutch oven 1 frying pan 1 iron pott rack

1 pair flat irons 1 gun 12 pewter plates

5 pewter basons 13 pewter spoons 5 earthen plates

2 pewter dishes 1 earthen dish 9 cups and saucers

1 shugar dish 2 milk pots 1 tea pott1 candlestick 1 pair candle motes 2 tin cups

1 tin funnel 2 butter potts 1 pither

3 jugs a parcel of pears a parcel of cotton

6 table forks and 2 knives 1 jug 6 sitting chairs

1 table 2 chests 4 feather beds and furniture

3 bedsteds a parcel of feathers 1 wooling wheel

1 flax wheel 4 pair chards 1 trowell

1 pair steelyards 1 pair spoon molds 2 grinblets (?)

2 iron pins 1 skillet 1 loom and gear

1 can 1 pail 1 tub

2 wash noggins 1 pair sheep shars 1 trumpet

1 flax hackle 1 tubb 1 case of rasors

1 trunk 1 pint bottle 1 side leather

1 saddle and bridle 4 head of horses 6 cider barrels

6 hogsheads, 1 flour stand, 2 runlets

1 butter churn 2 bread trays 2 belts

15 head cattle a parcel of corn 1 flat form & trough

1 salt seller (?) 23 head of hogs 1 pair money seales

1 half bushell 1 measuring tub 1 box 2 meal sifters 2 piggins 2 reap hooks

1 looking glass geese 2 carts

1 grind stone 1 pair traus (?) 12 gallons brandy

1 peck of beans

The personal belongings of Arthur ALLEN, except what was set aside for the widow and family, were sold at public auction for $428.72.

Account of sale of the property of Arthur ALLEN Decd

sold the 16th Day of June 1815 by William HAWLEY Adms.

 

3 augers to Arthur ALLEN .30

1 pair sheep shears to Starling HATHCOCK .32

1 chizzel and gouge to Arthur ALLEN .13

2 draw knives to Edmun THARP .27

2 reap hooks to Newsom ARTIS .26

1 hand saw to Arthur ALLEN 1.00

1 flax hackle to Thomas JENKS 1.13

1 carpenters adze to Deberries NAT .55

1 pot to Edmund THARP .76

1 pot to Easter ALLEN .27

1 pot and hook to Starling HATHCOCK .06 1/4

1 iron pot rack to Giles LUTER .75

1 frying pan to Easter ALLEN .39

1 bay horse to Frederick LONG 35.00

1 bay mare to Easter ALLEN 10.25 1 bay colt to Rheuben HATHCOCK 12.01

1 cow and calf to John EDWARDS 7.54

1 cow and calf to Pruda MORGAN 10.00

1 cow and calf to Arthur ALLEN 12.04

1 cow and calf to John WOOD Senr. 13.03

1 cow and calf to Easter ALLEN 10.61

1 cow and yearling to Anthony DEBERRY 10.04

2 heifers to King DEBERRY 9.01

1 steer to John EDWARDS 4.50

5 shoots first choice to John NEWSOM 8.87

5 shoots 2nd choice to Easter ALLEN 8.51

8 shoots the balance to Newsom ARTIS 10.17

1 sow 1st choice to Howell TANNER 3.51 1/4

1 sow 2d choice to Howell TANNER 3.13

1 sow 3d choice to Starling HATHCOCK 2.65

1 black horse to Jesse BUCKLE 21.51

1 heifer to John EDWARDS 4.51

2 barrells corn to Lloyd MONROE 8.62

2 barrells corn to Lloyd MONROE 8.98 1/2

2 barrells corn to Newsom ARTIS 9.001/2

2 barrells corn to Arthur ALLEN 9.08

2 barrels corn to Newsom ARTIS 9.001/2

2 barrels corn to Lloyd MONROE 9.80

balance of corn to Britton CUMBO 13.00

pair flat irons to Amy ALLEN 1.45

1 gun to William OLIVER 5.06 1/4

1 pair steelyards to Bardin JOYNER 2.30

1 trumpet and spoon molds to Drewry NELSON 3.51 1/2

1 trowel to Drewry PHILIPS .31 1/2

6 pewter plates to Arthur ALLEN 3.68

parcel of earthen ware to Easter ALLEN .52

1 candlestick to Arthur ALLEN 1.02

1 earthen dish to Jesse SMITH 1.12 1/2

1 tea pot to Elizabeth ALLEN .03

2 noggins to Easter ALLEN .34

2 basons and 1 dish to Easter ALLEN .91

7 plates and 7 spoons to Easter ALLEN 1.13

1 saddle and bridle to Howell TANNER .34 1/2

1 bason to Amy ALLEN .27

1 bason and dish to John NEWSOM .87

1 bason to Amos NEWSOM .94 1/2

8 spoons to William OLIVER 1.00

1 bason to John NEWSOM .94 1/2

1 bottle to Thomas JOYNER .13

1 jug to Elizabeth ALLEN 1.34

2 jugs to Easter ALLEN .31

1 jug to Josiah STEPHENSON .42

2 cups and cullender to William OLIVER .26

1 butter pot and pitcher to Easter ALLEN .13

1 butter pot to Amy ALLEN .50

1 pair cards to Easter ALLEN .50

1 table to Arthur ALLEN 2.01

1 Bible to Elizabeth ALLEN .75

3 chairs to Easter ALLEN .76

3 chairs to Thomas ALLEN .86

1 chest to Amy ALLEN 1.07

1 small chest to Lavina ALLEN .25

1 small trunk to Amy ALLEN .34

1 pair money seales to Newsom ARTIS .12

1 looking glass and rasors to Starling HATHCOCK .77

1 bed and bed sted to Amy ALLEN 5.13

1 bed and bed sted to Lavina ALLEN 6.01

1 bed and bed sted to Easter ALLEN 1.64

1 lone bed to Easter ALLEN 4.12

1 woolen wheel to Easter ALLEN .01

1 flour tub to Arthur ALLEN .12 1/2

1 flax wheel to Elizabeth ALLEN .14

1 skillet to Amy ALLEN .05

1 pair leather traus (?) to Amos NEWSOM .42

1 table to Amos NEWSOM .25

1 grind stone to Mathew JOHNSON 3.08

1 large gr___tetes to Henry CUMBO .13

1 bread tray to Easter ALLEN .16

1 bread tray to Semore NEWSOM .28 1 tin funnel and straine to Easter ALLEN .20

1 bell to Starling HATHCOCK .66 1/4 2 bells to Elisha LAWRENCE .11 2 sifters to Easter ALLEN .35 1 tub to Easter ALLEN .13 2 piggins to Easter ALLEN .25 1 churn to Howell TANNER .51 1 loom and gear to Arthur ALLEN 2.00 1 pine table to Easter ALLEN .12

1 Duch oven & two leads to Amy ALLEN .18

1 bushel of peas to Elizabeth ALLEN .45

1 bushel peas to Elizabeth ALLEN .51

1 bushel peas to Amos NEWSOM .49

1 bushel peas or residue to King WELLS .47

1 side leather to Arthur ALLEN .76

1 pair cards to Lavina ALLEN .04

1 pair cards to Matthew JOHNSON .34

1 pair cards to Easter ALLEN .31

1 pair cards to Lavina ALLEN .03

1 grait and gr___ (?) to Easter ALLEN .33

1 pair seales to Elizabeth ALLEN .01

parcel of tobacco by the lb to Amy ALLEN .04

1 pair compasses to Matthew JOHNSON .07

1 pocket book to Arthur ALLEN .01

1 case knives and forks to Easter ALLEN .41

2 open headed casks to Arthur ALLEN .25

1 top stack to Amos NEWSOM .17

balance of corn to Britton CUMBO 13.00

2 open headed casks to Thomas JOYNER Senr. .32

1 half bushell & fat stand to John NEWSOM .30

3 weeding hoes to Easter ALLEN .51

2 ditto to Easter ALLEN .55

1 plow hoe to David MITCHELL .56

1 plow hoe to Easter ALLEN .75

1 axe and hoe to David MITCHELL .50

1 trow to David .56

1 grubbing hoe to William HAWLEY .25 1 pair iron wedges to Thomas JOYNER Senr. 1.26

1 axe to David MITCHELL .51

1 axe to William HAWLEY .50

2 hogsheads to Amos NEWSOM 1.00

2 open headed casks to John NEWSOM .25

2 hogsheads to Amos NEWSOM .75 2 ditto to Amos NEWSOM .50 3 open headed casks to Elisha LAWRENCE .29 parcel of cotton by ___ 4 1/2 to Abraham JOYNER 1.00 1 side leather to John NEWSOM 1.15

1 do ditto to David MITCHELL 1.03

1 do ditto to Easter ALLEN .76 1 bridle to Easter ALLEN .30

1 1/4 bushels peas to Thomas JOYNER Junr. .65

1 rasp and gr__blet to David MITCHELL .15

5 barrels corn to William HAWLEY 12.70

5 barrels corn to William HAWLEY 12.90

short corn to Merrida NEWSOM 3.21

696 fodder to William HAWLEY 5.30

3 carts & 1 pair cart wheels to Arthur ALLEN 19.05

1 lot carting gear to Easter ALLEN .90

1 plow frame & gear to King DEBERRY .25

1 flat form and trough to Susanna MURRELL .32

2 iron pins to William HAWLEY .48

parcel of top fodder & shocks to Susanna MURRELL .30

part of top stock to Susanna MURRELL .20

12 gallons of brandy to William HAWLEY 13.08

1 barrel of cider to Henry CUMBO 2.25

1 bread hoe & meal bag to Easter ALLEN .12

1 g___ to John NEWSOM .16

1 canteen to David MITCHELL .27

1 keg to King DEBERRY .22

1 iron bodkin to David MITCHELL .06

l brandy barrel to Amos NEWSOM .25

1 peck of beans to William HAWLEY .25

Most of the purchasers at the sale of Arthur ALLEN in 1815 were free African Americans and can be identified from Paul HEINEGG's book, Free African Americans. Starling HATHCOCK is probably Sterling HAITHCOCK, who was born about 1792, the son of Reuben HEATHCOCK, and married on 24 Nov 1813, Charlotte NEWSOM, the daughter of Nathaniel NEWSOM. Sterling registered as a free man and moved to Logan Co., Ohio, after 1830. Reuben HAITHCOCK, thought to be a son of John HAITHCOCK, was born about 1768 and married on 10 Feb 1791, in Southampton Co., Va., Miriam ARTIS, thought to be a daughter of Abraham ARTIS. Newsom ARTIS was born about 1775, the son of George ARTIS of Northampton County, and was the head of a free household in in 1820 in Northampton County, which included four female slaves. Amos NEWSOM was born about 1760 and was probably a son of John and Martha NEWSOM of Southampton Co., Va. John WOOD was probably the son of Thomas WOOD and married on 13 Jan 1807, in Northampton Co., N.C., Nancy THOMAS, the daughter of Spencer THOMAS. Henry CUMBO was born about 1796, the son of Cannon and Tabitha NEWSOM CUMBO. Tabitha was the daughter of Moses NEWSOM. King WELLS is thought to be the son of Ann WELLS and the brother of Anthony WELLS, who was charged with bastardy by Amy ALLEN in 1820.

How Many Arthur ALLENs are there?

Searching for references to a free black man named Arthur ALLEN in census and county records in North Carolina may not seem like such a difficult task. After all, how many Arthur ALLENs could there be in colonial North Carolina. Six Arthur ALLENs, white and black, have been identified as residents of North Carolina in the eighteenth century and there were perhaps others. There was also an Arthur ALLEN living in Isle of Wight Co., Va., in the mid1600s. Arthur ALLEN remained a popular name in the ALLEN family for generations. During the Civil War, there were four Arthur ALLENs who served in the U.S. Colored Troops, in the 8th, 16th, 102nd and 110th regiments.

Arthur ALLEN of Southampton Co., Va.----Paul HEINEGG's book, Free African Americans, speculates that John and Arthur ALLEN (the elder) were brothers and the sons of Sarah ALLEN, who was born about 1733. Sarah was a resident of Southampton Co., Va., on 9 August 1750, when her son, Arthur ALLEN, was bound as an apprentice. (Southampton Co., Va., borders Northampton Co., N.C., to the north.) The apprenticeship does not mention Arthur's race or age. It is not likely that the Arthur ALLEN bound in 1750 is the same person as Arthur ALLEN who died in Northampton Co., N.C., in 1815. In 1691, the Virginia Assembly passed legislation which required illegitimate interracial children to be bound for 30 years. Some speculation exists that Sarah was a white woman who had two sons by an African slave, but there is no evidence to verify this. HEINEGG researched over 200 free black families of colonial Virginia and North Carolina and purports that almost entirely they were descendants of indentured white women and were not, as is often assumed, the offspring of white masters and female African slaves. Nor, he claims, were the majority of them former slaves who had been set free by their masters. This may indeed apply to Arthur and John ALLEN, but there is no reliable documentation that they were children of Sarah ALLEN, a white woman from Southampton Co., Va.

There is an Arthur ALLEN on the 1782 tax list of Southampton Co., Va., as a white poll with four slaves. He is also on the 1787 tax list in the same county in Hartwell COCKE's District with two slaves above age 16, and three slaves under 16, four horses and five cattle. Since there is obviously more than one Arthur ALLEN living in the region, it seems more likely that the white Arthur ALLEN living in Southampon Co., Va., in the 1780s was the one bound by his mother, Sarah, in 1750 in Southampton County. Arthur ALLEN of Northampton Co., N.C., was only an infant in 1750 and it is doubtful he would have been bound as an apprentice at that age. There may, however, be a family relationship to the ALLENs of Northampton Co., N.C., and the ALLENs of Southampton Co., Va.

Arthur ALLEN of Edgecomb and Nash Co., N.C.-----Another Arthur ALLEN, white, lived in Edgecomb Co., N.C., on 17 Feb 1761, when he received a 280-acre land grant on the north side of Sapony Creek, adjoining Benjamin FLOWERS, the Tar River, Thomas KERSEY, John BAKER and William EASON (Deed Book 2 page 41). On 25 Oct 1782, he received from the State of North Carolina, 700 acres on Sapony Creek adjoining David PRIDGEN, William EASON, JACKSON, and BRANTLEY (Deed Book 3 page 33). Arthur lived in Elizabeth Parish, Nash Co., N.C., (Nash County was created from Edgecomb County in 1777) when he made his will on 14 Dec 1784 (Will Book 1 page 40). Witnesses were David PRIDGEN, Butler WHITLEY and Nancy BAKER. He gave his son, Thomas ALLEN, 400 acres whereon Thomas lived and a 3-acre orchard. He gave his son, Arthur ALLEN (Jr.), all the land "whereon I live" below the mouth of Fall Branch adjoining Thomas. He gave his daughter, Ease (or Easery) ALLEN, 180 acres bought of John HARWOOD on the east side of Marsh Branch. He gave his daughter, Rhodea ALLEN, 150 acres adjoining Thomas. He gave his daughter, Elizabeth ALLEN, 150 acres adjoining Rhoda. His will also mentions a daughter Sarah ALLEN. When the estate was divided in May 1787, all the children from the will were mentioned, as were two others: Ann ALLEN and Honour JOYNER (Deed Book 14 page 30). The account current for May 1787, included a bill from Drewry PRIDGEN for "schooling children of Arthur ALLEN," being Sarah and Betsy (Elizabeth).

Thomas ALLEN sold his land inheritance to his brother Arthur ALLEN on 4 Feb 1788 (Deed Book 1 page 407). He also sold 400 acres on the south side of Sapony Creek to Drewry PRIDGEN on 29 Jan 1794, for 45 pounds Virginia money (Deed Book 4 page 246). Rhoda ALLEN married Willis WHITFIELD and they sold her 150-acre inheritance on 5 Jan 1790, to David PRIDGEN for 30 pounds (Deed Book 4 page 32). Elizabeth ALLEN also sold her 150-acre inheritance to David PRIDGEN on 6 May 1792 (Deed Book 4 page 136). Arthur ALLEN (Jr.) sold his 275 acres on the north side of Tar River and Sapony Creek to Burrel JOINER on 5 Feb 1793, for 135 pounds Virginia money (Deed Book 4 page 191).

Thomas ALLEN is on the 1790 census of Halifax District, Nash Co., N.C. Also living in his household were three white males under age 16 and three white females. Living alone, near Thomas was his brother, Arthur ALLEN. Neither Arthur nor Thomas owned slaves. Both Arthur and Thomas had moved to Darlington Co., S.C., by the 1800 census (pp 123-124). Arthur ALLEN is also on the 1810 census of Darlington County (p 19). Thomas ALLEN is thought to have moved to Covington Co., Miss., by 1820 and also listed there, perhaps a son of Thomas, was Arthur ALLEN, age 16-26. Arthur ALLEN (probably the son of Thomas) is also on the 1830 census of Lawrence Co., Miss., age 40-60. Arthur (Jr.) was not located on the 1820 census, but appears on the 1830 census of Wayne Co., Miss., as one white male, age 40-60, living alone. Wayne Co., Miss., once bordered Covington Co., Miss., to its west and the state of Alabama to its east.

Arthur ALLEN of Wayne Co., Miss.-----Arthur ALLEN (Jr.) was born in 1763 in Nash Co., N.C., and served in the American Revolutionary War while a resident of Nash County. He claimed he served under Col. Jonas JOHNSON, Capt. Edward HALL, and Gen. LINCOLN, during his first tour of duty and was drafted in the month of April, year not recollected, for a second tour of duty, which lasted until July. He fought in the Battle of Stono in South Carolina and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina. After the war he lived in Nash Co., N.C., in South Carolina, Georgia, and was living in Wayne Co., Mississippi, when he filed for a pension on 17 July 1837. His pension claim (No. 103) was rejected.

The ALLENs of Nash County were always recorded as white on the census. Living in Nash County in 1820, however, is John ALLEN, free colored person (p 441). John, a free person of color, is also on the 1830 census (p 190) of Nash County (3201-11011), as is William ALLEN (1101-1301), and Allen TABOURN (1101-201). Married in Nash Co., N.C., were: William ALLEN and Elizabeth BOOTH, 12 Dec 1804; Richerson ALLEN and Lydia BOOTH, 7 Feb 1834; Richardson ALLEN and Ginsey TAYBOURN, 1 Jan 1836; Richardson ALLEN and Bitha REED, 2 Feb 1841; Hinesberry ALLEN and Jane TAYBORN, 30 Nov 1860; Hinesberry ALLEN and Martha Ann WILKINS, 20 Dec 1862; and Gransberry T. ALLEN and Martha Ann FINCH, 11 Feb 1861.

Arthur ALLEN of Chowan Co., N.C.-------Another Arthur ALLEN, who probably was a white man, was born in the 1720s and was bound by the court of Chowan Co., N.C., in October 1737, to Laws PREDY until he reached the age of 21. Arthur was to be taught to read, write and cipher and the art and mystery of a barber and periwig maker. In July 1748 the sale of a lot in Williamsburg from Arthur ALLEN to George GILMORE Esq. was proved in court. Arthur ALLEN married in Chowan Co., N.C., on 20 Oct 1750, Mrs. Jemima REED. He also appears on a 1753 tax list in Chowan County. His will in Chowan County in 1764 names his heirs: Sarah, Jemima, Elbertson, Lynch, Charles, Rumbough and Ann.

Arthur ALLEN of Isle of Wight Co., Va.-------was a white man born in 1608 in England and died in 1670 in Isle of Wight Co., Va. He married in 1635 in Isle of Wight Co., Va., Alice TUCKER, the daughter of John TUCKER. The children of Arthur ALLEN were: Arthur ALLEN Jr., who died in 1710 in Isle of Wight Co., Va., and married Katherine BAKER; Elizabeth ALLEN, who married Capt. Robert CAULFIELD and Joseph John JACKMAN; Joan ALLEN, who married Dr. Robert WILLIAMSON, Robert BURNETT and Reuben PROCTOR; Katherine ALLEN, who was born in 1645 in James City Co., Va., died in 1693 in Isle of Wight Co., Va., and married in 1662 Robert JOHNSON; Humphrey ALLEN, who died in 1666 in Isle of Wight Co., Va.; and Mary ALLEN, who married Capt. Arthur LONG. (This is the family of Jean COBB--jeanwc@worldnet.att.net--who supplied the information on the family.)

The relationship of Arthur ALLEN of Edgecomb Co., N.C., Arthur ALLEN of Nash Co., N.C. and Wayne Co., Miss., Arthur ALLEN of Southampton Co., Va., Arthur ALLEN of Chowan Co., N.C., Arthur ALLEN of Northampton Co., N.C., Arthur ALLEN of Isle of Wight Co., Va., and Arthur ALLEN of Johnston Co., N.C., and Union Co., Ill., if any, is unknown. All that the men are known to have in common is that they share the same name, Arthur ALLEN.

The Ancestors of Patience HAWLEY ALLEN of Illinois

The parents of Patience HAWLEY ALLEN, who was born about 1787 in North Carolina, are not known. She is probably descended from Micajah (also found as Mikell or Michael) HAWLEY, who made his will in Northampton County on 1 March 1752, giving his sons, Joseph, William and Christopher HAWLEY, one shilling each, and his son, Benjamin HAWLEY, most of the rest of his estate, which included four slaves. Micajah HAWLEY's daughters were Ann, Elizabeth and Mary and his grandson (son of Ann) was William MITCHELL (born about 1746).

Benjamin HAWLEY, the son of Micajah, was born about 1735 and was a tax payer in Northampton County in 1762. He is on the 1790 census there as a free African American with three in his household (page 75). Benjamin made his will in Northampton County on 7 Jul 1797, and it was proved in court in March 1805, naming his two children, William HAWLEY (the administrator of the estate of the Arthur ALLEN, who died in Northampton Co., N.C., in 1815) and Eady NEWSOM. Eady was the wife of Nathaniel NEWSOM, who died in Northampton County in 1835 and was the son of Moses NEWSOM. William HAWLEY is the only person with that surname on the 1810 and 1820 censuses of Northampton Co., N.C. (page 20). In 1810, there were 10 free persons of color in his household.

Benjamin HAWLEY (born about 1735) was the brother of William HAWLEY (born about 1728). HEINEGG speculates that William HAWLEY was married to the daughter of John SCOTT. SCOTT, "a freeborn negro" lived in Berkley Co., S.C., and filed a complaint in March 1754 in Orange Co., N.C., that Joseph DEWIT, William DEWIT, and Zachariah MARTIN, entered by force the house of his daughter, Amy HAWLEY, and carried off by force her and her six children. SCOTT thought they intended to take them north to sell as slaves. The affidavit was made 17 Jan 1754, and registered in Anson Co., N.C., 20 Feb 1754, and in Orange Co., N.C., on 8 Mar 1754. The court in Orange Co., N.C., determined that the mulatto boy called Busby, alias John SCOTT, who was in the custody of William JOHNSON, was the reputed son of Amy HAWLEY, on the oath of John WADE. WADE entered himself security that Thomas CHAVIS would return and deliver Busby to his home.

William HAWLEY (son of Benjamin) was born in the late 1770s and died in 1830. Silas EDWARDS was appointed administrator of his estate. EDWARDS made a $500 bond on 1 Mar 1830, with William GAY and Britton JOHNSON as securities. On 8 Mar 1830, the Northampton County Court ordered Zacheus MARTIN, Enos FUTRELL, Elliott FUTRELL, and James MARTIN to "allot and set apart unto Tabitha HAWLEY one year's provisions for the support of herself and family out of the stock, crop and provisions of her deceased husband." The men met on 19 Mar 1830, and alotted to Tabitha HAWLEY, 17 and a half barrels of corn, 1,000 weight of bacon, 7 gallons of molasses, 4 pounds of coffee,1 feather bed, and 1 wheel and cards.

One of his first duties as the administrator was to make a list of individuals who owed the William HAWLEY estate money. On that inventory, which was made 20 Mar 1830, were the following names: Aichor EVANS, Charlott RICKS, Littleberry FUTRELL, Israel MARTAIN, Elisha JOHNSON, Charles JINKING, Exum OUTLAND, John WOODARD, John FLY, Britton JOHNSON, John SAMBERSON, James W. HEDGEPETH, Cullen FUTRELL, John MARTAIN, David RAMSEY, William OUTLAND, Whitfield CROSS, John H. ASKEW, Benja. BOLTON, Watson ARTIS, Kinchen ODOM, William MADDREY, Everett OLOVER, Martha MARTAIN, Joab OUTLAND, James OLOVER, Isom ODOM, Morris BAUM, Jesse SMITH, John NELSON, Cordall WALE, Lewis FUTRELL, John FUTRELL, John HALL, William FUTRELL, George MANDLEY, William UNDERWOOD, Baby WALL, Joel PIERCE, Eli TALLER, William BOWERS, Matthew MARTAIN, Nathan BLANCHARD, John BAGGET, John ALLEN, Kinchen BRIDGERS, Israel JOHNSON, Elias JOHNSON, Etheld. BRIGERS, William BRIDGERS, Robert JOHNSON, Amos NEWSOM, William NELSON, James TALLOW, Jason TAYLOR, Thomas FUTRELL, Henry J. JOYNER, Joseph SIKES, Samuel NELSON, William RICKS, Eaton FUTRELL, Samuel NELSON, John OUTLAND, Jordan BEAL, Jason JACOBS, Abram WALL, William OLIVER, Hosea FUTRELL, Josiah OUTLAND, John H. ASKEW, Benford BRIDGERS, Benja. MITCHELL, Thomas OUTLAND, Charles B. JENKINGS, Wilie FUTRELL, and Abigail JASSILES.

A just and true account of sale of the property of William HAWLEY decd.

sold March the 19th 1830

2 plows hoes John WOODARD $1.00

2 Adzs Wilie MADDREY .84

2 Plains William HAWLEY .91

2 Do. Zaccheus MARTAIN 1.10

4 Do. William HAWLEY .56

3 Squares & 2 Augurs Do. Do. .31

1 Hand saw William RICKS 1.41

1 Do. Do. Do. Do. .15

1 Collar 2 pr. of Haims William HAWLEY .45

1 Hatchett Elias JOHNSON .45

1 cart saddle Parson SIKES .25

1 Funnell Jesse SIKES .03

1 Do. Elisha JOHNSON .05

1 Saddle & Bridle William HAWLEY 3.85

1 set of Black smiths tools Do. Do. 29.25

1 Barrell of vinegar Elisha JOHNSON .71

7 cyder cask Wilie MADDREY 3.10

1 Do. Elisha JOHNSON .75

1 Barrell & some pees John WADE .39

1 Do. Do. Do. Do. .32

1 Do. Do. William NELSON .21

a parcel of cotten seed Wm. HAWLEY .04

1 pr. of cart wheels Wm. RICKS 1.02

1 cyder press Dawsey SUMNER 1.60

1 stack of fodder John WADE 3.00

1 weeding hoe Jesse MARTAIN .25

1 Ax William HAWLEY .38

1 Do. Israel JOHNSON .37 1/2

2 Baskets William OLIVER .08

1 Puter Dish John F. JOHNSON .55

1 Do. Do. Do. Do. .75

6 Puter spoons William RICKS .33

1 pr. of candle moles Molly FULLER .18

1 Tea pot Grean ALLEN .06 1/4

1 spice morter William RICKS .53

1 milk straner Anthony DEBERRY .06 1/4

1 puter bason Tabitha HAWLEY .25

1 Do. Do. Polley HAWLEY .40

6 Plates Tabitha HAWLEY .25

pr. of stilyards William HAWLEY .90

1 Table Tabitha HAWLEY .06 1/4

1 Quart Pot Parson SIKES .20

1 Bread Trey Tabitha HAWLEY .06 1/4

1 Do. Do. Do. Do. .08

1 Half Bushell Do. Do. .07

1 Tub Do. Do. .05

1 Gal. pot Jug and Funnel Elias POPE .28

1 Flax wheel Kinchen BRIGERS 1.06

1 wooling Do. Tabitha HAWLEY .66

1 pitcher & cup Dicey HAWLEY .21

cups & saucers Polley HAWLEY .05

1 Brass skillet William RICKS 1.00

1 pot & hooks Tabitha HAWLEY .81

1 Do. Do. Do. Do. .38

1 tea kettle Miles BOON .15

1 skillet Tabitha HAWLEY .06 1/4

1 Br__ hoe & shuvele Aaron BLANCHARD .86

1 pann Elisha JOHNSON .89

1 Flesh fork Elias JOHNSON .21

1 puter plate Do. Do. .11

1 pot William RICKS .80

1 Dutch oven Elias JOHNSON .85

3 chairs Tabitha HAWLEY .07

1 Lanton Elot FUTRELL .05

1 iron pot rack Hosea FUTRELL 1.50

1 mealstone Tabitha HAWLEY .03

1 mealfifter Do. Do. .06 1/41 Loom Dicey HAWLEY 2.01

1 pr. of worping Bars & Boxes Do. Do. .06 1/4

1 slay Elias JOHNSON .37

1 piggan Tabitha HAWLEY .14

1 Lot of sundries Tabitha HAWLEY .13

1 barrell of cotton Do. Do. .05

2 barrels &c. Do. Do. .05

1 Bee gum William HAWLEY .05

1 pr of winding blades Tabitha HAWLEY .01

1 kettle Do. Do. .04

1 Fat gord Dicey HAWLEY .11

1 lot of old sundries William HAWLEY .15

1 Bottle Do. Do. .08 1/2

1 Churn Anthony DEBERRY .26

1 coffee pot Jonathon MARTAIN .02

2 tubs Tabitha HAWLEY .01

2 pails Polley HAWLEY .15

1 chest Dicey HAWLEY .33

1 slay Polley JOHNSON .14

1 still pitcher Jonathon MARTAIN .26

1 jug Tabitha HAWLEY .29

1 Bed & Furniture Grean ALLEN 6.00

1 Do. Do. John WOODARD 6.20

1 spinning wheel Dicey HAWLEY .76

1 meatstand Kinchen BRIDGERS .40

1 pr. of Flat Irons Tabitha HAWLEY .11

1 Lot of Books William HAWLEY .04

2 Barrels of Corn $1.28 pr B. Whitfield CROSS 2.56

2 Do. @ $1.42 pr. Barl. Miles BOON 2.84

the residue if any $1.50 1/3 pr. B. Do. Do. 2.40

1 pen of shucks John WADE .07

1 Lot of fodder William NELSON Jur. 4.00

tack of top foder William HAWLEY .57

$92.47 3/4

A true account of sale of the property of William HAWLEY decd.

sold on a credit of six months August the 26th 1830

5 gees To Dicey HAWLEY .60

4 Do. To Do. Do. .30

1 sow & five pigs To Tabitha HAWLEY 2.26

5 Large pigs To William HAWLEY 2.05

William HAWLEY right in 5 sheep To Israel JOHNSON .37 1/2

Do. Do. 3 sheep To Tabitha HAWLEY .08

Do . Do. 5 Do. To William HAWLEY .38

Do. in 1 chest To Tabitha HAWLEY .26

Do. in 1 Table To Do. Do. .03

Do. in 6 chairs To Do. Do. .27

Do. in 1 bed To Do. Do. 3.31

Do. in 1 Do. To Lemuel VAUGHAN 4.00

Do. in 1 Table To William HAWLEY .27 1/2

1 Case To Polley HAWLEY .01

$14.20

Tabitha HAWLEY, the widow of William, is in the 1840 census in Northampton County as the head of the household. She was born 1785-1804, and with her was one female born 1830-1840. The 1850 census of Northampton County states Tabitha HAWLEY was born about 1780 in North Carolina. She was living with the family of Allen HAWLEY (household 165). Allen is probably a son of William and Tabitha HAWLEY and was a farmer, born about 1813 in North Carolina. Living with him was Dicey HAWLEY, who was born about 1810, and Lavina HAWLEY, who was born about 1812. Probably another son of William and Tabitha HAWLEY was William B. HAWLEY, who is the only other HAWLEY household on the 1850 census of Northampton County (household 179). William B. was a blacksmith, and was born about 1805 in North Carolina. Living with him was Setha HAWLEY, born about 1818, Margaret HUNT born about 1815, Sarah HUNT born about 1848, and Jeffreys HUNT born about 1837. William B. HAWLEY heads the only HAWLEY household on the 1860 census of Northampton County. Living with him was Margaret HAWLEY, who was born about 1810, and Sarah HAWLEY, who was born about 1848, probably the samer persons with him in 1850 as Margaret and Sarah HUNT.

The household next to Arthur and Patience ALLEN on the 1820 census of Johnston Co., N.C., is that of Dicey HAWLEY (page 24). She was listed as a white female over age 45. Living with her was another white woman age 26-45. It seems likely that there is a family relationship between Dicey and Patience, but this has not been documented. Dicey first appears on the tax lists there beginning in 1810 and continuing through 1820. (Tax records after 1820 were not examined.) She was taxed for her land, which ranged during these years from 454 to 467 acres. The only other HAWLEY in the county at the time was Benjamin HAWLEY. He is also on the 1820 census of Johnston County as a white male age 26-45 with a family (page 18).

Arthur and Patience HAWLEY ALLEN in North Carolina

In 1816, Arthur and Patience ALLEN moved from Northampton County to Johnston Co., N.C. (This was the year after the elder Arthur ALLEN died in Northampton County.) There they were reported on the 1820 census (page 24) as free persons of color and were tax payers from 1817 to 1820. In 1817 and 1818, in Capt. John GERRALD's District, Arthur paid a poll tax as a white poll, but in 1819 and 1820, in Capt. Jesse GRICE's District, he was taxed as a free poll. During this time he owned no land. (Tax records after 1820 have not been examined.)

In 1826, North Carolina began to pass a series of laws known collectively as the Free Negro Code. Free African Americans lost their voting rights, schools became segregated by law, and free African Americans had to obtain a special license to carry a gun. Patience and Arthur ALLEN left North Carolina three years before Nat TURNER's slave insurrection in August 1831, in neighboring Southampton County, Va., further escalated the troubles faced by free African Americans in North Carolina and Virginia. Before the slave rebellion was put down, 57 whites and over 100 blacks died in one of the first American struggles to free the slaves. Some of the 53 African Americans brought before the court of Southampton County for the rebellion may have been acquaintances of Arthur and Patience. Most were slaves, but among the free men indicted were Arnold ARTIST, Thomas HAITHCOCK, Exum ARTES, Bury NEWSOME and Isham TURNER.

There is only fragmentary documentation about Arthur and Patience's life in North Carolina. It may have been typical of other free African Americans, such as Thomas HEDGEBETH, who was born about 1811 and grew up in neighboring Halifax Co., N.C. In 1856, he was interviewed by Benjamin DREW for his book, The Refugee: Or the Narratives of Fugitive Slaves in Canada. HEDGEBETH said,

A free man born in North Carolina is as much oppressed, in one sense, as the slave: I was not allowed to go to school. I recollect when I was a boy, a colored man came from Ohio and opened a school, but it was broken up. I was in the field ploughing with my father,---he said he wished we could go and learn. I think it an outrageous sin and shame, that a free colored man could not be taught. My ignorance has a very injurious effect of my prospects and success. I blame the State of North Carolina and the people of that State---for it....I have often been insulted, abused, and imposed upon, and have had advantage taken of me by the whites in North Carolina, and could not help myself....When I was twenty-one, I went to vote, supposing it would be allowed. The 'Squire who held the box objected, and said no colored man was allowed to vote. I felt very badly about it, ---I felt cheap, and I felt vexed: but I knew better than to make an answer,---I would have been knocked down certain. Unless I took off my hat, and made a bow to a white man, when I met him, he would rip out an oath,--'damn you, you mullato, ain't you got no politeness? Don't you know enough to take off your hat to a white man?'

HEDGEBETH moved to Indiana about 1846, where he found,

...the white people did not seem so hostile altogether, nor want the colored people to knuckle quite so low. There were more white people who were friendly than in North Carolina. There were more who wished colored people to have their rights than in North Carolina,---I mean there were abolitionists in Indiana.

 

The Family of Arthur and Patience HAWLEY ALLEN Move to Illinois

In 1828, Arthur and Patience moved to Illinois. They sold their land in Johnston Co., N.C., to Andrew SCOTT, probably a free African American, but the deed was not proven by oath of Bartlett DEANS until February 1841. Perhaps Arthur and Patience believed the attitude towards African Americans on the isolated Illinois frontier was more accepting than in more established areas in North Carolina, where, generally, chattel slavery and racism had fully developed.

The decision to move to Illinois is thought to have been influenced by the John STOKES family, who were Quakers, opposed to slavery and settled in Illinois in 1811, via Christian Co., Ky. John STOKES is on the 1786 census in Capt. VINCENT's District, Northampton Co., N.C. (page 7) and on the 1800 census of Northampton County (page 475). A few other Quaker families, like the COXes, WIGGSes and MUSGRAVEs were also early settlers in Stokes Precinct, Union Co., Ill. Tradition says the STOKES family did not actively recruit the ALLENs to settle in Union County, but did welcome them when they settled on a farm two miles away.

Arthur was 44 and Patience was 41 when the ALLENs came to Union County in 1828 with their eight children, ranging in ages from 1 to 20 years old. (Three more children would be born to them in Illinois.) They were the first free African Americans to settle in Union County, although there were slaves in the county brought there by some of the earliest settlers. By the 1830 census, there were five free households with a total of 30 people. In 1883, the Union County history recorded that

The only regular negro settlement in the county is in this (Stokes) precinct. Arthur ALLEN, a wandering son of 'Africa's golden strand,' was among the early settlers here. He has gathered around him a number of his people, thus forming quite a colony of the 'bone of contention' between the North and the South.

Soon after arriving, on 8 September 1828, Arthur purchased 80 acres and a house from John and Elizabeth CAUBLE MOWERY, in the east half of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 12 south, range 1 east. The MOWERYs, originally from Rowan Co., N.C., purchased the land from the government in 1821 and moved to Macon County after selling it to the ALLENs. Arthur and Patience obviously came to Illinois with money and an intention to settle here permanently. The source of the money was probably the profits from their labor and the sale of their land in North Carolina. Examination of probate records in North Carolina may also reveal an inheritance for Arthur or Patience which enabled them to make their initial land purchases.

The first Illinois census in which the Arthur ALLEN family appears is the 1830 federal census of Union County, where they are enumerated as "free persons of color" (page 54, line 6). The ALLEN family does not appear on the 1835 census of Union County, although they were residents there at the time the census was taken. Arthur is on the 1839 tax list of Union County, however (pages 1-2). He was taxed for four horses worth $180, seven cows worth $29, one wagon worth $80, and had loaned $60. The 80 acres he bought in 1828 were worth $4 an acre or $320 in 1839. The value of their other personal property was $100, making the total value of his taxable personal property (excluding land) $449.

On 19 June 1837, Arthur ALLEN entered, at the federal land office in Shawneetown, the southwest quarter of section 13, 160 acres, for which he paid $200. On the same day he entered the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, 40 acres, for which he paid $50, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, 40 acres, for which he paid $72. All three tracts were in township 12 south, range 1 east, which is Stokes Precinct. After making his final payments for the land, he and Patience owned 320 acres in Union County. At his death, Arthur still owned all the land, except the 40 acres in the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter in section 24. The farm land that the ALLENs purchased was near the Johnson-Union county line, about a mile northeast of the present-day community of Mt. Pleasant, which was laid out in 1858. Most of the land was probably timbered when purchased by the ALLENs. If they were typical of other early settlers, only a few acres were actually put in cultivation in any given year. The rest remained timbered, a good source of firewood in winter and for hunting wild game for food.

It was independent land ownership which brought the free African Americans to some level of social equality to white settlers in racist antebellum America. Arthur and Patience owned 320 acres and as their sons grew to adulthood, they also made land purchases from the government near their parents' farm on the Union-Johnson county line. Littleberry ALLEN owned 40 acres, Nathan ALLEN owned 220 acres, John ALLEN bought 120 acres, Henry ALLEN purchased 182 acres, and Arthur's son-in-law, John W. BLACKWELL, owned 130 acres. The combined ownership among the family of over 1,000 acres in the same vicinity must have offered them some sense of security. The people of southern Illinois, in general, were bitterly opposed to African Americans owning land, but no measure was ever taken by the legislature to prohibit it.

About two miles south of the ALLEN Settlement was the road from Vienna to Mt. Pleasant and on through Jonesboro, now State Route 146. This was the dirt road used in the winter of 1838 and 1839 by about 12,000 Cherokee Indians and their black slaves during their forced removal from their homes in the East to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). The Cherokee called it the Trail of Tears. For several weeks the Cherokee were delayed in Union and Johnson counties as they waited for the ice to thaw on the Mississippi River so they could cross. The suffering of the Cherokee was great, as supplies left for them along the route in southern Illinois soon ran out. One can only speculate what the reaction of the ALLEN family was to the several thousand Cherokee camped near their home. Perhaps having confronted racism themselves they were more sympathetic to the plight of the American Indians than were their white neighbors.

The year after the Cherokee passed by the ALLEN farm, Arthur ALLEN died on 3 April 1840, at his home in Stokes Township, Union Co., Ill. He had been ill at least since the end of February 1840, and Dr. Sidney S. CONDON, a white doctor from Jonesboro, made nearly daily visits to Arthur's home to care for him as best a frontier doctor in 1840 could. The doctor bill amounted to $138.25 for visits made from 28 February to 19 April 1840. Since the doctor bill is for medical services rendered several days after Arthur's death, one is left to assume that there were others in the family who were sick at the same time and still needed a doctor's care. The last visit on 19 April, Dr. CONDON noted, was "for Nath," who was almost certainly Arthur's 20-year-old son, Nathan ALLEN.

One debt found in the probate file of Arthur ALLEN was for $3.80 due James S. MILLER, a school teacher and justice of the peace in Stokes Township, for "tuition of 2 schollars for three months." An 1825 Illinois law established some free schools in Illinois, but stated that they would "be open and free to every class of white citizens between the ages of 5 and 21." Arthur was illiterate, but he managed to see that at least some of his children were educated, despite the law, by sending them to a private subscription school. Subscription schools were operated by a teacher who agreed to accept students provided the parents paid the agreed upon amount for each pupil sent to him. Some of his children probably attended school beside white children from the Stokes Settlement, well over 100 years before the Supreme Court decision of Brown v. the Board of Education in 1954 called for the integration of all public schools.

The struggle of African American parents to send their children to school was often met with resistance in Illinois. The Jonesboro Gazette reported on 12 Oct 1870,

A negro named ALLEN sent his children to the free school. The teacher refused to receive them and seat them with his white scholars. The colored man wrote to Gov. PALMER and stated the case, claiming the right under the constitutional amendments and the new Constitution of the State to send his children to a white school and receive the benefit of the school monies. The Governor replied that he had the right and that if the directors did not receive his children to sue them for damages. The darkey sent his children again; the offending teacher was discharged and the little nigs now have the run of the schoolhouse and lord it over the white children who are compelled to tolerate their presence, by the Radical law to enforce equality of the races.

Arthur and Patience ALLEN early saw the value of education and paid the tuition for at least some of their children to receive meager educations. Among the articles in the estate of Patience ALLEN in 1853 were books, valued at 35cents, perhaps purchased for the children, as Patience was also illiterate. The books, titles not recorded, were bought at the estate sale by Nathan ALLEN and William VALENTINE, Patience's son and son-in-law.

Calvin BRIDGERS, a white neighbor, was appointed administrator of Arthur's estate. Arthur was a well-to-do farmer compared to other estates settled about the same time. His personal property was appraised at $836.37, and mainly consisted of 88 pigs, five horses, nine cows, eight sheep, farming tools and two rifles. In addition to the personal property and 280 acres of land, Arthur had $580.25 in cash on hand at his death and had notes from debtors which amounted to $697, plus $84.40 interest. The following individuals, family members and white neighbors, signed notes promising to pay Arthur ALLEN the amounts noted with interest: Stanley BRIDGERS $55, Alfred BRIDGERS $27, Josiah RAGAN $15, George T. McGINNIS $10, Anson GURLEY $11, Wiley WISE $47.62, Joel M. HUFFMAN $5, Christopher PETERSON $9.71, Barnett GORE $2.08, Abner COX $22, John PENROD $50, Richard ELKINS $28.04, William McGINNIS $8.50, Jones STOKES Jr. $9.75, William STANDARD $29.86, John STOKES Sr. $7.44, Edward DOOLEY $5.57, David Y. BRIDGERS $48.60, William H. OLIVER $12.70, W.J. GIBBS $13.50, Thomas STOKES $6.62, Sarah ALLEN $32, Nathan ALLEN $50, Little Berry ALLEN $58.37, Patience ALLEN Jr. $39, Patience ALLEN Sr. $27, and Arthur ALLEN Jr. $45. During pioneer days in Illinois, currency was scarce and such notes were considered legal tender.

Patience ALLEN received the widow's specific property which was allowed her by law and valued at $257. The property was "set apart for the widow ALLIN May 29th 1840" at the time the personal property was appraised by James S. MILLER, William STANDARD and John STOKES Sr. She received a bedstead and bedding worth $20; 1 lot dresser ware, $3; 6 chairs, $2; 1 lot buckets and pails, $1.50; 1 lot of pewter, $2.50; 1 lot of casting, $1.25; 1 flesh fork and saddle, 25cents; 1 fire shovel, 25cents; 1 spinning wheel, $2; 1 pair of cards, 50cents; 1 bread tray, 25cents; 1 lot sheaf wheat, $20; 1 lot of bacon, $30; a lot of lard, $3.50; 1 lot of corn, $75; 1 cow and calf, $12; 6 barrow hogs, $18; 3 barrow hogs, $4.50; 1 grey horse, $660; and 1 churn, 50cents.

An auction was held to sell the other personal property, on 1 June 1840, and generated $390.02. A large attendance must have been expected on sale day, as five gallons of whiskey, to be given away to those present, were purchased for $2.50.

A List of the property belonging to the estate of Arthur ALLIN Decd.

and sold on the first day of June 1840 And to whom sold

1840, June1

Little B. ALLIN

1 grind stone no crank 1.12 1/2

1 lot sheaf oats 2.50

2 leather collars 2.25 5.87 1/2

Thomas STOKES

1 rifle gun 16.37 1/2 16.37 1/2

Patience ALLIN

1 pair of cart wheels 4.00 4.00

William STANDARD

1 lot sheaf oats 2.00 2.00

Barnett GORE

1 stack of fodder 2.31 1/4

25 bushels of corn @ 60 1/2 cents 15.12 1/2 17.43 3/4

Nedom WIGGS

1 stack of fodder 3.00 3.00

Worthington J. GIBBS

1 stack fodder 3.31 1/4

2 sanded sows 3.31 1/4

2 white & sanded sows & 2 pigs 4.06 1/4

25 bushels of corn @ 58cents 14.50

25 bushels of corn @ 60cents 15.00 40.18 3/4

Richard ELKINS

1 spotted sow & 4 pigs 4.00

1 spotted sow & 3 pigs 3.50 7.50

D.R.D. PENDER

2 sheep 3rd choice 2.31 1/4 2.31 1/4

Arthur ALLIN Jur.

2 sows & 8 pigs 8.43 3/4

1 broad axe 3.25 11.68 3/4

 

 

James BYRD

1 red spotted sow & 4 pigs 2.87 1/2

13 head of hogs 15.00

25 bushels of corn @ 53 1/3 cents 13.37 1/2 31.25

Samuel McGINNIS

2 spotted sows 2.56 1/4

3 spotted sows 5.87 1/2 8.43 3/4

Edward DOOLEY

6 head of sheep 10.56 1/4 10.56 1/4

William ASCUE

25 bushels of corn @ 56 1/4 cents 14.06 1/4 14.06 1/4

Rice COBB

25 bushels of corn @ 56 1/4cents 14.06 1/4 14.06 1/4

James BURTON

25 bushels of corn @ 62 1/2 cents 15.62 1/2 15.62 1/2

William PETERSON

25 bushels of corn @ 58cents 14.50

1 blind bridle 37 1/2 cents 14.87 1/2

William H. OLIVER

25 bushels of corn @ 52cents 13.00 13.00

William WIGGS

25 bushels of corn @ 56 1/2cents 14.06 1/4 14.06 1/4

Stanley BRIDGERS

96 1/2 bushels of corn @ 57cents 55.00 55.00

John BRIDGERS Jur.

1 waggon 81.06 1/4 81.06 1/4

John STOKES Ser.

2 pair of breeching 5.50

1 whip 25cents

1 blind bridle 81cents

1 leather collar 1.09 7.65

$390.02 1/2

We the under signed do hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct Bill of the property sold belonging to the estate of Arthur ALLIN Decd. on the first day of June 1840 Given under our hands this 4th day of June AD 1840

James S. MILLER, Clk

Jones STOKES Junier, Crier

When the estate was settled, there was $1,071.22 to distribute to the heirs. Patience received $340.64 and each of their 10 children received $68.12, enough money for each to buy a small farm, if they so chose.

The Arthur ALLEN family enjoyed economic success on the Illinois frontier. Despite what hopes Arthur ALLEN may have had for other aspects of his life in Illinois, neither he nor his children lived long enough to gain citizenship rights in the state. In 1848, when Illinois ratified a new state constitution, the people of Illinois approved 50,261 to 21, 297 the provisions which allowed the General Assembly to pass laws forbidding the future settlement of free blacks in Illinois, prohibiting them from serving in the militia, paying poll taxes or voting. Legislative acts from 1826 were still on the books which prevented blacks from serving in the militia or holding public office. Not until the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1870 would Arthur ALLEN's male descendants get an opportunity to vote. The people of Union County opposed ratification, 193 for to 896 against. The Jonesboro Gazette on 9 Jul 1870, reported, "Every precinct in Union County gave a majority against the the adaptation of the new constitution, rolling up a very light vote, 703 majority against it. Hurrah for the Old Union. They will never countenance negro equality in any shape or form." It was yet another 50 years before Arthur's female descendants gained suffrage in 1920.

On the 1840 Illinois census (page 78, line 27), Arthur's widow, Patience ALLEN, appears as the head of the household. On the 1846 tax list of Union County, Patience was taxed $1.53 for horses worth $60, cattle worth $38, a clock worth $5, a wagon worth $8 and other personal property worth $50. She paid $1.22 in taxes in 1847 for horses worth $60, cattle worth $36, a clock worth $5, a cart worth $6 and other personal property worth $50. Patience is on the 1850 census, when her farm was valued at $450. Living with her were her unmarried children, Smithy, Mary and Jane, and also a young man named Gilford ALLEN, who was born about 1831 in Alabama. Gilford was the son of Joseph ALLEN of Saline Co., Ill., and a brother of Rebecca ALLEN (who married John ALLEN, a son of Arthur and Patience HAWLEY ALLEN). Gilford is thought to have been Arthur' ALLENs nephew.

Patience HAWLEY ALLEN died 8 December 1853, in Union Co., Ill. Her son, Nathan ALLEN, was named administrator of her estate, which was appraised at $678.68. She was probably buried beside her husband on their farm in Union County, but the specific location of the final resting place of Arthur and Patience ALLEN, black pioneers of the Illinois frontier, is unknown.

The daughter of Patience HAWLEY:

1. Elizabeth HAWLEY, born about 1808 in North Carolina, probably Northampton County, was the daughter of Patience HAWLEY ALLEN. Elizabeth was not one of the heirs of Arthur ALLEN, who died in 1840, and was about 5 years old when her mother married Arthur ALLEN. Patience appears to have had Elizabeth out of wedlock or perhaps she was married to a man named HAWLEY before she married Arthur ALLEN.

Elizabeth HAWLEY married on 14 Sep 1832, in Union Co., Ill., Jacob ARTIS. He appears on the 1830 census as a free black in Union County near the ALLENs and probably came from Johnston or Northampton Co., N.C., at the same time. The ARTISes are not on the 1835 census or any later census in Union County.

Jacob was probably descended from George ARTIS of Northampton County, who is on the 1790, 1810 (five free colored persons) and 1820 censi there and was married to the daughter of Moses NEWSOM. (Nathaniel, a son of Moses NEWSOM, married Eady, a daughter of Benjamin HAWLEY.) One of George's sons was Kinchen ARTIS, who served in the War of 1812 and moved to Cass Co., Mich., as did relatives of Arthur ALLEN.

Jacob ARTIS is thought to have died before 1840 and Elizabeth returned to live with her mother. A female, age 24-36, probably Elizabeth ARTIS, was living in the household of Patience ALLEN in Union County in 1840. Other than Patience and her children, others in the household included two females under age 10. One of the girls was probably Elizabeth's daughter, Patience ARTIS. The other girl may have been another daughter of Elizabeth who died young.

Elizabeth ARTIS married again before 1854, as she is named as Elizabeth MARSHALL in Patience ALLEN's estate file, but there is no marriage record in Union, Johnson , Gallatin, Saline or White Co., Ill.

Elizabeth MARSHALL loaned money to John ALLEN, her half brother, and later purchased John's land from his heirs. She appears on the 1870 census of Johnson Co., Ill., living next to Henry ALLEN, her half brother, and was listed as Elizabeth MARSHALL, a white woman.

Elizabeth is thought to be the same person as Elizabeth ARTICE, at whose house in Johnson Co., Ill., Nuton GURLEY, age 25, of Elvira, Johnson Co., Ill., married Emma PARKER, age 21, of Elvira, on 16 Sep 1875. The PARKERs and GURLEYs, white, are on the 1870 census of Johnson County living near Elizabeth MARSHALL.

On the 1877 real estate tax list for township 12 south, range 1 east, Elizabeth MARSHALL is listed as the owner of 40 acres in the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13. Her $2.52 tax was paid by John BLACKWELL of Mt. Pleasant, who was married to Elizabeth's half sister. Elizabeth died between 1877, when she was listed on real estate tax records in Union County, and 1880, as she is not on the 1880 census. She does not have a probate file in Union or Johnson County.

a. Patience ARTIS was born between 1836 and 1840 in Illinois and married on 1 Feb 1855, in Union Co., Ill., John G. CHAVIS, who was born about 1830 in Tennessee, the son of Thomas and Dicey CHAVIS of Union Co., Ill.

John is on the 1855 census of Union County, living next to Henry ALLEN in Stokes Precinct. There were two males in the family and three females. His livestock was worth $50.

John CHAVES paid $2.24 for taxes in township 12 south, range 1 east, for personal property worth $120 in 1856. In 1857 John CHAVOUS paid $1.87 taxes for personal property worth $113, and in 1858 John SCHAVOUS paid 98cents in taxes on personal property valued at $67. He was taxed 90cents in 1859 for property worth $85.

John and Patience are also on the 1860 census of Union County (household 889). Patience could read and write, but John was illiterate. Their personal property was valued at $125. Patience was listed as black on the census and John and their children were recorded as mulattos.

There were two John CHAVISes who served as privates in the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War, in Co. I, 2nd U.S. Cavalry and Co. D, 135th U.S. Infantry. It is not known if either of these men is John G. CHAVIS.

John CHAVOUS was not located on the 1861 personal tax list. In 1862 he paid 85cents in taxes on $100 property, in 1863 he paid 86cents on personal property valued at $74, in 1864 he paid $1.38 on $120, and in 1865 he paid $1.81 personal taxes on $162 .

John G. CHAVOUS purchased from Thomas and Mary BOSWELL on 4 Oct 1870, for $470, the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres (Book 28 page 91).

The 1870 tax list valued his personal property at $260 and shows that he paid $2.52 in taxes. He is not on the 1873 list, but in 1874 he paid $2.84 in personal property taxes on $177, in 1875 he paid $4.85 on $205, in 1876 he paid $4.07 on $141, in 1877 he paid $6.69 on $145, in 1878 he paid $4.35 on $152, in 1879 he paid $4.18 on $134, in 1882 he paid $3.65 on $95, and in 1883 he paid $4.41 on $150.

In 1880, in Stokes Township, John and Patience reappear on the census records of Union County (household 257). John's occupation was a farmer.

(1) William A. CHAVIS was born in June 1856 in Union Co., Ill. William purchased the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, for $1 from his grandmother, Elizabeth MARSHALL of Johnson Co., Ill., on 14 Oct 1875 (Book 44 page 231). He purchased the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, from his cousin, Narcena Ann ALLEN of White Co., Ill., on 4 Apr 1883 (Book 44 page 231). He sold to Silvester HILEMAN for $500, the west half of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 80 acres (Book 44 page 232).

William A. CHAVOUS is on the 1879 tax list of township 12 south, range 1 east. He owned personal property worth $56 and paid $1.76 in taxes. In 1882 he paid $3.41 in taxes on personal property assessed at $122.

William lived in Carrier Mills when he married on 10 Mar 1892, in Saline Co., Ill., Frances J. HARDIMAN, who was born about 1871 in Indiana, the daughter of William T. and Elizabeth LESSEL HARDIMAN. William A. married again on 18 Apr 1893, in Saline Co., Ill., Maglitha "Letha" TABORN, who was born 21 Aug 1872, the daughter of Zachariah and Catharine CHAVOUS TABORN (see Chapter 7).

William and Meglitha are on the 1900 census of Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill. (E.D. 77, sheet 4, line 8). On the 1910 census (household 119) William's occupation was given as "odd jobs laborer." He died between 1910 and 1912. In 1920, Maglitha was a widow and appears on the census of ward 2, Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill., as "Lathe" CHAVIOUS, a 49-year-old widow (household 58). Her occupation was laundress. She died 21 Nov 1945.

(a) Alice CHAVIOUS was born in July 1892 in Illinois, died in 1991, and married Mr. BLACKWELL. She is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.

(b) Nellie CHAVIOUS was born in July 1896 in Illinois.

(c) Sarah J.C. CHAVIOUS was born in January 1898 in Illinois, died in 1990, and married Leo LANTON born in 1898, died in 1957. He was a veteran of World War I. They are buried in Lakeview Cemetery.

(d) Emma (or Mary V.) CHAVIOUS was born in February 1900 in Illinois and married Mr. EVANS.

(e) John E. CHAVIOUS was born 6 Jan 1902 in Illinois, died 18 Jan 1982, married Florence M. born 9 Feb 1904, died 7 Nov 1997. They are buried in Lakeview Cemetery.

(f) Irvin (or "Ervy" or Ira F.) CHAVIOUS was born about 1904 in Illinois.

(g) Eva CHAVIOUS was born about 1906 in Illinois.

(h) Leo (or George) CHAVIOUS was born about 1908 in Illinois.

(i) Bertha CHAVIOUS was born about 1912 in Illinois.

(2) John T. "Lum" CHAVIS was born about 1857 in Illinois. This is thought to be John JAVIS, who was a boarder in the household of Matilda ROLAND in Cobden, Union Co., Ill., in 1900 (household 201). John's occupation was a day laborer.

John T. CHAVOUS of Stokes Precinct, Union Co., Ill., purchased from Louisa and her husband Charles MITCHELL on 27 Oct 1882, for $150 the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres (Book 37 page 177). Louisa was John's cousin and the daughter of John and Rebecca ALLEN ALLEN. John T. mortgaged the land to Louisa on 27 Oct 1882 (Book 7 page 260). John is on the 1882 tax list of township 12 south, range 1 east and paid $1.68 in taxes on personal property valued at $51.

John T. CHAVIS married on 24 Oct 1888, in Johnson Co., Ill., Cordelia "Delia" WORLDS, who was born about 1871, the daughter of Green and Angeline MILLER WORLDS (Book E2 page 160).

On the 1930 census of Harrisburg, Saline Co., Ill., Lum is listed as being divorced. He was then a laborer working odd jobs.

John T. and his brother, Joseph CHAVOUS, were owners of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, when the mortgage was foreclosed on 24 Nov 1899. The land was sold to Peter Bentley ANDERSON, the highest bidder, on 20 Jan 1900 for $20 (Book 34 page 97 and Book 48 page 236). There is a John T. CHAVOUS, born 12 Jul 1866, died 3 Feb 1941, who is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.

Otto CHAVIS was born 12 Apr 1897, in Vienna, died 20 Oct 1954, of coronary occlusion and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery (Book 4 page 570). He never married. His gravestone is a military marker and records his death as 20 Aug 1954. Otto served in World War I as a private from Illinois in 416 Res. Labor BN QMC.

Otto is on the 1930 census of Vienna, Johnson Co., Ill., living in the household of Polly WILLIAMS, his mother’s sister. His grandmother, Anna (Angeline) WORLDS also lived with them. Otto was 33 years old, single, and his occupation was odd jobs laborer.

Rose Hill Cemetery is an African American cemetery on the south side of Vienna, which dates from the 1880s. The earliest marker found in the cemetery in 1999 was for Libbie JONES, who died in 1886. There were 26 legible markers and four military markers there for men who served in World War I. There were several headstones that were smooth and apparently never had inscriptions and many graves were only marked with small sandstones.

The church building used by the African American community in Vienna, known as the "old colored church" was still standing in 1999 on the south side of town on 7th Street. It was a simple structure and in poor condition. Mr. WATERS, a man in his 70s, who lived next to the old church, remembered as a young man coming to Vienna to the movies and said the shouts of the churchgoers there could be heard all over town when they were having revival meetings.

In the summer of 1955, a young man from the community was accused of entering the home of an elderly white woman in Vienna for the purpose of robbing her of her pension money. The woman and her granddaughter, who was staying there at the time, were attacked and the elderly woman later died from the beating. The young black man hid in a barn from the authorities for several days in which time many civilians were deputized to aid in the manhunt. During these few days, the homes of the African Americans were burned and the people were forced to move.

The last known African American to live in Vienna was "Old Man" WORLDS, who lived in a house near the cemetery.

(b) Beatrice CHAVIS married ? WORLDS. She lived at 4707 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., when her brother died in 1954.

(3) Augustus Monroe CHAVIS was born 9 Apr 1859, in Union Co., Ill. He was living in Carrier Mills when he married on 16 Oct 1895, in Saline Co., Ill., Mrs. America A. DABBS ALLEN. She was born 4 Oct 1861, and was the widow of Asberry ALLEN, who was born about 1842 in North Carolina, the son of John and Elmina FLOYD ALLEN. She and Asberry married in Saline Co., Ill., on 2 Jul 1882.

America was the daughter of Samuel (or Ed) and Catharine (or California) SINGLETON DABBS.

Monroe and America are on the 1900 census of Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill. (E.D. 47, sheet 4, line 3) and 1910 census (household 120).

Augustus and America are on the 1920 census of Harrisburg Township, Saline Co., Ill. (household 693) and are listed as white. Augustus's occupation was a farm hand. One of their daughters had a son, Carl ROUSE, who was born about 1917 and was living with his grandparents in 1920. He is on the 1930 census of Harrisburg, Saline Co., Ill., living in the household of his son, John CHAVOUS.

America died 26 Mar 1929, of heart disease in Saline Co., Ill. (Death Book 8 page 33).

Augustus died 1 Jun 1935, of chronic cardiac and renal disease (Death Book 9 page 301)

(a) Lizzie CHAVIS was born in October 1890 in Illinois and married in 1909 Eugene HARRISON, who was born about 1889. In 1910, they were living with Lizzie's parents at Carrier Mills.

(b) Millie or Nellie CHAVIS was born in March 1896 in Illinois.

(c) John Monroe CHAVIS was born in September 1897 in Illinois. In 1930 he was working as a farmer in Harrisburg Precinct, Saline Co., Ill. His 70-year-old father lived with him.

(4) Albert Lafayette "Lafe" CHAVOUS was born in June 1861 and married on 17 May 1888, in White Co., Ill., Mrs. Amanda Jane "Mandy" SHAW, who was born in 24 May 1861, in Illinois, the daughter of Theophilus and Mary Ann BRYANT TURNER. Amanda Jane's death record has her date of birth as 23 Nov 1862. She died 22 Apr 1937, in White Co., Ill. When he married, Albert's residence was Union Co., Ill., and the marriage license lists his mother’s maiden name as Patience ALLEN. Amanda was a sister of Clementine TURNER, who married John W. BLACKWELL. Amanda was previously married on 19 Mar 1882, in White Co., Ill., to Alonzo SHAW, who was born about 1860, the son of Cornelius and Sarah SHAW SHAW. Alonzo's brother, Cyrus SHAW married Penny ALLEN in White County in 1880.

Albert and Mandy are on the 1900 census of White Co., Ill. (household 55/56). Mandy was the mother of five children of whom two were living. Albert's stepdaughter, Iola SHAW, who was born in August 1883 in Illinois was living with them, as was a nephew, Coil TURNER, who was born in September 1888. Iola SHAW was the daughter of Alonzo and Amanda TURNER SHAW and married on 30 Apr 1910, in White County, Marion ELLIOTT, who was born about 1888, the son of Arnold and Fannie STEWART ELLIOTT. Iola is on the 1920 census with her mother as Ola SHAW. Arnold ELLIOTT was the son of Aaron ELLIOTT, who married on 8 Dec 1830, in Gallatin Co., Ill., Polly PRATER. Aaron died in Saline County and Peter ELLIOTT was appointed administrator of Aaron's estate in 1853 in Saline Co., Ill. (Box 6-9).

Aaron ELLIOTT was the slave of Timothy GUARD of Gallatin Co., Ill., and sold by him for $500 to Cornelius ELLIOTT also of Gallatin Co., Ill., on 22 Mar 1827. The bill of sale states that Aaron was "better known as the brother of Tall and Niell ELLIOTT." Aaron purchased his freedom and Cornelius set him free on 14 Jul 1832, in Gallatin Co., Ill. Cornelius "Niell" and Aaron were brothers and the "Niell" ELLIOTT mentioned is the same person as Cornelius. Cornelius ELLIOTT bought his own freedom for $1,000 from Timothy GUARD on 4 Aug 1821. GUARD stated he had purchased Cornelius from John ELLIOTT of Maury Co., Tenn., for $1,000 in March 1819.

Cornelius ELLIOTT was born about 1793 in North Carolina and married on 19 Jul 1849, in Saline Co., Ill., Sarah VINSON, who was born about 1812 in Kentucky. The name of his earlier wife is not known. He and Sarah are on the 1850 census of Saline Co., Ill. (household 2). Cornelius died 4 May 1868, in Saline Co., Ill., and his heirs were his widow, Sarah "Sally" ELLIOTT, and children: Peter (born about 1830), John (born about 1835), Charles H. (born about 1837), Samuel, George, Sarah Ann (born about 1842), Mary ELLIOTT (born about 1849), Julia Ann COLES (born about 1832), Nancy HOLLEY (born about 1838), and Minerva JAMISON (born about 1840).

Cornelius's first wife may have been Sally ELLIOTT, of whom Nancy VINSON testified on 9 Sep 1829, in Gallatin Co., Ill., was "a yellow woman aged nineteen years of the 14th day of October next, five feet five inches and a quarter high, a scar on the right side of the chin, also one near the outer corner of the right eye, a mole on the upper lip near the left corner of the mouth was born free in Union County, Kentucky."

"Tall," the brother of Cornelius and Aaron ELLIOTT, was probably Charles ELLIOTT, who was born about 1802 in Tennessee. He is on the 1850 census of Saline Co., Ill. (household 3), living next to Cornelius and was a farmer whose real estate was valued at $200. Living with him was Laura, born about 1822 in Kentucky, Cornelius born about 1854 in Illinois and Adaline born about 1846 in Illinois. Their race was listed as black.

On the 1910 census of the village of Maunie, White Co., Ill., Albert said his father was born in Tennessee and his mother in Illinois. Mandy was then the mother of six children of whom three were living.

There was a man named ELLIOTT "who was a little colored," who was murdered in what is now Williamson County. He worked for Thomas GRIFFEE at salt petre cave. He was stabbed to death there one Saturday night by a surveyor named John HICKS. He was pursued by GRIFFEE and John PHELPS and once captured, was taken to Kaskaskia where resided the nearest justice of the peace, where he was "whipped, cropped and branded and let go." (The History of Williamson County, Illinois by Milo Erwin, 1926, page 95). It is not known if this ELLIOTT was connected to the ELLIOTT family above.

Albert CHAVOUS died in 1912 and is buried in Sand Hill Cemetery in section 13 in Hawthorne Township, White Co., Ill. Mandy is the head of the household on the 1920 census in Emma Township, White Co., Ill. (household 30/30). Amanda died on 22 Apr 1937, aged 75 years, 10 months and 29 days, and was buried beside Albert in Sand Hill Township.

(a) Harry W. CHAVOUS was born in May 1895 in Illinois.

(b) Clarence CHAVOUS was born about 1902 in Illinois.

(5) James CHAVERS was born about 1864 and married on 25 Feb 1909, in White Co., Ill., Cordelia DUPEE, the daughter of William and Mary LEWIS DUPEE.

(6) Elizabeth CHAVIS was born about 1866 in Illinois.

(7) Mary Ann CHAVIS was born in April 1867 in Illinois and married on 8 Mar 1886, in White Co., Ill., James Henry WORLDS of Posey Co., Ind., who was born in April 1857, the son of James H. and Rosa BLACK WORLDS.

James H. WORLDS was the son of Henry and Jane WORLDS, and a brother of Green WORLDS. James was born in July 1826-30 in Tennessee and married again on 4 Feb 1871, in White Co., Ill., Elizabeth CUMMINGS, a native of Tennessee. They are on the 1900 census of Vienna Township, Johnson Co., Ill. (household 40).

Henry and Mary are on the 1900 census of Cache Precinct, Johnson Co., Ill. (household 26). Henry was a farmer who rented his farm. Living with him and his family was James KINDLE, a farm laborer, born in March 1864 in Kentucky.

James H. and Mary WORLDS are on the 1910 census of Simpson Township, Johnson Co., Ill. (household 137). She was then the mother of seven children, all living.

James Henry had a brother, Leonard WORLDS, who was born in 1860 in Mt. Vernon, Posey Co., Ind., and married on 24 Nov 1887, in White Co., Ill., Lucy MORGAN, who was born about 1868, the daughter of Alfred and Milly KISNER MORGAN. Leonard married 2nd on 13 Sep 1934, in Johnson Co., Ill., Mrs. Mary F. DOTSON, who was born in1886 in Massac Co., Ill. Mary did not know her father's name, but her mother's maiden name was NUBURN.

James Henry also had a half brother, Green WORLDS, who was born Feb1874 in Illinois, named after his uncle, Green WORLDS. Green married on 4 Sep 1901, in Johnson Co., Ill., Lou (also found as Lena and Lee) TITSWORTH, who was born about 1875 in Illinois. Green Jr.'s children were: Lula A. born in 1899, Ollie G. born in 1910, James born in 1912, Elmer born in 1915, and Julia born in 1916.

(a) Walter or Willie WORLDS was born in September 1886 in Illinois.

(b) Mary WORLDS was born in May 1891 in Illinois.

(c) Munroe WORLDS was born in September 1893 in Illinois.

(c) John WORLDS was born in May 1896 in Illinois.

(d) Bessie WORLDS was born in January 1899 in Illinois.

(e) Noval WORLDS was born about 1903 in Illinois.

(f) Viola WORLDS was born about 1903 in Illinois.

(8) Thomas CHAVIS was born in 1869 in Union Co., Ill. He is thought to be the son of John and Patience ARTIS CHAVIS, but was not listed with them on the 1880 census. He married on 9 Aug 1888, in Johnson Co., Ill., Alice Sarah WORLDS who was born in September 1871 in White Co., Ill., the daughter of Green and Angeline MILLER WORLDS (Book E page 140).

Green WORLDS married on 2 Oct 1864, in White Co., Ill., Angelina "Anna" MILLER.

On the 1900 census of Vienna, Johnson Co., Ill., Thomas's occupation was listed as a teamster (household 55). He owned his own home.

Living in the household next to Thomas and Alice were Green and Angeline WORLDS (household 56). Green WORLDS was born about 1845 in Illinois and Angeline was born about 1845 in Tennessee. Their other known children are Rosetta WORLDS born about 1865 (married 1 Feb 1885, in White Co., Ill., Reuben WOOTEN); Albert born about 1868 and died before 1880; Cordelia WORLDS born about 1873 (married John T. CHAVIS); Marshall WORLDS born about 1875; Polly WORLDS, born in March 1878 (married 3 Sep 1900, in White Co., Ill., Edward "Ed" WILLIAMS---Ed and Polly are on the 1910 census of Johnson Co., Ill., household 166 and 1920 census, household 119, with their children: Loyd born 1902, James Lester born 1905, John Wesley born 1907, and Paul born 1913.).

Angeline was also the mother of Mary MILLER, who was born about 1860 and married on 30 Oct 1874, in White Co., Ill., James A. TABEN, who was born about 1858. Their children were Charles TABEN born about 1876 and Juanona TABEN born about 1879. Living with them as a farm hand in 1880 (household 271) in White Co., Ill., was Lafayette CHAVESS, who was born about 1860 in Illinois (and married Amanda Jane TURNER, the daughter of Theophilus and Nancy BRYANT TURNER).

Green WORLDS is on the 1860 census of White Co., Ill. (household 201) living next to Gilford ALLEN; and on the 1870 (household 201/205) and 1880 censi of White Co., Ill.

Green WORLD died 19 Nov 1935, in Vienna, Johnson Co., Ill., aged 61 years. Angeline WORLD died 26 Dec 1934, in Vienna, Johnson Co., Ill.

Green WORLDS was the son of Henry and Jane (or "Jenny") WORLDS who are on the 1850 census of Gallatin Co., Ill., Shawneetown Precinct (household 30). Henry WORLDS was born about 1797 in Halifax Co., N.C., and Jenny was born about 1808 in North Carolina. They moved from North Carolina, to Tennessee, and to Gallatin Co., Ill., about 1838. Rebecca POWERS, a white woman, swore on 3 Sep 1844, in Gallatin Co., Ill., that Henry was born in Halifax County of free parents. Henry and Jenny were farmers and their children who were living with them in 1850 were: James, who was born about 1826 in Tennessee; Lemuel, who was born about 1828 in Tennessee; Alexander, who was born about 1834 in Tennessee; Polly, who was born about 1832 in Tennessee; Green, who was born about 1841 in Illinois; and Eleanor, who was born in 1850 (married 13 Dec 1874, in White Co., Ill., Howard GENTRY).

Henry WORLD is also on the 1840 census of North Fork Township, Gallatin Co., Ill. (p 58). This was the part of Gallatin County which became Saline County.

Thomas died before 1920.

Alice was head of the household in 1920 and her occupation was laundress in Johnson Co., Ill. (household 121). She is also on the 1930 census of Vienna, Johnson Co., Ill. (household 88).

(a) Thomas Lee CHAVIS was born 16 Aug 1891, in Johnson Co., Ill. (Birth Book 9 page 358). He married on 26 Jul 1916, in Johnson Co., Ill., Nannie HOWARD, who was born 23 Nov 1897 in Brookport, Massac Co., Ill., the daughter of Richard and Mildred YOUNG HOWARD (Marriage Book I page 48).

Richard HOWARD married on 24 Dec 1894, in Pope Co., Ill., Mildred YOUNG (Book A-1 page 203).

Lee preceded Nannie in death. Nannie died 14 Jun 1931, in Saline Co., Ill. (Death Book 8 page 361).

(b) William Floyd CHAVIS was born in February 1894 in Illinois. This may be the same person as Floyd CHAVIS born about 1897 in Illinois, who was a coal miner on the 1920 and 1930 censuses of Harrisburg, Saline Co., Ill. His wife was Ada or "Addie" WILLIAMS CHAVIS, born about 1900 in Illinois, the daughter of William L. and Sarah WILLIAMS. They were living with Ada’s parents on Poplar Street in 1920. His children were Hugo born about 1920, Thomas born about 1922, and Mary Kathyrn born about 1925. In 1930 they lived on South Street in Harrisburg.

(c) Bertha May CHAVIS was born in May 1896 in Illinois.

(c) William Franklin "Billie" CHAVIS was born 15 Sep 1903, in Vienna, Johnson Co., Ill. (Birth Book 9 page 30). He married on 1 Sep 1926, in Johnson Co., Ill., Mrs. Grenada BUFFORD, who was born in 1903 in Illinois. Witnesses to their marriage were Floyd CHAVIS and Sampie CHAVIS.

On the 1920 census Billie was living with his mother and his occupation was listed as delivery boy for the meat market. In 1930 he and Grenada lived with his mother.

(d) Marion Audy CHAVIS was born 26 Aug 1909, in Vienna, Johnson Co., Ill., and died 15 Jul 1946, of syphilis at the Anna State Hospital, Union Co., Ill. He married on 10 Jun 1936, in Johnson Co., Ill., Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth SCOTT, who was born in 1910, the daughter of Jim and Olive SUTTON SCOTT (Marriage Book J page 318). Sarah had been married once before her marriage to Audy.

(9) Joseph "Joe" CHAVIS was born in January 1870 in Illinois and married on 15 Feb 1896, in Saline Co., Ill., at the house of J.H. WORLDS, Arizona "Zona" BURGESS, who was born in October 1879 in Indiana (or Carmi, Ill.), the daughter of Julius and Lucinda BREWINGTON BURGESS.

Zona married 2nd on 24 Apr 1909, in Union Co., Ill., William P. "Billy" ELDER, who was born 5 Mar 1884 in Cobden, Union Co., Ill., the son of William and Belle MITCHELL ELDER. William P. was a laborer in Cobden when they married. William ELDER was born 4 Aug 1852, in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tenn., died 11 Dec 1937, in Cobden, Union Co., Ill., of apoplexy, and is buried in Cobden Cemetery. He was the son of Alexander ELDER. William married on 28 Jul 1880, in Union Co., Ill.Belle MITCHELL, who was born in September 1863 in Overton Co., Tenn. Belle was the daughter of William Penn and Susan (MITCHELL) MITCHELL. They had Flora born Jan 1881, William "Billy" ELDER born in1884, Robert F. born Dec 1885, Arthur born Mar 1889, Bessie ELDER born Jul 1891 (was living with her grandmother, Susan DENT, in 1910 and working in the box factory in Cobden --household 197), and Mabel born Feb 1895.

A sister of Belle was Virginia "Jennie" MITCHELL, who was born about 1866 in Jackson Co Tenn. Her mother, Susan MITCHELL, gave her permission to marry Dillard BURTON on 19 Jun 1882, in Union County, but the marriage never occurred. Dillard was born about 1852 in Tennessee and was a farm laborer living with George and Fannie MITCHELL in 1880 in Cobden (household 313-323). Jennie married on 19 Jan 1883, in Union County, Benjamin GLASPER, who was born about 1855 in Jackson, Miss., the son of Robert and ____ (HERD) GLASPER. Their first child was a son, born 17 Jan 1884, in Cobden. Mary GLASPER, their sixth child, was born 3 Jun1894, in Cobden, and was living in Cobden in 1910, household 197, with her grandmother, Susan DENT, and working in the box factory.

On the 1870 census of Anna Precint (household 155) is Charles and Esther MITCHELL. Charles was a farmer, born in 1830 in Tennessee and his wife, Esther, was born in October 1832 in Tennessee. Their daughter Susan MITCHELL was born 10 Jan 1844, in Gainsborough, Tenn., and died 29 Dec 1929, in Cobden and was buried in Cobden Cemetery. Susan married about 1890 Aaron "Ned" DENT born 10 Mar 1834, in Alabama, died 10 May 1924, in Union County of senile degeneration. They had a daughter, Mary DENT, who was born in June 1893. Aaron was previously married on 16 May 1869, in Union County, to Henrietta YOUNG. (Aaron was a teamster and lived in Anna in 1870 with his wife Henrietta and two stepchildren, Alfred YOUNG born in 1865 and Estella "Tudy" YOUNG born in 1867. Alfred died 1 May 1886 in Cobden and was buried in Cobden Cemetery. "He was born and raised here (Anna) and for several years was the only youthful representative of his name in our city.--8 May 1886 Jonesboro Gazette.) Another child on the census with them in 1870 was George MITCHELL, who was born about 1852 in Tennessee and married 21 May 1874, in Union County Fannie TRICE, who was born about 1854 in Virginia, probably the daughter of Secherd and Sophia TRICE on the 1880 census of Cobden. (Their children on the 1880 census of Cobden, household 313, were: Maria E. born 1874, Charles L. born in 1876, and Louesa born in 1878). Clarissa WILLIAMSON, born about 1851 in Tennessee and Emily LANGFORD born about 1848 in Tennessee are also living with Charles and Esther.

Susan MITCHELL, the daughter of Charles and Esther MITCHELL, was the mother of Belle. It seems likely that her husband, William P. MITCHELL, died before 1870. Children of Ann on the census were Bell, Virginia, and Isaac "Frank", who was born about 1869 in Tennessee. Susan was head of the household in 1880 in Cobden (household311), although Charles and Easter lived with her.

Charles MITCHELL died before 1900 and Esther is listed on that census (household 192) in the village of Cobden, as a widow, the mother of four children, of whom two were living. The following grandchildren were living with her: Charley MITCHELL born Sep 1884, Melvin born May 1890, Permelia born Jan 1895, and Sampson W. born Jan 1899.

William ELDER married 2nd on 27 Jan 1905, in Cobden, Union Co., Ill., Mrs. Lucinda BREWINGTON BURGESS, who was born in February 1861 in Tennessee, the daughter of Alexander and Sally HUDDLESTON BREWINGTON (or BRUINTON). Lucinda died 17 Aug 1932, in Cobden, Union Co., Ill. of valvular heart disease and was buried in Cobden Cemetery.

Julius BURGESS was born about 1855 in White Co., Tenn., and was the son of Sam and Mary "Polly" BURGESS. Julius's brother, William H. BURGESS, married Nancy BREWINGTON, the daughter of Ann BREWINGTON of White Co., Tenn.

In 1880, Belle MITCHELL was working as a domestic servant. In 1900 (household 195) William and Belle ELDER were living in Cobden, where they rented a home. He was working as a day laborer. Their children were: Flora, born January 1881, died young; William Jr., born November 1884; Robert F. born December 1885; Arthur born March 1889, died young; Bessie born July 1891, and married a GREEN; and Mabel born February 1895, died young.

When the 1900 census was taken, Joe and Zona CHAVIS were living on South Main Street in Carbondale, Jackson Co., Ill. (E.D. 18, sheet 3, line 42).

Arizona BURGESS CHAVIS's brother, William BURGESS, was born about 1893 in Carrier Mills, Ill. He lived in Cobden when he married on 11 Jun 1916, in Union Co., Ill., Lucy ELDER, who was born about 1900 in Cobden, Ill., the daughter of Monroe and Minnie ELDER ELDER.

Monroe ELDER was accused of bastardy by Mary MARVOY on 30 May 1887, in Union County. She claimed before Hugh ANDREWS, a police magistrate in Anna, that she gave birth to a male child on 11 Aug 1885, in Cobden, and that Monroe was the father. Monroe was arrested and he and J.B.B. BROADWAY posted $200 bond on 4 Jun 1887. ELDER said he feared and believed he could not have a fair and impartial trial before ANDREWS and a change of venue was given to Reuben ROLAND, the next nearest justice. The case never went to trial, as Mary MARBLE (spelled MARVOY in earlier records) agreed to dismiss the suit on 31 Aug 1887, and release all claims against Monroe in respect to her child for $20 paid her by Monroe.

Monroe L. ELDER was born in August 1859 in Tennessee, and married Ella RILEY on 5 Jun 1882, in Union Co., Ill. He was born about 1859 in Clarksville, Tenn., the son of Hanons and Ellen ELDER. Ellen ELDER was born about 1842 in Tennessee and was a widow at the time of the 1880 census in Cobden (household 208-217). Brother of Monroe L. were Reuben (born about 1854 in Tennessee) and Joseph ELDER (bornabout 1866). Ella was born July 1865 in Movendeth, Ill., daughter of William and Martha (PARKER) RILEY. Her name is recorded as Lucy C. RILEY when their first child, Minthy ELDER, was born 11 Oct 1882, in Cobden. Other children of Monroe and Ella were Ellen ELDER was born Oct 1884 (1900 census, Cobden, 211-217 and had three children born out of wedlock: Lucie in 1902, Earnest on 10 Nov 1906, in Cobden, and Alma in 1909).

William and Arizona ELDER had a daughter, Fay ELDER, who was born in 1910 in Cobden, Ill. William was then working at the box mill.

(a) Ione Fay CHAVIS was born in October 1899 in Illinois.

(10) Charles F. "Charlie" CHAVIS was born in May 1872 in Illinois. He was a day laborer living in the household of Matilda ROLAND in Cobden in 1900.

He married Dora B. AUSTON, who was born in 1879 in Illinois. They are on the 1920 census of Grand Tower, Jackson Co., Ill. (household 189/185). Charles is recorded as a mulatto, as were his children, but Dora was recorded as black. His occupation was a laborer.

Charles and Dora are also on the 1930 census of Grand Tower, Jackson Co., Ill. (household 213). His occupation was farm laborer.

(a) Charles L. CHAVOUS was born in 1901 in Illinois.

(b) Roy CHAVOUS was born 7 Jun 1902 in Cobden, Illinois (Birth Register 3 p 21).

(c) Delmer M. CHAVOUS was born in 1907 in Illinois.

(d) Marshall J. CHAVOUS was born in 1908 in Illinois.

(e) Harold L. CHAVOUS was born in 1910 in Illinois.

(f) Patience C. (Elizabeth) CHAVOUS was born in 1912 in Illinois.

(g) William F. CHAVOUS was born in 1915 in Illinois.

(h) Robert V. CHAVOUS was born in 1917 in Illinois.

(i) John H. CHAVOUS was born in 1919 in Illinois.

(j) Clarence CHAVOUS was born in 1922 in Jackson Co., Ill.

(11) Leyerge (Lycurgus?) CHAVIS was born about 1876 in Illinois.

 

The children of Arthur and Patience HAWLEY ALLEN:

1. Littleberry ALLEN was born about 1815 probably in Northampton Co., N.C., and died in 1854 in Union Co., Ill. No marriage record for Littleberry can be found, but his share of his mother's estate was inherited by his heirs, so he might have had a wife or children living in 1854. Otherwise, his heirs would have been his brothers and sisters, with his half sister, Elizabeth, probably receiving a smaller share.

On the 1810 (page 122), 1820 (page 90) and 1830 (page 331) census of Henrico Co., Va., appears the name Littleberry ALLEN, a white man. Littleberry of Henrico County died before 1840 and his son, Littleberry Jr., who was born about 1806 in Virginia, moved to Boone Co., Ky., by 1850 and shows on the census there (household 143). It is not known if there is a family connection with the Littleberry of Henrico County and the Arthur ALLEN family of Union Co., Ill., but because Littleberry is an unusual name, a family connection seems possible. A more likely explanation of the name is that Littleberry originated from Asberry, a common name in the ALLEN family.

Littleberry ALLEN patented from the government 40 acres near his father, Arthur, in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east and paid $50 for his land on 4 Jun 1840.

Littleberry paid 82cents in taxes in 1846 in Union County for horses worth $50, cattle worth $14, a cart worth $6 and other personal property worth $85. He paid 31cents in taxes in 1847 for cattle worth $25 and $15 worth of other personal property.

On 3 Mar 1845, the Illinois Legislature approved a law which stated that "any black, colored or mulatto man and white woman, and any white man and black, colored or mulatto woman, who shall live together in an open state of adultery or fornication, or adultery and fornication, shall be indicted, and on conviction, severally fined, in any sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, and confined in the penitentiary for a term not exceeding one year. For the second offence, the punishment shall be doubled; third, trebeled, and in the same ratio for each succeeding offence."

Littleberry ALLEN and Harriet SAMMONS were charged with adultery and fornication on 20 Sep 1847, in Union County. The charges continued on the books until 23 Apr 1849, when the 24-year-old state's attorney, Francis M. RAWLINGS, ordered that a nolle prosequi be entered, which meant the People did not wish to further pursue the case (Circuit Court Book D pages 328, 360; Book E page 1). If Harriet was white, she and Littleberry may have been living together because they could not legally marry in Illinois. Since Littleberry and Harriet do not appear on the 1850 census of Union County, perhaps their nonresidence was the reason for the charges being dropped.

The parents of Harriet SAMMONS have not been identified. Daniel SAMMONS is the head of a white family on the 1840 census of Union County, age 30-40 (born 1800-1810). His wife was also 30-40. Children in the family were a male age 5-10 (born 1830-1835), female 10-15 (born 1825-1830), female 5-10 (born 1830-1835), and a female under 5 (born 1835-40). Daniel patented the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 8, and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 7, both in township 12 south, range 2 west. This is about five miles northwest of Jonesboro and about 20 miles west of where the ALLENs settled. There are no SAMMONSes on the 1850 census of Union County. The only SAMMONS on the 1846 tax list is Daniel SAMMONS and the only SAMMONS on the 1847 tax list is Nancy SAMMONS. Mrs. Nancy SAMMONS married 30 Jul 1847, in Union County Robert R. CRAIG, who died 5 May 1863, in Union County, leaving his widow, Nancy and two children: Elizabeth ASBERRY and Margaret LIPLEY. Nancy may be the widow of Daniel SAMMONS or of John SAMMONS, who died 10 Jan 1847, in Union County. John SAMMONS was also white and had a son, Jonathon SAMMONS, as John charged the estate of Mastin GREEN $16 in August 1836 "for three months work by my son Jonathon." John SAMMONS is on the 1830 and 1840 censuses of Union County and lived in the Dongola area. He was born about 1800, as was his wife. Living with him in 1830 was a female born 1825-30, a male born 1815-20, a male born 1820-25, and three males born 1825-30. In 1840 there were four females born 1820-25 and one female born 1835-40, 1 male born 1810-20, four males born 1820-25, and one male born 1825-30.

At the same time Littleberry and Harriet were prosecuted, The People of the State of Illinois charged William MURRAY "colored" and Mary MURRAY "white" with fornication in Union County and also dropped the charges. They moved to Johnson Co., Ill., where William MURRAY "a man of colour" and Mary MURRAY "white" were again charged with fornication in April 1851 (Book 6 page 374). The case continued on the books until 17 Apr 1854, when State's Attorney John A. LOGAN moved to quash the indictment (Book 7 page 34). Also on 21 Apr 1851, in Johnson County, William was charged with "challenging to fight a duel," but the charge was dismissed, and he and Thomas H. MAHER were charged with "riot," but found not guilty (Book 6 page 366). Thomas H. MAHER was born in 1818 in County Tipperary, Ireland, and immigrated to America in 1831. He was living in Pope County in 1844 when he filed his declaration of intention to become a U.S. citizen. On 25 Apr 1851, the grand jury again returned indictments against William MURRAY and Thomas H. MAHER for challenging to fight a duel and their bail was set at $200 each (Book 6 page 389). MAHER pled not guilty, but was found guilty by the jury and fined $20 and court costs on 25 Aug 1851 (Book 6 page 403). William's case came to trial 20 Apr 1852, and he pled not guilty. The jury, consisting of Gabriel UTLEY, Reed SMOOT, James AXLEY, W.C. KELLEY, Samuel HOWELL, H.B. SUTLIFF, Fountain MILLER, Marvin SCROGGINS, Irvin WISE, Barnet GORE, J. FRIZZEL and R.C. PEARCE, found William not guilty. Between 1854 and 1860 the MURRAYs moved to Williamson Co., Ill., and appear on the 1860 census there (household 886/769). William MURRAY was born about 1821 in Tennessee and is listed as a mulatto, as are his children. His wife, Mary MURRAY, was born 1821 in Kentucky and was listed as white. Their children were: Nancy A., born about 1841 in Tennessee; Francis F., born about 1846 in Tennessee; Kanzada, born about 1847 in Illinois; Martha H., born about 1850; William D., born about 1853; Karenah, born about 1854; and William F., born in 1860. Littleberry ALLEN and Harriet SAMMONS were indicted at the same time as the MURRAYs in Union County, but it is not known if their cases were in any other way related.

Outrage over interracial marriage continued in southern Illinois. On 7 Mar 1886, Peter BLY, an African American man, reportedly abandoned his wife and children and ran away with the daughter of D.M. KELLEY a "prominent farmer" from the Dongola area. One writer for the Jonesboro Gazette refrained from publishing her name, "out of respect for her parents" and another said "It is a disgusting affair and we have no desire to do more than make passing allusion to it." The "grief stricken" father pursued them. The editor of the paper said, "If the Negro is overtaken, a good dose of Delaware whipping post might do him some good." (Jonesboro Gazette 13 Mar 1886).

The 3 Apr 1886, Jonesboro Gazette said the Metropolis Democrat reported the story in this manner:

Peter BLY colored, late of Massac County, but more recently of Union, the illustrious proprietor of a wife and nine other niggers small and great, and the victim of one or more indictments in our county for many years pasty, has turned up in his old role as masher, and that of another white woman. Some two years ago Peter lavished the whole wealth of his gushing affection on the wife of Mr. Buck REED, a white man living near Brooklyn, in this county. To save his wife from the lascivious longings of the wily Peter, Mr. REED took her and started for Kansas, but Peter, like a bad dollar, also turned up in the Wild West and the villain still pursued Mrs. REED thereby severing the conjugal relations between herself and her lawful spouse. From some cause unknown to us, Peter returned to Illinois, turned up in Union County where he engaged the service of Mr. D.M. KELLEY, a well to do white farmer who had a daughter aged about 26 years. It appears that Peter, notwithstanding his proprietary interests in the original wife and nine niggers, small and great, laid seize to the heart of his maiden mild and that she returned Peter's affection with interest. It further appears that Peter was aided in his pursuit by the touching consideration extended him by the KELLEY family in this, that they made of him a bosom companion. Be that as it may, Peter went down to Cairo a few days ago and procured a marriage license, after which he returned for the damsel and together they footed it about five miles to Wetaug where they took the Illinois Central train to Cairo and were married. This appears to have taken place on Sunday. About Thursday, Deputy Sheriff J.P. McLEAN of Union County fell on Peter with a state warrant and would have taken him back to Union County but for the fact that the friends of Peter got out a writ of habeas corpus and thereby very likely saved the carcass of Peter from dangling at a rope's end near the scene of his latest amours. Peter now languishes in the Cairo jail and the unfortunate girl has gone back to her father's perhaps sadder and wiser. On Monday last Mr. John W. STEWART of Hillerman Precinct was in the Democrat office, the happy bearer of a $2 order from the county commissioners to the family of masher Peter, said order to be used in assuaging the hungry gnawings of the lawful spouse and the nine other niggers great and small.

Daniel M. KELLEY, son of John KELLEY, married 8 Jul 1858, in Union Co., Ill., Sarah A. FERGUSON.

On 24 Sep 1853, in Union Co., Ill., the People charged Berry ALLEN with two counts of larceny. His bail was set at $350. Littleberry must have gotten out on bail, as the next record of him was the 13 Feb 1854, estate sale of Patience ALLEN's personal property, at which L.B. ALLEN was a purchaser. On 15 May 1854, The State's Attorney, John A. LOGAN, reported to the judge that "the death of the defendant being suggested to the court, therefore ordered that this suit abate" (Circuit Court Book E pages 260, 266). Littleberry's life came to a violent end when he was murdered with a knife and wagon hammer in Stokes Settlement in Union County in the spring of 1854. His brother-in-law, John William BLACKWELL, was accused of the crime and prosecuted by State's Attorney, John A. LOGAN. After the jury was called, the state's attorney decided not to prosecute and the murder was never solved.

2. Arthur ALLEN Jr. was born about 1817, probably in Johnston Co., N.C., and died after 1854. "Little Arter" ALLEN and Allen STOKES shucked Arthur ALLEN's corn crop and were paid $4 by the administrator of his estate on 4 Jun 1840. "Little Arter" may be a reference to Littleberry. Arthur and his mother, Patience ALLEN borrowed $40 at 12 percent interest on 1 Oct 1843, from John OLIVER and David Y. BRIDGERS, administrators debonis non of Arthur ALLEN. Arthur Jr. has not been located on the 1850 census or any later ones in Illinois. He may have returned to North Carolina, as on the 1850 census of Northampton County (household 835), is Arthur ALLEN, who was born about 1814 in North Carolina. It is not known if this is Arthur ALLEN Jr. or a cousin. Arthur had no occupation according to the 1850 census. He married on 3 January 1834, in Northampton County, Dorothy "Dolly" GARNER, who was born about 1813 in North Carolina. The following children are those of the Arthur ALLEN in Northampton Co., N.C., in 1850, who may or may not be the same person as Arthur ALLEN Jr. of Union Co., Ill.

a. Mary ALLEN born about 1835 in Northampton Co., N.C.

b. James ALLEN born about 1837 in Northampton Co., N.C.

c. John ALLEN born about 1839 in Northampton Co., N.C.

d. Martha ALLEN born about 1845 in Northampton Co., N.C.

e. Arthur ALLEN born about 1847 in Northampton Co., N.C.

f. Eliza ALLEN born about 1848 in Northampton Co., N.C.

 

3. Nathan ALLEN was born about 1820, probably in Johnston Co., N.C. Nathan married about 1851 Emily BASS (or BOZE). She was born about 1830 in Illinois. The marriage license has not been found in Union, Johnson, Saline, Gallatin or White Co., Ill.

Nathan may have been named for Nathan HAWLEY, who was perhaps a relative of Nathan's mother, Patience HAWLEY ALLEN. Nathan HAWLEY was a free person of color listed on the 1820 census of Caswell Co., N.C. (page 25).

Nathan ALLEN made the following land purchases from the government: the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east, 60.6 acres, for $75.75 on 8 Dec 1846; the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 12, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, for $50 on 12 Sep 1848; southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east, 80 acres, for $50 on 8 Aug 1853; and northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east, 40 acres, for $50 on 8 Aug 1853.

On 24 Mar 1844, Nathan purchased for $65 from his brother, John ALLEN, the west half of section 13, 160 acres; northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, 40 acres; and half of the southeast quarter of section 14, 80 acres; all in township 12 south, range 1 east (Book 14 page 236).

In 1846, Nathan was taxed 78.5cents for horses worth $45, cattle worth $17, and other personal property worth $20.

The case of Nathan ALLEN v. Wilborn MURPHY on appeal first appears in Union County circuit court records on 21 May 1852. None of the details of the case have been found, but it was dismissed on 16 May 1853 (Book E pages 181, 189). MURPHY was a white man, who married on 12 May 1836, in Union Co., Ill., Mary Ann SIVIA.

Nathan ALLEN died in December 1857 and James BOSWELL was appointed administrator of his estate in Johnson Co., Ill., on 18 Dec 1857 (Probate boxes 1 and 8). His personal property was sold at public auction for $1,151.76. His widow, Emily, received $615.79 and each of his five children got $246.32.

After Nathan died, his widow, Emily ALLEN, married Nathan's brother, Henry ALLEN. Nathan's children are found in the 1860 census in the household of Henry ALLEN in Johnson Co., Ill.

a. Winchester William Nelson ALLEN was born 1 Aug 1852, in Illinois, and died 18 Feb 1904, in Elvira, Johnson Co., Ill., of la grippe , following an illness of 14 days. The birth date is as it appears on his tombstone. His death certificate says he was a mulatto, a farmer, and was born 1 Oct 1851 (Death Book 1 page 145). He married on 21 Mar 1872, in White Co., Ill., Letha Frances STEWART, who was born 24 Dec 1854, in Tennessee, and died 29 Oct 1935, of chronic myocarditis. She was the daughter of John STEWART (see Chapter 7) and her death certificate reports she was a white woman (Book 3 page 132). Winchester, Letha and their child are buried in Allen Cemetery in Johnson Co., lll.

On 9 Apr 1883, Winchester and Letha sold to Morgan STOKES for $100, their undivided half interest in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres (Book 39 page 29).

Winchester purchased land in Johnson Co., Ill., (part of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east, 20 acres) from his wife's parents, John and Hannah STUART on 11 Apr 1883, for $125 (Book 30 page 241).

Winchester was under the care of Dr. Thomas B. GORE from 4-17 Feb 1904. He made visits to his home and charged the estate $19.50 for his medical attention. Dr. R.M. McCALL also charged $20 for medical services in Winchester's last illness.

When he died, Winchester owned the east part of the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, 26 acres; and the south half of the southwest quarter, 120 acres; and the north part of the east half of the southeast quarter, 20 acres; the west part of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, 24 acres; the east part of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, 16 acres; all in section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east in Johnson Co., Ill. His personal property mainly consisted of livestock, farm products and farming equipment, the sale of which amounted to $428.75. The widow, Letha, received $654.50 in personal property as specific widow's property allowed her by law.

Letha is on the 1920 census of Elvira Township, Johnson Co., Ill., as a white woman and her children are also listed as white (household 90/91). All the known descendants of Winchester and Letha ALLEN have a white identity.

John STEWART, Letha’s father, is on the 1860 census of Williamson Co., Ill., (household 131). John STEWART and his family appear as mulattos. He was born about 1833 in Tennessee and his wife (?), Polly STEWART was born about 1841 in Illinois. Polly was probably not John’s first wife, since she was only about 11 year old when John’s oldest child was born. John STEWART’s children were: Dilly, born about 1852 in Tennessee; Letha, born in 1854 in Tennessee; Dorthula, born about 1856 in Tennessee; Parthena "Mollie," born about 1859 in Marion, Williamson Co., Ill. (married 29 Mar 1881, in Union Co., Ill., Peyton ROWLAND, who was born about 1858 in Mattamoras, Mexico, or Edenborough, Texas, son of Richard "Dick" and Matilda (JACKSON) ROWLAND. This was his second marriage. He was a shoemaker in Cobden and the marriage license states he was part African and Mexican. Peyton's brother, Matthew ROLAN's marriage license says he was part Indian and African. Peyton was a teamster in Cobden on 14 Feb 1880, in Union Co., Ill., Mrs. Fannie GRANT, who was born about 1850 in Clarksville, Tenn., daughter of Zack and Silva (HILL) WILLIS. Parthena married 2nd on 8 Jan 1885, Williamson Co., Ill., Sylvander TABURN son of Dawson and Elmira EVANS TABURN). Parthena's marriage licenses list her parents as John and Cis SCOTT STEWART. There is a marriage license for John STEWART and Hannah A. SCOTT in Adams Co., Ill., on 18 Mar 1852, but it is not known if this is the same John STEWART of Johnson Co., Ill..

Also listed last on the 1860 census in the household of John STEWART is Polly STEWART, who was born about 1849 in Tennessee, perhaps a sister of John STEWART.

On the 1860 mortality schedule of Williamson County was Polly STEWART, who was born about 1800 in Virginia and died in April 1860 of pneumonia. She was listed as a mulatto and perhaps was the mother of John STEWART.

There are several families of free blacks named STEWART living in Wilson Co., Tenn. They are thought to have settled there from Wake Co., N.C., where William STEWART is on the 1790 census with 11 free persons of colour in his household. The TABURNs, another free black family in southern Illinois were also from Wake County.

They are on the 1880 census of Johnson Co., Ill., (household 417). John STEWART was born about 1820 in Tennessee. Living with them were: Lucinda STEWART born about 1862-65 in Williamson Co., Ill., (married on 22 Sep 1885, in Union Co., Ill., George A. ALLISON, who was born about 1866 in Union Co., Ill., the son of Huston and Isabell (CUSTER) ALLISON) , Josephine STEWART born about 1863, Carthena STEWART born about 1860, Lydia Ann STEWART born about 1866, Henry STEWART born about 1867, Charley STEWART born about 1869, and Susan STEWART born about 1872; all born in Illinois. John STEWART was a farmer and the race of his family is reported as white.

John STEWART married on 23 Dec 1862, in Williamson Co., Ill., Mrs. Hannah BRYANT. Hannah's daughter, Susan's 1901 marriage license gives her mother's maiden name as Ellen LITTLEJOHN.

(1) Arthur ALLEN, who was born in1872, is probably a son of Winchester ALLEN. Arthur's mother was Winchester's first cousin, Lottie ALLEN, and on Arthur's marriage license he named his father as Chester ALLEN (see Lottie ALLEN).

(2) Sarah E. "Sallie" ALLEN was born in March 1874 in Illinois. In 1920 she was single and living with her mother in Elvira Township. She was then an employee of the state hospital, probably at Anna, Illinois. The census taker recorded that she was white.

On 11 Feb 1905, her brother, Charles F., stated that Sallie was insane and asked to be appointed conservator of her personal property in Johnson County (Box 62). Sarah died in 1933.

(3) Charles Franklin ALLEN was born 15 Nov 1878, in Elvira Township, Johnson Co., Ill. (Birth Book 1 page 33). Family records give his date of birth as 23 Nov 1878. On the 1920 census he was listed as white and was living with his mother in Elvira Township.

He worked for a time at state mental health institutions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri, as a psychiatric aide to help finance his brother's, Bundy ALLEN's, education. His son-in-law recalled in 1989 that he "was especially fond of his garden....His greatest delight in life was working his farm and sharing the fruits of his labor with his many friends." He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).

His obituary states, "He had always worked short periods in the South, but the urge to get behind the plow always brought him home in the spring. He loved the land. It responded to his care and yielded its fruits throughout the seasons. His herd of Black Angus cattle grazed in the green pastures and were a special joy to him."

Charles married, at age 57, on 30 Apr 1936, Anna E. BILLINGSLEY. "Charlie" died on 11 Jun 1980, at the age of 101, and was buried in Allen Cemetery in Johnson Co., Ill.

(4) Oscar ALLEN was born 6 Oct 1880, in Elvira Township, Johnson Co., Ill., and died 4 Feb 1881 (Birth Book 1 page 101). His grave marker suggests his birth date was 16 Oct 1880.

(5) Bundy ALLEN was born 22 Aug 1885, in Elvira Township, Johnson Co., Ill. (Birth Book 1 page 190). He was killed in an automobile accident in November 1935. He was a physician in Miami, Fla., and attended Iowa State Medical College and graduated with honors. For a time he practiced medicine in Iowa, but moved to Florida, and at the time of his death held a high position on the physician's staff in a Miami hospital. His wife's was Edith C. ALLEN, born about 1890 in Missouri. She was living in Iowa in 1980.

Bundy and Edith are on the 1920 census of Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa, living on Iowa Avenue. His occupation was listed as operator at Roy Hospital. They are on the 1930 census of Tampa, Hillsborough Co., Fla. (household 3116). His occupation was listed as x-ray specialist. Their race is recorded as white on both censuses.

(a) Joseph Bundy "Joe" ALLEN born in 1925 in Iowa, died 5 Jul 1998. His wife was Betty ALLEN.

aa. Kathy ALLEN married STEVENS of Killduff, Iowa.

(6) Ted ALLEN was born 19 Aug 1887, in Elvira Township, Johnson Co., Ill. The birth certificate records that he was white (Birth Book 1 page 236).

When his mother's estate was settled in 1935, Ted was to receive $91.03, but his brother, Charles, reported to the court that Ted's "residence is not known and I have not heard from him in six years."

As a young man, Ted's problems with the law consisted of a charge of assault and battery with a pistol on Guy BRIDGERS on 26 May 1906. In September, Letha and Ted's brother, Charles, posted the $100 bail. The following year, on 1 Dec 1907, he was charged with possession of a sling shot and on 23 Dec 1908, he and Elmer BUIE and Ben ELKINS were charged with "loud talking, profane swearing, and using vulgar language to interrupt an assembly of people met for the worship of God" in Johnson Co., Ill. (Boxes 67 and 68).

(7) June ALLEN was born in June 1890. She married Mr. POE and lived in Fullerton, Ky., in 1935 and in South Fulton, Tenn., in 1980. She died in 1988.

(a) Dr. Jean POE of Fulton, Ky.

b. Surrelda Patience A. ALLEN was born in 1852 in Illinois and married about 1872, Davis PORTER, who was born about 1833 in Indiana and died 10 Feb 1883, in Mt. Vernon, Posey Co., Ind. Surrelda died between 1874 and 1880 and left Francis and Tumery PORTER of Princeton, Ind., as her heirs.

Surrelda is on the 1870 census of Saline Co., Ill., (household 266), as an 18-year-old girl, living with Charles and Matilda J. MITCHELL.

Surrelda and Davis purchased for $300 on 1 Jan 1878, the interest of her sister, Mary E. ALLEN, of Elvira, Johnson Co., Ill., in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres; and east half of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 12 south, range 1 east, 80 acres (Book 32 page 132). On the same day, Surrelda and Davis sold to Mary E. ALLEN of Elvira, part of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter and the east part of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter and part of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east, 38 acres in Johnson Co., Ill. (Book X page 584).

The land in southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 13, 40 acres, was sold on 16 Feb 1884, by William C. MORELAND, master in chancery in Union County. Ezekiel and Martha J. TOLER BISHOP purchased the land and then sold it to William R. and R. N. BLACKWELL for $175 on 24 Sep 1885 (Book 51 page 442), who then sold it back to Ezekiel BISHOP, along with lots 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 26 in Mt. Pleasant on 21 Jan 1889 for $525.

Davis and his children are on the 1880 census of Black Township, Posey Co., Ind. (household 65, page 7). He and his children were recorded as mulattos and his mother, Lucinda PORTER, who was born about 1810 in North Carolina, was living with them.

In addition to Frances and Tumery, David also had the following children, all born in Indiana, apparently from a previous marriage: Lucy PORTER, born about 1859; Almedia PORTER, born about 1862; Josephine PORTER, born about 1864; Bertha (or Amanda) PORTER, born about 1866; and Silas PORTER, born about 1869.

(1) Frances PORTER was born about 1873 in Indiana

(2) Tumery (or Tumbra) PORTER was born about 1874 in Indiana

c. Sarah A. Mary E. ALLEN was born about 1855 in Illinois and married on 19 Jan 1882, in Saline Co., Ill., Carrol TABORN, who was born in 1860, the son of Adeline ALLEN. Carol was a distant cousin of Mary.

Carrol is listed on the 1870 census as Carrol ALLEN. He was living in Saline Co., Ill., (household 270) with his stepfather, Thomas ALLEN.

Mary and her daughter, Alice, are on the 1880 census of Johnson Co., Ill., living in the household of her mother, Emma ALLEN. The father of Mary's daughter, Mary Alice, is not recorded in any records which have been examined for this study.

Mary and Carol TABORN of Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill., sold to John STEWART of Elvira Township, on 11 Sep 1884, the south part of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east, 36 acres (Book 31 page 407).

Carrol TABORN died 25 Oct 1886, in Douglas Precinct, Saline Co., Ill., and was buried in Mt. Zion Church Cemetery (Death Book A page 39). Since Carrol was reported to be a widower at his death, Mary E. preceded him in death, probably in Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill. Carrol's only heir was his son, Zachariah TABORN. His stepfather, Thomas ALLEN, was appointed administrator of his estate in Saline County (Box 28-9).

(1) Mary Alice ALLEN was born in August 1876 in Johnson Co., Ill., and married about 1896 William C. "Witt" ROUSE, who was born in August 1862 in Tennessee, the son of James and Hannah ROSE ROUSE. Alice died 29 Mar 1905, in Carrier Mills Township, Saline Co., Ill. and was buried in the "Colored Cemetery" (Death Book 2 page 1).

Witt C. ROUSE owned 48 acres in section 14, Carrier Mills Township, called Plain View Farm and is listed in the "Prairie Farmer's Reliable Directory of Farms" in Saline County. It states he had lived in Saline County since 1880.

William was previously married on 24 Nov 1885, in Saline Co., Ill., Ellen V. PICKETT, who was born about 1865 in Kentucky, the daughter of Charles and Rachel STEEL PICKETT.

William is on the 1910 (household 117) and 1920 census of ward 2, Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill. (household 52). He was a farmer.

Witt C. ROUSE died 12 Dec 1924, and was buried near Mary Alice in Lake View Cemetery.

(a) Mary Alice ROUSE was born in 1905 in Saline Co., Ill.

(2) Zachariah TABORN was born in November 1882 in Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill. He was living with his grandmother, Emma ALLEN in Johnson County in 1900.

Zachariah died 4 Apr 1905, in Carrier Mills Township, Saline Co., Ill., and was buried in Lake View Cemetery, called "Colored Baptist Church Cemetery" on his death certificate (Book 2 page 3 and Estate box 62-6). Mt. Zion Baptist Church is next to the cemetery.

William C. ROUSE was appointed administrator of Zachariah's estate in Saline Co., Ill. Zachariah's grandmother, Emma ALLEN and his niece, Mary Alice ROUSE were his heirs.

d. John Nathan F.M. ALLEN was born in 1856 in Illinois and married on 6 Jan 1876, in Union Co., Ill., Susan BRYANT born in December 1860 in Elvira, Johnson Co., Ill., the daughter of ? BRYANT and Hannah LITTLEJOHN. Susan was 16 when she married and her mother, Hannah STEWART, gave permission. John's mother, Emily ALLEN gave permission for him to marry, since he was not yet 21.

Susan is on the 1860 census of Williamson Co., Ill., with Hannah BRYANT, her mother, who was born about 1810 in Georgia. Hannah later married John STEWART. This is probably why Susan's daughter, Mellie, incorrectly stated on her marriage license that her mother's maiden name was STEWART. Susan BRYANT and Letha STEWART, who married Winchester ALLEN, were stepsisters.

Susan's 1901 marriage license gives her mother's maiden name as Ellen LITTLEJOHN. Susan may be related to Samuel LITTLEJOHN, perhaps of Cherokee ancestry, who died in Union Co., Ill., in 1834 (Probate Box L-187). His widow was Frances LITTLEJOHN, who is on the 1835 state census and 1840 federal census of Union Co., Ill. (page 74). She was born about 1805 in South Carolina and was living in the household of Harman F. WHITACRE in 1850 (household 367). Listed next on the census (household 368) was Charles LITTLEJOHN, who was born about 1821 in Alabama, probably a son of Frances, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Frances LITTLEJOHN died 8 Sep 1858, in Union County (Probate box L-190). Her heirs were: Nancy (born about 1819 in Alabama) married 19 Mar 1841, Franklin STRAWMATT; Elizabeth married 30 May 1844, Carroll GRAMMER (son of John GRAMMER) and married 2nd 21 Feb 1847, Elijah McGRAW; Charity (born about 1834) married 6 Apr 1855, John L. PRITCHETT; and Lucinda (born about 1841) married 16 Aug 1860, Richard PARRISH.

John and Susan BRYANT ALLEN mortgaged his share of Nathan ALLEN's real estate to Calvin M. MILLER on 9 Jun 1876, for $300 (Book 7 page 9).

John and Susan are on the 1880 census of Johnson Co., Ill. (household 420) next door to Emily ALLEN. John's occupation was farmer.

On 21 Feb 1885, John and Susan sold to Susan's stepfather, John STEWART of Elvira Township, Johnson Co., Ill., the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 7, township 12 south, range 2 east, 38 acres (Book 31 page 406).

John moved to an African American community in Cache Precinct, Alexander Co., Ill., sometime between 1885 and 1897. In 1883, the History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties said, "The Beech Ridge part of the precinct is mainly settled by colored people. There is a station on the railroad called Beech Ridge, but has but one store, a grocery or saloon and a post office." The post office was established there in 1879, but moved to Cache in 1914. Floods and the loss of the railroads took their toll on Cache and the post office closed in 1986. About half a dozen families still live there.

In 1897, when Nathan ALLEN's land was partitioned, John was deceased, but Susan and her eight children were living in Alexander Co., Ill. On the 1900 census she stated she was the mother of nine children, of whom eight were living.

Susan married on 25 Mar 1901, in Klondike, Alexander Co., Ill., David WINGO, who was born about 1869 in Dresden, Tenn., the son of Samuel and Eliza WINGO. Susan's race was recorded as white and David's as Negro on their marriage license. This was also his second marriage. David WINGO was previously married to Zilpha LONG, who was born about 1869 in Klondike, Alexander Co., Ill. Their fourth child, Arthur WINGO, was born 21 Mar 1891, in Klondike, Alexander Co., Ill. (Birth Book 10 page 17).

Susan had Hesbit WINGO, who was born about 1903 in Illinois. They are all on the 1910 census with Richard ALLEN, Susan's 10-year-old son, and Mable WINGO, who was David's granddaughter, born about 1902 in Missouri.

(1) William Edgar ALLEN was born 1 Aug 1878 (his death records says 1881) in Johnson Co., Ill., and married on 17 Jan 1899, in Alexander Co., Ill., Sarah Jane HAYES, who was born in November 1883 in Klondike, Alexander Co., Ill., the daughter of Charles HAYES.

Edgar is on the 1900 census of Cache Precinct, Alexander Co., Ill. (household 80). He was a teamster and rented his home. His mother and brothers and sisters were living with him. He and his family are also on the 1910 census in Cache Precinct (household 212) and his occupation was recorded as farmer and he rented his farm. In 1920 they were still in Cache Precinct (household 202) and in 1930 they were in Future City, Cache Precinct (household 45).

Edgar died 12 Sep 1955, at Route 1, Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill., of coronary embolism. He was a common laborer in a lumber mill and was buried in Thistlewood Cemetery in Pulaski Co., Ill.

(a) Bertha ALLEN was born in May 1899 in Alexander Co., Ill.

(b) Charley ALLEN was born about 1902 in Alexander Co., Ill.

(c) Edward ALLEN was born 31 Dec 1903 in Alexander Co., Ill. (Birth Book 1 page 115)

(d) Vernon Claude Alfred ALLEN was born 25 Jan 1906 in Klondike, Alexander Co., Ill. (Birth Book 1 page 156). Attendants at the birth were Mrs. Amelia HAYES and Mrs. Katie BROWN.

(e) Christena ALLEN was born about 1908 in Alexander Co., Ill.

(f) Lilly Mae ALLEN was born about 1911 in Alexander Co., Ill. and married on 14 Jan 1928, in Alexander Co., Ill., Raymond BAGBY, of Future City, Alexander Co., Ill., who was born about 1907. There is a death record for Raymond BAGBY Jr., who died 21 Apr 1932, in Road District 7, Alexander Co., Ill. An earlier death record in Cook Co., Ill., is for Raymond BAGBY, who died 15 Sep 1929. They are not on the 1930 census index of Illinois.

(g) Thelma ALLEN was born about 1913 in Alexander Co., Ill.

(h) Mamie ALLEN was born about 1916 in Alexander Co., Ill.

(i) Clementine ALLEN was born in 1918 in Alexander Co., Ill., and married on 29 Mar 1934, in Alexander Co., Ill., Eugene STENSON, who was born about 1912. Clementine was 16 when she married, with the consent of her mother.

(j) Gladdis ALLEN born about 1921 in Alexander Co., Ill.

(2) John Francis ALLEN was born 28 Jun 1879, at his father's residence in Union Co., Ill. He was his parents' second child (Birth Register 1 page 59). His birth record originally recorded his color as white, but Negro was later written over it. He was not on the 1900 census with his mother in Alexander County and must have already left home.

(3) Mellie ALLEN was born in July 1881 in Johnson Co., Ill., and married on 1 Nov 1900, in Klondike, Alexander Co., Ill., Frank ALLEN, who was born about 1869 in Humboldt, Tenn., the son of Henderson and Jennie BROOKS ALLEN. Frank was a farmer and this was his second marriage.

(4) Oscar ALLEN was probably born about 1883 and must have died between 1897 and 1900. He is not on the 1900 census.

(5) Otis ALLEN was born in July 1885 in Illinois and married on 16 May 1906, in Alexander Co., Ill., Althea HENDRICKS, of Klondike, who was born about 1888. Otis is on the 1910 census of Cache Precinct as a 23-year-old widower (household 180). He was a farm laborer working for John ENGLISH, a white farmer in Cache Precinct. Althea ALLEN died 30 Oct 1916, in Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill. There is also a marriage record for Mrs. Areleather ALLEN, of Cache, age 35 (?), who married on 30 Apr 1946, in Alexander Co., Ill., George SMITH, of Cache, age 65.

(6) Ella ALLEN was born in January 1889 in Illinois and married on 13 Apr 1911, in Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill., John MILLER, who was born about 1882 in Alabama, the son of Henry MILLER. John was a waiter in Cairo when he married.

Ella and John are on the 1930 census of Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill. He was working as a laborer in a lumber yard.

(a) Thali MILLER born about 1921 in Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill.

(7) Lillie ALLEN was born in April 1890 in Illinois.

(8) Sherwood ALLEN was born in March 1892 in Illinois.

(9) Richard ALLEN was born in August 1899 in Alexander Co., Ill. His name is recorded as ALLEN, but he was born two years after the death of his mother's husband, John ALLEN. Richard was not listed as one of the heirs of John ALLEN in 1897 when Nathan ALLEN's land was partitioned.

Richard Junior ALLEN, of Cache, Ill., age 39, married on 15 Apr 1935, in Cairo, Alexander Co., Ill., Lucinda BROWN, age 39, of RFD Cairo, age 49.

e. Thomas T.T. Kennedy ALLEN was born about 1858 in Illinois and died before 1880. When his father's real estate was partitioned in Johnson County in 1897, Thomas was not named as a child.

 

4. Sarah "Sallie" ALLEN was born about 1822, probably in Johnston Co., North Carolina. She married on 5 Mar 1846, in Union Co., Ill., John William BLACKWELL, who was born about 1820 in Rutherford Co., Tenn. The marriage ceremony was performed by William STANDARD, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister of the gospel in Stokes Township (Marriage Book 1, page 185).

There was an earlier marriage for John W. BLACKWELL and Nancy Jane PATTERSON on 6 Jan 1842, in Johnson Co., Ill., but it is uncertain if this is the same person who married Sarah ALLEN. On 3 Aug 1842, John W. BLACKWELL sold for $50 to Pennington MOSS, the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 35, township 14 south, range 4 east, 40 acres in Johnson Co., Ill.

John William's parents are not known, but the only "free colored" named BLACKWELL on the 1840 census of Rutherford Co., Tenn., is Moses BLACKWELL (p 55). On the 1830 census of Rutherford County, Henry BLACKWELL's family is enumerated as free persons of color (p 352). Henry of Rutherford County could be the same person as Henry BLACKWELL who married on 14 Jun 1812, in Wilson Co., Tenn., Patsy BROWN, with Moses BROWN as bondsman. John William is thought to be related to the BLACKWELLs of Massac, White and Saline counties.

Living in Allison Township, Lawrence Co., Ill., is the family of Newton BLACKWELL. He was born about 1820 in Tennessee and settled in Lawrence County from Indiana. He is thought to have married there before coming to Illinois, but his first wife died early. He married on 26 Aug 1845, in Lawrence Co., Ill., Lucy DAY, born about 1825 in North Carolina. She is probably a daughter of Jesse DAY, who is on the 1850 census living next to Newton. He married on 3 Mar 1853, in Lawrence Co., Ill., Lavinia ANDERSON, who was born about 1832 in Illinois, in the 1870 census. Children listed on the 1850 (household 709), 1860 and 1870 (household 142) censuses are William H. (born about 1841 in Indiana), Elizabeth (born about 1848 in Indiana, married 27 Dec 1866, in Lawrence Co., Ill., Calvin TAYLOR, the son of John Rosella TAYLOR), Mary (born about 1849 in Illinois) James (born about 1851 in Illinois), Caroline (born about 1854), Ann (born about 1856), Franklin (born about 1858), and Sylvester (born about 1866). It is not certain if Newton is related to John William BLACKWELL, although both were born in Tennessee.

J.W. BLACKWELL came to Union County in 1845 and settled near Arthur ALLEN. He first appears on Union County tax lists in 1847. He was taxed 31 cents for horses worth $25 and other personal property worth $15. On the 1850 census of Union County he was recorded as a farmer, but he owned no land (page 169, household 355). The census records show that he was illiterate, but Sarah could read and write.

John William BLACKWELL purchased from William H. CORBIT for $145 on 18 Feb 1853, the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east (Book 11 page 704).

BLACKWELL was accused of murdering his brother-in-law, Littleberry ALLEN, and was arrested by Alexander Jackson NIMMO, the Union County sheriff, on Christmas Eve in 1854. John DOUGHERTY, who later became lieutenant governor of Illinois, and Cyrus G. SIMONS, who served in the Illinois Legislature, were BLACKWELL's lawyers and helped arrange the bail. DOUGHERTY came from a Dunkard family in Union County and was opposed to slavery and often served as the lawyer for African Americans. Mary, the widow of Richard COX, an early Quaker settler in Stokes Precinct, sued Owen EVANS for recovery of a $306.25 debt in Johnson County in 1833 and the court ordered the services of his indentured servant, Harry, be sold. John DOUGHERTY purchased Harry and on Christmas Day in 1835 he emancipated Harry, stating

by reason of his faithful conduct as a servant, his virtue and integrity and knowing that freedom is dearer property than sold to the virtuous and that in all climes and in all countries man should freely possess it without the smallest chain to fetter him to the car of slavery and degradation....he shall be free forever.

Harry received his certificate of freedom in Union County and was described as a "black man, without visible scars or marks, with very wide fore teeth and narrow forehead, about five feet ten inches high."

BLACKWELL spent Christmas in jail in Jonesboro. His lawyers wrote to the judge that,

William BLACKWELLL would most respectfully represent unto your honor that he is now a prisoner confined in the county jail in said Union County aforesaid on a charge of murder and that he is not guilty of said crime, that the proof is not evident or the presumption great that he has committed said offense and that he is unjustly and unlawfully detained in custody and restrained of his liberty and he prays that he may be granted your honor's most gracious writ of habeas corpus that he may be brought before this honorable court and be discharged from said imprisonment or be admitted to bail.

On 27 Dec 1854, Judge William K. PARRISH ordered Sheriff NIMMO "without excuse or delay" to bring "the body of William BLACKWELL by whatever name or addition he is known or called and who is unlawfully detained in custody, as it is said, together with the day and cause of his caption and detention" so that his bail could be set.

BLACKWELL's $500 bail bond was made by Matthew STOKES, Needham WIGGS, Caleb MUSGRAVE, Abner COX and Richard T. WIGGS, all white Quaker settlers from Stokes Precinct in Union County. The Cairo Times on 10 Jan 1855, reported that as soon as Judge PARRISH set the bail, "five of the most influential and respectable farmers of the county immediately stepped forward and went his bail. They were all neighbors of the accused and fully posted up on all the circumstances which led to his arrest. It speaks much in behalf of the prisoner. We are satisfied from the testimony adduced that he will be triumphantly acquitted upon his trial." In May 1855, the case came to jury trial and BLACKWELL pled not guilty.

Witnesses for the People included John ALLEN, John C. McGINNIS, John CHAVOUS, D.M. JONES and Matthew STOKES Esq. Witnesses called for the defendant were Cynthia STOKES, Caleb MUSGRAVE, Thomas R. JOHNSON, George McGINNIS, Dr. James V.BROOKS, Joshua JENKINS and R.G. BRIDGERS. There was no evidence against BLACKWELL and State's Attorney John A. LOGAN dropped the charges in December 1855. The murder of Littleberry ALLEN was never solved.

John W. BLACKWELL is recorded on the 1855 state census of Union County (page 36, line 2) as a Negro or mulatto. There were two males and five females in his household. His livestock was valued at $100. In 1856 he paid $4.57 in taxes for personal property valued at $245, in 1857 he paid $4.74 for personal property worth $284, in 1858 he paid $3.24 taxes for personal property worth $221, in 1859 he paid $1.94 taxes for personal property worth $182, in 1861 he paid $1.12 in taxes on personal property worth $132, in 1862 he paid $1.44 in taxes on $170 personal property, in 1864 he paid $1.88 on $164, and in 1865 he paid $3.74 on $334.

Sarah died between 1855 and 1858 and John William married her sister, Smithy ALLEN, on 21 Nov 1858, in Union Co., Ill. They were married by George T. McGINNIS, a justice of the peace (Marriage Book 2, page 197).

Smithey ALLEN is on the 1854 tax list of Union County. Her personal property was worth $45 and she paid a tax of 44cents.

The whereabouts of John W. BLACKWELL in 1860 is not known. Smithy BLACK (sic) is listed as the head of the family in Stokes Township, Post Office Anna (household 881) on the 1860 census of Union County. John W. reappears in 1870 in Stokes Township (household 49). Their real estate was worth $1,500 and their personal property was valued at $900. Everyone in the family was listed as a mulatto. On the 1880 census of Stokes Precinct the name was incorrectly recorded as BLACKMAN (household 11).

John William BLACKWELL continued on tax lists for township 12 south, range 1 east. In 1869 he paid $7.04 on $455, in 1870 he paid $6.48 on $510, in 1873 he paid $4.92 on $316, in 1874 he paid $5.66 on $389, in 1875 he paid $6.82 on $337, in 1876 he was taxed $3.82 on $217, in 1877 he paid $5.04 on $175, in 1878 he paid $3.16 on $160, and in 1879 he paid $2.67 on $127.

Smithy died between 1870 and 1875 and John William BLACKWELL married on 1 Apr 1875, in Williamson Co., Ill., Clementine Geretta Claire TURNER, who was born 4 Aug1857, in Williamson Co., Ill., died 7 Sep 1945, the daughter of Theophilus and Mary Ann BRYANT TURNER (see Chapter 7). She is buried in Lakeview Cemetery. Since she was only 16 when she married, her father, "Off" TURNER gave his consent.

Children of John William and Clementine BLACKWELL were Stephen Andrew BLACKWELL and William Thomas BLACKWELL. Stephen A. BLACKWELL was born 18 Feb 1878, in Mt. Pleasant, Union Co., Ill. (Birth Register 1 page 9), and lived in White County in 1887. Stephen's birth record states that he was his mother's second child. He was living in Murphysboro, Jackson Co., Ill., when he married there on 28 Sep 1901, Alice SHAW, of Murphysboro. She was born about 1881 in White Co., Ill., the daughter of Cyrus and Penny ALLEN SHAW. Witnesses to the ceremony were Mary DORSEY and Robert BLACKWELL. Stephen was living in Carmi when he sold his interest in the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east, on 3 Mar 1898, to W.J. JENNETT of Mt. Pleasant for $50 (Book 46 page 403). He was single and living with his mother and brother in Saline Co., Ill., in 1910. His occupation was recorded as coal miner.

The other son of J.W. and Clementine BLACKWELL was William Thomas BLACKWELL, who was born in May 1880 in Illinois. He died before 1887, as he was not one of the heirs of his brother, John W. BLACKWELL Jr.'s estate.

John William BLACKWELL Sr. died 26 Jun 1880, in Union Co., Ill. William J. STANDARD was appointed administrator of John William's estate in 1880. His personal property was appraised at $316.35 and sold at public auction for $73.75. Debts of the estate included bills from Dr. F.E. SCARSDALE for $11.50 for medicine and visits from 18 March to 8 Jun 1880 and from Dr. J.F. DICK for $83 for medical attention from 24 April to 24 Jun 1880.

On 23 Mar 1862, John W. BLACKWELL purchased from Thomas BOSWELL part of the southwest quarter of section 13 and the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24 and part of section 23, in township 12 south, range 1 east, containing about 50 acres. Thomas BOSWELL was a white man, who the 1830 of Union County reports owned a black male slave under age 10. BLACKWELL (or his estate) mortgaged this land to William J. STANDARD on 1 Oct 1881, for $217 (Book 7 page 151). To pay the debts of the estate, this land was offered for sale to the highest bidder. John W. BLACKWELL Jr. bought the land for $217. At his death, John W. Sr. also owned the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east, 80 acres, worth $240. It was also offered for sale, but there were no bidders. When BLACKWELL's estate was settled, there was nothing to distribute to his heirs.

a. Smithey (or Susan) BLACKWELL was born in 1847 in Union Co., Ill., and died before her father in 1880.

b. Mary Emily BLACKWELL was born in May 1850 in Union Co., Ill., and married on 9 Jul 1868, in Union Co., Ill., Alexander WORLDS, who was born about 1837 in Tennessee, the son of Henry and Jane WORLDS (Marriage Book 3 page 219). They were married by Morgan STOKES, a justice of the peace in Stokes Township.

Alexander died before 1900. Mary E. died 27 Oct 1923, in Carmi, White Co., Ill., of chronic intestinal nephritis (Death Book 5 page 62). Her birth date is given as 14 Oct 1846. They lived in White Co., Ill., and are on the 1870 and 1880 censuses there.

In 1870, in White County, Alexander was appointed administrator of the estate of his mother, Jane WORLDS, who died 17 Mar 1870, in White Co., Ill. (Box 256). Alexander made his administrator's bond with his brother, Lemuel WORLDS, as security. Other bondsmen were Zachariah BUSH and Isaac FRANKS. Neither Alexander nor Lemuel were able to sign their names to the bond, but made their marks. Jane WORLDS's personal property was appraised at $318.25 and sold at auction to her children for $403.55. Her estate also included 158 acres worth $1,500. The land was described as the northeast quarter of section 2, township 6, range 10 east. Each of her five surviving children, James WORLDS, Lemuel WORLDS, Mary "Polly" ALLEN, Alexander WORLDS and Green WORLDS, received $51.64.

On 13 Dec 1897, Mary Emily WORLDS, of Carmi, sold to William Jefferson JENNETT of Mt. Pleasant, for $50 her undivided interest in the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter and northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east (Book 46 page 403).

Mary E. WORLDS appears on the 1900 census of Carmi, White County as a widow (household 168/170). She was a wash woman, could read and was the mother of nine children, of whom five were living. She was still living as a widow in Carmi when the 1910 census was taken (household 322). She was then the mother of 10 children of whom four were living, according to the census.

Alexander was previously married to Telitha WALKER who was born about 1833 in Indiana. Their children were Robert Calvin WORLDS born about 1858 and Mary Jane born in 1860. Their daughter, Mary Jane WORLDS, married first on 12 Aug 1880, in White Co., Ill., Phillip WOODALL, who was born about 1855, the son of Columbus and Elizabeth PEARCE WOODALL, and married second on 11 Mar 1888, in White Co., Ill., Jesse EVANS, who was born about 1859, the son of Richard and Joana MOORE (or MOLAND) EVANS. She married third on 11 Jun 1893, in White Co., Ill., Nicholas RICKMAN, born about 1860, the son of Abner and Jane BROWN RICKMAN.

(1) Melvina Miranda "Vinah" "Mandy" WORLDS was born in December 1870, and married on 26 Aug 1888, in White Co., Ill., William GREGORY, who was born about 1854, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth GRUNDY GREGORY.

Melvina was living with her mother in 1900 in Carmi, Ill.

Melvina married again on 21 Jun 1906, in White Co., Ill., Charley SCOTT, who was born about 1857 in Illinois, the son of John and Perlrine TANNER SCOTT. This was Charley's third marriage.

Charley and Melvina are on the 1910 census of Hawthorn Township White Co., Ill. (household 105). Living with them was Charley's granddaughter, Blanche JOHNSON, who was born about 1904.

On the 1920 census, Charley and Mandy were living alone in White County (household 91).

(2) Abigail "Abbie" WORLDS was born in May 1873 and married on 3 May 1893, in White Co., Ill., John Matthew "Mat" WALKER, who was born 18 May 1862, in Kentucky, the son of Cain and Charlotte DORSSEY WALKER. Mat was previously married on 24 Dec 1882, in White Co., Ill., to Rosa RUSSELL, who was born about 1864, the daughter of Miles Masterson and Carolyn PAYNE RUSSELL. Ivory WALKER, born in October 1886, was a son by Mat's first marriage.

Mat's sister, Fanny WALKER, who was born about 1861, married on 28 Dec 1882, in White Co., Ill., Morgan ALLEN, who was born about 1857, and the son of Minor and Lucinda MANCHESTER ALLEN; and married 2nd on 24 Mar 1892, in White Co., Ill., Thomas JORDAN, who was born about 1872, the son of Harry and Seley DAVIS JORDAN.

Mat and Abbie are on the 1900 census (household 274/281), 1910 census (household 150) and the 1920 census of Carmi Township, White Co., Ill. (household 163/163).

Mat died 17 Dec 1930, in White Co., Ill., of chronic nephritis and was buried in Maple Ridge Cemetery. His occupation was recorded on his death certificate as porter (Death Book 6 page 18).

(a) Fay WALKER was born August 1894 in Illinois.

(b) Mary M. WALKER was born September 1897 in Illinois.

(c) Thelma WALKER was born about 1904 in Illinois.

(d) John M. WALKER was born about 1904 in Illinois.

(e) Wilma WALKER was born about 1910 in Illinois.

(f) Chauncy WALKER was born about 1914 in Illinois.

(g) Flossie WALKER was born about 1917 in Illinois.

(3) James A. WORLDS was born 18 Dec 1878 in Illinois and never married.

He was living with his mother in Carmi in 1910.

He died 10 Apr 1934, in White Co., Ill., of lobar pneumonia and was buried in Maple Ridge Cemetery. His death certificate records his race as white and his occupation as common laborer (Death Book 6 page 304).

(4) Rilda WORLDS was born about 1879 and married on 27 Dec 1899, in White Co., Ill., Elmer HARRISON, who was born about 1871 in Mississippi, the son of William Henry and Parzeda CHAVIS HARRISON. This was his second marriage. Elmer was previously married in White Co., Ill., on 27 Sep 1892, to Nancy L. LAUTERN.

The 1910 census (household 15) records that Rilda was the mother of six children, of whom five were living.

Elmer's father, William Henry HARRISON was born in January 1847 in Tennessee and married about 1867 Parzeda CHAVIS, who was born in September 1848 in Mississippi.

Parzeda was the daughter of Washington CHAVIS, a native of Tennessee. On 19 May 1840, Washington CHAVIS, a free man of colour, was given power of attorney by William G. VANN of Jefferson Co., Miss., to take his slaves, Ann, her mother, Cynthia, and her brother Henry, "to either of the State of Illinois, Indiana, or Ohio, or any other non-slaveholding State of this United States," where Washington was to be permitted by law, in VANN's name, "to emancipate and set (them) free from the bonds of servitude." They received their freedom on 15 Jun 1840, in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind. They were described as "a certain Negro woman named Synthia and her two children, to wit, Ann and Henry, which said Negro woman is about 30 years of age, dark complexion, middle size, with a slight scar in the forehead & her child named Ann, a bright mulatto girl rather large size, stout made and about 16 years of age, and her other child named Henry, a bright mulatto boy about 3 years and 6 months old..."

Washington later married Ann, the 16-year-old girl whose freedom he had secured. Their son, John Byrd CHAVIS's death certificate records that Ann was born in Mississippi and that her maiden name was Anna BASS. Their son, Alexander's 1893 marriage certificate records her maiden name as Ann VOSS.

Washington registered as a free man of colour in 1851 in Jefferson Co., Miss., and was described as a "mulatto in complexion, a person of good general character, at least or very near 30 years of age, about five feet eight inches in height... a property holder and tax payer in the county of Jefferson and State of Mississippi." Parzeda's mother, Ann CHAVIS, was born in February 1829 in Mississippi. She was also registered in Massac County and was described as "a mulatto in complexion, at least or very near 26 years of age, about five feet in height and was at one time the property of William G. VANN..." According to the 1900 census, in which Ann is listed with her daughter Parzeda's family, Ann's father was born in Scotland and her mother was born in Virginia. Washington and Ann's children were also registered and described as mulattoes. They were Calvin, age 12; Isaiah, age 8; John Bird, age 5; Parasetta, age 3; and Alexander age 3 months. William G. VANN granted Ann and her children their freedom in Jefferson Co., Miss., on 17 May 1857, because she and Washington were "desirous to remove and emigrate from the State of Mississippi to the State of Illinois or some other northern or western state..." VANN gave them "full and absolute leave and permission to travel, emigrate and remove wheresoever and whensoever shall be regarded and adjudged most proper and suitable by the said Washington CHAVIS and the said Ann CHAVIS."

Parzeda's brother, Calvin CHAVIS, remained in Massac Co., Ill., and married there on 12 Feb 1859, Mary Evaline MITCHELL, but they were divorced in April 1862 (Circuit Court Book D page 534). He then married, in Massac Co., Ill., on 4 Apr 1864, Arminta JENKINS.

Parzeda's brother, John Byrd CHAVIS was born 6 Jun 1847, in Pope Co., Ill., according to his death certificate, or June 1848, in Mississippi, according to the 1900 census. He married in 1869 Jane, born in December 1849 in Illinois, died after 1930. John B. CHAVIS died 25 Mar 1928, in Saline Co., Ill., of chronic myocarditis and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery (Death Book 7 page 468). According to the 1900 census of Hubble Township, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., (household 76), Jane had nine children, of whom five were living. Those living with them were Dozie born Sep 1883, John Byrd born 14 Sep 1886, died 26 May 1970, Cassie born May 1889, and Ebnurta born Jan 1891. They were all born in Illinois. All of the John B. CHAVIS family were listed as white in 1900. John Byrd married May Belle STRONG, who was born 6 May 1886 in Allenville, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., died 11 May 1976, the daughter of Steve and Louisa STRONG. John B. and May Bell are buried in Lakeview Cemetery. They are on the 1930 census of Carrier Mills Township, Saline Co., Ill., where he worked as a coal miner. John’s mother, Jane, lived with them. Known children of John B. and Maybelle were: William Byrd CHAVIS born 19 Dec 1912, at 525 South Frederick in Cape Girardeau, Mo., died 2 Mar 1991 (married Corintha J. born 13 Jul 1916); Clyde CHAVIS born 26 Jun 1914, in Cape Girardeau Co., Mo.; Jerome CHAVIS born 17 Jun 1916, in Dutchtown, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., died 16 Sep 1950; Thelma Marie CHAVIS, born in Allenville, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., died 4 Sep 1918, in Saline Co., Ill., and buried in Cole Cemetery (Death Book 5 page 71); Daisy Louise CHAVIS born 3 Mar 1918, died 7 Oct 1922, in Saline Co., Ill., of paralysis following laryngeal diphtheria, and buried in Lake View Cemetery (Book 6 page 219); Gerald CHAVIS born about 1920 in Illinois; John Byrd CHAVIS Jr. born about 1923 in Saline Co., Ill.; Charlie M. CHAVIS born about 1926 in Illinois; Orpha J. CHAVIS born about 1928 in Illinois.

Maybelle STRONG is on the 1900 census of Hubble Township, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo. (household 130). Her father, Steve STRONG was born Feb 1862 in Missouri and was a farm laborer and owned his own home. In 1882 he married Louisa, who was born in 1863 in Missouri. She was the mother of eight children, of whom seven were living. Children in the household (all born in Missouri) were: Frank born May 1882, Tom born Oct 1884, Viola born 1885, Mabell born May 1886, John born July 1887, Steve born Feb 1891, Gertie born 1894, Ethel born Feb 1898 and Rosebud born Feb 1899. All in the family were listed as black.

Parzeda's brother, Alex CHAVIS was born about 1853 in Illinois and became a minister. He married on 5 Sep 1869, in Pope Co., Ill., Amanda Ellen TANNER. He married 2nd, while living in Murphysboro, on 2 Nov 1893, in Jackson Co., Ill., Hagar A. MILLENDER, who was born in Illinois about 1863, the daughter of William and Amelia (MANAR) MILLENDER.

Washington CHAVIS was the son of Jordan CHAVIS, who died in Vicksburg, Miss. Washington was appointed executor of the will of his father, whose estate included two slaves. Washington's brother, Alexander, was later appointed administrator.

The HARRISONs are on the 1900 census (household #71) and 1910 census (household #73) in Carmi, White Co., Ill. Parzeda had 13 children, of whom five were living in 1900.Their known children were: Elmer, born about 1871; Archie, born in October 1883; Persia G., born in January 1887; Jordan C., born in April 1889; and Anna O., born in February 1891 (married on 7 Jan 1909, in White Co., Ill., Frank NELSON, who was born in Nebraska in 1874, the son of Richard and Mary LEWIS NELSON). Anna and Frank NELSON and their son, Lawrence G. NELSON, who was born in 1910, were living with Anna's parents in Carmi in 1910.

(a) Otis HARRISON was born about 1901 in Illinois and married on 1 Sep 1921, in White Co., Ill., Edith EVANS, of Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill., who was born about 1902, the daughter of John R. and Georgia Ann BLACKWELL EVANS.

John R. EVANS was born about 1862, the son of Richard and Joanna MOLAND EVANS. He married on 6 Nov 1884, in Saline Co., Ill., Georgia Ann BLACKWELL, who was born in June 1870, the daughter of Stephen P. and Martha HEDGEPETH BLACKWELL. Their children were: Lelia, who was born in April 1886 (married Quincy I. ALLEN); Parilee, who was born in September 1888 (married Warren G. ALLEN); Selia, who was born in March 1893; Orlia, who was born in December 1895; Claud, who was born in June 1898; ? who was born in January 1900; and Edith, who was born in 1902.

Stephen P. BLACKWELL, Edith's grandfather, was born about 1820 in Tennessee and married Martha HEDGEPETH, who was born about 1830 in Tennessee, and died in September 1886. Stephen died 15 Feb 1884, in Saline Co., Ill. (Probate Box 29-6). Their children were: Lishea, who married on 18 Sep 1873, Josiah TABORN; Susan, who was born about 1856 in Tennessee and married 1st on 7 Nov 1875, in Saline Co., Ill., Joseph ROUSE and married 2nd on 10 Aug 1881, in White Co., Ill., Jeremiah Porter "Port" MANLEY, who was the son of David and Sarah "Sally" COLLINS MANLEY; Joseph Henry, who was born about 1858 in Tennessee and married on 8 Mar 1883, in Saline Co., Ill., Jennie WILSON, who was the daughter of George and Susan WILSON WILSON; Martha, who was born about 1864; and Georgia Ann who was born in 1870.

On the 1840 census of Gibson Co., Tenn., is the household of Stephen BLACKWELL, living next to those of John and Thomas CHAVIS. In the BLACKWELL household were: one male born 1804-1816, one male born 1816-1830, three males born 1830-1840, one female born 1740-1785), one female born 1804-1816, and two females born 1830-1840. Stephen BLACKWELL married Maria SCHEVES and had at least one child, Henry BLACKWELL, who was born about 1848 in Trenton, Gibson Co., Tenn., and married 2nd on 28 Sep 1879, in Jackson Co., Ill., Mrs. Anna DODD, who was born about 1850 in Calloway Co., Ky., the daughter of David and Katharine (LOOLES) COOL. On the 1830 census of Humphreys Co., Tenn., is listed as free persons of color the households of Stephen BLACKWELL and Noel BLACKWELL (page 320) and E. BLACKWELL (page 320).

Thomas CHAVIS moved his family to Union Co., Ill., about 1845.

The family of Martha HEDGEPETH may be the same as the HEDSPETH family of Wake Co., N.C. Patty HEDSPETH married Pumphrey TABOURN in Wake County before they moved to Saline Co., Ill. She may also be related to Thomas HEDGEPETH, who was born free about 1811 in Halifax Co., N.C. In an interview published in 1856 in The Refugee: Or the Narratives of Fugitive Slaves in Canada by Benjamin DREW, Thomas stated his father was half white and he moved to Indiana about 1846 and to Canada about 1855.

There was a Stephen BLACKWELL who served as a private in Co. B, 1st U.S. Colored Artillery during the Civil War, but it is not certain that it was Stephen BLACKWELL of Saline Co., Ill.

Stephen P. BLACKWELL was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth BLACKWELL, natives of Virginia

(b) Inez HARRISON was born about 1903 in Illinois.

(c) Ruth HARRISON was born about 1905 in Illinois.

(d) Ona HARRISON was born about 1907 in Illinois.

(e) Henry HARRISON was born about 1909 in Illinois.

(5) Ollie M. WORLDS was born in February 1886 in Illinois and married on 19 May 1904, in White Co., Ill., Prum HARRISON, who was born about 1880, the son of James and Willie A. DUNGIE HARRISON.

James HARRISON married 24 Sep 1882, in White Co., Ill., Willie Ann DUNGER.

c. John William BLACKWELL Jr. was born about 1851 in Illinois.

John William BLACKWELL, unmarried, sold on 1 Aug 1883, to William J. JINNETT for $50, his undivided interest in the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east, 80 acres (Book 39 page 34).

On 20 Aug 1887, John mortgaged to William M. KELLER for $300 part of the southwest quarter of section 13, 10 acres, and the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, township 12 south, range 1 east (Book 10 page 87).

John BLACKWELL was living in township 12 south, range 1 east in 1877 when he paid $1.14 in taxes on personal property valued at $40. He paid $1.08 in taxes there on $54 worth of personal property in 1878 and $1.06 on $50 in 1879.

John W. Jr. died 1 Nov 1887, probably at the house of his aunt, Emily ALLEN, in Johnson Co., Ill. Emily charged his estate $60 for boarding, washing and lodging him from 30 Nov 1886, to 19 Sep 1887, and $100 for nurture, care and nursing him in his last sickness from 19 Sep 1887, to his death on 1 Nov 1887. His real estate included the 50-acre farm he had purchased from his father's estate in 1880, but it was mortgaged to William M. KELLER on 20 Aug 1887. His personal property was valued at $199.75 and was sold at public sale for $236.10. John Jr.'s heirs were his brothers and sisters.

d. Sarah Jane BLACKWELL was born in 1851 in Illinois, and married on 21 Oct 1873, in Union Co., Ill., George D. WALKER. They lived in Franklin Co., Ill., in 1880 and Johnson County in 1887, according to probate records, but they cannot be found on a census in either county. George filed a claim against the estate of his brother-in-law, John W. BLACKWELL, for $132.10 "fur bord & washing 93 weakes at 150 per weak, $139.50 (and) washing 21 months $21, credit by cash $28.40."

e. Patience BLACKWELL was born about 1854 in Union Co., Ill. She is not on the 1870 census and probably died young.

f. George W. BLACKWELL was born in March 1857 in Illinois and lived in White Co., Ill., in 1880 and 1887. He married on 31 Dec 1880, in White Co., Ill., Mrs. Clementine BLACKWELL who was born in August 1857, the daughter of Theophilus and Mary BRYANT TURNER. Clementine was George's widowed stepmother.

G.W. BLACKWELL was taxed $2.17 for personal property in township 12 south, range 1 east, worth $95. The tax collected wrote in the margin that he was "insolvent" and couldn't pay his taxes.

On 24 May 1883, George W. and Clementine BLACKWELL sold to William J. JINNETT for $250 their interest in the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east, 80 acres (Book 39 pages 33-34).

George, Clementine and children are on the 1900 census of Independence Township, Saline Co., Ill. (household 166). George was a farmer and owned his own farm. Clementine stated that she was the mother of seven children, of whom six were living.

George W. BLACKWELL died 12 Feb 1940, in Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill. Clemiten BLACKWELL died 7 Sep 1945, in Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill.

(1) Robert BLACKWELL was born in January 1879 in Illinois. Robert's age was taken from the 1900 census; however, it is probably wrong. His mother was married to John W. BLACKWELL until his death in June 1880. She did not marry George W. BLACKWELL until December 1880.

Robert married on 25 Feb 1904, in Saline Co., Ill., Nellie ELLIOTT, who was born about 1883 in Eldorado, Ill., the daughter of S.T. and _____ (RUSSELL) ELLIOTT.

In 1930 Robert and Nellie were living in Carrier Mills Precinct, Saline Co., Ill. He was working as a coalminer.

(a) Chris BLACKWELL born about 1891 in Illinois. In 1930 his wife was listed as Flossie, born about 1909 in Illinois.

(aa) Dorris BLACKWELL born 1926 in Illinois

(2) Albert BLACKWELL was born in December 1882 in Illinois. He was a coal miner and was living with his parents in 1910.

(3) Claud BLACKWELL was born in January 1887 in Illinois. He was a coal miner and was living with his parents in 1910.

(4) John William BLACKWELL was born in February 1890 in Illinois. He was a coal miner and was living with his parents in 1910.

(5) Altha Joane BLACKWELL was born in April 1893 in Illinois.

(6) Loumeta BLACKWELL was born in June 1894.

 

5. Patience ALLEN was born about 1823 in Johnston Co., N.C., and married 22 Jan 1850, in Lawrence Co., Ill., William DAY, who was born about 1820 in North Carolina. William was probably a son of Jesse DAY, who was born about 1800 in North Carolina. Jesse and his wife Lovey (born about 1798 in North Carolina) are on the 1850 census of Lawrence Co., Ill. They were married 27 Jan 1819, in Orange Co., N.C., with William DAY as bondsman and Joseph A. WOODS as witness. William DAY who was bondsman is probably the same person as William DAY who married Jinsey PETTIFORD in Orange County on 6 Oct 1818. Another Orange County marriage bond was for Benjamin DAY who married Bedy PETTIFORD on 19 Nov 1819. Jesse, William, and Benjamin are thought to be sons of Jesse DAY (born about 1761) and Prissey BASS, who married on 6 Nov 1782, in Granville Co., N.C., with Solomon WALKER as bondsman. Prissey may have been the daughter of Benjamin BASS of Northampton and Granville Co., N.C. Jesse applied for a pension based on the service of his brother’s service in the Revolutionary War. His brother was John DAY (born about 1760) who served in the 2^nd North Carolina Regiment and died on 14 Jan 1778, at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Jesse DAY is the head of a household of free blacks in Orange Co., N.C. Jesse came to Illinois about 1830 and his race was listed as black on census records. One of his daughters was probably Lucy (born about 1825 in North Carolina) who married Newton BLACKWELL. Children of Jesse listed on the 1850 census were Green D. (born about 1828), John (born about 1829), Sarah (born about 1828), Harvey (born about 1831), Silas (born about 1834), Elizabeth (born about 1832), Henry (born about 1837), Martha (born about 1841), and Miles (born about 1844).

William, Patience and children are on the 1860 census of Honey Creek, P.O. Terre Haute, Vigo Co., Ind. Living next to them were William’s brothers (?), Henry DAY and Silas DAY, and Mary DAY. William owned no real estate, and his personal property was valued in 1870 at $75.

William died between 1863 and 1870. On the 1870 census (household 431-466) of the 3^rd ward of Greencastle, Indiana, is Patience DAY born about 1817 in North Carolina. She could not read or write and made her living by doing washing. Living with her were her children Charlotte, William J., and Margaret, and Lula F. BUSH born about 1868 in Indiana.

On the 1870 census of Clinton, Vermillion Co., Ind., is Silas DAY, thought to be a brother of William. Green DAY and Harry DAY, also thought to be brothers of William, are in Terre Haute, Vigo Co., Ind. Putnam, Vigo, and Vermillion counties are adjacent to each other and on the Illinois-Indiana state line.

Patience DAY married Levins C. SCOTT in Vigo Co., Ind., on 19 Dec 1878.

On the 1880 census of Terre Haute, Vigo Co.., Ind., is Levi C. SCOTT (born about 1812 in Indiana) and Patience (born about 1829 in North Carolina). He was a teamster. The census incorrectly states Patience’s parents were both born in Virginia.

a. Margaret A.E. DAY born about 1851 in Indiana married Alex ROBERTS born about 1848 in Indiana. He was a barber. In 1870 they were living with Margaret’s mother, Patience DAY in Greencastle, Ind.

b. William Jesse DAY born about 1855 in Indiana. He was a teamster and is on the 1870 census with his mother.

c. Henry DAY born about 1860 in Indiana

d. Charlotte DAY born about 1862 in Indiana married on 4 Oct 1878, in Vigo Co., Ind., Philip BIRCH.

 

6. John ALLEN was born 1825-26 in North Carolina and married on 29 Dec 1847, in Saline Co., Ill., Rebecca ALLEN, who was born about 1827-32 in Alabama, the daughter of Joseph ALLEN of Saline Co., Ill.

John ALLEN purchased the following land from the government: the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, on 6 Jun 1853, by warrant; the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, for $50 on 27 Mar 1854; and the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, for $50 on 13 Apr 1854. John still owned all this land at his death in 1859.

John and Rebecca sold the following land to John's brother, Nathan ALLEN, of Johnson Co., Ill., on 24 Mar 1844, for $65: west half of section 13, 160 acres; northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, 40 acres; and half of the southeast quarter of section 14, 80 acres; all in township 12 south, range 1 east (Book 14 page 236).

John ALLEN first appears on Union County tax lists in 1847. He was taxed 46cents for horses worth $20, cattle worth $15, and other personal property worth $25. In 1856, John was living in township 12 south, range 1 east and paid $5.80 for personal property valued at $311.

The 1850 census of Union County reports that he and his wife could not read or write. John is on the 1854 tax list of Union County, which records his personal property was worth $182 and he paid $1.81. He is listed as John ALLEN Negro, probably to differentiate between him and another John ALLEN, who lived in Dongola Township and was white.

On 19 May 1854, John ALLEN sued Matthew STOKES for slander. The problem between the two men may have originated from the fact that John ALLEN was a witness for the People, against John W. BLACKWELL in the trial for the murder of John's brother, Littleberry ALLEN. Matthew STOKES was one of the individuals who bailed BLACKWELL out of jail. The jury in the slander case, consisting of Richard HENSON, Edward LIPE, G.W. PENNINGER, D. BEGGS, Spencer LAWS, Caleb HARTLINE, John DEWIT, J.N. MEISENHEIMER, Samuel DAVIS, Elijah HARTLINE, James McLANE, and Samuel LEWIS, found Matthew STOKES guilty and assessed the damages of John ALLEN at $5 (Book E page 299).

John is on the 1855 state census of Union County as a Negro or mulatto, with his wife and three daughters (page 35, line 15). His livestock was valued at $120 and he had six pounds of wool. John was taxed $9.92 for personal property worth $402 in 1857, paid $2.63 taxes on personal property worth $249 in 1858, and paid $2.62 in taxes for personal property worth $245 in 1859.

Thomas ARNETT won a judgment against John ALLEN for $75 on 9 Aug 1858, before G.T. McGINNIS, a justice of the peace in Stokes Precinct. Witnesses for ARNETT were G.A.GODARD and Littleton S. CORBIN. Witnesses for ALLEN were Stephen BULINGTON and John F. CASPER, both of Johnson Co., Ill. ALLEN appealed the decision to the circuit court, but lost. Stephen BULINGTON was the stepfather of Dulana TABORN, who married Henry ALLEN, John’s brother. BULINGTON was a white man, but his wife, Nancy, was a black woman.

John died 24 Oct 1859, in Union Co., Ill., of consumption. He had been ill six months, according to the 1860 mortality schedule of Union County. Rebecca was executrix of John's will, which he made 24 Sep 1859. His personal property was appraised at $584.65, but when his debts were paid, there was nothing left to distribute to his children. Rebecca received widow's specific property worth $451.30. John's debts included money which he had borrowed in 1859 at 10 percent interest from Elizabeth MARSHALL, his half sister, $35; and from Patience CHAVOUS, his sister, $25.

His probate file records his name as "John ALLEN Negro." John's will, witnessed by Calvin M. BEARD and Robert S. SMITH, gave to Rebecca, the 120-acre farm they lived on. The 1859 tax receipt for the farm valued it at $850. John also gave Rebecca all his livestock, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and household and kitchen furniture during her lifetime.

Rebecca paid $1.02 in personal property taxes on property valued at $120 in 1859.

Rebecca and her daughters are on the 1860 census of Union County (household 1032). She was illiterate. Her real estate was worth $1,200 and her personal property was worth $300.

The 1860 agriculture census of Union County records that Rebecca's post office address was Anna. She owned 40 improved acres and 80 unimproved acres. Her farming implements were worth $15. She had 3 horses, 9 oxen, 2 cattle, 8 sheep, and 19 swine, all valued at $229. On hand she had 90 bushels of wheat, 150 bushels of Indian corn, 10 pounds of wool, 25 bushels of Irish potatoes, 5 bushels of sweet potatoes. The produce of her garden was worth $10 and she had 20 pounds of butter and 1 ton of hay. In addition, the value of her homemade manufactures was $8 and animals slaughtered were worth $70.

Rebecca paid $1.10 in taxes on $130 personal property in 1861; $1.50 on $129 in personal property in 1863 in township 12 south, range 1 east; 94cents on $82 in 1864; and $1.28 on $115 in 1865. In 1869, the last year Rebecca appears on the tax list, her personal property was valued at $100 and she paid $1.55 in taxes, including a 25cents school tax.

Rebecca was still living in Union County as a widow in 1865. She is on the census there in Stokes Township living alone with her three daughters. Her livestock was valued at $150 and she had 10 pounds of wool.

Rebecca died in September 1869, of black tongue, according to the 1870 mortality schedule of Stokes Precinct, Union County, Ill. The schedule reported that she was a mulatto.

a. Louisa Jane "Jennie" ALLEN was born in February 1849 in Union Co., Ill.

In 1870, Jane was a resident of township 12 south, range 1 east and was taxed $1.36 for personal property worth $140.

Louisa purchased from her sisters, Narcena and Delilah, on 21 Aug 1873, their undivided interest in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres (Book 28 page 522). On 23 Sep 1876, Louisa purchased for $150 from her sister, Narcena and husband Isaac, their interest in the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres (Book 31 page 448). The same day, Louisa sold the interest back to her for the same price (Book 31 page 449).

Louisa was living with her sister, Narcena's family in 1880 in White Co., Ill. She was illiterate and her occupation was that of a wash woman. She married on 7 Dec 1881, in White Co., Ill., Charles MITCHELL, who was born January 1846 in Illinois, the son of Benjamin and Sinie SUDEWOOD MITCHELL.

Sinie SUDEWOOD MITCHELL is the same person as Sina ALLEN, who was born between 1810 and 1820 in North Carolina or Georgia, and is on the 1870 census of Saline Co., Ill. (household 265). Her personal property was worth $200. Living with her were her sons, William MITCHELL, born about 1852 in Illinois, and John MITCHELL, born about 1853 in Illinois. They are also on the 1880 census of Saline County (households 523 and 524). Sina SUDEWOOD MITCHELL ALLEN is probably the same person as Kina COLE, who married Johnson ALLEN in Saline County in 1863 and divorced in 1867 (see chapter 3).

Charles MITCHELL was on the 1870 census of Saline County (household 266) living next to his mother. He was a farmer and his personal property was worth $200. Charles's married on 9 Aug 1865, in Saline Co., Ill., Matilda Jane TABOURN, who was born about 1850 in Illinois. Living with them was 8-year-old Surrelda ALLEN, the daughter of Nathan and Emily (BOZE) ALLEN.

Louisa and her husband Charles MITCHELL sold on 27 Oct 1882, for $150 to John T. CHAVOUS of Stokes Precinct, Union Co., Ill., the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres (Book 37 page 177). He mortgaged this to her on 27 Oct 1882 (Book 7 page 260).

Louisa Jane married again on 2 Aug 1909, in White Co., Ill., John F. MITCHELL, who was born about 1840, the son of Jackson and Millie PITERFORD MITCHELL.

Jackson MITCHELL married on 24 Sep 1846, in Lawrence Co., Ill., Amelia PETTIFORD.

b. Narcena Ann ALLEN was born 1850-1855 and married on 14 Aug 1872, in Union Co., Ill., Isaac ALLEN, who was born about 1850 in Illinois. Isaac is listed as an heir, probably a nephew, of Gilford ALLEN. He may have been a son of John and Carrie TABORN ALLEN. If so, Isaac and Narcena were first cousins.

Narcena, Louisa and Deliley sold the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, for $160 to their aunt, Elizabeth MARSHALL, on 21 Aug 1873 (Book 49 page 323).

On 21 Aug 1873, Isaac purchased for $200 the interests of Narcena's two sisters in the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres (Book 29 page 447). After Isaac died, Narcena Ann sold this to her cousin, William A. CHAVOUS, for $300 on 4 Apr 1883 (Book 44 page 231).

Isaac and Narcena were living with Narcena's mother and two sisters in Union County in 1870. In 1873, Isaac appears for the first time on the Union County tax records. He paid $1.31 on personal property worth $65. He paid $1.37 on $85 in 1874, $2.66 on $112 worth of personal property in 1875, $1.82 on $63 in 1876. This is the last year that Isaac appears on the personal property tax lists and probably moved to White County in 1877. They are on the 1880 census of Carmi, White Co., Ill. (household 364/401). He was a laborer and he and Narcena were illiterate. Isaac died between 1880 and 1883 and Narcena died before 1895, as she is not named as an heir in the will of her uncle, Thomas ALLEN, in 1895.

(1) Silas ALLEN was born 23 Aug 1874 in Carmi, Ill., and married on 15 Dec 1891, in White Co., Ill., Maggie LANTON, who was born about 1875, the daughter of George and Martha LANTON. Silas and his brother, Louis, are on the 1900 census of Carmi, White Co., Ill., living with their uncle and aunt, Charles and Louisa Jane ALLEN MITCHEL.

Silas died 26 Feb 1902, in Carmi, White Co., Ill., of tuberculosis, after an illness of one year and six months. His occupation on his death certificate was laborer and he was buried in the city cemetery (Death Book 1 page 223). Since he was single when he died, Maggie must have preceded him in death.

(2) Louis ALLEN was born in August 1875 in Illinois.

(3) Arthur "Artie" ALLEN was born about 1879 in Illinois.

c. Delila Angeline "Delilay" ALLEN was born 1850-1855 in Illinois and married about 1872 Joshua RUDD born about 1854 in Gallatin Co., Ill. No marriage record was found in Union, Johnson or Saline County. Angeline RUDD was listed as an heir of Thomas ALLEN in 1895.

The parents of Joshua are not known. He is on the 1870 census of Black Township, Posey Co., Ind., (583/583). Others in the household in 1870 were Margaret Rudd, age 25, Sophie Rudd, age 12; and Robert Steward, age 10. They were all listed as mulattoes.

There is a Joshua RUDD who was born about 1815 in North Carolina and married on 26 Jun 1836 in Gallatin Co., Ill., Minerva RUDD. He also married on 17 Mar 1843, in Gallatin Co., Ill., Louisa SMITH, who was born about 1825 in Tennessee. Joshua and Louisa are on the 1850 census of Gallatin Co., Ill., (household 294) with children: Martha, born about 1838 (married 1 Jan 1857, in Gallatin Co., Ill., Calvin STEWART--age 24 on the 1850 census of Wilson Co., Tenn., household 762); Marshall, born about 1840; Clifford, born about 1845 (married 3 Jul 1864, in Gallatin Co., Ill., Margaret McCOY); Margaret, born about 1847 (married on 24 Oct 1869, in Gallatin Co., Ill., George W. JACOBS); and Amanda M., born about 1849. Joshua RUDD is also on the 1840 census of Gallatin Co., Ill., as is John and James RUDD in North Fork Township (p 58). They were all recorded as people of color.

James RUDD (whose relationship to Joshua RUDD, who married Delilay ALLEN, is not known) was living in Union County on 5 Dec 1836, when he swore before M. COLLINS, J.P., on his oath "that two certain cows and calves the two cows supposed to be 10 years old and branded with a double you on the right hip the year marks as a crop and a split in the left ear and an underbit in the right one one a dark ___ther a dark black with a white spot in her forehead one steer calf marked with a swallow fork in the left ear the other unmarked was taken up by him at his place of residence and that the marks or brands on the said cattle have not been altered by him or any other person or persons to his knowledge either before or since cattle was taken up ." Isaac HUTCHISON and Zadoc HELTON appraised the cattle to be worth $23.

James RUDD died before 1840, as his wife, Adeth RUDD appears on the Union County census as the head of the household (page 70). She was born between 1800 and 1810 and married again on 15 Dec 1844, in Union Co., Ill., Samuel DUNN. On the census records she and her children always appear as white and married white people. James and Adeth's children were: John W. RUDD (married on 4 Jan 1844, in Union Co., Ill., Mary Ann DUNN, daughter of Katharine DUNN; and married 2nd on 15 Oct 1848, in Union Co., Ill., Polly Ann McGRAW), Permelia RUDD, who was born about 1824 in Tennessee (married on 11 Apr 1844, in Union Co., Ill., Andrew J. CLEM, who died 26 Mar 1850; and married 2nd on 20 Mar 1851, in Union Co., Ill., James R. DUNN), Thomas RUDD, who was born about 1825 in Tennessee (licensed to marry Maryann LEDBETTER, but the license was returned in 1846; married on 29 Oct 1848, in Union Co., Ill., Mary JONES, who was born about 1830 in Kentucky), Frances S. RUDD (married on 30 Nov 1848, in Union Co., Ill., John BUSBY; married 2nd ? SPRY), and Nathaniel RUDD (who was made the ward of his guardian John DOUGHERTY in Union Co., Ill., in 1848). Another child may have been Adeth RUDD who married on 26 Dec 1848, in Union Co., Ill., James ROUS.

Joshua and Deilah are on the 1880 census of Point Township, Posey Co., Ind. (28-98-22-7, house #9). The parents of Joshua were born in Tennessee, according to the census.

(1) Maggie RUDD, was born about 1874-5 in Posey Co., Ind., and married on 14 Jul 1890, in White Co., Ill., Joab BROUN of Indiana, born about 1870, the son of William and Sindia RICKMAN BROUN. The marriage license records that Maggie and Joab were "French colored."

(a) Charles BROWN was born about 1896, married on 4 Feb 1921, in White Co., Ill., Jessie LADDY, who was born about 1902, the daughter of Charlie and Lizzie CHISM LADDY.

(2) Joshua RUDD born 1880 in Posey Co., Ind. This may be the same person as referenced in the 1930 census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. His age was listed as 45, birthplace as Illinois and he was a Negro. His wife was Margie, age 43, born in Kansas.

(3) Della RUD was born about 1886 and married on 22 Dec 1910, in White Co., Ill., James WILLIAMS, who was born about 1883 in Kentucky, the son of Anderson and Nellie WILLIAMS.

They are on the 1920 census of White Co., Ill. (household 258).

(a) Ivan WILLIAMS was born about 1917 in Illinois.

(b) James E. WILLIAMS was born about 1919 in Illinois.

 

7. Henry ALLEN was born about 1827 in North Carolina and married on 31 Aug 1848, in Williamson Co., Ill., Dulana "Delany" TABORN, who was born about 1832 in Alabama.

Nancy BULLINGTON, who was probably Dulana's mother, gave permission for her to marry. On the 1850 census of Williamson Co., Ill., (household 49) is Stephen BULLINGTON, who was a white man, born about 1821 in South Carolina. His wife, Nancy BULLINGTON listed as black, was born about 1804 in North Carolina. Berton TABORN, born about 1821 in Alabama, and Hardin TABORN, born about 1833 in Alabama, were living with them and were probably Nancy's children from a previous marriage. Edmond TABORN (household 48), who was born about 1822 in Tennessee is also listed. Edmond's wife was Kasiah, who was born about 1823 in Georgia. Their children were Obadiah TABORN, born about 1847 in Illinois, and Mary A.TABORN, born about 1849 in Illinois. Edmond, Burton and Hardin were probably brothers of Dulana.

Henry was a farmer and his real estate in 1850 was worth $100. On the 1850 census, Edward KING, a mulatto farmer and 26-year-old native of Georgia, was living with them. The census of 1850 reports that Henry and his wife could not read or write (page 168, household 341). Henry's personal property was worth $70 in 1854 and he paid 69cents for taxes. In 1856, he was living in township 12 south, range 1 east and his property was valued at $227 and he paid $2.87 state and county taxes, 90cents township school tax and 45 cents state district school taxes. He and his brother John ALLEN were required to pay school taxes, although their children were probably not allowed to attend. In 1857, in Union County, he paid $5.87 for personal property worth $238 and in 1858 he was taxed $3.12 for personal property valued at $292.

The ledger book of Dr. Myron A. BENTLEY records the account of Henry ALLEN for May 1854 (p 10). The book shows each visit made and the amount due. He visited May 6 "one night for sister", $7; and visited her during the day on May 7, $3.50; May 8, $2.50; and May 9, $3.50. The sister of Henry who required the doctor's attention was probably Smithy ALLEN, as in the margin next to the total due of $16.50 is written "note by Smithy." Smithy did not marry until 1858 and probably lived with her brother, Henry ALLEN, after her mother died in December 1853.

Henry is on the 1855 state census of Union Co., Ill., as a Negro or mulatto. In his household were three males and two females (page 35, line 13). His livestock was valued at $48 and he had nine pounds of wool on hand.

Dulana died between 1855 and 1858 and Henry married his brother Nathan's widow, Emily BASS (or BOZE) ALLEN, on 5 Dec 1858, in Johnson Co., Ill. She was born about 1831 in Tennessee.

Henry sued his nephew, William O. CHAVES, for debt in Union County before G.T. McGINNIS, a justice of the peace in Stokes Precinct. On 11 Feb 1859, McGINNIS ordered CHAVES to pay ALLEN $35. ALLEN tried to collect his money, but could not, claiming CHAVES concealed himself from peace officers and was about to depart from the state. CHAVES appealed the case to the circuit court. Nathan MITCHELL of Williamson Co., Ill., was witness for CHAVES and was paid mileage for attending court. He lived 52 miles from Jonesboro.

Henry purchased the following land from the government: the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 12, township 12 south, range 1 east, 40 acres, for $360 on 8 Nov 1866; the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 12, township 12 south, range 2 east, 40 acres, for $280 on 21 Sep 1867; the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 18, township 12 south, range 2 west, 61.58 acres, for $554 on 30 Nov 1868; and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 18, township 12 south, range 2 east, 40 acres, for $480 on 30 Sep 1871.

Henry and Emily are on the 1860 census of Johnson Co., Ill. (household 4) in township 11 south, range 2 east. Henry was a farmer and their real estate was valued at $2,700 and personal property at $930.

Henry, Emily and their children are on the 1870 census of Johnson Co., Ill., (household 187) as farmers. Their real estate was worth $6,300 and their personal property was valued at $2,000.

Henry died in September 1872 in Johnson Co., Ill. He made his will on 20 Aug 1872, and gave his entire estate, after his debts were paid, to his "beloved wife Emma." He appointed her and his friend, F.M. HENARD, executors. Henry and HENARD were partners in a horse trading business in Johnson and Union counties. Henry's debts included $13 to Dr. R.M. HUMBLE for medical attention from 15-17 Aug 1872, and $119 for medical services rendered by Dr. George BRATTON 22-29 Aug 1872. Henry's personal property was sold at auction for $899.68. This was not enough to pay all his debts, so part of the land in section 12 (southeast quarter of the southeast quarter and northeast quarter of the southeast quarter) was sold to John BOSWELL for $266.50 and William R. HILEMAN for $260 (Probate Box 7; Book 47 page 142; Book 50 page 224).

As her dower and homestead, the Johnson County chancery court awarded Emma 40 acres in the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 18, township 12 south, range 2 east, worth $1,796 (Chancery Court Book E pages 360-361).

On the 1880 census of Johnson County, Elvira Township (household 419/450), Emma is the head of the household.

Emma sold her interest in the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter and the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter, all in section 18, township 12 south, range 2 east, 120 acres, to Joshua ELKINS for $100 on 28 Feb 1882 (Book 29 page 74).

Mrs. P.T. CHAPMAN, in her history of Johnson County, wrote of the Henry and Nathan ALLEN families in the early 1900s. She stated, "As a whole the colored population of this county is above the average. The ALLENs who live on the west side of the county...and a number of others have proved themselves substantial citizens."

a. Nathan W. ALLEN was born in 1849 in Union Co., Ill. He is on the 1880 census with his mother. Nathan W. ALLEN may be the same person as Nathen ALLEN, who married 25 Aug 1867, in Pulaski Co., Ill., Caroline MITCHELL.

b. Smithy M. ALLEN was born about 1852 in Illinois. She is not in the probate file of her father in 1872, suggesting she died young.

c. Henry Jasper ALLEN was born about 1854 in Illinois. This is probably Jaster ALLEN, who died 2 Sep 1881, in Johnson Co., Ill., age 28 years, and was buried on the ALLEN farm. His death certificate states he was black and was born in Union Co., Ill. (Death Book 1 page 47).

d. Winnie M. Charlotta "Lottie" ALLEN was born 10 Jul 1854, in Illinois and married 14 Dec 1874, in Johnson Co., Ill., Thomas ALLEN, the son of Joseph and Sarah FROME (or FROUSE? or Sarah F. ROUSE?) ALLEN.

Thomas ALLEN was born in 1839 in Alabama. He married 1st Adeline ALLEN, who was born 14 Jul 1846 in Illinois. Adeline was the mother of Carrol TABORN who was born in 1860.

There is Thomas ALLEN who served as a private in Co. I, 29^th U.S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War, but it is not certain it is the same Thomas ALLEN who was the son of Joseph ALLEN. Thomas ALLEN in the 29^th listed his residence as Coe, Ill., when he enlisted.

On the 1870 census of Saline Co., Ill., also living with Thomas and Adeline were Berry F.ALLEN, who was born about 1858, and Sarah E. ALLEN, born about 1860 (household 270). Adeline died 8 Jun 1872, in Saline Co., Ill., and is buried in Lake View Cemetery.

Charlotte, Thomas's second wife, was born 6 Jul 1854, died 11 Jul 1880, and is buried in Lake View Cemetery in Saline Co., Ill. Charlotte's marker reads, "My delight is in the law of the Lord."

Thomas married 3rd on 1 Jan 1882, in Saline Co., Ill., Margaret PRICE WILLIAMS, who was born about 1856 in Kentucky, the daughter of Richmond and Selina GIBBENS PRICE. This was also her third marriage. Margaret married on 8 Sep 1897, in Saline Co., Ill., Samuel S. CASEY.

Thomas ALLEN, with Josiah TABORN and Joseph COLE, were trustees of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Saline Co., Ill. Thomas signed the deed on 24 Jul 1886, when Samuel and Drusilla HEAD donated the land for the church.

Thomas ALLEN died 26 Oct 1895, in Saline Co., Ill., and is buried in Lake View Cemetery in Saline Co., Ill. Thomas's marker reads, "A kind wife mourns a husband lost, The poor a friend who felt what friendship cost. Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace."

Thomas made his will in Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill., on 18 Oct 1894, and it was recorded in Will Book 1, pages 320-321. It reads:

I will that all my just debts be paid.

I will that a monument may be erected to my memory, cost not to exceed $40.

To my brother, Joseph ALLEN, I give the sum of $5 in cash.

To my sister, Nancy BROTTON, I also give the sum of $5 to be paid in cash.

To the heirs of my half sister, Ellen EVANS deceased, whose names are Franklin EVANS and Herbert EVANS, I give the sum of $5 to be divided equally between them, this also to be in cash.

To Willis ALLEN, son of my half brother John ALLEN, I give $5 in cash.

To Penny SHAW, daughter of my half brother, Asberry ALLEN, I give $5 in cash.

To the heirs of Samuel FOUSE, I give $5 cash to be equally divided among them.

To my stepson, Arter ALLEN, in consideration of his faithful services, his kindness and affection for me, I give the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 2,township 10 south, range 5 east, Saline Co., Ill., (40 acres worth $1,000) also allowing him the mare and colt he claims and giving him another mare or horse to match the one he has, it being my intention to provide him with a decent team, also I give him one good bed, bedstead and bedding complete for winter use.

To my beloved wife, Margaret ALLEN, I give the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter and the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 35, township 9 south, range 5 east, 3rd p.m., Saline Co., Ill., being the home place where I now live, containing 80 acres (worth $4,000). Also, I give her the remainder of my estate, both personal and real, that I may be possessed of at the date of my demise, except $15, which shall be paid as follows:

To the heirs of Betsy MITCHELL, viz. Casenia CHAVOUS, Mary MITCHELL, and Magnolia MITCHELL, I give $5 to be divided equally between them.

Also the heirs of Rebecca ALLEN, viz. Jane MITCHELL and Angeline RUDD, I give $5 to be equally divided between them.

Also to John WILLIAMS, son of Telitha WILLIAMS, I give the remaining $5.

I appoint my wife and Arter ALLEN as executors of this will with full power to act without bond.

When Thomas died, his personal property was appraised at $1,231.32, which not only consisted of farming equipment and machinery, but also an organ and stool worth $20 and a $10 sewing machine. He had $194.47 cash on hand and $296.70 in notes due him.

Samuel FOUSE was born about 1836 in Alabama and was named in the will of Thomas ALLEN in 1895, but his relationship to Thomas was not stated. It is possible that Samuel was the son of Thomas's mother, Sarah FROUSE ALLEN. Samuel's wife was Martha BRACKEN, the daughter of Cain BRACKEN, and was born about 1838 in Illinois. In 1860, in Bond Co., Ill., they were living next to Cain BRACKEN and his family (household 692). Samuel was a farm hand, his realestate was worth $25 and his personal property was valued at $45. Samuel's widow, Martha Ann FOUSE, married on 13 Jan 1866, in Bond Co., Ill., Archie EWING.

(1) Artter ALLEN was born in December 1872, died in 1936. On his marriage license he stated his parents were Chester and Lottie ALLEN ALLEN. Lottie seems to have had the child out of wedlock. Chester ALLEN is probably Winchester ALLEN, the son of Nathan and Emily BASS ALLEN, and Lottie's first cousin.

Arthur was a farmer in Carrier Mills, Saline County, when he married in Harrisburg, on 9 Dec 1897, Delila MITCHELL of Carrier Mills, who was born in February 1883, died in 1956, the daughter of Frank and Alene COLE MITCHELL. This was Arthur's second marriage, according to the 1900 census of Carrier Mills Township, Saline Co., Ill. (household 1).

Sarah COLE, who was born in September 1843 in Illinois, a widow, the grandmother of Delila, was living with them in 1900.

On the 1910 census of Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill., Arthur's occupation is given as a coal miner and he owned his own home (household 78-79). Delila was the mother of six children who were all living.

"Arter" ALLEN was one of the school directors of Lake View School in Saline Co., Ill., in 1911.

Arthur died in 1936 and Delilah died in 1956. They are both buried in Lake View Cemetery in Saline Co., Ill.

(a) Stella M. ALLEN was born in September 1898 in Saline Co., Ill.

(b) Thomas L. ALLEN was born about 1906 in Saline Co., Ill.

(c) William T. ALLEN was born about 1904 in Saline Co., Ill.

(d) Morina ALLEN was born about 1906 in Saline Co., Ill.

(e) Dale V. ALLEN was born about 1907 in Saline Co., Ill. (f) Reefer F. ALLEN (female) was born about 1909 in Saline Co., Ill.

(2) Ebbie ALLEN was born about 1878 in Saline Co., Ill., and died before 1895.

e. Ameline Allice ALLEN was born about 1860 in Illinois and married on 15 Mar 1877, in Johnson Co., Ill., Benjamin Franklin "Frank" JACKSON, son of James JACKSON. Ameline Allice died before 1880, as Frank did not leave a widow when he died on 14 Feb 1880, in Saline Co., Ill. The heirs named in his probate file included his sister Sarah and brother Larkin and Joseph ALLEN, Elizabeth MITCHELL, and Nancy BROUGHTON. Benjamin's son James was also named.

(1) James H. JACKSON was born 14 Feb 1878, in Illinois and died 29 Sep 1893. He was living with his grandmother in 1880. James was buried in Allen Cemetery in Johnson Co., Ill. The 1893 year of death may be incorrect, as he filed a petition for partition in Saline County in 1897. James, was living with his grandmother, Emma ALLEN, in 1880 in Johnson Co., Ill.

James JACKSON, by Joseph COLE, his next friend, filed a petition to partition the land of his grandfather, James JACKSON Sr., on 8 Feb 1897, in Saline Co., Ill. (Chancery Court Box 38). The land was the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 1, township 10 south, range 5 east, 70 acres. James's uncle, Larkin JAMES, and his aunt, Sarah Ellen EVANS, had earlier sold their 2/3 share of the land which was owned by Hezekiah and Nora THOMPSON in 1897.

f. Amanda Jane "Mandy" ALLEN was born about 1861 in Johnson Co., Ill., and married on 22 Mar 1881, in Saline Co., Ill., John T. WILLIAMS, who was born in 1859 in Williamson Co., Ill., the son of Thomas and Telitha ALLEN WILLIAMS. Telitha ALLEN WILLIAMS was a daughter of Joseph ALLEN and a sister of Thomas ALLEN, who married Amanda Jane's sister, Lottie.

The 1910 census of Carrier Mills, Saline Co., Ill., (household 113), records that Mandy was the mother of 10 children of whom six were living. John was a farmer.

(1) Bertha WILLIAMS was born about 1891 in Saline Co., Ill.

(2) Harvey WILLIAMS was born about 1893 in Saline Co., Ill.

(3) Everet WILLIAMS was born about 1896 in Saline Co., Ill.

(4) Truman WILLIAMS was born about 1897 in Saline Co., Ill.

(5) Homer WILLIAMS was born about 1900 in Saline Co., Ill.

(6) Richard WILLIAMS was born about 1904 in Saline Co., Ill.

g. Ulysses Grant ALLEN was born about 1864 in Illinois. He sold his interest in his father's 120 acres in section 18, township 12 south, range 2 east, to I.N. ELKINS for $25 on 3 Jul 1884 (Book 31 page 55).

h. Laura E. ALLEN was born about 1866 in Johnson Co., Ill., and died 11 Sep 1887, in Elvira Precinct, Johnson Co., Ill., of phthisis (Death Book 1 page 72).

i. John A. Logan ALLEN was born about 1868 in Illinois.

John L. ALLEN of Stokes Precinct, Union Co., Ill., purchased from William and Elizabeth E. HOMES of Stokes Precinct for $260, the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 26, township 12 south, range 1 east, 3.75 acres (Book 46 page 213). John and his wife mortgaged this for $180 to Larken TOLER on 29 May 1896 (Book 16 page 354). On 28 May 1897, they mortgaged this to Warren STANDARD for $150 (Book 15 page 223). They also mortgaged this on 10 Mar 1899 to William J. STANDARD for $158 (Book 15 page 317).

j. Lilly Chris Ann ALLEN was born about 1871 in Johnson Co., Ill.

 

8. Smithy (or Sinithey) ALLEN was born about 1828 in Illinois, and married on 21 Nov 1858, in Union Co., Ill., John William BLACKWELL, the widower of her sister, Sarah (see above).

a. Melissa Jane "Lizzie" BLACKWELL was born about 1859 in Illinois and married on 15 May 1881, in Union Co., Ill., Pleasant BURTON, who was born about 1858 (Marriage Book 5 page 192). She lived in Franklin Co., Ill., in 1880, when her father's estate was settled, but is not on the 1880 census of Franklin County.

b. Walter Calvin BLACKWELL was born in 12 Aug 1857, in Union Co., Ill., and married there on 27 Dec 1883, Mary Ann BLACKWELL, who was born about 1867 in Massac Co., Ill., the daughter of William R. and Rohan M. BRANNETT BLACKWELL (Marriage Book 6 page 193). Mary was only 16 when they married and was living in Mt. Pleasant on the farm of John W. BLACKWELL Sr. She and Watson were probably cousins.

William R. BLACKWELL probably moved his family to Union County in 1869, the first year he appears on the tax lists. He was living in township 12 south, range 1 east, near John William BLACKWELL and was taxed $1.17 for personal property worth $75. The tax collector noted in the margin that William R. BLACKWELL was "not found."

William and Rohan BLACKWELL are on the 1870 census of Anna (household 25/24). He was born about 1842 in Tennessee and Rohan was born about 1845 in Tennessee. He was a bricklayer. Mary Ann was listed as 2 years old and her younger sister, Maggie BLACKWELL was born in April 1870.

Walter married 2nd on 18 May 1892, in Saline Co., Ill., Lizzie TABORN, who was born 12 Feb 1864, in Saline Co., Ill., the daughter of William and Susan BLACKWELL TABORN. The marriage license records that Watson was a mechanic and that they were both residents of Carrier Mills, when they married at the house of William TABORN.

William TABORN married Susan BLACKWELL on 27 Jan 1864, in Saline Co., Ill.

On the 1900 census, Watson's name is recorded as William C. BLACKWELL and he was a house carpenter. He had been unemployed for four months that year. He owned his own home in Stokes Precinct (household 28).

The 1910 census of Stokes Township, Union Co., Ill. (household 82/85) lists his name as Walter BLACKWELL, a house carpenter, although other records give his name as Watson BLACKWELL. His grave marker has his name as Walter.

W.C. BLACKWELL filed a claim against his brother's estate in 1887 for building him a wagon in 1884, $26, and for building him a barn in 1886 and 1887, $25.

W.C. BLACKWELL purchased from his father- and mother-in-law, William R. and R.N. BLACKWELL of Stokes Precinct, lot 2 in Mt. Pleasant for $13 on 26 Sep 1885 (Book 37 page 463).

He also purchased from Morgan and Margaret Ann HALTERMAN STOKES for $25, part of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east (Book 44 page 428).

W.C. and Mary Ann sold to William J. JENNETT of Stokes Precinct for $50 on 3 Feb 1886, their undivided interest in 80 acres in the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 1 east (Book 46 page 318).

Walter died 9 May 1925, and was buried in Lake View Cemetery in Saline Co., Ill. The birthdate of his widow, Lizzie, is on the stone, but not her death date. This suggests that she died after him and may have remarried.

A coroner's inquest in Union Co., Ill., determined that Walter died of cerebral hemorrhage (Union County coroner's file 769). George H. PENNINGER, a merchant in Dongola, Ill., testifed that at 10 a.m. W.C. BLACKWELL filled the gas tank of his car and went down the road. As PENNINGER traveled down the road, he saw BLACKWELL walking, saw him sit down at the roadside and then fall backward. PENNINGER put him in his car and drove him home, put him to bed, but he only lived about 10 minutes.

c. Robert C. BLACKWELL was born about 1866 in Illinois and lived in White County in 1887. There is a Rob C. BLACKWELL born in 1876, died in 1955, who is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Saline Co., Ill.

 

9. Mary "Polly" ALLEN was born about 1830 in Illinois and married on 3 Nov 1850, in Union Co., Ill., William H. VALENTINE (Marriage Book 1 page 128). The marriage ceremony was performed by John C. ROTHROCK, a justice of the peace. Polly died after 1854, when her mother's estate was settled. Mary is listed with her mother on the 1850 census in Union County, which was taken before she married. William H. VALENTINE has not been located on any census.

There is a William VALENTINE born about 1829 in North Carolina on the 1850 census of Barbour Co., Ala., with his parents, Matthew and Catherine VALENTINE. They were listed as white on the census.

 

10. Mahala Jane ALLEN was born about 1832 in Illinois. She was named as an heir of her father, Arthur, but is not on the list of heirs of Patience ALLEN, who died in 1853. Since she is on the 1850 census with her mother, Mahala must have died between 1850 and 1853 and probably never married.