Thirty Years

Posted on October 11, 2022 by mcphilbrick

Do you have any ancestor in your tree for whom you have lots of information but over a limited time period? That’s my situation with Hiram M. Currey of Peoria County, Illinois. However, there are many unanswered questions regarding Hiram M. Currey.

Do I have proof he is my ancestor? Not Really! I have a Bible record indicating my ancestor, Hiram M. Currey of Leavenworth County, Kansas was born in 1835 in Peoria. However, the handwriting in this Bible suggests that this birth information was written sometime after his birth and possibly by his wife after their marriage. I do NOT have any land record or probate record connecting the two Hirams.
Am I sure all of the facts I have gathered are for this Hiram M. Currey? Not Really! The given name, Hiram, is fairly common but I have not placed another Hiram Currey (or Curry) in Illinois at the same time as the Peoria Hiram. However, there is some inconsistency with the other information gathered for Hiram M. Currey of Peoria. In some records, Hiram M. Curry is serving as a private or a sergeant during the Indian Campaigns, while in December 1832, there is a report from the Commissioners on the conduct of the Pottawatomi to the Illinois senate that is signed by Hiram M. Curry.
Am I sure that the father of Hiram M. Currey of Peoria is the Hiram M. Currey that served as treasurer of Ohio? Not really! Again I have no documents connecting Hiram M. Currey of Peoria to his parents.
Do I know where Hiram M. Currey of Peoria died? NO! I have copies of some correspondence that suggests Hiram M. Currey “went to the gold fields”. There was a group from Peoria, Illinois that did go to California seeking gold. However, I have yet to find any evidence that Hiram M. Currey was part of that group or any other group heading west.

Hiram M. Currey of Peoria, Illinois

Hiram M. Currey was born about 1787.

On 4 Apr 1822 he was admitted into the practice of law, the 1st attorney of Rush County and was at once made prosecutor in Rush, Indiana, United States.¹^–²

He was admitted to practice law on 26 Sep 1822 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States.³^–⁴

On 10 Oct 1822 Hiram was an appointed the first prosecuting attorney in Shelby County, Indiana.⁵^–⁹

He resigned as prosecuting attorney in Apr 1823 in Rush, Indiana, United States.¹

He was assessed $225 in 1825 in Ten Mile Creek, Peoria, Illinois, United States.¹⁰^–¹²

Hiram lived in Medina Township, Peoria, Illinois, United States about 1825.¹³

He was appointed Constable about Jul 1825 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.¹⁴^–¹⁶

He purchased lot 9 in Block No. 2 at $51.00 during the first public sale of lands on 10 Jul 1826 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.¹⁷

Hiram ran for county commissioner in Aug 1826 in Peoria, Illinois, United States.¹⁸

His nomination for justice of peace for Peoria County was approved by Illinois House of Representatives on 26 Dec 1826.¹⁹^–²¹

Hiram’s confirmation by the Senate for his nomination by the Illinois House of Representatives for justice of peace representing Peoria County was announced on 27 Dec 1826.²²

He was commissioned justice of peace on 5 Jan 1827 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.²³^–²⁴

He was a lawyer in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.²⁵

Hiram was a candidate for county commissioner on 14 Aug 1828 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.²⁶

He was a candidate for justice of peace on 18 Oct 1828 in La Salle District, Peoria County, Illinois.²⁷

He was an early settler in in Spring Bay Township, Tazewell County, Illinois in 1829.²⁸^–²⁹

Hiram received 28 votes for justice of the peace and was elected to the office on 29 Aug 1829 in LaSalle Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.³⁰^–³³

On 9 Nov 1829 he was a Justice of Peace in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.³⁴

In 1830, he was to have performed a marriage ceremony in the home of John Hammett but did not arrive until late in Mossville, Peoria, Illinois, United States.³⁵

Hiram was listed with 1 male age 10-15, 2 males age 30-40, 1 female under 5, 1 female age 20-30 on the 1830 census in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States³⁶

He was commissioned major of Peoria battalion on 4 Mar 1830 in Illinois, United States.³⁷^–³⁸

Between 16 Jun 1831 and 26 Jun 1831, he served in Capt. Pike’s Company of the Rock River Rangers as a private in the IL Volunteer Militia in the Sac & Fox War. Hiram M. Currey enrolled at Fort Armstrong.³⁹^–⁴⁰

Hiram performed the first marriage solemnized between white people in this region between Harris W. Miner and Miss Nancy Gross about 1832 in Stark, Stark, Illinois, United States.⁴¹^–⁴²

He was appointed along with Charles Ballance as commissioners to a road towards Knoxville that passes on north line of in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States in 1832.⁴³

He served in the military as 2 Sergeantt in Capt. Eads’ Company of Mounted Rangers in Stillman’s Battalion, Illinois Mounted Volunteers on 23 Apr 1832 in Illinois.⁴⁴^–⁴⁶

Hiram was listed on the muster roll of Captain Abner Eads Company of Mounted Ranging Volunteers enrolled on an Order from Commander in Chief of the Militia of the State of Illinois to Brigadier General Isaiah Stillman for the service of the United States and served as Orderly Sergt. from May 17th to the 21st of May 1832 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁴⁵^,⁴⁷^–⁴⁸

He ended military service on 28 Jun 1832 in Illinois, United States having served as 2 Sergeant in Captain Ead’s Company Mounted Rangers in Stillman’s Battallion, Illinois Mounted Volunteers.⁴⁴^,⁴⁶

On 6 Nov 1832 from Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States, he sent a letter and petition to General Atkinson regarding burning of land and bridge by Winnebago Indians. The letter is signed Hiram M. Curry, major Peoria Add Battn of Ill Militia.⁴⁹

Hiram was identified at the bottom of a letter from Henry Atkinson, Jefferson Barracks dated 16 Nov 1832 while residing in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois.⁵⁰^–⁵²

He held the office of Commissioner on the conduct of the Pottawatomi in Dec 1832 in Illinois, United States.⁵¹^,⁵³^–⁵⁴

He applied to enter land (SW 1/4 S5 T10N R9E of 4th Principle Meridian) by preemption agreeably to Act of Congress of 19 June 1834 in 1834 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁴³

Hiram purchased the SW1/4 Section 9 Township 9N Range 8E of the 4th Principal Meridian from Lewis Hallock and Sophia his wife of Peoria Co., IL on 17 Oct 1834 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois.⁵⁵

He sold the SW1/4 Section 9 Township 9N Range 8E in the Military Bounty Tract of Illinois to Blewford Stringer for $200.00 on 18 Oct 1834.⁵⁶

He was mentioned in tax list in 1835 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁵⁷

Hiram was involved in a land dispute with Isaac Underhill regarding whether Hiram M. Curry was actually residing on the land he had claimed by preemption being the SW fractional quarter Section 5 Township 10 North Range 9 East of the 4th principal meridian between 1836 and 1840 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁵⁸

He taught school in a cabin near where the residence of Moses Neal now stands in 1836 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.³⁰^,⁵⁹

He filed land entry papers on 19 Mar 1836 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States claiming he occupied and raised a crop on the SW fraction quarter of Section 5 Township 19 N Range 9 East of 4th principal Meridian in year 1833.⁴³

Hiram filed land entry papers paying $44.20 for the SW fractional quarter of Section 5 Township 10 N Range 9 E of the 4th principal meridian containing 35 acres on 30 May 1836 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois.⁴³^,⁶⁰

He sold 78 and 99/100 acres in the E 1/2 NW 1/4 S30T11NR9E of 4th principal meridian for $800.00 to Thomas M. Currey on 9 Jul 1836 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁶¹

He purchased the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 Section 30 Township 11N Range 9E of the 4th Principal Meridian being 78 and 99/100 acres for $150 from Linus Scoville and his wife Elizabeth Scoville on 9 Jul 1836 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois.⁶²

His certificate #8250 for SW1/4 S5T10NR9E was cancelled on 3 Oct 1838 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁴³

Hiram was listed on the 1840 census with 1 male under 5, 1 male 30-40, 1 female under 5, 1 female 30-40 at La Salle Precinct in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁶³

He was a candidate for representative in 1840 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁶⁴

He purchased land being the E1/2 of the NW1/4 Section 30 Township 11N Range 9E of 4th principle meridian on 23 Nov 1840 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.⁶⁵

Hiram sold land by quit claim to Isaac Underhill the S 1/2 of Section 5 Township 10N Range 9E of 4th principal meridian acquired by virtue of preemption for the sum of $150.00 on 28 Mar 1842 in Illinois, United States.⁶⁶

He was commissioned lieutenant colonel of 1st regiment on 31 Dec 1842 in Illinois, United States.⁶⁷^–⁶⁸

He was member of school trustees on 27 Nov 1844 in Woodford, Woodford, Illinois, United States.⁶⁹

Hiram went to the gold fields about 1849 .⁷⁰^–⁷¹

Hiram M. Currey married Rachel Harris on 28 Sep 1824 in Edgar, Edgar, Illinois, United States. The couple was married by John W. McReynolds, a licensed minister of the gospel of the Methodist Episcopal Church.⁷²^–⁷⁷

Rachel Harris, daughter of Peter Harris and Rachel Simonse VanArsdale, likely died before 28 March 1842 when a deed for sale of land by Hiram M. Curry does not mention a wife..⁶⁶

ENDNOTES:

1. Rush County Indiana: From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the northwest, the Indiana Territory and the State of Indiana (Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1888), pages 397-399, 408; digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/historyofrushcou00chic viewed online 27 December 2020.

2. Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana (Chicago: Baskin, Forster & Co., 1929), page 296; digital image, Indiana Memory, https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/HistAtlas/id/3798 viewed online 4 July 2021.

3. Laura Fletcher Hidges, Early Indianapolis (Indianapolis: C. E. Pauley & Company, 1919), p. 19; digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/earlyindianapoli75hodg/page/n5/mode/2up viewed online 5 July 2021.

4. Jacob Piatt Dunn, Greater Indianapolis: The history, the industries, the institutions and the people of a city of homes, volume 1 (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1910), p. 588; digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/greaterindianapo01dunn viewed online 5 July 2021.

5. Edward H. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana (Indianapolis, Indiana: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1909), p. 197; digital image, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com viewed online 5 July 2021.

6. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 58.

7. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 190.

8. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 198.

9. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 181.

10. David McCulloch, Editor, Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, volume ii (Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company Publishers, 1902), p. 55 (image 54 of 843); digital image, Archive.org, https://archive.org/ viewed online 5 July 2021.

11. James M. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois: A Record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement: Volume 1, illustrated (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912), page 133 (image 184 of 628); digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org viewed online 5 July 2021.

12. Northern Illinois 1825 Tax List, Hiram Curry, 1825; transcription, Genealogy Trails (http://genealogytrails.com : viewed online 5 July 2021). Original Source: Originally published in an Illinois State Genealogical Society publication from Chicago Historical Society’s manuscript collection.

13. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 281 (image 280 of 465).

14. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, p. 132.

15. McCulloch, Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, p. 144.

16. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 327 (image 326 of 465).

17. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 327 (image 326 of 465).

18. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 97.

19. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Senate Journal 1827-27; House Journal 1826-27.

20. Journal of House of Representatives of the State of Illinois 1826 (Vandalia, IL: )

21. Journal of House of Representatives of the State of Illinois 1826 (Vandalia, IL: ), Fifth General Assembly at their First Session begun and held at the town of Vandalia, Dec 6, 1826, p.132-133

22. Journal of House of Representatives of the State of Illinois 1826 (Vandalia, IL: ), Fifth General Assembly at their First Session begun and held at the town of Vandalia, Dec 5, 1826, p.132-133

23. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Executive Record 1818-1832 Vol. 1, page 149.

24. Illinois Executive Record 1818-1832, volume 1 (Springfield, Illinois: n.p., n.d.), page 149; Microfilmed, Illinois State Archives, photocopy obtained 1999.

25. Andreas A. T., Atlas Map of Peoria County, Illinois: Compiled Drawn & Published from Personal Examinations and Surveys (Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1873), page 22; FamilySearch, http://www.familysearch.org viewed online 22 September 2022.

26. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Election returns vol. 8, p. 18.

27. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Election Returens Vol. 11 page 452.

28. The Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois (Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr. & Co, 1878), p. 224-225. Digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 12 September 2022.

29. The Woodford County History (Bloomington, Illinois: Woodford County Board of Supervisors, 1968), page 169. digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 12 September 2022.

30. The History of Peoria County, Illinois (Chicago: Johnson & Company, 1880), page 608; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 20 September 2022.

31. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Election Returns 1828-29 vol. 12, page 78.

32. NA, “Election,” Prairie Roots (Vol. 11 Number 2), page 41.

33. The History of Peoria County, Illinois (Chicago: Johnson & Company, 1880), page 606; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 12 September 2022.

34. Bond for appeal, Dixon vs Ridgeway filed Nov 30, 1829 contained in John Dixon papers, Illinois State Historical Library, , (Curry.IL.057). Hereinafter cited as Dixon vs Ridgeway.

35. NA, “Chillicothe cont.,” Prairie Roots (Peoria County Genealogical Society) (Vol. 11 #4), page 25.

36. 1830 U.S. Census, Peoria, Putnam Counties, Illinois, population schedule, Peoria, Putnam Counties, Illinois, page 592 (299) Image 1 of 10, Hiram M Currey; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017)

37. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Executive Record 1818-1832 Vol. 1, page 229.

38. Illinois Executive Record 1818-1832, volume 1 (Springfield, Illinois: n.p., n.d.), page 229; Microfilmed, Illinois State Archives, photocopy received from IL Archives September 2022.

39. White, Virgil, Index to Volunteer Soldiers in Indian Wars and Disturbances 1815-1858 (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1994), p. 334 (Curry.IL.024).

40. Army Indian Campaign Service Records Index, 1815-1858, Hiram M. Currey, database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestroy.com : viewed online 14 September 2022).

41. , “”, Prairie Roots : Spring 1976 Vol. III, No. 3 (Curry.IL.099).

42. E. H. Shallenberger, Stark County and Its Pioneers (Cambridge, Illinois: B. W. Seaton, Prairie Chief Office, Book and Job Printer, 1876), page 33; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 18 September 2022.

43. Hiram M. Curry (Peoria County) Preemption, certificate no. #8250, Quincy, Illinois , Land Office; Land Entry Papers 1800-1908; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

44. Hiram M. Curry, Military Record of Hiram M. Curry for service in the Black Hawk War (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government), company muster-out roll Hiram M. Curry. Hereinafter cited as Military Record.

45. Ellen M. Whitney, Compiler, The Black Hawk War 1831-1832, volume 1 (Springfield, IL: Illinois State Historical Library, 1970), page 197; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 18 September 2022.

46. Isaac H. Elliott, Adjutant-General of the State of Illinois, Record of the Services of Illinois Soldiers in the Black Hawk War, 1831-1832, and in the Mexican War, 1846-8 (Springfield, Illinois: H. W. Rokker, State Printer and Binder, 1882), page 151; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 18 September 2022.

47. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, p. 259 (image 258 of 465).

48. The History of Peoria County, Illinois (Chicago: Johnson & Company, 1880), page 352; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 16 September 2022.

49. Letter from Gen Atkinson to Adjutant General attaching Curry letter and Peoria memorial; Letters 1832 A (NARA microfilm publications Microcopy No. 567, roll 66); Register of letters received, 1812-1889; Letters received by the Office of the Adjutant General, main series, 1805-1821, 1822-1860, 1861-1870, 1870-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1182066 DGS 8921496; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 777-781.

50. Whitney, Ellen M., compiler, The Black Hawk War 1831-1832 (Springfield, IL: Illinois State Historical Library, 1970), p. 1229 – John Dixon Letter / footnotes.

51. Dec 1832 Letter from Gen. Atkinson to Maj Hiram Curry; Chicago Agency, 1824-1847 Chicago Agency 1824-1834 (NARA microfilm publications M234, roll 132); Letters received, 1824-1881; registers of letters received, 1824-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1660862 DGS 8275279; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 243-245.

52. Jane Douma Pearson NARA volunteer, (Herndon, VA) to Marcia Philbrick, letter, 16 February 1995; Crawford Family Papers, privately held by . , Seneca, Kansas, 2022. includes images from NARA microfilm.

53. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Senate Journal p. 92.

54. Journal of the Senate of the Eighth General Assembly of the State of Illinois: at their first session, begun and held in the town of Vandalia December 3, 1832 (Vandalia, Illinois: Greiner & Sherman, 1833), p. 89-92; digital image, Google Books, google.com/books viewed online 13 September 2022.

55. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F page 135 (Curry.IL.031), .

56. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F, page 136 (Curry.IL.032) .

57. Letter from Peoria Public Library (Peoria, IL) to Marcia Philbrick, 8 Feb1983; (), Illinois Champion and Peoria Republican Dec. 16, 1835 p. 3c-2 DTV.

58. Hiram M. Curry, Land Dispute, Court Records, No. 8250 (CURRY.IL.092).

59. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 281 (image 280 of 465).

60. “Illinois, Public Land Purchase Records, 1813-1909,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Illinois, volume 697; page 130 viewed online (20 September 2022), Hiram M Curry.

61. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F, page 506 (Curry.IL.029) .

62. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F, page 505 (Curry.IL.084) .

63. 1840 U.S. Census, Peoria County, Illinois, population schedule, LaSalle Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois Image 5 of 8, Hiram Currey; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication M704

64. Letter, Peoria Public Library to Marcia Philbrick, 8 Feb1983, (PR &NWG April 17, 1840 p.3 c. 1).

65. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book O, page 249 (Curry.IL.034) .

66. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book M, pg 444 (Curry.IL.030) .

67. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Executive Record 1837-1843, vol. 3, page 393.

68. Records of the Illinois Territory Exeuctive Register: October 19, 1837 through January 1843, microfilmed (Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Archives, n.d.), volume 3 page 393 – Hiram Curry.

69. The Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois containing A history of the County — its Cities, towns, &c.,; a Directory of the Tax-Payers; War Record of its Volunteers in the Late Rebellion; Portraits of Early settlers of Prominent Men; General and Local Statistics; Map of Woodford County; History of Illinois, Illustrated; History of the Northwest, Illustrated; Constitution of the United Sttes, Miscellaneous Matters, Illustrated (Chicago: Wm. Le Baron & Co., 1878), p. 398 Schools – Partridge Twp. (Curry.IL.040).

70. Entry, Curry Family Research, , letter from Ethel Tomlinson, daughter of Elizabeth Currey, granddaughter of Providence Currey(Curry.OR.156); , . Hereinafter cited as Curry Family Research.

71. “Nellie Rose Jones,” undated; letter, Colver Family Papers; Collection No. AX 126; University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon; photocopy obtained from Steven Shook. contains typewritten notes from other letters.

72. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7836/). Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 : viewed online 25 September 2022.

73. “Illinois, Marriage Index, 1860-1920,” Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), HIram M Curry – Rachel Whitaker.

74. “Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online March 2019), H. M. Curry.

75. Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940. Film #114661387. Hir M Curry and Rachel Whitaker, 28 Sep 1824; page 2; database with images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online March 2019.

76. Edgar County Illinois, marriage no. Book, LA page 2 (28 September 1824), Hiram M. Curry and Rachel Whitaker; Clerck of the Commissioner’s Court, Paris, Illinois.

77. Edgar County Illinois, index to marriages no. Book, SA page 2, (28 September 1824), Hiram M. Curry and Rachel Whitaker.

Friday Find

Posted on October 7, 2022 by mcphilbrick

I’m sure my readers have NEVER obtained a photocopy of a record without making sure the source of the copy was attached to the record. However, I have to admit that I do have at least one such record (and probably more) in my files.

The record in question is a court document. It is likely from a court in Illinois, but I don’t know which court.

Unknown Court Record
Possibly Peoria County IL

Bond for Appeal
Dixon vs Ridgway

Filed Nov. 30 1829
John Dixon Clk

Know all men by these presents that we
John Dixon and Norman Hyde are held
and formerly bound to David Ridgway in
the penal sum of fifty Dollars
for which payment will and truly
to be made we bind our selves our
heirs executors and administrators
firmly by this presents signed with
our hands and sealed with our seals
and dated this twenty ninth day of
November A.D. 1929

Now the conditions of the above
obligation is such that whereas
David Ridgway hath recovered a
judment against the above bon[d]
John Dixon before Hiram M.
Curry a Justice of the pace in and
for Peoria County from which
judgment the said Dixon hath
to him an appeal Now if the
above bond John Dixon shall pay
what ever Judgment and [?]
be made [?}
remain in full force and virtue
John Dixon (seal)
Norman Hoye (seal)

When I opened the image of the document in Paint.net (my free image manipulation software), I was able to change the contrast enough to read some of the stamp at the bottom of the document. Thus, I believe the stamp identifies the source as the “Illinois State Historical Library.” Since I had made a research trip to Springfield, it is possible that I obtained this court document during that trip.

Since the document involved John Dixon, I did a search for ‘John Dixon papers Illinois’. One of the results of that search was a link to the obituary for John Dixon in the collection, “Papers of Abraham Lincoln”.

https://papersofabrahamlincoln.org/persons/DI32412

Since I still don’t know the source of this court record, I’m going to have to do more digging

Peoria and the Black Hawk War

Posted on October 6, 2022 by mcphilbrick

Have you ever gone back thru your notes and sources for an individual and wished you had done a better job of documenting your findings? That’s my situation as I’m creating research notes for Hiram M. Currey of Peoria County, Illinois.

While I only have information for about 30 years of his life, I have quite a few details for those 30 years. Much of my research dates back to the pre-Internet days and thus is photocopies and handwritten notes. One of those citations appears to be a valid citation.

Whitney, Ellen M., compiler, The Black Hawk War 1831-1832 (Springfield, IL: Illinois State Historical Library, 1970), vol. 2, p. 1229.

So, I started searching Google to see if I could find a digital copy of the book. And volumes 1 and 2 are on Archive.org. Unfortunately, page 1229 is not found in volume 2. A further search of Google reveals that there is a Part 3: Letters and Papers: Appendices and Indexes (Goodreads). So far, I haven’t found a digital copy of this book.

Further digging in my files found a 1995 letter from the National Archives that included images from NARA microfilm of letters regarding the Indian situation around Peoria. While this letter contained the images, I wasn’t sure how to document the letter and images. Thus, I started looking for the images online — and found them on FamilySearch.

6 November 1832 Letter from Major Hiram M. Curry of Peoria to General Atkinson which includes a memorial from citizens of Peoria and Putnam Counties

Registers of letters received, 1812-1889; Letters received by the Office of the Adjutant General, main series, 1805-1821, 1822-1860, 1861-1870, 1871-1880

Letters, 1832 A
Film 1182066 DGS 8921496

Image 780

Peoria Novr 6th 1832
(Copy)
General Atkinson
Sir,
It is with considerate regret
that I am compelled to inform you that the Pottawatamies
and Winnebagoes are doing considerable mischief in
different neighborhoods by burning the woods and
prairies they have burned the Bridge over the Inlet of
the Winnebago swamps. They have threated the
lives of some of our citizens without being provoked
so to do by any white person. They made it their
business to set the prairies on fire so as to fire our farms
that are on the frontier. I wish your candid dir-
ection what to do on such occasions.
I am very respectfully
(signed) Hiram M. Curry
Major Peoria Add Battn
of Ill Militia

We the undersigned citizens of Peoria and
Putnam Counties have seen and read the above
letter of Major Curry and do unhesitatingly say
the above is correct as supported by the depositions
of several citizens, we wish that you would take
the subject under your consideration and grant
such relief as you may deem most expedient

Image 781
for the public good and the Indians welfare.
Attest. Stealing of horses may be added — if
the Indians are not kept away it may cause some
thing very serious, we wish for peace.

[Jeriel] Root
Simon Reed
James Pierce
Mahlon Linton
Horace Miner
Hiram Cleveland
Nicholas Stume
Marshall B Silliman
Resola Cleveland
Thomas Winn
Ezekiel Thomas

Column 2 of names
Charles B Pierce
Joel Hinks
Monott Silliman
John Cleveland
Erastus C Root
Moses Clifton
Richard Cannon
Thomas B. Reed
Joseph Cleveland
George Miatz
John Love
High Montgomery
Letter from Gen Atkinson to Adjutant General attaching Curry letter and Peoria memorial; Letters 1832 A (NARA microfilm publications Microcopy No. 567, roll 66); Register of letters received, 1812-1889; Letters received by the Office of the Adjutant General, main series, 1805-1821, 1822-1860, 1861-1870, 1870-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1182066 DGS 8921496; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 777-781.

16 Nov 1832 Letter from Br Gen H. Atkinson to Maj. Hiram M. Curry of Peoria, Illinois

69
(Copy)
Heads Qrs: Right Wing Western Dept
Jefferson Barracks 16th Novr 1832

I have received your letter of the 6th instant
in reference to the conduct of the Pottawatamie and Winne-
bago Indians in the neighborhood of Peoria. I have to
desire that you will take an Interpreter with you if one
can be had and go to the encampment of the Pottowata
mies and caution them against committing any act of
depredation on the lands or property of the frontier in-
habitants and that they must fall back upon their own
lands. That should they continue their improper con-
duct that teh Rangers will be ordered out to drive them
off.
I write to day to the Pottawatamies Agent at Chicago
informing him of the conduct of the Indians in your
neighborhoods, and requesting him to have them withdrawn.
with great respect, Sir
Your [mo abt] servt
(signed | H. Atkinson
Br Gen U.S. Army

Maj Hiram M Curry
Peoria
Illinois
Nov 1832 Letter from Gen. Atkinson to Maj Hiram Curry; Chicago Agency, 1824-1847 Chicago Agency 1824-1834 (NARA microfilm publications M234, roll 132); Letters received, 1824-1881; registers of letters received, 1824-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1660862 DGS 8375279; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 246.

16 Nov 1832 letter from Br Gen H. Atkinson to Col. Owen, Indian Agent

67
(Copy)

Head Qrs: Right Wing Western Dept.
Jefferson Barracks 16th Novr 1832

Sir,
I have received a Memorial from a number
of the citizens of Peoria and its neighborhood com-
plaining of depredations committed by a party of Potto-
wattomie Indians who are hunting on the Bureau and
near Peoria. The report sets forth stealing of Horses and
burning the Prairie and wood lands to the destruction
of the fences of their farms. The bridge across the
Winnebago inlet on the post routes to Galena has also
been burned by the Pottowattomies it is supposed. Be
sides these acts they have molested travellers and
threatened the inhabitants, causing much alarm.
I have to request that you will send down and
have the Indians of your Agency, complained of
called back upon their own lands, and admonished
to refrain in future from similar encroachments.
with great respect sir,
Your [mo abt] servt
(signed) H. Atkinson
Br Gen US Army

Col Owen
Indian Agent
Chicago
Michigan
Nov 1832 Letter from Gen. Atkinson to Maj Hiram Curry; Chicago Agency, 1824-1847 Chicago Agency 1824-1834 (NARA microfilm publications M234, roll 132); Letters received, 1824-1881; registers of letters received, 1824-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1660862 DGS 8375279; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 247

1832 letter from John Dixon to Genl H. Atkinson

(Copy)
Dixons Ferry Novr 6th 1832

Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 16th [ulto] was received
during my absence, I now immediately on my return
hasten to answer your inquiries.
With regard tot he complaint of the In
habitants about Peoria I will say, and hold myself ac-
countable for the assertion that there has not been a Win-
nebago across the Winnebago swamp to the south for the
last seven months. they fear to travel in any direction
without first consulting the whites. They are the most hum-
bled people I ever met with. The war has had an astonish-
ing effect on them and if I am permitted to manage
them as I now do I will pledge all I possess that they go
peaceably across the Wisconsin in the spring, I know to
a certainty that there is no other calculation amongst
them.
With regard to the Pottowattomies I can say nothing
from my own knowledge, the reports are much against
them. The people who have been at the spot differ in opin-
ion as to whether the Bridge was burned by accident or
design on the subject I am not able to given an opinion only
to state the facts that on the day it was burned there was

image 908
a large body of Pottowattomies near it, and the Prairie
about it was burnt that day. After weighing all the re-
ports, I am led to the conclusion that their conduct towards
the whites has been improper but to what interest I am not able
to say. I shall do all in my power to get facts. I have sent
a confidential Winnebago to them to find out how the Bridge
came burned.
Very respectfully
Your obl servt
(signed) John Dixon

Genl H. Atkinson
Jefferson Barracks
Mo
Letter from Gen Atkinson to Adjutant General attaching Curry letter and Peoria memorial; Letters 1832 A (NARA microfilm publications Microcopy No. 567, roll 66); Register of letters received, 1812-1889; Letters received by the Office of the Adjutant General, main series, 1805-1821, 1822-1860, 1861-1870, 1870-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1182066 DGS 8921496; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 907-908.

While I could have taken the easy way out and created a citation for the reply to my letter, I am glad that I pursued locating digital images of the documents.

Land Dispute

Posted on October 4, 2022 by mcphilbrick

Have you ever requested land papers from the National Archives? Although I have quite a few potential requests that I could make, I’ve only requested a couple of them. One request was for the papers associated with the claim of Hiram M. Curry in Peoria County, Illinois.

While Hiram M. Curry filed for and paid for 35.36 acres in the south west quarter of section five of township number 10 north of the base line in range number nine East of the 4th principal meridian, the claim was contested by Isaac Underhill.

While several of the affidavits claim bribery of witnesses by Isaac Underhill, Hiram Curry’s claim #8250 was eventually cancelled. These land entry papers are an interesting read and well worth whatever I spent to obtain the copy.

National Archives
Land Entry File

Curry, Hiram M.
Certificate #8250
Land Office: Quincy, Illinois

page 1

I do solemnly swear that I was in actual occupancy
of and raised a crop on the South west fractional
qr of Sec 5 town 10 North of Range 9 East of the
4th principal Meridian in the year 1833 and
that I was in actual possession and occupancy
of the same at the passage of the law on the 19th
of June 1834 and am still in possession and I
hereby apply to enter the same by preemption
agreeably to the Act of Congress n that care
made and provided
Hiram M Currey

Sworn to and subscribed before me n this
19th day of March 1836
Linus Scovill JP

We do solemnly swear that Hiram M Currey was
in actual occupancy of and raised a crop n the south
west fractional qr of Sec 5 in Town 10 North of Range
9 East of the 4th principal Meridian n the year
1833 and that he was in actual occupancy of the same
on the 19th of June 1834 and still is in possession
and that we are not interested or directly or indirectly
in his obtaining a preemption
Silas Allen
James Cannon
Harris (his mark) Whitaker

page 2
shall be entitled to receive a patent for the lot above described
Pre Act 1834
Saml Alexander Register

Charles [Ballance] of Peoria of lawful age agrees
and says in addition to his foregoing that he
has been acquainted with Hiram M Curry
since early in 1832 that in the latter part
said year this deponent and said Curry were
two of the commissioners appointed by the County
of Peoria to locate a road towards Knoxville to
pass on the North line of the above described
tract that his deponent was then in the house
of said Curry and has frequently been on
the premises same and states of his own knowl-
edge that said Curry has ever since resided on
said land with his family Neither has
he ever heard of his having had any other home
during said time nor has he heard of any
other person having a claim to said land
until the last week
C Ballance
Subscribed & Sworn to
before me on this 30th
day of May 1836
J. H. [Raentor] J. P.

page 3
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 19th day
of March 1836
Linus Scovill JP

We do swear that the subscribing witnesses to the
within preemption proof are persons of
respectability and their oath entitled to credit
William Fletcher Thompson
Linus Scovill [Jun]
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this
26th day of March 1836
Linus Scoville J. P

I do hereby certify that the above named witnesses
are persons of respectability and their oath entitled
to credit
Linus Scovill JP

State of Illinois
Peoria County
To Wit – I William Mitchell clerk of the County
Commissioners Court for said County do certify that Linus
Scovill Esqr whose names appears to the foregoing certificates
was on the day of the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace
in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified
[seal] to [?] record in my office; and that as such
— [rest missing]

page 4
It is hereby certified, that in pursuance to law
Hiram M. Curry
of the County of Peoria and state of Illinois
on this day purchased of the Register of this Office, the lot or
South West fractional quarter
of section Five in Township No Ten North
of the base line Range nine West of the 4th principal meridian
containing 35 35/100
acres at the rate of one dollars and twenty five cents per acre amounting
to forty four dollars and
twenty cents for which the said
Hiram M Curry
has made payment in full as required by law,
No therefore e it known, that on presentation of this certificate the Commissioner of the
[?] [Hiram M Curry]
shall be entitled to receive a patent for the lot above described
Pre Act 1834
Saml Alexander Register
NOTE: CANCELLED written over top of document

Charles Ballance statement below above document

page 5 — same as page 4

page 6
State of Illinois
Peoria County
Clerks Office County Commission [?]
William Mitchell clerk of said court
do hereby certify that Linus Scovill Esqr whose
name appears to the within certificate was at
this time the same was made an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County duly
commissioned and qualified as appears of
record in my office and that as such full
faith and credit an act of right ought
to be given to be his official acts given
under my hand and seal
of said Court at Peoria this
25th day of May AD 1836
William Mitchell
Clk Co Comm PC

page 7
We James Cannon and Harris Wittaker
do solemnly swear that Hiram M Curry
is not entitled to a preemption to the South
west fractional qr of sec no 5 10N 9 East
for which he has our evidence to his
preemption papers bearing date 19th March
aD 1836 We were altogether unacquainted
with the boundarys of said fractional qr
until a recent survey of the same
and hereby swear that said Curry
never cultivated any part thereof to
our knowledge as set fort in said
preemption papers
James Cannon
Harris (his mark) Wittaker

Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 24th day of May 1836
Linus Scovill
Justice of the Peace

page 8
I William M C Bogardus hereby make
oath that Hiram M Curry is not entitled
to a preemption to the SW factional qr
of Sec No 5 10 North 9 East for which
he has my affidavit concerning I do
not want the Register to receive said
affidavit as there is a mistake in the
same and further that I swear
that the section lines do not
come within three or four rods of the
fence whee he states that he cultivated
the same, and further one of the witnesses
is Curry’s own son; and the other is
under age
W M C Bogardus

State of Illinois
Peoria County
I Lewis Bigelow, an acting
Justice of the peace within and for
the county of Peoria, hereby certify that on the 23 day
of May AD 1836 the above named William M C Bogar
dus personally appeared before me and made oath to
the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him sub
scribed
Lewis Bigelow, J. Peace

Page 9
State of Illinois
Peoria County
Clerks Office County Commissioners Court
William Mitchell clerk of said court
do hereby certify that Lewis Bigelow Esqr whose
name appears to the foregoing certificate was at
the time the same was made an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said county regularly
commissioned and qualified as appears of
record in my office and as such [full]
[faith] and credit are and [of rights] ought to
be given to all his official acts In tes-
timony whereof I have hereunto
[subcribed] my hand and seal of said
Court at Peoria this twenty fifth
day of may AD 1836
William Mitchell
Clk

page 10
I Alexander Fo[r]sh being of lawful age and first duly
sworn testify that sometime in the summer of the
year 1836 in the town of Peoria I heard a conver-
sation between Isaac Underhill and another indi-
vidual respecting his [operations] at Rome on the
Illinois River in which said Underhill boasted of
having defeated the pre-emption of a settler in that
neighborhood by procuring his witnesses to swear that
their affidavits by which they established the pre-emp
tion were not true. In that part of the conversation
which was in my hearing he stated distinctly that he had
paid one of said witnesses to wit William M. C. Bogar-
dus the sum of two hundred dollars or four hundred
dollars (I am not certain which) to procure him to go
before a justice of the peace and recant upon oath
his former affidavit My impression is that he
did not give the name of the person whose pre-emp
tion he had endeavored to destroy but he described it
as being a fraction and otherwise so spoke of it as
to leave no doubt that it was the pre-emption of
Hiram M Curry to which he alluded and further this
affiant saith not
Alex H Fa[sh]
State of Illinois
Peoria County
I William Martin a justice of the peace
in and for said county do hereby certify that
on the ninth day of November AD 183[7] person
ally appeared before me Alexander H Fa[sh] and
was by me sworn to the truth of the foregoing
affidavit given under my hand the date
aforesaid
Wm Martin JP

State of Illinois
Peoria County
I, William Mitchell, Clerk of the County
Commissioners’ Court for said county, do hereby certify that William
Martin Esquire, whose name appears to the foregoing certificate, was on
the day of the date thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the county
aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, as it appears to me of record in my
office; and that, as such, full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand, and affixed the seal of said court, at Peoria,
this Seventh day of December 1839
William Mitchell Clerk

page 11
I Charles Ballance do solemnly swear that shortly
after Isaac Underhill had filed the affidavits of
William M C Bogardus, and others in the land office
to defeat H. M. Curry’s right of pre-emption to a tract of
land adjoining Peoria in the county of Peoria Ill that
said Curry stated tome that said Bogardus had ackn
owledged to him that said Underhill had bulied him
for the sum of four hundred dollars to swear to an affi
davit contradicting his former affidavit which he
had made to establish said Curry’s pre-emption
that supposing if said statement was
true it was not [susceptible] of proof [Issued] to the
attention to it Until about two months ago said Curry in-
formed me he could prove said [?] by Alexander H
Fash [first] not having an opportunity to take his
affidavit then and his residence being several
miles from here I had not a convenient opportunity
to take it until November 9th last past and it was not
then forwarded to the general land office because I
wanted to procure further testimony especially
the testimony of Luther Sears who was an associate
of said Underhill and who I understood from Fash
knew all about it On this day I called on said Search who stated
that he heard said Bogardus and Underhill bargain
ing about said affidavit. Underhill offered a price
to Bogardus if he would upon oath recant his former affidavit
Bogardus refused to do it for the price offered but agreed
to do it for a large price After or [number] offers were
made and refused a sum was agreed upon and

page 12
the affidavit was made out and sworn to by said Bogardus,
and the price paid by said Underhill, as he understood from
them both, but what was the amount paid said Sears
could not recollect. After said matter was arranged said
Sears stated that said Underhill explained the transaction
to him and told him that it was Hiram M Curry’s pre-
emption claim near Rome that said affidavit was
taken to defeat. Said Underhill explained his having to give
so high a price for this affidavit to be that in addition
to the reluctance of the witness to contradict himself, he was
interested in Curry’s claim, and it was necessary to give
him more then his interest [amounted] to to get him
to swear against Curry Said Sears who seemed to know all about
the said transaction stated that he had “no doubt there was
perjury n the business.” I then asked him I he would
give and affidavit stating these fact, to which he answer
ed that being a friend of Mr. Underhills he would not
give any statement on oath as the subject unless required
in a court of justice and in this case he would swear
to the facts as detailed to me and related above and further this affi
ant saith not
Charles Ballance
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 7th day
of December AD 1839. In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of the county Commissioners Court
of Peoria County, State of Illinois this
day last above said
William Mitchell Clk

page 13
State of Illinois
Peoria County
I Linus Scovill of lawful age being
fist duly sworn depose and say that I am the
Justice of the peace of said county before whom
the witness so were sworn who established Hiram
M. Curry’s right of Pre-emption to the South West
fractional quarter o Section No 5 in township
10 North of the base line and range No 9 East of the
4th principal meridian and when James Cannon and Har
ris Whitaker were afterwards bought before me by
Isaac Underhill to recant upon oath the statements
they had formerly made I at first refused to
swear them to said last mentioned affidavits on ac
count of its apparently involving them in perjury
and I enquired of them their motive for so great in
consistency. They informed me that Isaac Underhill
and Jefferson Taliaferro (who had floated on said
Curry’s claim) informed them that they (said Under-
hill & Taliaferro) had had said land surveyed and
had ascertained that no part of the field which said
Curry had cultivated in 1833 was on said tract
of land and therefore as said Curry had during said
year cultivated nowhere else they were quilty of perjury
in swearing he had cultivated a part of said
tract during said year and that said Underhill
and Taliaferro had threatened to present them for
perjury unless they would recant upon oath
the statements aforesaid respecting said Curry’s
pre-emption. I further state that I am well
acquainted with all the parties and the premises in
dispute that said Curry is a poor man who to
my certain knowledge has lived upon the land
in dispute ever since some time in the year
1832 until a few months past his family has

page 14
been absent (as is said) upon a visit to distant
relatives That I called to see said Curry some
time the fall of of 1833 and found him sowing
a crop of what and had at the time a crop of corn
and pumpkins grown The field he was cultivating
was always understood to be the fraction of section
5 township 10 north of range 9 east partly on the
NW qr and partly on the SW qr but having nev
er surveyed it have not say possibly where our east
& west line would run but have no doubt that
the house and part of the field are on the SW frac
tional quarter Said witnesses are very young
and could I presume be easily frightened or per
suaded to make such recantation without any criminal
intention I was at the time said Curry settled on
said land living said neighborhood and have
ever since lived there Given from under my
hand this 28th day of January 1837
Linus Scovill (seal)
State of Illinois
Peoria County
This day personally appeared
before me William Mitchell
a notary public of said county Linus Scovill
personally known to me to be the identical
person who subscribed and sworn to the foregoing
instrument of writing and deposed that the
statements therein made are just and true
according tot he best of his knowledge & beliefs
I also certify that the said Linus Scovill is
a man of integrity & credibility and that his
statements on oath may be relied on Given
under my hand and seal notarial
at Peoria this 28th January AD 1837
William Mitchell
Not Pub PC

page 15
State of Illinois
Peoria County
I William Mitchell Clerk of the County Commissioners
Court with & for said county do hereby certify that
Thomas Phillips Esqr is the County Surveyor within and for the county
of Peoria aforesaid (duly commissioned & qualified) that his commission
was dated on the 12th day of August A.D. 1835 and will expire in
August 1839 as it appears to me of record in my office and
that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine
In testimony whereof I have herein set
my hand and seal of said Court at
Peoria this 15 day of May AD 1838
William Mitchell Clerk

I Charles Ballance upon oath do state that the above certificate of
Thomas Phillips as signed by him in my presence
C Ballance
Subscribed & sworn to before me
this 15 day of May AD 1838
William Mitchell
Clk County Commissioners
Court Peoria County
Ill

page 16
Surveyor’s Office
Peoria County
State of Illinois
I Thomas Phillips sur-
veyor of said county do
hereby certify that I have
surveyed section No five in township ten
North of the base line and range nine East of the
fourth principal meridian according to
the original field notes or copy of which I
have procured from the surveyor General
office at St. Louis and find by accurate
measurement that the East and West line run
ning through the middle of said section
runs through the field said to have been
cultivated by Hiram M. Curry in the year
1833 dividing it in such a manner as to throw
a part of said cultivation on the South
West fractional quarter and the residue which
is much the larger portion on the North
West fraction quarter of said section Given
from under my hand at my office this 26
day of November 1836
Thomas Phillips [SC]

page 17
survey map

State of Illinois
Peoria County
I Thomas Phillips County Surveyor within & for the aforesaid county; do
hereby state on oath that I surveyed in the year 1837 fractional section
5 10 North, Range 9 East of the 4 principal meridian; and that no part of
the south west fractional quarter, of the fractional section aforesaid [bore no]
appearance of ever having been enclosed or cultivated. The cultivation by which
it appears Hiram M Curry proved a right of preemption to the said fractional
quarter was on the adjoining [contested] quarter. The nearest part of the said cultivation
doe not come within fourteen chains of the fractional quarter claimed by Curry..
Deponent further states that a certificate signed by himself and forwarded to the
Commissioners of the general land office, certifying that Curry’s improvements
were on said fraction aforesaid; was an [imposition] practised on said deponent
by one Charles Ballance of Peoria, Ills; and that said deponent signed the same
without fully understanding the contents of said certificate; said deponent
further states from the best of his knowledge & belief the above plat of said
fractional qr claimed by Curry is a correct one: Given under my
hand this twenty fourth day of May in the year

page 18
One Thousand Eight Hundred & thirty Eight
[SL} Phillips CJPC
Subscribed and sworn t before me William Mitchell
clerk of the county Commissioners Court within and
for the County of Peoria and State of Illinois this
26 day of May AD 1838 Given under my hand
and seal of said Court at Peoria
this 26th day of May AD 1838
William Mitchell
Clerk

Sideways text
Survey& affidavit of
Thos Phililps County Surveyor
Peoria Cy Ill relative to
SW qr 5 10th 9E

In relation to Hiram M
Curry’s Claim to Sd qr section
G.S.O.
Filed by King & Wilson 9th
June 1838
C.S. P.
recd 9 Jun 1838

page 19
State Bank of Illinois 4 [? 4,20]
Receiver’s Office, Quincy, Illinois
No. 8250
May 30, 1836
Received from Hiram M Curry
Peoria County, Illinois the sum of
Forty four
dollars and twenty cents, being in full payment for the
South wet fractional
quarter of section No. five
Township No. Ten north of the base line of Range NO. nine
East of the 4th principal meridian, containing thirty five
acres, and 36/100 of an acre, at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre
$44.20
Thos Carlin Receiver
Pre act 1834
Con[flictng] with entry 7392

page 20
Canceled
Certificate
8250
and proof belonging thereto
Certificate Canceled
[Ss] letter to R&R 3d Oct
1838 also letter
from the Hon John T Stuart
dated 30 Dec 1839 X Comm &
reply of 2d Jany 1840 & letter
of same date to R & R

page 21
No. 8250
30 day of May 183[4]
I Hiram M Curry
of Peoria
County of Illinois do hereby apply for the purchase of the South
West fractional qr of section numbered five
in township numbered ten north of range numbered
nine east of the fourth principal meridian,
containing thirty five 36/100 acres,
according to the returns of the Surveyor General, for which I have agreed with the Register to
give at the rate of one dollar and twenty five cents per acre.

I, Samuel Alexander, Register of teh land Office at quincy, Illinois, do hereby
certify that the quarter section above descried contains 35 36
acres, as mentioned; and that the price agreed upon is $1 25 per acre
Pre Act 1834
Conflicting 7392
Saml Alexander Register

Commissioner

Posted on October 3, 2022 by mcphilbrick

When you come across a database that is actually an index to other records, do you try and locate those original records? As I’m creating research notes for Hiram M. Currey of Peoria County, Illinois, I’m finding a need to do just that.

At some time in the past, I used the record, “Index to Early Illinois Records. The only other information I wrote down about the source was “Z125-0054”, which I think may have been the microfilm number used by the now defunct American Genealogical Lending Library. If so, then this source may source, “Name Index to Early Illinois Record” on FamilySearch.

One set of notes that I recorded from this source indicated that Hiram M. Curry was a commissioner on the conduct of the Pottawatomie. This information was found in the 1832-1833 Senate Journal. Thus, I started trying to find this Senate Journal. Once I figured out that this was the Eighth General Assembly for the State of Illinois, I was able to find the journal on Google Books,

In that journal there is a Commissioner’s Report that begins on page 89, concludes on page 92 and is signed by the four commissioners, including Hiram M. Curry. Thus, I was able to locate the original document referenced in the index!

Journal of the Senate
of the Eighth General Assembly of the
State of Illinois
at their first session, begun and held in the town
of Vandalia
December 3, 1832
Vandalia: Printed by Greiner & Sherman, 1833

Available on Google Books

page 89-92

COMMISSIONER’s REPORT.
VANDALIA DEC, 13TH, 1832.

page 89
To the Governor of the State of Illinois

Sm-The undersigned appointed by your Excellency, and by Brigadier General Atkinson of the United States Army,- and instructed to repair to the frontier of the state, to enquire into the alleged depredations of the Pottawatamie Indians, upon the persons and· property, of the citizens of that section, and to take certain measures in the event, that sufficient cause should appear, for the alarm of the in• habitants-
Beg leave to report the following statement of their proceedings, under their appointment.
Pursuant to the instructions of your Excellency. and of Brigadier General Atkinson, the undersigned repaired to the settlements on and in the vicinity of Bureau Creek, in Putnam county, the theatre, as was reported, of the Indian outrages. They immediately instituted inquiries among the inhabitants, the results of which, verified by certificates, letters and affidavits of respectable· persons, were, that the Pottawatamies had come down from their own lands upon the ceded lands in the possession of the whites, with the alleged purpose of hunting for the winter support of themselves and families. A large body, composed of about two hundred and fifty, including men, women and children, formed this party, They were in expectation of an additional force of one hundred, or thereabouts, of warriors and hunters.
This purpose of hunting, the undersigned are compelled to state, if originally entertained as the sole object of the expedition, seems to have yielded to more unfriendly and mischievous notions.
The Indians have taken two horses from the white inhabitants; have shot another; they have killed the hogs of

Page 90
the inhabitants; have wantonly destroyed the hay, house and other property of the· people, by firing the prairies, regardless of consequences, and in contempt of the frequent solicitations of the owners of property, necessarily exposed, to desist.
A highly valuable bridge, across the inlet of the Winnebago Swamp, has been burnt, under circumstances tending strongly to implicate the Indians in a deliberate and incendiary act of mischief and destruction. Menacing attitudes, and threat repeatedly assumed and made by the Indians, have excited the fears of the citizens, and the undersigned deem, upon an acquaintance with, and close observation of the Indian character, these fears well grounded.
It is the opinion of reflecting men whom we consulted, and in whose opinion we entirely concur, that unless suitable measures be taken to drive the Indians to their own country, or to awe them into peaceable behavior, some seriously hostile steps. towards the whites, in the course of the present winter, may be foreboded. Already, indeed, they, the Indians, have attempted to surround, in a body, to the number of thirty or forty, some travelers, and actually, it is feared, fired with too much an intention to kill, two guns upon them.
Although not literally instructed to hold any intercourse with the Indians themselves, for any other purpose than to notify them of the necessity of their prompt withdrawal to their own country, the undersigned deem it within the scope of their duties, to demand an explanation from the chiefs, of the offensive conduct of their people. They accordingly caused an assemblage of some of the principal chiefs and warriors of the Pottawatamies for the double purpose of hearing their excuses or justification, and warning them of the evil consequences of their longer remaining in the country of the whites. In the “talk” which was had upon that occasion, the Indians denied the committal of the aggressions laid to their charge, and justified their inroad into the country by a permit, they said they had received from their agent at Chicago. The charges made against them, the undersigned deemed sufficiently proven, to justify the entire belief in their truth, this denial not withstanding; and we accordingly advised them to fall back upon their own country, answering them that no offi-

page 91

cer had authority to grant them any .such permission as they justified under. That they really had any written permit the undersigned had the assurance of the Indians, corroborated by the statements of some of the whites, who alleged they had seen the written permit of the agent. — The documents themselves were not produced to us.
On the part of the general government, the undersigned H. M. Curry, acting under the direction of General Atkinson, gave the Indians to understand that they must evacuate the country in eight days, or incur the displeasure of the United States. In this notification the remainder of the undersigned concurred: and all. now unite in the wish that it may have the effect to prevent the effusion of blood. Such was the state of alarm along the frontier, and in so daring a height had the insolence of the Indians arisen; that the undersigned believed, resort would have, ere this, been had to arms, had not the measures taken by yourself and Gen. Atkinson been adopted. The militia of the different parts of the country was in a state of readiness, and only awaited the orders of their respective · commanders to proceed against the Indians.
lt had become unsafe in the opinion of some of the inhabitants, for females to be without the protection of their· husbands, fathers or brothers; and loaded guns were considered essential to the security of sleeping families.
ln the course of the talk held with the Indians they expressed unequivocally their willingness to exchange “their territory and move across the river Mississippi; and if it be not entirely unappropriate in this Report, the undersigned would express their sincere wish that the government of the United States should as speedily as circumstances would permit, conclude this exchange, and effect the removal of these troublesome neighbors of our frontier citizens.
Nothing short of their removal will secure the tranquility and forward the improvement of that part of the state.
The undersigned were desired officially to communicate to you the grateful feelings entertained by the citizens o Putnam county, for the prompt interposition of your authority, from which, in conjunction with the similar exercise of his power on the part of General Atkinson, they anticipate some future peace and security.

page 92
The undersigned found it necessary to procure the services of John C. Owings, who understood the Pottawatomie language, as interpreter.. They have given him a certificate of his services, which occupied ten days.
Accompanying this Report, are submitted numerous
letters, certificates and affidavits, together with a report of
the talk held by us with the Indians to which we refer your Excellency for the details of our operations, and for the evidence we have been able to collect, touching the facts adverted to in this Report.

(Signed)
SAMUEL WHITESIDES,
HIRAM M. CURRY,
WM. MOORE,
THOS: REYNOLDS,
Commissioners
Journal of the Senate of teh Eighth General Assembly of the State of Illinois: at their first session, begun and held in the town of Vandalia December 3, 1832 (Vandalia, Illinois: Greiner & Sherman, 1833), p. 89-92; digital image, Google Books, google.com/books viewed online 13 September 2022.

Not only did I locate the transcription, but I found the images!

Dec 1832 Letter from Gen. Atkinson to Maj Hiram Curry; Chicago Agency, 1824-1847 Chicago Agency 1824-1834 (NARA microfilm publications M234, roll 132); Letters received, 1824-1881; registers of letters received, 1824-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1660862 DGS 8275279; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, image 243.

Friday Finds

Posted on September 30, 2022 by mcphilbrick

Do you have any documents in your files that you do not remember how you learned of their existence? That’s the case with today’s Friday Find.

This document is photocopies of pages from the Illinois Executive Record. According to my handwritten notations on the copies, this was from Volume 1 for the years 1818-1832. I have not been able to locate this source online.

Buried in the photocopies from the 1827 and 1829 pages are two little pieces of information about Hiram M Curry of Peoria County, Illinois

page 149
Vandalia January 5, 1827
Peoria
Issued Commissions to Hiram M Curry & Isaac
Waters as justices of the Peace for Peoria County

page 211
Vandalia September 2 1829
10
Issued commission to Hiram M Curry Justice of the peace for
the County of Peoria

Below are images from that document.

Heartland Genealogy

Tackling those Brick Walls

Category Archives: Peoria County