Randolph County ILGenWeb

EARLY SETTLERS of Randolph COUNTY, IL
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Andrew BORDERS, bearing the title of Major, came from Georgia in 1816 and settled west of Sparta.  With him he brought a few slaves that he used on his farm.  The descendants of these slaves still live about Sparta.  A few years after coming to Randolph County, he built a gristmill that served the early settlers for many years.

Samuel BOYD, a gristmill was a desirable addition to any growing community.  As more settlers came, mills to grind their corn became necessary.  Samuel BOYD came to the county in 1825.  About 1830, he erected the first gristmill operated by horse-power in his community.

Sidney BREESE, a distinguished jurist of early Illinois, settled at Kaskaskia prior to 1818.  He, as clerk of the Supreme Court of the State, published the first reports of the court's proceedings.  A volume of these reports, issued in 1831 at Kaskaskia, is looked upon as the first book published in Illinois.  BREESE later became a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois.

Abel BROUGHTON--The pioneer period produced individuals with unusual skills.  Abel BROUGHTON, came from Tennessee to settle near Shiloh Hill in 1838, developed the trade of making horse collars from corn husks.  these found a ready sale, along with the splint baskets that he also made. BROUGHTON prospered and gathered considerable property about him, but in later years, he squandered these holding.

John B. BURK, leaving his family in Tennessee, came to Shiloh Hill community in 1827, and built a log house.  After completing the house, he fastened his two dogs in it with a plentiful supply of cornmeal and water.  He then set out for Tennessee to bring his wife and two young sons.  They made their journey in a wagon with wheels made by "sawing off short sections of logs."  His dogs, suffering no visible ill effects from their confinement on the restricted diet, joyously welcomed him upon his return with the family.

[1]Robert FOSTER, was born in Abbeville (Old 96 District), South Carolina in 1785. Robert came to Randolph County in 1808. He arrived on horseback with John ANDERSON. Their most probable route was via the Old South Carolina State Road to the North into the Cumberland Gap, then along the Warrior’s Path of Kentucky to Louisville, then along the Buffalo Trace to Kaskaskia. Quite a number of settlers came this way instead of using the rivers. He first settled near KasKaskia, to the west of Ellis Grove, and then on Plum Creek. There is a listing in Original Patent Land Records for a Robert FOSTER receiving 160 acres on June 10, 1816. And another listing on June 10 1818 for an additional 160 acres. On Plum creek he built a horse mill and Steam distillery.
On June 27, 1809 he married Susanna McCLINTON. Their marriage was one of the earliest recorded in the County. Their license was signed by David ANDERSON the brother of John ANDERSON who rode to Illinois with Robert. She was the daughter of John McCLINTON and Betsy ANDERSON. They had come from Abbeville in 1804.
Robert served as a sergeant with Capt Absalom COX’s Company of the Illinois Militia during the War of 1812. He served for 2 months and 14 days for which he was paid $19.75.
Robert was a Democrat, a Mason and a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. It seems likely that he was a member of the Springfield ARP church near the Irish settlement. This church was later merged into the United Presbyterian Church.
Susanna died December 6, 1829. She is buried in Kelly Cemetery near the site of the first ARP church. There is a plaque on the site that says: “American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site No. 370 Kelly Springfield Cemetery Original site of the Kaskaskiak/Springfield Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church -- Organized 1810 - First Presbyterian Church in the Illinois Territory.” Robert married Sarah KELL on September 9, 1830. Robert Died February 12, 1831 and is buried next to Susanna.
Robert and Susanna’s children were: Samuel, John, James Augustus, Parmelia, Elizabeth Jane, William, David A, Nancy, and an infant that died young. James FOSTER owned and operated a Retail store in Sparta for many years.

Archibald Thompson (biographical sketch) taken from:

"HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS"  Biographical Sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, 1883 Published by J. L. McDonough & Co. Philadelphia. Pg 70

At the close of the year 1804 another important colony reached the Irish settlement, among which were Absalom Cox, Archibald Thompson, James Thompson, Robert mc Donald, and William McBride.

Archibald Thompson was a man of excellent character.  In 1812 he moved to a farm two miles south of the present town of Evansville where he died at an advanced age in 1833.

He was one of the judges of the common pleas court which existed in territorial days.  Robert, William, Moses, Archibald, John and James Thompson were his sons.

He was elected a member of the State legislature in 1834 (?) (note he died 1833 - probably 1824) and died while filling that position.

 Service: Soldier South Carolina. He served in the South Carolina State Troops under Brigadier General Thomas Sumter. 

(Submitted by Carolyn WHITAKER)

Last Updated: October 28, 2003