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Jacksonville City History

The Beginnings of a City -- Jacksonville
Morgan County, Illinois

By Florence Hutchison

Some of the facts of Jacksonville have been abstracted from the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Morgan County Munsell Publishing Company, 1906, Chicago. Also, Deed Books, County Clerk's Office.

Quoting Florence's article:
When the law establishing the County of Morgan was passed, January 31, 1823, not an inhabitant dwelt on the future city's site. The temporary county seat was located at "Olmstead's Mound", where Mr. Adam Allinson later lived. (It is now called Allison's Mound.)

On January 6, 1825, John Howard, Abraham Prickett and John T. Lusk, of Madison County, were appointed Commissioners to locate the permanent seat of justice for the new county, as "near as possible to the center of the territory, having a due regard to the present and future population." The law provided that if said seat should be located upon land belonging to any private citizen, the owner was to donate twenty acres to the county, to be laid out in lots and sold, the proceeds of which should be applied to the building of a court house and a jail for county use.

The three person located the county seat in the center of a quarter section of land composed of the East half of the Northeast quarter of Section 20, and the West half of the Northwest quarter of Section 21, in Township 15 North of the Base Line, and in Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meredian, which runs north and south in the center of the State of Illinois. The land at that time still belonged to the U. S. Government.

The next day at nine o'clock in the morning the Government sold it at private sale at $1.25 per acre to Thomas ARNETT and Isaac DIAL--Arnett purchasing the tract in Section 20 and Dial the tract in Section 21. On March 10, 1825, the proprietors laid out a town of eight acres of land, in a square form, in the center of the 160 acres tract.

By an agreement between these two owners and the County Commissioner's Court, a line was drawn from east to west (now State Street), and Arnett and Dial conveyed, by deeds to the county, each twenty acres immediately on the north side of the line. See Deed dated 22 Mar 1825, 20 acres, Isaac Dial, grantor, to Morgan County, Book A, page 15 in the County Clerk's office. Also see Deed dated 22 Mar 1825, 20 acres, Thomas Arnett, grantor, to Morgan County, Book A, page 16.

This donation by those proprietors contained forty acres, being double the quantity required by law to the county. By this arrangement the 20 acres on the North side of State Street was to be sold by the County Commissioners. The southwest quarter containing 10 acres was subject to sale by Thomas Arnett, the southeast 10 acres by Isaac Dial.

In doing this research I decided to find the first ownership of these 180 lots and the 36 fractional lots on the outer edge of the square, as can be seen on the Map of Jacksonville the original plat map of which is to be found in Deed Book A page 19. Then I discovered that several men purchased large blocks of lots for thier personal resale. Therefore, I do not consider them as original owners in the sense that they probably did not build or put improvements upon them, except in certain cases where they might establish a business.

Interesting facts pertaining to the Original Plat Map of Jacksonville
A. Sale of the original lots - the north half of the city was subject to sale by the Morgan County Commissioners. They also owned the north half of the Public square. The first courthouse was situated on the northwest corner. It was burned down on December 6, 1827.

B. The southwest quarter of the City was subject to sale by Thomas Arnett. He later deeded his quarter of the Public Square to Morgan County. C. The southeast quarter of the City was subject to sale by Isaac Dial. He later deeded his quarter of the Public Square to Morgan County.

Following are the sale of the first 180 lots shown on the original plat map of Jacksonville. It appears that there were a few men who bought many lots for private sale. Among them, other than Issac Dial and wife Rebecca, Thomas Arnett and Kesiah, Abraham Johnson, Mathew Stacy, Murry McConnel, Dennis Rockwell and John Handy, are the names most prominent which will be shortened in this report. - End of Quoted article.

I would believe that one could send to the Recorder of Deeds office at the Morgan County Courthouse and get copies of a particular transaction by giving the Book/Page #, as well as the name of the person and the date. Click for a copy of the Plat Map of Jacksonville, to determine the location of a particular lot.

NAME # GRANTOR DATE BOOK/PAGE
ALEXANDER Jos M & N 13,14 Morgan Co 7 Dec 1830 C/386
ANDERSON Ed H 10,11 Morgan Co 8 Dec 1829 B/394
ANDERSON John 91,92 I Dial 5 Dec 1826 A/259
ANDERSON John 108 T Arnett 23 Apr 1827 A/234
ANDERSON John 130,135 I Dial 6 Oct 1826 A/141
ANDERSON John 135 I Dial 6 Oct 1826 A/142
ANGELO Benjamin 145,146 T Arnett 1 Feb 1827 A/230
ANGELO John 147 T Arnett 1 Feb 1827 A/229
ARNET Andrew 42 Morgan Co 12 Jan 1827 A/176
ARNET Thos B 55,56,57 Morgan Co 3 Apr 1826 B/38
ARNETT Thomas 90 Morgan Co 3 Apr 1826 A/92
AYERS David B 99 Morgan Co 21 Jul 1846 X/116
BARTON Jacob W N1/2, 4 M Stacy 10 Sep 1831 E/342
BARTON Ruth 151,152,153 T Arnett 18 Dec 1828 B/74
BEDWELL George 64 Morgan Co 31 Jul 1826 A/308
BENTLEY Thomas 97 M McConnel 22 Dec 1829 B/327
BENTLEY Thomas 122 I Dial 31 Oct 1826 A/138
BETZER Peter 136 25 Sep 1855 II/620
BIXFORD Samuel C 113 T Arnett 12 May 1827 N/2
BOGART Samuel 31,32,33 Morgan Co 1 Dec 1828 B/64
BRICH John 37 Morgan Co 6 Mar 1827 A/190
BRICH John 45 Morgan Co 6 Mar 1827 A/190
BROWN Bedford 66 M McConnel 14 Mar 1829 B/257
BROWN William G 127 I Dial 26 Feb 1830 B/416
BROWN William G 133,134 I Dial 26Feb 1830 B/416
BROWN William G 138 I Dial 26 Feb 1830 B/416
BUSH Palemon C 180 J Handy 1 Jun 1840 T/435
CARRINGTON James B & T LARRIMORE 87 Ab Johnson 14 Oct 1829 B/252
CARSON Thomas 98,99 I Dial 7 Feb 1827 A/261
CARSON Thomas 128 I Dial 10 Sep 1827 A/278
CARSON Thos Pt 98,99 M McConnel 28 Jan 1830 B/377
CHURCH Thomas 94 J Handy 4 Jan 1828 H/172
CHURCH Thomas 172 J Handy 4 Jan 1828 H/172
COBB Jonathan 75 Morgan Co 14 Oct 1826 A/132
CODDINGTON James 67,68 Morgan Co 8 Sep 1829 B/227
COLLINS Chas 29,30,31,32 D Rockwell 16 Sep 1829 B/336
CONNOVER Peter 6 Morgan Co 1 Dec 1828 B/108
CONNOVER Peter 40 Morgan Co 12 Jan 1827 A/177
CONOVER James 21 Morgan Co 8 Dec 1829 G/314
CONOVER Peter 43,44 Morgan Co 12 Jan 1827 A/177
CRAIN James W etal S1/2, 97 M Stacy 24 Jan 1831 C/364
CRAIN James W etal N1/2, 97 M Stacy 24 Jan 1831 C/365
CROMWELL Nathan 120 J Handy 23 Jul 1829 B/212
CROMWELL Nathan II Pt 100, 101 T Arnett 14 Sep 1827 A/266
DANIELS Verin 156 T Arnett 18 Dec 1828 B/75
DANIELS Verin 166 A Johnson 24 Aug 1829 B/216
DENNIS John C 22,23 Morgan Co 4 Jul 1829 B/182
DEW Peter 61,62 Morgan Co 31 Jul 1826 A/125
DEW Peter 110,114,154 T Arnett 13 Nov 1826 A/195
DEW Peter 114,110,154 T Arnett 13 Nov 1826 A/195
DEW Peter 154 T Arnett 13 Nov 1826 A/195
DEWITT Ab. B Pt 80 T Arnett 10 Apr 1831 C/403
DOBYNS Thomas P 135 M Stacy 25 Feb 1858 00/82
DUNBAR Rice 20 Morgan Co 9 Dec 1829 C/46
DUNCAN Joseph 120 M McConnel 27 Jul 1835 H/450
DURANT Edward 55.56,57 T Arnett 19 Aug 1828 B/39
DURANT Edward 169 A Johnson 21 Apr 1829 B/217
DURANT Sam 164,165 A Johnson 20 Oct 1830 C/227
DURLEY Samuel & McCLUNG, Harvey 142,143 I Dial 30 Mar 1826 A/90
EADS James M 90 T Arnett 17Sep 1828 B/43
EADS James M 178,179 J Handy 8 Jul 1829 B/231
EADS John 88 J Handy 7 Jan 1828 A/286
EADS John 93 I Dial 30 Oct 1829 B/442
EADS John Pt 104 T Arnett 2 Jun 1829 B/189
EDWARDS Jas G 16 J Handy 9 Mar 1833 G/286
FAIRFIELD Jas M 11 Morgan Co 7 Dec 1831 D/177
FAIRFIELD Jos M 52,53,54 Morgan Co 14 Oct 1826 A/134
GEST Nathan H 58,59,60 Morgan Co 12 Jan 1827 A/175
GIBSON Jacob Pt 34 J Handy 31 Dec 1830 C/450
GILLETT Bezaleel 67,68 M McConnel 3 Mar 1838 Q/139
GILLETT Bezaleel 69 M McConnel 3 Mar 1838 Q139
GILMORE Henry 112 T Arnett 7 Apr 1830 B/469
GILMORE Henry 122 T Arnett 15 Nov 1828 B/96
GLISSON Isaac 70,71,72 Morgan Co 14 Jan 1828 A/297
GRAVES James 131 J Handy 1 Nov 1830 C/358
GRAVES James 173,174 I Dial 15 Nov 1828 B/158
GREEN Wiley B 120 T Arnett 9 Feb 1827 A/202
HACKETT George 63 Morgan Co 14 Oct 1826 A/135
HACKETT George 74 T Arnett 2 Mar 1826 A/74
HACKETT George 111 T Arnett 2 Mar 1826 A/74
HANDY John 76,77,78 Morgan Co 31 Jul 1826 A/124
HANDY John 87,88 Morgan Co 14 Oct 1826 A/136
HANDY John 94 & c I Dial 24 Apr 1828 A/338
HANDY John 125, 131 I Dial 26 Feb 1830 B/415
HANDY John 129 I Dial 10 Sep 1827 A/338
HANDY John 131,132 I Dial 26 Feb 1830 B/415
HANDY John 172,173,174 I Dial 29 Apr 1828 A/338
HARDIN John J 25,26 M Stacy 17 Oct 1835 K/23
HARP William 162 T Arnett 13 Mar 1830 F/32
HEDENBURG James V 116,117 A Johnson 5 Feb 1829 B/256
HEDENBURG James V 157 T Arnett 3 Sep 1829 B/256
HENRY John E1/2, 123 M Stacy 2 Mar 1829 B/290
HENRY John 139 I Dial 1 Oct 1829 B/289
HENSHAW Jesse 155 T Arnett 29 Jul 1830 D/139
HOAGLAND Martin 16, 17 Morgan Co 4 Jul 1829 B/183
HOLLAND John 83 Morgan Co 30 Jun 1847 X/562
INGALLS Darius 4 Morgan Co 4 Sep 1827 A/255
INGALLS Darius 24 Morgan Co 7 Dec 1831 D/178
JACKSON Amy E 12 Morgan Co 4 Nov 1826 A/139
JACKSON Finis McK 34 Morgan Co 4 Nov 1826 A/141
JACKSON Lovina H 15 Morgan Co 4 Nov 1826 A/140
JACKSONVILLE CITY 175 I Dial 3 Jan 1832 F/307
JACKSONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 175 I Dial 16 Jun 1826 B/189
JANUARY Thos J 12 Morgan Co 7 Dec 1831 D/179
JARRED William 136, 137 I Dial 27 Jan 1827 A/258
JOHNSON Abraham 102 T Arnett 12 Oct 1826 A/201
JOHNSON Abraham 106 T Arnett 12 Oct 1826 A/201
JOHNSON Abraham 116, 117 T Arnett 12 Oct 1826 A/201
JOHNSON Abraham 119 T Arnett 12 Oct 1826 A/201
JOHNSON Abraham 148,149 T Arnett 12 Oct 1826 A/201
JOHNSON Abraham 163,164,165,166 T Arnett 12 Oct 1826 A/201
JOHNSON Abraham 169 I Dial 12 Oct 1827 A/199
JOHNSON McHenry 76 J Handy 10 Jul 1828 B/28
JOHNSON William D 65,66 Morgan Co 14 Jan 1828 A/300
KEMMITT Thomas 95 I Dial 5 Feb 1827 A/183
KIRKMAN George Pt 101 M McConnel 18 Dec 1829 B/433
KIRKMAN George 150 T Arnett 7 May 1829 B/181
KNAPP James D 168 T Arnett 14 Jun 1826 A/117
KNAPP James D 170,171 I Dial 14 Jun 1826 A/117
KNISLEY George 121 I Dial 10 Sep1827 A/264
LAKEMAN Joseph 124, 126 I Dial 6 Oct 1826 A/154
LARRIMORE Thomas & CARRINGTON JB 87 Ab Johnson 14 Oct 1829 B/252
LEEPER John 140, 141 I Dial 20 Oct 1828 B/190
LINDSAY Allen Q 69 Morgan Co 3 Sep 1827 A/254
LUND Eulila 57 T Arnett 16 Jul 1825 A/93
MARCH Enoch C 118,119 T Arnett 18 Jan 1827 A/178
MATHEWS Samuel T 38,39 Morgan Co 6 Mar 1827 A/191
MATHEWS Samuel T 85 Morgan Co 3 Apr 1826 A/130
MATHEWS Samuel T 86 Morgan Co 6 Mar 1828 A/335
MATHEWS Samuel T 129 J Handy 29 Jan 1829 B/102
McCLUNG Harvey & DURLEY Samuel 142,143 I Dial 30 Mar 1826 A/90
McCLUNG James 105 T Arnett 1 Aug 1826 A/153
McCONNEL Murray 87 J Handy 3 Sep 1829 B/222
McCONNEL Murray 97 I Dial 27 Feb 1825 A/75
McCONNEL Murray 102 Ab. Johnson 5 Feb 1828 B/135
McCONNEL Murray 144 I Dial 27 Feb 1826 A/76
McCULLOUGH Simeon 89 J Handy 7 Jan 1828 A/288
McCULLOUGH Simeon W1/2, 123 I Dial 20 Oct 1828 B/58
McGINNIS Samuel 148,149 A Johnson 24 Aug 1829 B/215
McHENRY George 13 M McConnel 28 Nov 1836 N/79
MEARS Edwin A 109 T Arnett 18 Jul 1829 B/283
MEEKER Joseiah 18,19 Morgan Co 7 Dec 1830 C/224
MELICK Abram 130 M Stacy 27Aug 1850 CC/80
MILLER Ebenezer Pt 102 M McConnel 15 Sep1829 B/233
MILLER John E N1/2 107,108 D Rockwell 25 Oct 1830 C/240
MOODY David I 16 T Arnett 22 Jun 1837 O/279
MOORE Edmund 78 J Handy 25 Jun 1827 A/289
MORGAN COUNTY Pt 100 T Arnett 11 Mar 1831 C/297
MORTON Joseph 74 Morgan Co 4 Nov 1826 A/187
PEABODY Benjamin 49,50,51 Morgan Co 3 Apr 1826 A/93
PIPER Jonathan 36 Morgan Co 6 Mar 1828 A/336
RAMSEY Jno F 177 J Handy 3 Apr 1829 B/118
REARICK Geoge 28,29,30 Morgan Co 14 Jan 1828 A/299
REED Stephen H 79 J Handy 26 Jun 1827 A/231
REED Stephen H 80,81 Morgan Co 7 Jun 1826 A/111
REES Thomas 132 J Handy 2 May 1838 A/339
REW George W 161 T Arnett 13 Oct 1829 E/274
REYNOLDS John 158,159 T Arnett 26 Apr 1829 B/286
REYNOLDS Ralph Pt 100 M McConnel 1 Apr 1876 3/344
RHOADS Joshua Pt 123 M Stacy 9 Feb 1863 TT/336
RICHARDS George M 96 I Dial 12 Jan 1829 B/99
RICHARDS George M 176 J Handy 28 Feb 1831 E/154
ROBERTSON Jos M 1,2,3 Morgan Co 2 Dec1828 DD/553
ROBERTSON Jos M 46,47,48 Morgan Co 2 Dec 1828 DD/553
ROBISON israel 172,173 I Dial 13 Nov 1826 A/147
ROCKWELL Dennis Pt 106 M McConnel 15 Mar 1828 A/318
ROCKWELL Dennis 107 M McConnel 15Mar 1828 A/318
ROCKWELL Dennis 108 M McConnel 15 Mar 1828 A/318
SACKETT Sam 77 J Handy 13 Nov 1827 A/323
SAVAGE John 7,8,9 Morgan Co 9 Dec 1829 C/47
SAVAGE John 25,26,27 Morgan Co 14 Jan 1828 A/298
SAVAGE Peter Pt 106 A Johnson 17 Jun 1827 A/224
SAVAGE Peter 107,167 T Arnett 15 Apr 1826 A/102
SAVAGE Peter 167 T Arnett 15 Apr 1826 A/102
SHIBE Margaret 5 Morgan Co 7 Mar 1827 B/268
SMITH John R 79,89 Morgan Co 3 Apr 1826 A/99
SMITH John R 89, 79 Morgan Co 3 Apr 1826 A/99
STACY Mathew Pt 97 M McConnel 30 Jun 1830 C/175
STACY Mathew E1/2, 123 I Dial 20 Oct 1828 B/109
STACY Mathew 125 J Handy 26 Feb 1830 C/23
STACY Mathew Pt 144 M McConnel 22 Oct 1827 A/296
STADLER Jacob 103 T Arnett 9 Dec 1829 B/308
STOUT Jacob V C S1/2, 4 M Stacy 9 Sep 1850 BB/558
TAYLOR Hector G 82 Morgan Co 14 Jan 1828 A/306
TEFFT David 83,84 Morgan Co 7 Jun 1826 A/232
TERRY William Pt 144 M McConnel 26 Nov 1829 B/493
THOMAS William Pt 106 D Rockwell 17 Dec 1829 B/317
THOMAS William S1/2, 107 D Rockwell 17 Dec 1829 B/317
THOMAS William 148,149 A Johnson 5 May 1837 Q/172
TROTTER Joseph 176 M McConnel 30 Apr 1836 K/524
TRUNNEL Branford 33 M McConnel 11 Jun 1849 Z/459
VANCE Abraham 64 M McConnel 18 Nov 1828 C/160
WILKINSON John P Pt 97 M McConnel 30 Jun 1830 C/153
WILKINSON John P Pt 104 T Arnett 9 Sep 1828 B/81
WOLCOTT Elihu 115 I R Dial 5 May 1832 F/52
WOLCOTT Elihu 163 A Johnson 28 Dec 1830 C/243
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