For many years the descendants of one of the pioneer families have met for a family reunion. On Aug. 28, 1929, they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the coming of the Stevenson families to Morgan county from Kentucky. There were 63 members bringing with them 300 sheep, 100 cattle and a long train of wagons. They were preceded in 1828 by Elliot Stevenson, son of William C. Stevenson. Then in 1829 two brothers William C. and James Stevenson, who were the sons of James Stevenson, a soldier of the Revolutionary War and who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, came to Illinois The family of James settled near Little Indian, Cass County and the family of William C. settled in the eastern part of Morgan county.

The wives of William C. and James Stevenson were sisters the Misses Mary and Martha Elliot.

The children of William C. were Elliott Fleming, William C., Benjamin F., Mrs. Martha Vance, John Septimus and George.

The children of James were Mrs. Anthony Boston, Mrs. Jacob Ward, Mrs. Edward March, William James, Robert, Mrs Sarah Bennett and Augustus.

The sisters of William C and James Stevenson were Mrs. James Lurton and Mrs Absolom Ogle.

Anthony Boston, son of John Boston was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, April 27, 1807 and came to Cass county, Illinois in 1830. He and Louisa Stevenson, daughter of James Stevenson were married in 1832 and began houssekeeping in a cabin for which he had cleared the site. They were the parents of 10 children, one dying in infancy. Anthony Boston passed away in 1879 and Louisa Boston in 1885.

Their children were James W., Mary Ann (Mrs. William Patterson), John and Jacob, Martha (Mrs. John Dyer), Judson, Frances Louisa (Mrs. Andrew Bacon, George and Charles.

The Boston descendants organizied in 1946 as a group. At this reunion held Aug. 1, 1954 at the MacMurray cabin, the Stevenson and Boston groups voted to reorganize as one group setting our reunion day as the first Sunday in August and the place as the MacMurray cabin.

After a bountiful picnic dinner, the meeting was called to order by Floyd Boston. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The historian, Ruby Deweese, recorded three births, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Crabtree, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Rex Weber of York Neb., and a son to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Walton and two marriages; Miss Shirley Howard to Frank Slagle at Winchester and Miss Mary Margaret Myers to Wallace Kunts at York Nebr., one death Mrs. Ella B. Moy.

Miss Anna Stevenson spoke briefly about the history of the families mentioning the book "Pisgah and Her People".

An election of officers for the coming year was held with the following results: president, Howard Stevenson; vice president Edward Moy; Secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Marie Ranson; assistant secretary and treasurer, Miss Frances Moy and historian, Miss Anna Stevenson.

The meeting adjourned with the invitation extended to all members of the Stevenson and Boston to meet in reunion next year at the MacMurray cabin on the first Sunday in August.

Relatives and friends attending were: Mrs. Minerva Patterson, Concord, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Everett Patterson and Jim and Tom McLaughlin, Winchester, Ill; Miss Jean Patterson and Don Gilchrist, Chicago; Miss Kay Dean Farrow, Mrs. Elmer Crabtree, Miss Ruby Deweese, Miss Eva Myers, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Ranson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Moy, Miss Purdy Moy and Miss Frances Moy.

Also from Jacksonville, Leon McNeely, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Boston, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Patterson, Irvin A. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stevenson., Miss Anna Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Boston and sons, William E. Boston, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Slagle, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Ogle, Mrs. Rassell Walton, Mr. and Mrs. John Hinds and son; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stevenson and son of Clinton Iowa; Miss Nelie Head, and Maurice Head, Carlinville, Ill; Mrs. Rachel Rosse and Miss Eloise Rosse of Virginia; Mrs. Ann Stevenson Bealmer, Rebecca Ann Bealmer, Murrayville; Mr. and Mrs. Walton Keune, and Mrs. Evan Hunter and family of Virden; Mr. and Mrs. Bart Johnson of Literberry; Mr. and Mrs. G. R. McFarland, Brazil, Ind; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Myers and Mr. and Mrs. Rex Weber and family of York Nebr. and Harry A. Boston of Carrolliton.


Submitted by Mary Ellen Hicks