Untitled Document

EARLY SETTLERS

John F. Willard, as has been stated, erected the first cabin on the colony purchase. Sullivan Howard built a cottonwood board " shanty" in Februar y, 1337. He wintered in French Grove, Peoria County , and hauled his lumber from Ellisville on Spoon river, seventy miles distant

. Henry G. Little, now living in Iowa , "raised" a cabin in March. William T. Little built another soon after. This latter was just eighteen by twenty feet in dimensions, and, for some time, accommodated the family of his father, Abner B. Little, the two families comprising nine members. In June, the first birth in this colony occurred in this cabin, a daughter being born to William T. She lived to maturity, married, and removed to Vermont.

Elisha R. Wolcott, and Caleb J. T. Little arrived in April, Evan Wheaton came in June, and C. B. Miner in July. In August, Colonel Sylvester Blish and his son William arrived with their families. They were better prepared than most settlers, and were the first to come through from Connecticut with teams. They stopped with H.G. Little on their arrival, and with his family rather filled his cabin. Shortly after this the first election was held in this precinct after its organization, the place of voting being Mr. Little's house. Selden Miner came in August. Luther C. Sleight some time that season. In the Summer of 1838 Francis Loomis came. John H. Wells and David Potter, whose family became somewhat prominent in the colon y, came in October. This latter gentle man planted the first orchard in the settlement, and raised the first fruit crop.

Champlin Lester moved in the Sept.of 1839, Deacon Zenas Hotchkiss in the Summer. William T. Little, before mentioned, turned the first furrow on these prairies where now C. C. Blish resides. He was soon followed by others, and that season-1837—quite a " sod crop" was raised,—and mostly eaten by cattle. The project of building a steam grist and saw mill was agitated the first year of the settlement, and in 1837 , decisive steps Were taken toward the accomplishment of this most necessary of conveniences.

Abner B. Little, father of H. G. and C. J. T., came to Wethersfield in April, 1837. He was born at New Salem, N. H., in 1774, and married Nancy Tenney, of Hollis, N. H., Jan. 20, 1802. Thirteen children were born to them, ten of whom came to this county and whose names appear elsewhere. Mrs Little died July 7, 1847, aged 66 years. Mr. Little. Sept. 8, 1868. aged 89 years..

Henry County Voters and Taxpayers

Illinois Ancestors