The Rev. James Caldwell Chapter, D.A.R. of Jacksonville, observed a Red-letter day in their history, when on March 10th, 1914, a bronze tablet was unveiled in memory of nineteen soldiers of the American Revolution who lie buried in Morgan county.

The exercises were held in the Circuit Court room and were alike impressive an patriotic. The tablet was formally presented by Miss Effie Epler, chairman of the tablet committee, and was accepted by the Regent of the chapter, Mrs. 0. F. Buffe, who in turn presented the same to Morgan county.

In behalf of Morgan county, Judge E. P. Brockhouse accepted the tablet. The Hon. Horace Bancroft, as member of the S.A.R. in an address paid an eloquent tribute to the Soldiers of '76.

Hon. Richard Yates followed with a stirring address, highly commending the work of Washington, and in an especial manner giving deserved tribute to the women of that period in our history.

Appropriate music was rendered by a concert band and a chorus from the high school. The invocation was given by the Rev. R. 0. Post. The tablet which was placed on the south wall of the court house, was unveiled by lineal descendants of some of the soldiers commemorated, Miss Anna Clayton and Miss Janette Powell.

The State committee on Historical Research, earnestly hopes that every county in the State, where Revolutionary soldiers are buried, will honor their memory in like manner.

ISHMAIL BOBBITT: Was a native of North Carolina; he was in service under Captain Farley, and was at the Siege of Yorktown. After the war was ended, he removed to Illinois, settling in Morgan county, were he died, and is buried on the Paschal farm near Markham.

MARTIN BURRIS: Was born in Pennsylvania in 1754, died in 1839. He served in the Virginia line of troops. Came to reside in Morgan county, Illinois, at an early date and died there in 1839.

CONSTANTINE CLARKSON: Was born in Virginia, December 18, 1762. Served in the Virginia line of troops and was pensioned for faithful services. He came to Illinois and resided in Morgan county, where he died and lies buried.

John R. McAnally writes about his 4th great grandfather:
Samuel Jackson was a private in two different Virginia Regiments was born 1756 in Prince William County, Virginia and died 1844 in Morgan County. He never lived in South Carolina nor did he ever serve with any Carolina troops. Samuel Jackson is buried in Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Ill.
Click for a summation of Samuel's service in a letter taken from his pension record R5539

BOURLAND JOLLY: Died in Morgan county, ~llinois, and is buried in the Franklin cemetery, but no record of service is given.

JAMES JORDAN: Was born near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1755. He was a private in the South Carolina troops, was pensioned. He came to Morgan county where he died, and is buried on the Massey farm two miles west of Jacksonville. [We call this grassy area well kept, no stones appearing, as the Massey Lane cemetery.

SAMUEL JONES: This name appears upon the tablet, though no record of service is given. He lies buried in the Paschal farm near Markham.

LAWRENCE KILLEBRUE: Was a pensioned soldier of the American Revolution; was born May 10, 1763 at Tarbury Town, Edgecomb county, North Carolina. He served in that state. Coming to Illinois he settled in Morgan county, were he died April 4, 1835.

DAVID McPEETERS: Enslisted with the North Carolina troops was born there Jan. 14, 1756; died in Morgan county, Illinois, March 27, 1846.

EDMOND MOODY: Was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, September 18, 1755; died in Morgan county, Illinois, September 10, 1839. He removed to Kentucky after the war, and from to Morgan county. He served in the Virginia line of troops.

JOHN ROBERTSON: Was born in 1755; served with the Delaware troops; was pensioned, came to reside in Illinois, and died in Morgan county; is buried at Orleans on a farm.

REUBEN ROSS: Was born in 1755; served with the Maryland troops; lived in Dorchester County, Maryland at enlistment. In 1796 he moved to Rockingham County, North Carolina where he lived for 11-13 years. He moved to Sumner County, Tennessee where he resided for 22 years. In 1828 he moved to Morgan County, Illinois where he applied for a pension on November 16, 1832.
Reuben Ross Family History. Submitted by Marita Gladson.
Reuben Ross War Service Document. Submitted by Marita Gladson.
Reuben Ross Tombstone. Submitted by Marita Gladson.

WILLIAM SCOTT: Was a native of Virginia; born in 1755, and served in the war from that state. He came to Morgan county, Illinois, to reside where he died October 4, 1836, and is buried East of Jacksonville at Orleans on a farm.

JARRETT SEYMOUR: This name appears on the tablet, but no record of service has been sent; he is buried five miles south of Franklin in the Providence churchyard.

ELISHA SMITH: Was in the New Jersey line of troops; he died and is buried in the Jacksonville cemetery, Morgan county.

ANDREW TURNER: Was a native of North Carolina, born April 5, 1762, and served from that state during the war; was pensioned for service; he died in Morgan county, Illinois, August 8, 1842; buried in Rohrer cemetery.

WILLIAM WILLARD: Was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1755; he enlisted from that state in July, 1778, serving under Captain James Ratekin, and Colonel Shepherd; later he served under Captain William Douglass and Colonel Russel; was discharged after the surrender of Cornwallis. William Willard's estate was settled in Morgan county, Illinois, but he lies buried on a farm in Emmet township near Colchester, McDonough county, where he died November 9, 1846.

JOHN WOOD: Served with distinction during the Revolutionary war; he was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1752. He enlisted twice, and was granted 250 acres of land for service rendered; he was a member of a scouting party, and was entrusted with carrying private messages from General Marion to General Washington. With his two brothers, William and Nathaniel, he served throughout the entire war. He also acted as paymaster to the First Battalion, Georgia troops, having the rank and pay of a captain. John Wood came to reside in Morgan county, Illinois at an early date; died October 21, 1821, and is buried in Franklin.

CAPTAIN JAMES WRIGHT: Served in the 7th Regiment from the state of Virginia, commanded by Colonel John Morgan. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, July 31, 1776, First Lieutenant, July 2, 1779; he was a prisoner of war and was pensioned. He died in 1845, in Morgan county, Illinois, and is buried in Franklin.

AUGUSTUS SIMS, JOHN DAWSON, EDMUND STOKES and JOB JENKINS were evidently inscribed on a plate and put below the one as listed above.

AUGUSTINE SIMS was buried in Rogers cemetery. He died 10 Feb 1851.

EDMOND STOKES, in the Honor Roll of Morgan County, Illinois, published by the Illinois Veterans Commission 1936, p. 35 lists him as a veteran of the War of 1812, no death date, buried Oakland Cemetery at Meredosia. They evidently had the wrong information,

JOB JENKINS is not listed in the 1936 HONOR ROLL. However, he is listed in the 1976 D.A.R. publication p. 118, as having died January 1832. His burial site is not given. Apr 1995





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