Isaac Owens GUY [Parents] was born on 23 Jan 1852 in Coles Co, IL. He died on 26 Dec 1922 in Cumberland Co, IL. He was buried on 27 Dec 1922 in Mullens Cem, Cumberland Co, IL. He married Ellen ELDER. Isaac resided in Jewett, Cumberland Co, IL.
Other marriages:MARTIN, Anna Jane
Residences:
Till 1879 Coles Co, IL
1879 Woodbury, Cumberland Co, Springpoint Twp, IL
1922 Jewett, Cumberland Co, IL.
Isaac's birth date may be wrong. He would have been only 14 yrs old
when Nellie was born.Isaac died of apoplexy, contributed to by arteriosclerosis.
The cemetery is located 3 mi W of Montrose, IL, 1 1/2 mi N of Rte 40 &
I70. Cumberland Co courthouse records say he is buried at Elliott
Cem.
Ellen ELDER was born in 1849 in IN. She died in 1874. She married Isaac Owens GUY.
They had the following children:
F i Nellie GUY was born in 1869. F ii Clara S GUY was born on 2 Nov 1871. She died on 15 Jul 1950.
Isum GUY [Parents] was born on 6 May 1805 in NC. He died on 20 Mar 1878 in IL. He married Mary ELLIOTT on 5 Dec 1839 in Morgan Co, IN.
Other marriages:(GUY), Sofiah
RUSSELL, Rebeck Jane
Residences & events:
1827 NC, where his oldest child was born.
1833 TN. A son was born there.
1839 Morgan Co, IN where he remarried and had a daughter.
By 1844 IL, when son Henry was born.
1850 Wabash Precinct, Coles Co, IL, may have been the same address as the previous entry. The census taker recorded his name as John and he was a farmer. He and Mary had 5 children.
4/1857 Mode, Shelby Co, IL, where at least one daughter married.
1860s The children told of their parents hiding Union soldiers under the floor to prevent "Bushwackers" from getting them. Copperheads were rife in the area as evidenced by the riot at the Charleston courthouse.
2/1/1868 Cumberland Co, IL. His current residence was unknown when he bought 40 acres of railroad land there. He paid $9.00/acre or a total of $360 for the property located at S4 T09N R08E.
1873 Sumpter Twp, Majority Point, Cumberland Co, IL, was the site where Isum and Hiram, were listed as Legal Voters.
Mary ELLIOTT [Parents] was born on 4 Apr 1818 in NC. She died in IL. She married Isum GUY on 5 Dec 1839 in Morgan Co, IN.
The 1850 census said she was 36 making her birth year 1814.
They had the following children:
F i Mary Elizabeth GUY was born on 4 Nov 1840. She died in 1879. M ii Hezekiah GUY was born on 12 Oct 1842 in IN. He died on 3 Oct 1862. M iii Henry Milton\John N GUY was born on 20 Oct 1844 in IL.
Relatives say his name was Henry, the 1850 census taker said it was John.M iv Isaac Owens GUY was born on 23 Jan 1852. He died on 26 Dec 1922. F v Liza Jane GUY was born on 1 Jul 1857. She died in 1937.
Samuel MARTIN was born in 1808 in MO. He married Mary M WHITEHALL about 1840.
Mary M WHITEHALL was born in 1820. She married Samuel MARTIN about 1840.
They had the following children:
F i Anna Jane MARTIN was born on 5 Feb 1857. She died on 1 Jan 1927.
Isum GUY [Parents] was born on 6 May 1805 in NC. He died on 20 Mar 1878 in IL. He married Sofiah (GUY) in 1826 in NC.
Other marriages:ELLIOTT, Mary
RUSSELL, Rebeck Jane
Residences & events:
1827 NC, where his oldest child was born.
1833 TN. A son was born there.
1839 Morgan Co, IN where he remarried and had a daughter.
By 1844 IL, when son Henry was born.
1850 Wabash Precinct, Coles Co, IL, may have been the same address as the previous entry. The census taker recorded his name as John and he was a farmer. He and Mary had 5 children.
4/1857 Mode, Shelby Co, IL, where at least one daughter married.
1860s The children told of their parents hiding Union soldiers under the floor to prevent "Bushwackers" from getting them. Copperheads were rife in the area as evidenced by the riot at the Charleston courthouse.
2/1/1868 Cumberland Co, IL. His current residence was unknown when he bought 40 acres of railroad land there. He paid $9.00/acre or a total of $360 for the property located at S4 T09N R08E.
1873 Sumpter Twp, Majority Point, Cumberland Co, IL, was the site where Isum and Hiram, were listed as Legal Voters.
Sofiah (GUY) was born about 1806. She died before 1839. She married Isum GUY in 1826 in NC.
Isum remarried that year.
They had the following children:
F i Louisa GUY was born on 13 Oct 1827. F ii Luisy GUY was born on 28 Jun 1829.
There is no record of this person, only family listings including her.M iii Hiram GUY was born on 30 Sep 1833. He died on 29 Apr 1908.
Isum GUY [Parents] was born on 6 May 1805 in NC. He died on 20 Mar 1878 in IL. He married Rebeck Jane RUSSELL on 7 Sep 1871 in IL.
Other marriages:(GUY), Sofiah
ELLIOTT, Mary
Residences & events:
1827 NC, where his oldest child was born.
1833 TN. A son was born there.
1839 Morgan Co, IN where he remarried and had a daughter.
By 1844 IL, when son Henry was born.
1850 Wabash Precinct, Coles Co, IL, may have been the same address as the previous entry. The census taker recorded his name as John and he was a farmer. He and Mary had 5 children.
4/1857 Mode, Shelby Co, IL, where at least one daughter married.
1860s The children told of their parents hiding Union soldiers under the floor to prevent "Bushwackers" from getting them. Copperheads were rife in the area as evidenced by the riot at the Charleston courthouse.
2/1/1868 Cumberland Co, IL. His current residence was unknown when he bought 40 acres of railroad land there. He paid $9.00/acre or a total of $360 for the property located at S4 T09N R08E.
1873 Sumpter Twp, Majority Point, Cumberland Co, IL, was the site where Isum and Hiram, were listed as Legal Voters.
Rebeck Jane RUSSELL.Rebeck married Isum GUY on 7 Sep 1871 in IL.
They had the following children:
F i Minnie Elvira GUY was born on 16 Apr 1872. M ii Harmon Russell GUY was born on 14 Feb 1875. He died on 30 Apr 1908.
All children listed below may not belong to this family but are placed here because their marriages all occurred in the same county at about the same time.
He had the following children:
M i Isum GUY was born on 6 May 1805. He died on 20 Mar 1878. M ii Rubartus GUY was born about 1823. M iii Hezekiah GUY was born about 1826. M iv James GUY was born about 1825. F v Elizabeth Amanda GUY.
Children listed here may not belong to the same family of siblings but are placed here because of location and time in relation to the Guy family.
He had the following children:
F i Mary ELLIOTT was born on 4 Apr 1818. F ii Margaret Elliott. F iii Elizabeth ELLIOTT.
John Saunders Sr WHITLEY [Parents] was born on 14 May 1770 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in 1838 in N Okaw Twp, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Pleasant Grove Cem, Cooks Mills, Coles Co, IL. He married Bathsheba BATEMAN on 1 Aug 1791 in Isle of Wight Co, VA by Willis Wills, Methodist Minister.
Other marriages:(Whitley), Rebecca
Residences & events:
Virginia
1790s North Carolina.
Abt 1800 Holston River Valley, TN.
White Co, TN, where the family stayed for only 3-4 years.
Livingston Co, KY, was the next destination by following the White River northward. The family split before coming to Illinois with brother, Sharp, returning to Tennessee.
1811 Bond Co, IL. There were about 35 people in the party, including John, his wife, 6 sons, 2-3 daughters, and 17 grandchildren. Family tradition says the women walked the whole trip. A walnut dresser brought from Tennessee was in the Coles County branch until a few years ago and John's Bible is still in existence in Missouri with the John S. Whitley, Jr, branch.
1812 He fought in the War of 1812.
4/1813 He was on the muster roll of the volunteer infantry as a Sargeant.
4/19/1816 Fayette Co, IL. His was the first land entry of the county. The property was located at NE 1/4 S35 T4N R4W.
5/18/1818 He was appointed Ensign.
5/4/1818 Bond Co, IL. Although he had land in Fayette Co, apparently the family had not moved yet as they were counted in the state's first census in Bond.
1820 He was listed in the census with 3 males under 21, himself, over 21, and 2 females. Sons, John Jr, "Mills", Elisha, and "Randle" were listed as neighbors along with the families of in-laws, Bateman, Duncan, and Little.
1821-1826 Fayette Co, IL. He served as County Commissioner, being mentioned several times in the minutes of their meetings.
He served on the first Grand Jury of the county.
3/5/1822 He was also on the list of petit jurors.
12/20/1826 Fayette Co, IL. His residence there was recorded in a land transfer when he purchased 80 acres in Shelby Co, IL, for $1.25 at a Federal sale. The property was located at S33 T12N R03E.
12/20/1826 He was still a resident of the same county when he purchased another 80 acres at S33 T12N R04E for $1.25/acre from another Federal sale.
1/23/1827 Whitley Point, Shelby Co, IL. The family probably never moved but rather a new county was formed out of the old and they found themselves in it. County lines would later shift again to put them in Moultrie Co.
The History of Shelby & Moultrie Counties spoke of the Whitleys:
"The first to grapple with these hardships (of pioneer life), were John Whitley and family, and his son-in-law, Samuel Lindley. They came in the fall of 1826 (the date was actually later) and settled at the head of Whitley creek timber, now Whitley's Point, on section 12, where J.M. Edmond's farm now lies. Mr. Whitley was a native of Maryland, and when he moved here, brought with him his wife and a large family of children viz: John, Sharp, Mills, Randall, William, Josiah, and two or three daughters. All the sons, except Josiah, were married, and had families when they came. They with their families and Samuel Lindley all settled in the same neighborhood with the old gentleman. Here they built their cabins, and broke the first ground in the county. A rude horse mill was constructed by the elder Whitley, which of course was the first mill of any kind built in the township. He as well as his boys were very fond of the sports of the day, such as wrestling, horse-racing, etc. They remained here only a year or two, when they scattered in various directions; some went to Texas, and others to Missouri. The old gentleman moved up the Okaw into Coles county about 1838 where he died a few years afterward. The township was named in honor of its oldest settler, John Whitley. William Price, also a pioneer, but a single man, came a year or two after the Whitleys and squatted near them, and married one of the old man's daughters. but soon afterward left the country."
In the list of Early Settlers of Whitley Township are:
John Whitley and family
Samuel Lindley (son-in-law of Whitley)
Hal McDaniel (arrived with Whitleys)
William Price (son-in-law of Whitley)"The Whitleys were among the 1st settlers of the county, John constructed a rude horse mill, the first mill of any kind in the township.
They were a large athletic family who kept thoroughbred race horses with gambling as their chief occupation as well as racing and fighting."
Also recorded:
"The Whitleys were followers of horse racing and hunting almost to the exclusion of all else. The story was told that the elder Whitley journeyed to Kentucky and purchased a racing filly from a breeder named Dodge and returned here to win almost all the races he entered he in. Thinking to make some easy money, he entered her in a claiming race in which all entrants have a price set before the race and may be claimed afterwards at the price. John set a low price on her thinking to win an easy race and none would claim her. To his dismay she was claimed and to avoid losing her at a give away price, he slipped her out and hid her in a grove of trees north of Mattoon until the search died down. (The grove then became know as the Dodge Grove because the Dodge filly had been hidden there. It is now the Dodge Grove Cemetery.)
From the Geological and Historical Tour of Moultrie County, Illinois, is an article on the family:
"Moultrie County was settled later than most areas around us, probably due to the fact that our rivers were not easily navigable. Macon and Shelby Counties both had settlers in them by 1818. However, Moultrie's first settler (John Whitley) didn't arrive until the fall
of 1826. He and his family did not stay here permanently and moved out when the county became more crowded.""John Whitley and his family of six grown sons arrived in the fall of 1826 and settled south of Whitley Creek on section 12 of what is now Whitley Township. The original survey of Moultrie County shows a spring near this location. Whitley probably chose this spot because of the spring. The small creek that crosses the east-west road here was probably begun by this spring. His cabin was somewhere between the Whitley Creek to the north and this east-west road. Whitley and his sons were gamblers, horse racers and able fighters; however, Whitley seems to have been trustworthy because he was chosen as one of three of Shelby County's first county commissioners. He also served as Justice of the Peace. (At this time Whitley Township was a part of Shelby County.)
Also in 1826 two other 'squatters' settled near Whitley, staying only a few years. Most of Whitley's sons moved West, and Whitley moved to Coles County in the 1830s."
Continuing again:
"The Methodists get credit for bringing the first church services to the county, a sermon being preached in Samuel Linley's cabin by Rev. Miles Hart in 1828. (Linley was one of Whitley's sons-in-law.)"
In Whitley Whittlings is an article which states:
"John Whitley was the first to settle in Whitley Township, near the head of Whitley Creek. Then, in order to file on a piece of land, it was necessary to go to the land office in Vandalia. That seemed too much of a trip for him so he did not file but just built his cabin and 'squatted'. As more settlers came and began to fill the available space; some of his neighbors convinced him he should file, for anyone else who wished could file on the land he was occupying and legally make him move away. So, he made the trip to the Land Office in Vandalia and filed on October 1, 1833 and of the Independence of the 'United States of American the fifty eighth.'
His claim was 'the East half of the Northeast quarter of Section twelve in the Township twelve North and Range six of lands subject to sales at the Vandalia Land Office, containing eighty acres.'
Another article said John owned hundreds of acres of land, claiming some of the first land of Shelby Co.
From "The Whitley Point Record Book" is the following: "The place selected by John Whitley had many advantages. Wood and water were at hand, and the game was plentiful--including deer and turkey. Bears, wolves, panthers, and wild cats were also encountered. Because of the good hunting, Indians frequented the area. Indeed in the winter of 1826-27, after the Whitleys first arrived, Indians maintained a large camp consisting of about 90 lodges a few miles south of the Whitley settlement in what is now Shelby County. These Indians were considered to be friendly by the settlers, with whom they maintained a lively social intercourse--including occasional contests of horse-racing, shooting, and athletic events."
And again: "The field notes of the first surveyors of Section 12 in Township 12N, Range 6E, where the Whitleys settled five years later, refer to 'gently rolling' prairie, with 'first rate' soil, and walnut, oak, elm, and mulberry trees.....The Whitley family settled near a point where the timber adjacent to the creek extended into the prairie. Hence the name of the settlement--Whitley Point."
He was one of three members of the 1st Co Board of Commissioners and was the first Justice of the Peace of the new county, for which he received $1.50/day for court duties. As Justice of the Peace he married several couples over the years and once as County Commissioner.
5/3/1827 Shelby Co, IL. As Co Commissioner, he officiated at the wedding of his wife's relatives, Sally Bateman and John Cochran.
2/25/1830 John was still a resident of Shelby Co when he purchased 2 plots of land in Moultrie Co on this date from a Federal sale for $1.25/acre. The two plots of 80 acres each were located at S12 T12N R06E.
1830 Shelby Co, IL. At census time, sons, John Jr and William, were neighbors while Mills and Sharp were just down the road. John Sr and his wife were 50-60 years old and had living with them 1 male 15-20 and 1 female 10-15.
In the History of Moultrie Co in an article on Jonathan's Creek Township, it states:
"It had previously been told and written by others, 'that one Jonathan Whitley was lost while out hunting, and from him the creek was named;' but this is a mistake; for there never was a Whitley by that name that lived in this county."
Another history says: "The Whitleys have not received as much attention as they have deserved, mainly because the family moved away after a few years' residence. However, they were real men, energetic and enterprising, even if they were not impressed with the value of the land."
From the History of Coles Co:
"The fact that a settlement was in the township as early as 1833, seems to be pretty fully established and John Whitley and his son John, Elisha, William and Randall, are recorded as among the first, if not the first, to settle and make improvements in its limits. Their improvements were made along the Okaw, near the southwestern limits of the township. Elisa and John were on the west side, while William and Randall located east of the stream. The Whitleys came from Tennessee, and must have come to the State at an early day; from statements made by the elder Whitley, they seem to have passed up the Kaskaskia, making settlements at various points; so soon as neighbors began to settle in around them, they would desert their places, and moving up the stream, would again locate, only a few years later to move still higher up the stream."
1831 His name appears in the Circuit Court Case Files as the defendant against a Brazel Losey for damages, specifics unknown.
5/29/1832 John performed the marriage ceremony for great granddaughter, Clarissa Price, and John Grice.
7/20/1836 Still living in Shelby Co, he purchased 80 acres in Douglas Co at S3 T15N R07E for $1.25/acre at a Federal sale.
Gilbert Waggoner said of the Whitleys: "The Whitleys were a rough set--a bad lot." A history said "their ways of life were different, and the two families didn't understand each other. The Whitleys, doubtless, were brave, strong, active, and restless. Some of them went to Missouri and others to texas, where they probably fought for the independence of the Lone Star."
"They were 'rough and ready' but I believe Uncle Gilbert was too severe in pronouncing them a 'bad lot.' They were the typical pioneers--the advance guard of civilization, and their kind made the frontiers safer for those who came later."
1838 Cooks Mill, Coles Co, IL. When the rest of the family moved west, John sold his land to William Hayden and moved nearer other family members.
Some sources say he was a native of Maryland but since the family lived in VA for generations before him, it is unlikely.
Son, Elisha, was administrator of his estate and, as such, initiated suits to collect payment of notes owed the estate. From the parties at law:
Elisha Whitley Adm of John Whitley Decd. vs John G Purvis action on note for $140.47 due 295h April 1837
cr $50.00 the 11th April 1836
also cr $25.50 this 2nd Feby 1839
Summons Issued 2nd Feby 1839
Subpoena for John Bracken
2/16/1839 Summons Returned Executed by reading to defendant
parties met and hearing
the Judgment against
J Purvis for $95.72
and cost--Justice $1.12 1/2
Constable 2.43 3/4
3/9/1839 Execution Issued WG Haydon JP
12/14/1839 Execution returned Amos Waggoner JP
12/14/1839 RenewedAmos Guinn for the use of Elisha Whitley Adm of John Whitley Deceased vs John G Purvis & Peter Warren action on note for $11.00 due 15th August 1835
2/2/1839 Sums Issued to I Walker
2/16/1839 Returned executed on John G Purvis by Reading the same
Warren not found
Cr by order of Pl $7.00
this 16th Feby 1839
And stayed by plaintiff
Justice cost .50 cts
Const 56 1/4 ctsElisha Whitley Admr. of John Whitley Deceased vs John G Purvis & John Whitley Junior
action on note $125.75
2/2/2839 Sums Issued to I Walker
Credited 10th June 1839 $5.25
also $53.55 same date
2/16/1839 Returned Executed on John G Purvis by Reading the same
John Whitley not found
Judgment against JG Purvis for $84.70
and cost J Cost $00.68 3/4
Constable .56 1/4
3/9/1839 Execution Issued to I Walker
12/14/1839 Execution Renewed Amos Waggoner JP
Renewed
3/4/1844 Execution returned with a cr
$60.00 & the balance Stayed by order of Plaintiff
Bathsheba BATEMAN [Parents] was born about 1770. She died about 1832 in Cooks Mills, Coles Co, IL. She was buried in Pleasant Grove Cem, Cooks Mills, Coles Co, IL. She married John Saunders Sr WHITLEY on 1 Aug 1791 in Isle of Wight Co, VA by Willis Wills, Methodist Minister.
They had the following children:
M i Miles WHITLEY was born on 6 Jul 1792. He died in Apr 1864. M ii John Saunders Jr WHITLEY was born on 25 Dec 1793. F iii Elizabeth WHITLEY was born in 1795. She died in 1838. M iv Randolph WHITLEY was born on 16 Jan 1798. He died on 20 Nov 1867. M v Elisha WHITLEY was born on 17 Aug 1800. He died on 12 Oct 1844. M vi Sharp WHITLEY was born on 8 Aug 1802. He died in Jul 1857. M vii Abraham WHITLEY was born in 1804 in Livingston Co, KY.
He was not with the family when they arrived in IL.M viii William WHITLEY was born in Apr 1806. He died on 17 Jul 1860. M ix Josiah WHITLEY was born on 3 Jul 1813 in Bond Co, IL.
Residences & events:
Shelby Co, IL. Although local history recorded his arrival in the county with the rest of the family, he never bought or received any local land as he matured.
1826 At age 14 he was still with the family.
1838-1840 Mo
1850 Bond Co, IL, was his residence at census time but perhaps he had been there all the time.
TX Some said it was possible that he moved on.F x Clerrinda Nancy WHITLEY was born on 3 Mar 1815.
John Saunders Sr WHITLEY [Parents] was born on 14 May 1770 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in 1838 in N Okaw Twp, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Pleasant Grove Cem, Cooks Mills, Coles Co, IL. He married Rebecca (Whitley).
Other marriages:BATEMAN, Bathsheba
Residences & events:
Virginia
1790s North Carolina.
Abt 1800 Holston River Valley, TN.
White Co, TN, where the family stayed for only 3-4 years.
Livingston Co, KY, was the next destination by following the White River northward. The family split before coming to Illinois with brother, Sharp, returning to Tennessee.
1811 Bond Co, IL. There were about 35 people in the party, including John, his wife, 6 sons, 2-3 daughters, and 17 grandchildren. Family tradition says the women walked the whole trip. A walnut dresser brought from Tennessee was in the Coles County branch until a few years ago and John's Bible is still in existence in Missouri with the John S. Whitley, Jr, branch.
1812 He fought in the War of 1812.
4/1813 He was on the muster roll of the volunteer infantry as a Sargeant.
4/19/1816 Fayette Co, IL. His was the first land entry of the county. The property was located at NE 1/4 S35 T4N R4W.
5/18/1818 He was appointed Ensign.
5/4/1818 Bond Co, IL. Although he had land in Fayette Co, apparently the family had not moved yet as they were counted in the state's first census in Bond.
1820 He was listed in the census with 3 males under 21, himself, over 21, and 2 females. Sons, John Jr, "Mills", Elisha, and "Randle" were listed as neighbors along with the families of in-laws, Bateman, Duncan, and Little.
1821-1826 Fayette Co, IL. He served as County Commissioner, being mentioned several times in the minutes of their meetings.
He served on the first Grand Jury of the county.
3/5/1822 He was also on the list of petit jurors.
12/20/1826 Fayette Co, IL. His residence there was recorded in a land transfer when he purchased 80 acres in Shelby Co, IL, for $1.25 at a Federal sale. The property was located at S33 T12N R03E.
12/20/1826 He was still a resident of the same county when he purchased another 80 acres at S33 T12N R04E for $1.25/acre from another Federal sale.
1/23/1827 Whitley Point, Shelby Co, IL. The family probably never moved but rather a new county was formed out of the old and they found themselves in it. County lines would later shift again to put them in Moultrie Co.
The History of Shelby & Moultrie Counties spoke of the Whitleys:
"The first to grapple with these hardships (of pioneer life), were John Whitley and family, and his son-in-law, Samuel Lindley. They came in the fall of 1826 (the date was actually later) and settled at the head of Whitley creek timber, now Whitley's Point, on section 12, where J.M. Edmond's farm now lies. Mr. Whitley was a native of Maryland, and when he moved here, brought with him his wife and a large family of children viz: John, Sharp, Mills, Randall, William, Josiah, and two or three daughters. All the sons, except Josiah, were married, and had families when they came. They with their families and Samuel Lindley all settled in the same neighborhood with the old gentleman. Here they built their cabins, and broke the first ground in the county. A rude horse mill was constructed by the elder Whitley, which of course was the first mill of any kind built in the township. He as well as his boys were very fond of the sports of the day, such as wrestling, horse-racing, etc. They remained here only a year or two, when they scattered in various directions; some went to Texas, and others to Missouri. The old gentleman moved up the Okaw into Coles county about 1838 where he died a few years afterward. The township was named in honor of its oldest settler, John Whitley. William Price, also a pioneer, but a single man, came a year or two after the Whitleys and squatted near them, and married one of the old man's daughters. but soon afterward left the country."
In the list of Early Settlers of Whitley Township are:
John Whitley and family
Samuel Lindley (son-in-law of Whitley)
Hal McDaniel (arrived with Whitleys)
William Price (son-in-law of Whitley)"The Whitleys were among the 1st settlers of the county, John constructed a rude horse mill, the first mill of any kind in the township.
They were a large athletic family who kept thoroughbred race horses with gambling as their chief occupation as well as racing and fighting."
Also recorded:
"The Whitleys were followers of horse racing and hunting almost to the exclusion of all else. The story was told that the elder Whitley journeyed to Kentucky and purchased a racing filly from a breeder named Dodge and returned here to win almost all the races he entered he in. Thinking to make some easy money, he entered her in a claiming race in which all entrants have a price set before the race and may be claimed afterwards at the price. John set a low price on her thinking to win an easy race and none would claim her. To his dismay she was claimed and to avoid losing her at a give away price, he slipped her out and hid her in a grove of trees north of Mattoon until the search died down. (The grove then became know as the Dodge Grove because the Dodge filly had been hidden there. It is now the Dodge Grove Cemetery.)
From the Geological and Historical Tour of Moultrie County, Illinois, is an article on the family:
"Moultrie County was settled later than most areas around us, probably due to the fact that our rivers were not easily navigable. Macon and Shelby Counties both had settlers in them by 1818. However, Moultrie's first settler (John Whitley) didn't arrive until the fall
of 1826. He and his family did not stay here permanently and moved out when the county became more crowded.""John Whitley and his family of six grown sons arrived in the fall of 1826 and settled south of Whitley Creek on section 12 of what is now Whitley Township. The original survey of Moultrie County shows a spring near this location. Whitley probably chose this spot because of the spring. The small creek that crosses the east-west road here was probably begun by this spring. His cabin was somewhere between the Whitley Creek to the north and this east-west road. Whitley and his sons were gamblers, horse racers and able fighters; however, Whitley seems to have been trustworthy because he was chosen as one of three of Shelby County's first county commissioners. He also served as Justice of the Peace. (At this time Whitley Township was a part of Shelby County.)
Also in 1826 two other 'squatters' settled near Whitley, staying only a few years. Most of Whitley's sons moved West, and Whitley moved to Coles County in the 1830s."
Continuing again:
"The Methodists get credit for bringing the first church services to the county, a sermon being preached in Samuel Linley's cabin by Rev. Miles Hart in 1828. (Linley was one of Whitley's sons-in-law.)"
In Whitley Whittlings is an article which states:
"John Whitley was the first to settle in Whitley Township, near the head of Whitley Creek. Then, in order to file on a piece of land, it was necessary to go to the land office in Vandalia. That seemed too much of a trip for him so he did not file but just built his cabin and 'squatted'. As more settlers came and began to fill the available space; some of his neighbors convinced him he should file, for anyone else who wished could file on the land he was occupying and legally make him move away. So, he made the trip to the Land Office in Vandalia and filed on October 1, 1833 and of the Independence of the 'United States of American the fifty eighth.'
His claim was 'the East half of the Northeast quarter of Section twelve in the Township twelve North and Range six of lands subject to sales at the Vandalia Land Office, containing eighty acres.'
Another article said John owned hundreds of acres of land, claiming some of the first land of Shelby Co.
From "The Whitley Point Record Book" is the following: "The place selected by John Whitley had many advantages. Wood and water were at hand, and the game was plentiful--including deer and turkey. Bears, wolves, panthers, and wild cats were also encountered. Because of the good hunting, Indians frequented the area. Indeed in the winter of 1826-27, after the Whitleys first arrived, Indians maintained a large camp consisting of about 90 lodges a few miles south of the Whitley settlement in what is now Shelby County. These Indians were considered to be friendly by the settlers, with whom they maintained a lively social intercourse--including occasional contests of horse-racing, shooting, and athletic events."
And again: "The field notes of the first surveyors of Section 12 in Township 12N, Range 6E, where the Whitleys settled five years later, refer to 'gently rolling' prairie, with 'first rate' soil, and walnut, oak, elm, and mulberry trees.....The Whitley family settled near a point where the timber adjacent to the creek extended into the prairie. Hence the name of the settlement--Whitley Point."
He was one of three members of the 1st Co Board of Commissioners and was the first Justice of the Peace of the new county, for which he received $1.50/day for court duties. As Justice of the Peace he married several couples over the years and once as County Commissioner.
5/3/1827 Shelby Co, IL. As Co Commissioner, he officiated at the wedding of his wife's relatives, Sally Bateman and John Cochran.
2/25/1830 John was still a resident of Shelby Co when he purchased 2 plots of land in Moultrie Co on this date from a Federal sale for $1.25/acre. The two plots of 80 acres each were located at S12 T12N R06E.
1830 Shelby Co, IL. At census time, sons, John Jr and William, were neighbors while Mills and Sharp were just down the road. John Sr and his wife were 50-60 years old and had living with them 1 male 15-20 and 1 female 10-15.
In the History of Moultrie Co in an article on Jonathan's Creek Township, it states:
"It had previously been told and written by others, 'that one Jonathan Whitley was lost while out hunting, and from him the creek was named;' but this is a mistake; for there never was a Whitley by that name that lived in this county."
Another history says: "The Whitleys have not received as much attention as they have deserved, mainly because the family moved away after a few years' residence. However, they were real men, energetic and enterprising, even if they were not impressed with the value of the land."
From the History of Coles Co:
"The fact that a settlement was in the township as early as 1833, seems to be pretty fully established and John Whitley and his son John, Elisha, William and Randall, are recorded as among the first, if not the first, to settle and make improvements in its limits. Their improvements were made along the Okaw, near the southwestern limits of the township. Elisa and John were on the west side, while William and Randall located east of the stream. The Whitleys came from Tennessee, and must have come to the State at an early day; from statements made by the elder Whitley, they seem to have passed up the Kaskaskia, making settlements at various points; so soon as neighbors began to settle in around them, they would desert their places, and moving up the stream, would again locate, only a few years later to move still higher up the stream."
1831 His name appears in the Circuit Court Case Files as the defendant against a Brazel Losey for damages, specifics unknown.
5/29/1832 John performed the marriage ceremony for great granddaughter, Clarissa Price, and John Grice.
7/20/1836 Still living in Shelby Co, he purchased 80 acres in Douglas Co at S3 T15N R07E for $1.25/acre at a Federal sale.
Gilbert Waggoner said of the Whitleys: "The Whitleys were a rough set--a bad lot." A history said "their ways of life were different, and the two families didn't understand each other. The Whitleys, doubtless, were brave, strong, active, and restless. Some of them went to Missouri and others to texas, where they probably fought for the independence of the Lone Star."
"They were 'rough and ready' but I believe Uncle Gilbert was too severe in pronouncing them a 'bad lot.' They were the typical pioneers--the advance guard of civilization, and their kind made the frontiers safer for those who came later."
1838 Cooks Mill, Coles Co, IL. When the rest of the family moved west, John sold his land to William Hayden and moved nearer other family members.
Some sources say he was a native of Maryland but since the family lived in VA for generations before him, it is unlikely.
Son, Elisha, was administrator of his estate and, as such, initiated suits to collect payment of notes owed the estate. From the parties at law:
Elisha Whitley Adm of John Whitley Decd. vs John G Purvis action on note for $140.47 due 295h April 1837
cr $50.00 the 11th April 1836
also cr $25.50 this 2nd Feby 1839
Summons Issued 2nd Feby 1839
Subpoena for John Bracken
2/16/1839 Summons Returned Executed by reading to defendant
parties met and hearing
the Judgment against
J Purvis for $95.72
and cost--Justice $1.12 1/2
Constable 2.43 3/4
3/9/1839 Execution Issued WG Haydon JP
12/14/1839 Execution returned Amos Waggoner JP
12/14/1839 RenewedAmos Guinn for the use of Elisha Whitley Adm of John Whitley Deceased vs John G Purvis & Peter Warren action on note for $11.00 due 15th August 1835
2/2/1839 Sums Issued to I Walker
2/16/1839 Returned executed on John G Purvis by Reading the same
Warren not found
Cr by order of Pl $7.00
this 16th Feby 1839
And stayed by plaintiff
Justice cost .50 cts
Const 56 1/4 ctsElisha Whitley Admr. of John Whitley Deceased vs John G Purvis & John Whitley Junior
action on note $125.75
2/2/2839 Sums Issued to I Walker
Credited 10th June 1839 $5.25
also $53.55 same date
2/16/1839 Returned Executed on John G Purvis by Reading the same
John Whitley not found
Judgment against JG Purvis for $84.70
and cost J Cost $00.68 3/4
Constable .56 1/4
3/9/1839 Execution Issued to I Walker
12/14/1839 Execution Renewed Amos Waggoner JP
Renewed
3/4/1844 Execution returned with a cr
$60.00 & the balance Stayed by order of Plaintiff
Rebecca (Whitley).Rebecca married John Saunders Sr WHITLEY.
Randolph WHITLEY [Parents] was born in 1745 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in 1785 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He married Tabitha Saunders Pursley in 1768 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.
Randall fought in the Rev War.
LDS records say he was born in 1745 while other family trees have 1750.
His will, dated 12/22/1784, went through probate 12/22/1785. It said:
"In the name of God Amen, I, Randolph Whitley, of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, being sick and weak in body but of sound sense and memory thanks be to God for the same Do make this my last Will & Testament in manner and form as follows viz:
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son John Sanders Whitley, negro girl Phoebe in lieu of my fellow named Roger that my brother Elisha Whitly gave to him, said John Sanders, which said negro girl Phoebe I give to him my said son John Sanders Whtiley and his heirs forever. And at the time of my wife's death I give to my said son John Sanders Whitly 5 head of cattle to be taken out of my stock.
Item, I lend to my wife Tabitha Whitly the use of all the rest of my estate after all my just debts are paid during her life or widowhood and after her death or marriage which shall first happen, My will is that all my estate that shall then be except bed etc, be equally divided between my sons Randolph Reynolds Whitly, Elisha Whitley, and my daughter Polly Whitly, and also the child that my wife is big with if it is born alive...to these my said...children and their heirs forever.
My will further is that if either of my children shall die under age or unmarried that such child's part of my estate be equally divided among the survivors of them and their heirs forever.
I give to my daughter Betsy Davis Whitley a feather bed and furniture which she shall receive at the time of my wife's marrying or at her death.
I appoint my wife, Tabitha Whitly and my friend William Eley, my Executors.
Wherewith I have set my Hand and Seal this Twenty-Second Day of December, In the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty-four and in the ninth Year of the Commonwealth of Virginia."
He signed by signature and seal.
Witnesses were Ishmael Whitley and Rachel Norsworth, both marked with an X
Tabitha Saunders Pursley was born in 1750 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. She died in 1812. She married Randolph WHITLEY in 1768 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.
Her last name may be Davis considering the fact that one daughter's middle name Davis.
They had the following children:
M i John Saunders Sr WHITLEY was born on 14 May 1770. He died in 1838. F ii Elsie WHITLEY was born in 1771. She died on 12 Oct 1811. She was buried in Pleasant Grove Cem, Cooks Mills, Coles Co, IL.
Elsie may have been the wife of a Whitley rather than a daughter as listed here as she was not mentioned in Randolph's will as a child.M iii Randolph Reynolds WHITLEY was born in 1772. He died in 1837. F iv Elizabeth Davis "Betsy" WHITLEY was born in 1774. F v Mary "Polly" WHITLEY was born in 1776. She died after 1824. M vi Elisha WHITLEY was born in 1781 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in 1854. M vii Sharp R WHITLEY was born in 1785 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in Nov 1860 in Sparta, White Co, TN.
Residences & events in his life:
1790s North Carolina.
1800s Holston River Valley, TN.
White Co, TN where they remained only 3-4 years.
Livingston Co, KY, by way of following the White River northward. The family split and he took his group back south while John continued to IL.
2/16/1833 Pleasant Hill, White Co, TN. For $1 Sharp deeded an acre of land to the Separate Baptist Church along with free water rights to a spring north of there.
Apparently he was born shortly after his father's death as his mother was mentioned in his father's will as being "big" with child.