Catherine married James Irons, son of James Irons and Didamia Johnson.

      Hannah Wilbur was born in 1768. Hannah married John Wilbert Irons, son of James Irons Sr. and Nelly Longstreet, in 1789 at Dover, Ocean County, New Jersey. Hannah Wilbur died on Apr 27, 1848. Hannah was buried at Old Methodist Cemetery, Tom's River, Ocean County, New Jersey.

      John Tilton Clayton was born on Nov 22, 1824 at Silverton, Ocean County, New Jersey. He was the son of Miles Clayton and Mary Tilton. John married Didamia Irons, daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. John Tilton Clayton died on Oct 5, 1894 at Brick, Ocean County, New Jersey, at age 69.

      Miles McKelvey was born on Jun 13, 1816 at New Jersey. He was the son of Robert McKelvey and Rebecca Tilton. Miles married Susannah Irons, daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson, in 1850. Miles McKelvey died on Nov 25, 1876 at age 60.

      Rebecca Hurley was born on Oct 12, 1828 at New Jersey. Rebecca married Daniel B. Irons, son of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson, on Feb 24, 1849. Rebecca Hurley died on Jan 11, 1894 at age 65. Rebecca was buried at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
     She was also known as Becky Hurley.

      Jonathan McKelvey was born on Oct 23, 1813 at New Jersey. Jonathan married Hester Ann Irons, daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson, on Mar 19, 1842. Jonathan McKelvey died on Nov 23, 1889 at age 76.
      Book: Smith, Grant & Irons Families of New Jersey's Shore Counties by James W.

Hook. 929.273 Sm51hj, pg.211.

Child listed on pg. 213.

      Sylvester Tilton McKelvey was born on May 19, 1816 at Silverton, Ocean County, New Jersey. He was the son of Richard McKelvey and Rebecca Tilton. Sylvester married Deborah Irons, daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson, on Dec 30, 1837 at Silverton, Ocean County, New Jersey. Sylvester Tilton McKelvey died on Jun 14, 1904 at age 88. Sylvester was buried at Old Silverton Cemetery, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Margaret Tilton was born on Jul 10, 1808. Margaret married John or Ivins Irons, son of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Margaret Tilton died on Jul 30, 1859 at age 51.
      Book: Smith, Grant & Irons Families of New Jersey's Shore Counties by James W.

Hook. 929.273 Sm51hj.

      Elizabeth Tilton was born on Jan 21, 1815. Elizabeth married John or Ivins Irons, son of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Elizabeth Tilton died on Feb 2, 1848 at age 33. Elizabeth was buried at Old Silverton Cemetery, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
      Book: Smith, Grant & Irons Families of New Jersey's Shore Counties by James W.

Hook. 929.273 Sm51hj.

     James married Mary Ann Irons, daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson.

      Didamia Irons was born on Apr 8, 1831 at Monmouth County, New Jersey. Didamia married John Tilton Clayton, son of Miles Clayton and Mary Tilton. Didamia Irons was the daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Didamia Irons died in 1862 at Silverton, Ocean County, New Jersey.

      Susannah Irons was born on Jan 1, 1829 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Susannah married Miles McKelvey, son of Robert McKelvey and Rebecca Tilton, in 1850. Susannah Irons died on Jan 28, 1895 at age 66.
     She was also known as Susan Irons.

      Gilbert C. Irons Jr. was born on Feb 4, 1827 at Silverton, Ocean County, New Jersey. He was born on Feb 4, 1827 at Tom's River, Ocean County, New Jersey. He was the son of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Gilbert married Mary Jane Smith, daughter of Richard W. Smith and Temperance (Unknown), on Apr 21, 1849 at Lumberton, Burlington County, New Jersey. Gilbert C. Irons Jr. died in 1869 at Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey.
     He began military service on Sep 19, 1864; enlisted as a Private. He Enlisted in Company A, 38th Infantry Regiment New Jersey on Sep 22, 1864. He ended military service on Jun 30, 1865 at City Point, City of Hopwell, Virgina; Mustered Out Company A, 38th Infantry Regiment New Jersey.

      Daniel B. Irons was born on Apr 6, 1825 at New Jersey. He was the son of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Daniel married Rebecca Hurley on Feb 24, 1849. Daniel B. Irons died on Feb 12, 1882 at Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, at age 56. Daniel was buried at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

      Hester Ann Irons was born on Nov 15, 1820 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Hester married Jonathan McKelvey on Mar 19, 1842. Hester Ann Irons died on May 16, 1914 at age 93.
     She was also known as Esther McKelvey. Book: Smith, Grant & Irons Families of New Jersey's Shore Counties by James W.

Hook. Pg. 211. 929.273 Sm51hj.

      James G. Irons was born on Nov 15, 1820 at New Jersey. He was the son of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. James married Sarah Wardell.
     James G. Irons was also known as John G. Irons.

      Deborah Irons was born on Sep 30, 1818 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. Deborah married Sylvester Tilton McKelvey, son of Richard McKelvey and Rebecca Tilton, on Dec 30, 1837 at Silverton, Ocean County, New Jersey. Deborah Irons died on Nov 25, 1909 at age 91.

      John or Ivins Irons was born on Aug 18, 1814 at New Jersey. He was the son of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson. John married Margaret Tilton. John married Elizabeth Tilton. John or Ivins Irons died in 1868.

      Elizabeth Irons was born on Nov 24, 1812 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson.
      Nickname: "Betsy"

Book: Smith, Grant & Irons Families of New Jersey's Shore Counties by James W.

Hook. 929.273 Sm51hj.

      Sarah Irons was born on Feb 14, 1811 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson.

      Mary Ann Irons was born on Dec 30, 1809 at New Jersey. Mary married James Johnson. Mary Ann Irons was the daughter of Gilbert C. Irons and Theresa Johnson.

     John married Elizabeth Haines.

     Elizabeth married John Roberts.

      Mary Roberts was born on Apr 10, 1792 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers. Mary married William Shim circa 1812 at Ohio.

     William married Mary Roberts, daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers, circa 1812 at Ohio.

      John Somers Roberts was born on Mar 8, 1796 at East Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut. He was the son of John Roberts and Esther Somers.

      Sarah Roberts was born on Mar 21, 1798 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers.

      Vincent Roberts was born on Oct 8, 1800 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Roberts and Esther Somers.

      Tamzen Roberts was born on May 30, 1802 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers. Tamzen married Isaac Rhoads. Tamzen Roberts died on Jul 17, 1889 at age 87.

     Isaac married Tamzen Roberts, daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers.

      John Roberts 3rd was born on Jul 16, 1804 at Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia. He was born on Jul 16, 1804 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Roberts and Esther Somers. John married Martha Dyer on Dec 12, 1827 at Franklin, Franklin County, Ohio. John Roberts 3rd died in Aug, 1872 at Monticello, White County, Indiana, at age 68.
     He was also known as Josiah Roberts.

      Hannah Roberts was born on Sep 1, 1806 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers. Hannah Roberts died on Jan 10, 1874 at age 67.

      Rebecca Roberts was born on Dec 19, 1808 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers.

      Jesse Roberts was born on Dec 10, 1811 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Roberts and Esther Somers.

      Elizabeth Roberts was born on Jan 11, 1794 at Somers Point, Atlantic County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers. Elizabeth married Seward Leslie Jackson, son of William Jackson and Mary Ann Cheseman, on Feb 23, 1826 at Warren County, Ohio. Elizabeth was buried in Sep, 1867 at Rehobeth Cemetery. She died in Sep, 1867 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, at age 73.

      Seward Leslie Jackson was born in 1790 at Woodbury, Gloucester County, New Jersey. He was the son of William Jackson and Mary Ann Cheseman. Seward married Elizabeth Roberts, daughter of John Roberts and Esther Somers, on Feb 23, 1826 at Warren County, Ohio. Seward was buried in Aug, 1867 at Rehobeth Cemetery. He died in Aug, 1867 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio.
     He removed to at Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, circa 1816. He removed to at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1818. He removed to at Macon, Missouri, in 1867.

     William married Mary Ann Cheseman.

     Mary married William Jackson.

      Harriett Jackson was born at Montgomery County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts. Harriett married George Winner.

     George married Harriett Jackson, daughter of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts.

      Tamszon Jackson was born circa 1830 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts. Tamszon Jackson died circa 1842 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio.

     Sarah Jackson was the daughter of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts. Sarah Jackson died circa 1842 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio.

      Malie Monroe Jackson was born on Apr 22, 1835 at Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. He was the son of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts. Malie married Amelia Jane Thompson, daughter of Samuel Thompson and Priscilla Gustin, on Nov 11, 1856 at Monroe, Butler County, Ohio. Malie Monroe Jackson died on Jul 11, 1926 at Berkeley, Alameda County, California, at age 91. Malie was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.
     He removed to at Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, in 1885.

      Amelia Jane Thompson was born on Feb 27, 1835 at Monroe, Butler County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Samuel Thompson and Priscilla Gustin. Amelia married Malie Monroe Jackson, son of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts, on Nov 11, 1856 at Monroe, Butler County, Ohio. Amelia Jane Thompson died in 1924 at Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. Amelia was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.

      Rebecca Jackson was born circa 1838 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts.

      Hannah A. Jackson was born on Dec 19, 1829 at Montgomery County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts. Hannah married John H. Burnham, son of John Burnham and Elizabeth Huston, on Feb 15, 1848 at Montgomery County, Ohio. Hannah A. Jackson died on Apr 25, 1906 at Daviess County, Missouri, at age 76.

      John H. Burnham was born on Mar 15, 1821 at Greene County, Ohio. He was the son of John Burnham and Elizabeth Huston. John married Hannah A. Jackson, daughter of Seward Leslie Jackson and Elizabeth Roberts, on Feb 15, 1848 at Montgomery County, Ohio. John H. Burnham died on Nov 25, 1893 at Altamount, Daviess County, Missouri, at age 72.

     John married Elizabeth Huston.

     Elizabeth married John Burnham.

      Elizabeth A. Burnham was born on May 29, 1850 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio. She was the daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson. Elizabeth married William Snyder on Jun 7, 1869 at Daviess County, Missouri. Elizabeth A. Burnham died on May 18, 1877 at Winston, Daviess County, Missouri, at age 26.

      William Snyder was born circa 1844 at Virgina. William married Elizabeth A. Burnham, daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson, on Jun 7, 1869 at Daviess County, Missouri.
     William Snyder was also known as Whitt Snyder.

      Henry P. Burnham was born on Jan 24, 1852 at Ohio. He was the son of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson. Henry married Laura B. Surface on Sep 23, 1879 at Daviess County, Missouri. Henry P. Burnham died after 1909.

     Laura married Henry P. Burnham, son of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson, on Sep 23, 1879 at Daviess County, Missouri.

      Anna May Burnham was born on Nov 28, 1854 at Ohio. She was the daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson. Anna married John C. Kalbfeisch on Nov 16, 1873 at Daviess County, Missouri. Anna May Burnham died on Aug 16, 1924 at El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma, at age 69.

      John C. Kalbfeisch was born circa 1846 at Canada. John married Anna May Burnham, daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson, on Nov 16, 1873 at Daviess County, Missouri.

      Ruth Alice Burnham was born on Feb 18, 1859 at Ohio. She was the daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson. Ruth Alice Burnham died on Dec 29, 1872 at Altamount, Daviess County, Missouri, at age 13.

      Harriet Louella Burnham was born on Dec 16, 1863 at Warren County, Ohio. She was the daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson. Harriet married Joseph Fabien Rocher on Mar 10, 1881 at Daviess County, Missouri. Harriet Louella Burnham died on Sep 23, 1934 at Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, at age 70.

      Joseph Fabien Rocher was born on Nov 9, 1853 at Valence, France. Joseph married Harriet Louella Burnham, daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson, on Mar 10, 1881 at Daviess County, Missouri. Joseph Fabien Rocher died on Feb 6, 1927 at Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, at age 73.

      Jennie Priscilla Burnham was born on Oct 5, 1865 at Warren County, Ohio. She was the daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson. Jennie married Louis P. Foster on Sep 22, 1888 at Daviess County, Missouri. Jennie Priscilla Burnham died after 1945.

      Louis P. Foster was born circa 1865 at Indiana. Louis married Jennie Priscilla Burnham, daughter of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson, on Sep 22, 1888 at Daviess County, Missouri.

      Daniel A. Burnham was born on Dec 2, 1848 at Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio. He was the son of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson. Daniel married Sarah O. J. Myers, daughter of Christopher M. Myers and Olive Amanda Cole, on Feb 8, 1877 at Daviess County, Missouri. Daniel A. Burnham died on Dec 25, 1936 at age 88.

      Sarah O. J. Myers was born circa Jan, 1860 at Daviess County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Christopher M. Myers and Olive Amanda Cole. Sarah married Daniel A. Burnham, son of John H. Burnham and Hannah A. Jackson, on Feb 8, 1877 at Daviess County, Missouri. Sarah O. J. Myers died in 1942 at California?

     Christopher married Olive Amanda Cole.

     Olive married Christopher M. Myers.

      Ida Mae Burnham was born on Nov 30, 1877 at Colfax Twp., Daviess County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Daniel A. Burnham and Sarah O. J. Myers. Ida Mae Burnham died on Jan 22, 1945 at Winston, Daviess County, Missouri, at age 67.

      Charlie Burnham was born at Colfax Twp., Daviess County, Missouri. He was the son of Daniel A. Burnham and Sarah O. J. Myers.

      Olive Burnham was born on Apr 22, 1880 at Colfax Twp., Daviess County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Daniel A. Burnham and Sarah O. J. Myers. Olive married Gilbert Welker on Mar 10, 1897 at Daviess County, Missouri. Olive Burnham died on Apr 2, 1959 at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, at age 78. Olive was buried at Memorial Park.

      Gilbert Welker was born on Nov 20, 1872 at Daviess County, Missouri. Gilbert married Olive Burnham, daughter of Daniel A. Burnham and Sarah O. J. Myers, on Mar 10, 1897 at Daviess County, Missouri. Gilbert Welker died on Jul 7, 1949 at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, at age 76.

      Earl Welker was born on Nov 9, 1898 at Missouri. He was the son of Gilbert Welker and Olive Burnham. Earl Welker died on May 27, 1991 at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, at age 92.

      Raymond Emmett Welker was born on Oct 2, 1903 at Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. He was the son of Gilbert Welker and Olive Burnham. Raymond married Georgia LaReine Quigley, daughter of John Quigley and Sarah Mattie Burlingame, on Jul 30, 1922 at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Raymond Emmett Welker died on Jan 5, 1997 at Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, at age 93.

      Georgia LaReine Quigley was born on Apr 28, 1902 at Drexel, Cass County, Missouri. She was the daughter of John Quigley and Sarah Mattie Burlingame. Georgia married Raymond Emmett Welker, son of Gilbert Welker and Olive Burnham, on Jul 30, 1922 at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Georgia LaReine Quigley died on Oct 4, 1974 at Houston, Harris County, Texas, at age 72.

     John married Sarah Mattie Burlingame.

     Sarah married John Quigley.

      Edna Welker was born on Mar 3, 1908 at Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Gilbert Welker and Olive Burnham. Edna Welker died on Dec 5, 1993 at Kingman, Kingman County, Kansas, at age 85.

      Abigail Somers was born in 1760. She was the daughter of John Somers and Esther Risley. Abigail married Samuel Risley, son of Samuel Risley and Judith Letart Somers.

      Mary VanDeventer was born circa 1777 at Loudoun County, Virgina. She was the daughter of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones.

      Thomas Jefferson VanDeventer was born on Oct 22, 1779 at Loudoun County, Virgina. He was born on Oct 22, 1779 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones. Thomas married Abigail Walling circa 1800 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. Thomas married Nancy Elkins, daughter of Robert Elkins and Sarah Ann Reardon Harvey, circa 1807 at Claiborne County, Tennessee. Thomas Jefferson VanDeventer died on Mar 17, 1855 at Hancock County, Tennessee, at age 75. Thomas was buried at Mulberry Gap Baptist Church, Hancock County, Tennessee.
     He was also known as Supposed son of Isaac and Saartje Thomas VanDeventer not listed in Genealogies of Long Island Families. He removed to at Hancock County, Tennessee, in 1804 or 1805.

      John VanDeventer was born on Sep 16, 1783. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones.

      Peter VanDeventer was born on Sep 20, 1781 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones. Peter married Elizabeth Watson on Feb 22, 1806. Peter VanDeventer died before 1837 at Sullivan County, Tennessee.

      Anna VanDeventer was born on May 13, 1774 at Loudoun County, Virgina. She was the daughter of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones. Anna married John Buckles, son of Abraham Buckles Sr. and Mary McEvars, in 1795 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. Anna VanDeventer died in 1857 at LeRoy, McLean County, Illinois. Anna was buried at Old Oak Grove Cemetery near, LeRoy, McLean County, Illinois.

      William VanDeventer was born in 1785. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones.

      Jacob VanDeventer was born on Nov 6, 1785 at Sullivan, Tennessee. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones. Jacob married Rachel Hughes at Sullivan County, Tennessee. Jacob VanDeventer died on Oct 24, 1833 at Buckles Grove, McLean County, Illinois, at age 47.

      Robert VanDeventer was born on Apr 20, 1788 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones. Robert married Marguette Rogers.

      Elizabeth VanDeventer was born on May 23, 1790. She was the daughter of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones.

      Abraham VanDeventer Jr. was born in Sep, 1795 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones. Abraham married Susannah Deloach.
     Abraham VanDeventer Jr. resided at at Logan County, Illinois.

      Charles Delham VanDeventer was born on Jun 7, 1797. He was the son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones.

      John Buckles was born on May 13, 1774 at Virgina. He was born on Nov 18, 1774 at Jefferson County, Virgina. He was the son of Abraham Buckles Sr. and Mary McEvars. John Buckles was born on Dec 18, 1774 at Berkley County, Virgina. John married Mary (Unknown). John married Anna VanDeventer, daughter of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones, in 1795 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. John Buckles died on Feb 20, 1844 at Empire Twp., LeRoy, McLean County, Illinois, at age 69. John was buried at Old Oak Grove Cemetery near, LeRoy, McLean County, Illinois.
     

John Buckles, son of Abraham Buckles and Mary McEvers, was raised by his maternal grandfather John McEvars. John served in War of 1812, Anna received bounty land in 1856 in Logan County or McLean County, Illinois. The following information came from Jerry Masters, in June 1999. It was printed in the, "History of Logan County, Illinois, 1982."


John married Anna VanDeventer in Tennessee. With pioneer blood in his system, John, with his young family, piloted his own boat down the Tennessee River, up the Ohio River, and the Wabash River into White County in Illinois. He settled in this area, and served as a Ranger during the War of 1812. His home, along with the many others, was burnt while he was serving with the Rangers and protection the frontier. John Buckles died in 1844, and was buried in "OLD OAK GROVE" cemetery near Leroy, Illinois. Anna VanDeventer Buckles died in 1857, and was buried beside him. They had ten children, Robert, Abram, Sarah, Peter, Abigail, Thomas, Andrew, William McClure, James and Washington.



THE HISTORY AND LIFE of JOHN BUCKLES Founder of BUCKLES GROVE - LEROY,ILLINOIS

Presented By
JOHN AARON BUCKLES SR. At Buckles Grove on 14 August 1977

Good afternoon and welcome kinfolks and friends. We are gathered here today to honor our forefather Johh Buckles. For those of you who do not know me, I am John Aaron Buckles Sr., one of the Great Great, Great Grandsons of John Buckles who settled in this grove in 1827. It is a special honor for me to be here and to present what has been reasoned and determined to be the History of the Life of John Buckles. I will begin with what is known about the Buckles family in the year 1594.John's Grandfather was Robert Buckles Sr., who was born about 1702 in Yorkshire, England. He was a Grandson of Sir Christopher or Cuthbert Buckles who died in 1594 while he was Lord Mayor of London. Robert was a son of a wealthy English landlord, but because of the system in England at that time, which gave the entire estate to the eldest son, and since Robert was not the eldest son, he ran away from home and came to America as a stowaway in 1719. He was 17 years old. About 1727, he married Ann Brown in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She was a Granddaughter of George Brown, who was a member of the Pennsylvania assembly, and had land in Bucks County. The Browns were Quakers of the Falls Meeting. In 1732 he and his wife came to Berkley County, Virginia with sixteen other families who bought land from the Van Meter grant of Jest Hite. He build a cabin over Rattlesnake Run about three miles southwest of where Shepherds town is now located. He was a member of the Rangers during the French and Indian Wars, and gave patriotic service in the Revolutionary War. He had six known children: James, Mary, Jane, Robert Jr., William and Abraham, father of John Buckles. He died in December 1790 and was buried on his farm in a tiny family cemetery near Shepherds town. In his will he left 400 acres to the sons of his deceased .
__________________________________________________________________________ ________

LeRoy's history far from humdrum
By NANCY STEELE BROKAW
For The Pantagraph

Related stories:
'Indian in the Park' a gift from eccentric West Town has old ties to Spiritualism.

LeROY -- LeRoy might fool a casual visitor. Driving through the town of 2,200, nothing jumps out as being out of the ordinary. There's an old, traditional downtown, a handful of fast-food restaurants, a small park, old houses in the center of town and newer houses on the fringes. Everything seems ordinarily small town, down-to-earth.

But, throughout its history, LeRoy has been anything but down-to-earth.

From the onset, LeRoy's story is tangled up with perceptions of the spirit world. The LeRoy area was once home to the American Indian tribe of Kickapoo. For hundreds of years, their burial grounds rested relatively undisturbed. But in recent years, the site of their village and burial grounds became a source of controversy when a mega-hog farm threatened to move in.

A LeRoy couple intervened, preserving the gravesites and created a park that has become home to the Kickapoo Nation annual powwow, a chance for the Kickapoo to return to honor the departed spirits of their ancestors.

But the American Indians were not the only LeRoy-area residents concerned with the spirits of their loved ones. The leading citizens in LeRoy's history -- Simeon West and J.T. and E.J. Crumbaugh were Spiritualists (see accompanying stories). They believed, among other things, that it is possible to communicate with the dead through mediums.

Kickapoo heritage: LeRoy's long link with the spiritual word began with the Kickapoo, who once
traveled freely over three-fourths of what is now the state of Illinois.

By the late 1700s, the Kickapoo put roots down a few miles outside of LeRoy. An 1818 map, made the year Illinois became a state, shows this "Grand Village of the Kickapoo." A surveyor in 1824 counted 2,000 to 3,000 Kickapoo and more than 5,000 graves.

According to American Indian historian and LeRoy area resident Don Evans, it's easy to see why the Kickapoo chose this site. Besides buffalo and an ample water supply, the village was near a large grove that "provided the Indians with food, shelter, and most of the things that they considered essential."

By 1832, nearly all of the Kickapoo had been forced out of Illinois, away from their settlements and the burial grounds they consider sacred.

Their Grand Village site passed through several hands. Bill and Doris Emmett bought half the site, unaware of the land's significance. However, as they learned of its history, they became active protectors. At the same time, plans were being made to locate a large hog facility on the north end of the Grand Village site, adjacent to the land owned by the Emmetts. The plans included a sewage treatment lagoon on the Kickapoo burial site.

Land buy: The Emmetts purchased this additional acreage in 1997. In their words, "Everything surrounding our being on this land convinced us (we) were being guided by a Greater Power." The Emmetts now own 270 acres in the heart of the original village.

They have dedicated more than 2 acres as a park to memorialize the Grand Village. The Emmetts have helped establish a foundation to enhance the park. Already, the park has 40 head of buffalo, the beginnings of a prairie and a commemorative marker.

Last May, the third annual Grand Village of the Kickapoo Nation Powwow took place on the site. It was co-sponsored by the Emmetts, the Grand Village board of directors, and Midwest SOARRING, an organization dedicated to preserving Indian culture and burial sites.

In 1998, the event drew about 500 members of the tribe and more than 6,000 visitors in two days.

The powwows represent the first unified gatherings of the Kickapoo since they fled across the Mississippi in 1832.

Patricia Gonzales, a Kickapoo woman, visited the Grand Village site. Later, she wrote of her experience: "Buried here, our ancestors made this earth sacred ground. Dying, they became the earth. ... The fact that I am here with them hums through my bones. The elders say that the old ones have prayed us all back; that's why, after at least 165 years, the Kikapua are returning."

By the early 1800s, the European settlers were moving in to claim the land.

(Among the early homesteaders was John Buckles, father of 13 children. He established a tannery and soon a settlement sprang up along Buckle's Grove. This attracted the attention of Gen. Asahel Gridley and Merritt Covell. They surveyed the land, purchased 80 nearby acres and laid out the town of
LeRoy.) The name came from a town in New York and later there was a bit of a flap over whether or not to capitalize the "R."

According to Flegel: "very soon after LeRoy had been laid out the whole town was circled by a racetrack. Horsemen came from Bloomington and other nearby towns. There was much betting and much excitement."

Later came chautauquas and the LeRoy fair, which Flegel said were considered among the best in the state. Bands often played summer concerts in the park pavilion.

A register from the old Keenan House Hotel in downtown LeRoy contains the signature of Thomas A. Edison. LeRoy library archival material indicates he was probably passing through on his way back from the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Edison, most likely, traveled by train. LeRoy depended on the
railroads in the early days to connect with the world.

The Big Four railroad first rolled into LeRoy in 1870. The line was so named because it originally stopped in Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis.

In order to provide a less expensive rail line than the Big Four, LeRoy citizens helped lay the track for the Punkin Vine, a narrow-gauge railroad that originated in West Lebanon, Ind., and terminated at the Big Four junction in LeRoy.

Thus connected, LeRoy chugged along -- an ordinary small town with some not-so-ordinary community leaders.

      Abigail Walling was born circa 1781 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. Abigail married Thomas Jefferson VanDeventer, son of Abraham VanDeventer and Mary Susannah Jones, circa 1800 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. Abigail Walling died in 1802.

      James VanDeventer was born on Nov 1, 1801 at Sullivan County, Tennessee. He was the son of Thomas Jefferson VanDeventer and Abigail Walling. James married Mary Ellen Hopkins in 1820. James VanDeventer died in 1882 at Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas.
     He was also known as James VanDeventer.

     Mary VanDeventer was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson VanDeventer and Abigail Walling.

      Mary Ellen Hopkins was born on Mar 29, 1803 at Tennessee. Mary married James VanDeventer, son of Thomas Jefferson VanDeventer and Abigail Walling, in 1820. Mary Ellen Hopkins died in 1866 at Denver, Denver County, Colorado.

      Thomas VanDeventer was born on Nov 25, 1820 at Mulberry Gap, Tennessee. He was the son of James VanDeventer and Mary Ellen Hopkins. Thomas married Elizabeth Arbogast on Jan 21, 1841. Thomas VanDeventer died on Oct 19, 1899 at LeRoy, McLean County, Illinois, at age 78.
      Clinton Public
(DeWitt County, Illinois)
Friday, October 20, 1899

HELPED BUILD RUCKER CHAPEL
Thomas Vandeventer, Who Assisted in Organizing DeWitt County, Died at Leroy

Thomas VANDEVENTER, one of the early settlers of DeWitt county, died Thursday at his home in Leroy at the advanced age of 78 years. He was born in Tennessee and came to Illinois in 1830, and had since resided in the north part of DeWitt and southern part of McLean counties, where he owned over 300 acres of fine farm land.

Mr. Vandeventer was married on Jan. 21, 1841, to Elizabeth ARBOGAST, the ceremony being performed by Robert H. POOL, a local minister of the M. E. church, who then traveled through the country on horseback. Six children were born to them, three having since died. The children are: James VANDEVENTER, born in 1841 and died in 1881; an infant who died in infancy; Daniel F., born in 1845, now lives south of Leroy; Thomas M., born Aug. 4, 1849, now lives in DeWitt county; Mary E., wife of Edward CAYTON, lives south of Leroy; George L., born in 1852 and died in 1898.

Mr. Vandeventer took an active part in the organization of DeWitt county in 1840 and at that time was personally acquainted with every inhabitant of the county. In early life Mr. Vandeventer joined the Baptist church and held his membership with that denomination until after his marriage, when he joined the
Methodist church under the preaching of Rev. Sam MARTINE, at the residence of David WOODARD. This small gathering of people continued to hold meeting in private homes until sufficient strength was developed to build Rucker Chapel, in which Mr. Vandeventer held a membership for thirty-three years. Funeral services will be held at Rucker Chapel, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Thornton CLARK, of Leroy.

      Rachel VanDeventer was born on Sep 27, 1822 at Mulberry Gap, Tennessee. She was the daughter of James VanDeventer and Mary Ellen Hopkins. Rachel married John Ely Dougherty on Oct 24, 1841 at De Witt, Illinois. Rachel married Jonathan Pearson on Nov 23, 1866. Rachel VanDeventer died on Mar 25, 1908 at age 85.

      Nancy VanDeventer was born in 1824. She was the daughter of James VanDeventer and Mary Ellen Hopkins.

      Rebecca VanDeventer was born circa 1826. She was the daughter of James VanDeventer and Mary Ellen Hopkins.

     William VanDeventer was the son of James VanDeventer and Mary Ellen Hopkins.

      Jabez Hopkins VanDeventer was born on Apr 28, 1831. He was the son of James VanDeventer and Mary Ellen Hopkins. Jabez Hopkins VanDeventer died on Dec 4, 1891 at Carbondale, Garfield County, Colorado, at age 60.