Scott County Firsts

This is part of the Scott County Illinois website, which in turn is part of the Illinois and US GenWeb Projects. Here you will find recorded a lot of "firsts" for Scott County. If you have corrections or suggestions to improve this page, or if you have Scott County-related resources that you would like to make available online but you lack the space or the expertise, please contact the County Coordinator at: [email protected].

The first cabin built in Scott County was built by Thomas Allen in Feb, 1820. He was among a party of six: Thos. Stevens, Jas. Scott, Alfred Miller, Thos. Allen, John Scott, and Adam Miller.

The first white woman to settle within the limits of Scott County was Sarah Allen, who settled there in April, 1820.

The first grave was for Mrs. Spencer and her child. She died in childbirth and was buried in the 'old burying ground' south of Winchester.

The first teacher was Miss Jennette Wheeler and she married Phineas Bronson.

The first term of Circuit Court convened on 27 May 1839. Honorable William Thomas, of Jacksonville, was judge. Robert H. McDow was the sheriff and Levi Harlan the circuit clerk.

The first indictment returned into this court was against James Combs, for gaming.

The first common-law suit was the case of Jacob Pennager against Martin Eickelburner and John Morrison.

The first jury trial occurred on 27 May 1839, in the case of Danile Roberts and Wm. H. Wilson against Joseph Gates.

The first jury was composed of James Clanton, William Summers, John Fry, Bennett Gray, Sylvester Moss, Micajah Cox, James M. Wilson, Robert Morrison, Bird Peek, William Clark, George Gray, and Theron Brownson.

The first naturalization was that of Benjamin Pierson, a British subject. He was the first man to declare his intentions in Scott County Circuit Court to become a citizen of the United States of America.

The first Chancery suit on the docket was the case of John Carter against Levi Harlan and Edward G. Miner. The venue was changed and the suit moved to Morgan County.

The first divorce case was James Ray against Elizabeth Ray. The case was dismissed by the complainant

The first divorce granted was in the case of Sally Ann Hopper against Solomon C. Hopper.

The first partition suit was between the heirs of John Moore.

The first criminal trial was in the case of the People against S.R. Powell, on a charge of gaming. The jury was composed of John McLaughlin, Samuel Peek, Hiram Walker, Larkin Sullens, Joseph Leighton, George Camp, John Moore, James Sawyers, Thomas Bell, John Leggett, John Joslyn and Major Herron. The jury found the defendant not guilty.

The first indictment for murder was returned by the grand jury 11 May 1841, against George Gardner, Thomas Crew and Jonathan Crew, for the unlawful killing of Phillip W. Nash in Exeter. Venue was changed and the case moved to Morgan County. Stephen A. Douglas presided as the judge.

The first county officers were:

• Joseph W. Ormsbee-Representative
• Thomas M. Killpatrick-State Senator
• Edward Mitchell-County Commissioner
• David Rankin-County Commissioner
• Absalom Peak-County Commissioner
• Robert H. McDow-Sheriff
• John Kirkpatrick-Probate Justice
• Francis Stebbins-Recorder of Deeds
• Nathan M. Knapp-County Clerk
• George M. Richards-County Surveyor
• Theron Brownson-County Treasurer
• Jeremiah Fahnestock-Coroner

The first railroad was built by Charles Collins from Naples, a wooden-track railroad. The first iron-track railroad was the Old Northern Cross road from Jacksonville to Meredosia, built in 1837-1839.

The first town laid out was Exeter; laid out by Enoch C. March, 18 Jun 1825.

The first city in the county was Winchester; organized 13 November 1876.

The first land entry was entered for the east half of the S.E. 1/4, Sec. 8, T. 13, R. 12, entered by Joel Meacham, 15 Aug 1822.

The first hanging was the hanging of Benjamin Smith in October of 1852.

The first school was taught in a log cabin a little southeast of where Exeter now stands.

The first courthouse was built on the public square in Winchester.

The first jail was built of hewed logs upon the site of the current jail.

The first locomotive came to Winchester in October, 1869.

The first grand jury included eighteen persons: Robert Houston (foreman), Ebenezer Rice, John Leib, Martin Funk, Samuel Crawford, Thomas M. Killpatrick, Robert Sands, Samuel Robb, William Smith, John Summers, Holston Todd, William Horrell, Adison McPheters, Jesse Husted, Elisha Nelson, Samuel Peek, James Gillham, and Reuben C. Wetmore. The constable of Exeter, Nathan W. Swift, was the officer to attend this first grand jury.

The first marriage was that of Josiah Canady to Julia Scott on 28 Mar 1839, with Wm. H. Strong officiating.

The first will was the will of William M. Ramsey. It was made 8 Oct 1835, and was proved 4 May 1839. The witnesses were Robert Gibbs, Reuben Howard and Chas. Gillham. Elam Brown and Micajah Cox were the executors in this will and letters testamentary were issued to Micajah Cox on 1 Jun 1839, by John Kirkpatrick, probate justice of the peace.

The first letters of administration were issued to James Morrison upon the estate of Reason Brown, 6 Apr 1839.

The first financial report was made in the estate of Robert Gray by Nimrod Fund, 4 Sep 1841.

The first guardianship letters were issued 3 Jun 1839, to Davis Bunch as guardian of the minor heirs of Anthony New. Those minor heirs were Serenda R. New, Charles W. New, Nancy New, and William M. New.

The first deed recorded in the county was made by Jon Mikel and Sally Mikel, his wife, to William Jones, 19 Mar 1839.

The first mortgage recorded was made by Perkin Thompson to Edward Ray on 5 Apr 1839, and was acknowledged on the same day before Joel Sugg, justice of the peace. Satisfaction of this mortgage was entered on the record by the mortgagee 12 Jan 1843.

The first thoroughbred cattle in the county were imported by John Otley and his wife, Jane Chapman Otley, who came to Scott Co. from Yorkshire, England, in 1840.

We hope you enjoyed this list. If you have any other firsts for Scott County, please contact the County Coordinator so they can be added to this list.

Much of the information contained here was found in the book "Scott County Bicentennial Book". Published by the Jones Publishing/Dl'aine Publishing dba as The Bluff Times and The Winchester Times in the Summer of 1976. A BIG thank you goes to them for allowing us to use their book as a source for the above information.

The Bluffs Times has the original hard copies of their issues from the beginning of the newspaper. The copies are very brittle and delicate, but they will try to help researchers who are looking for early obituaries. They are very careful in their handling of these newspapers, turning the pages with pieces of cardboard very carefully. It is nice to know that the early history is being preserved in this manner and with this care. You can contact the Bluff Times at:

The Bluffs Times
P.O. Box 320
Bluffs, IL 62621