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Maxwell Family Excerpts
McLean County, Illinois

(Transcribed and Submitted by Arthur Maxwell)

State of Illinois Land Purchase, Record Number 219218, John Maxwell, dated 10 October 1829. John purchased 80 acres of land at $1.25 per acre from the Federal Government in McLean County, Section 5, Township 23N, Meridian 3, Section Part W2SE, Range 02E, Purchaser Residence, Tazewell County. [Archive Volume Number 145, Volume Page Number 008.] State of Illinois Land Purchase, Record Number 219217, John Maxwell, dated 30 October 1829. John purchased 80 acres of land at $1.25 per acre from the Federal government in McLean County, Section 8, Township 23N, Meridian 3, Section Part W2NE, range 02E, Purchaser Residence, Tazewell County. [Archive Volume Number 145, Volume Page Number 009.] The first petit jury called together in this county, in the spring of 1832, was composed as follows: Andrew Brock, Gabriel Watt, Thomas Cuppy, John Moore, Esq., David Noble, Silas Waters, Amos Conaway, Henry Ball, Eli Frankerberger, Benjamin Hains, John Kimler, John H. S. Rhodes, JOHN MAXWEL L, SR., James Canada, Henry Hains, John Durley, Lewis Soward, Patrick Hopkins, Jacob Spawr, Absalom Funk, John Dixon, David Wheeler, JAMES TOLIVE R, Mathew Robb. [Page 197 THE HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, printed 1879] At the January term, 1832, a petition was presented to the court signed by DAVID MAXWELL, and others, praying for a road to be established, commencing at the west end of Front Street, in the town of Bloomington, thence to JAMES TOLIVER'S, JOHN MAXWELL'S, Samuel Rhodes, Timothy M. Gates, Nathan Low's, John Hougham's, and thence to Funks Grove. The petition was granted, and Isaac Baker, James Allen and James Latta were appointed to view and the same and report. [Page 216 THE HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, printed 1879] At the December term, 1832, and at the February term, 1833, the County Commissioners' Court granted deeds to the following named gentlemen, who had bought town lots in Bloomington at the public sale of said lots on the 4th of July, 1831. The record of the sale appears not to be obtainable; but the following are believed to be substantially the names of the purchasers; James Latta, MARTIN SCOTT, A. Gridley, Nathan Low, William R. Ro berson, JOHN MAXWELL, Ebenezer Rhodes, Cheney Thomas, Solomon Dodge, Caleb Kimler, Jesse Frankerberger, Jesse Havens, Frederick Trimmer, M. L. Covell, John W. Dawson, David Wheeler, Alvin Barnett, JONATHAN CHENEY, Joseph B. Harbert, Eli Frankerberger, Hezekiah M. Harbert, Richard Gross, William Harbert, Samuel Durley, Orman Roberson, Baily Kimler, Baily H. Coffey, Lewis Soward, John W. Harbert, Isaac Baker and Absolom Funk. [Page 219 THE HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, printed 1879] The following heads of families were living within what are now the city limits of Bloomington before the town was laid out, in 1830, while it is probable a few others among them Dr. Baker and Rev. Mr. Latta- should also be included in this list; but we have placed them in the list of those living in the Grove. In the whole settlement, there were fifty families: Henry Miller, JAMES TOLLIVER, James Allin, John Greenman, WILLIAM EVAN S, JOHN MAXWELL, John Kimler and James Mason lived in what is now the city of Bloomington. [Page 317 THE HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, printed 1879] JOHN MAXWELL and JAMES TOLLIVER lived in the southwest part of the city, where their land is in part now known as the Tolliver Addition to the city of Bloomington. Upon the death of his son William Maxwell in 1839 the executors of his estate required verification of all out standing unpaid bills. His father John Maxwell was owed $1.75 as per the below statement. William Maxwell Estate 1838 To John Maxwell Nov 20 To part of side upper leather $1.75 John Maxwell being duly sworn doth depose and say that the above amount is just and unpaid. Signed John Maxwell Sworn and Subscribed before me this 17th day of February. 1840. Wells Colton Probate Justice [Page 328 THE HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, printed 1879]