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Jersey County Page Veterans Page
Revolutionary War Soldiers, Jersey CountyInformation on these Soldiers has been put together from several sources: Honor Roll, IVC; On-Site Cemetery Readings; Library Sources such as ISGS “Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in IL; Census Readings for Madison, Greene & Jersey County; Early Land Patentees, Jersey County; etc. This information is to only be used as a research tool with documentation required. Compiled by Mary Ann Kaylor 
ARMSTRONG, Joshua – born 1 Aug 1756 in PA; died 25 Sept 1845; buried in Armstrong Cemetery (aka Richland), Sec. 20, English Township, Jersey County, Illinois; married to Sarah MORRIS; served as an “Artificer,” Pennsylvania; Private in North Carolina Continental troops. He was a soldier in Col. George Roger Clark’s expedition. A marker was placed on his grave by the DAR in 1930. A Joshua Armstrong is found in the 1820 Madison County, Illinois census, age over 45 in what was then called Ridge Prairie, but not sure this is the right Joshua. He was not found in an 1830 IL Census, maybe living with one of his children? He was a pensioner residing in Greene County, 31 January 1834, age 79. He is an early Land Patentee in Sec. 17 (patent #6693, 11 Apr 1835) and Sec. 20 (patent#7260, 25 Sept 1835) in English Township. In 1840 a Joshua is found in Jersey County, IL Census age 80/90. His widow, Sarah was on the pension roll 25 Sept 1845, as residing in Greene County, IL. Pension #W23461 PA.
BATES, William – born 1759 in PA; died in Feb 1848(one researcher states his death as 1843) in Madison County, Illinois; buried in Lock Haven Cemetery, Sec. 26 Elsah Township, Jersey County, IL. Married #1, Elizabeth Moore, 7 Dec 1784 Surry County, North Carolina. Served as a Private in South Carolina and North Carolina. He served in the First South Carolina Regiment, commanded by Col. Charles Pinckneyfrom April 14, 1776 to December 1776. Was a pensioner from Greene County, IL 28 May 1833 (Pension #S32105 NC), age 77 and Madison County Pension Census, 1 Jun 1840, age 82 according to “Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in Illinois” by the Illinois State Genealogical Society, 1976. William Bates was a early land patentee, purchasing land 10 Apr 1824 (patent#542) in Sec. 26 in what was then Greene County, IL but is now Elsah Township, Jersey County. He was not listed in the 1820 Madison County, Illinois census, the 1830 Greene County, Illinois census, but the index for 1840 Madison County lists a Wm. Bates. Pension files state he resided Greene in 1833 (now Jersey?). As Sec. 26 borders Madison County, it is possible he resided there with land ownership and burial in Jersey County.
Information submitted by Jane Burris, [email protected]. William Bates was honored last summer (1998) by the SAR in a ceremony at the Golf Course that was built over the family graves from his farm days. According to SAR records: “Soldier applied for a pension 5 Apr 1832 while residing in Greene County, IL, aged 75, with wife age 35, & children: Susannah 12, Joseph 10, William 8, & Mary Ann aged 6 months. Soldier was born in PA, lived on the Yadking River in NC at enlistment. His wife was Biths or Bithy, age 35 in 1832. Soldier had lived on the Mississippi River within 15 miles of Alton, IL since 1810.” His words about leaving Surry County were in a statement he made in his application for pension. He said, “Ever since the Revolutionary War, in which I lost many relations and property, beingpoor, I chose the Western Frontier, wishing more for revenge from the Indians, than a Pension from my country.”
CHANDLER, Joseph – born 10 Sep 1753 in VT; died 7 Nov 1844, age 91; buried Otterville-Noble Cemetery, Grafton, Jersey County Ilinois. He married Patience Mary ANDREWS 26 Nov 1779; they had children Hiram and Sally; Served as a Private from Conneticut and served in the Battle of Bennington with his father, who was killed. He was a pensioner while a resident of Wooster, Ohio. He died at the home of his son Hiram. His son Hiram was an early land patentee, purchasing land in Sec. 16 (school lands) Otter Creek Township, 31 Jan 1841.
COOPER, Jonathan E. – born 1758 in Maryland; died 10 Sep 1845; buried in Falkner Cemetery, English Township(Sec.36), Jersey County Illinois. His wife was Eleanor; served as a Private from Pennsylvania as a drummer. He was a pensioner while living in Kentucky. A DAR marker was placed in Falkner cemetery in 1935. After the War he removed to Kentucky and then came to Illnois in 1835, settling four miles southwest of Jerseyville. He was an early land Patentee, buying land in Sec. 36, English Township, 1 Dec 1839 (patent#12192). He is listed in the 1840 Jersey County, Illinois census, age 80/90.
CUMMINGS, Josiah – born Connecticut; buried Mississippi Township, Jersey County, Illinois; was married to a Mrs. Gillis; served as a soldier from Vermont and was at the Battle of Bennington in VT and served in General Wayne’s campaign against the Indians. He participated in the defeat of the Army of General Arthur St.Clair. There is a Josias Cummins listed in the 1820 Madison County, Illinois census, age over 45. A Josiah Cummings was an early land patentee purchasing land in Sec. 11, Mississippi Township, Jersey County, 2 Dec 1839. Patent #10225.
FALKNER, James – buried in Falkner Cemetery, Sec. 36, English Township, Jersey County, Illinois. Served from Virginia. There is an early land record for Sec. 30, John FALKNER who purchased land in Jersey South Township, which borders English.
GILLHAM, William – born 1750 in Virginia; died 27 Oct 1825; buried East Newbern Cemetery, Jersey County, Illinois; was marriedto Jane McDAW; resided in Madison County, Illinois with his brothers before removing to Jersey County. His brothers were Revolutionary War soldiers, and bronze tablets are erected at the Madison County Courthouse in Alton, in their honor. His brothers are listed as Isaac, James, John and Thomas. William served as a Private and Sergeant from South Carolina and before and after the fall of Charleston, in Brandon’s Regiment. Was the son of Thomas Gillham who was also a Revolutionary Soldier. His grave is marked by the DAR. A William Gillham is listed as an early land patentee in Mississippi Township, Sec. 24, having purchased the land 10 Apr 1824 (Patent#546). There are several Gillham patentees listed, some of William’s son, in Mississippi Township as well as McDOW & LOFTON listings.
Revolutionary War Audited Account Folder #2853: submitted by Ray Hart,[email protected]. WILLIAM GILLHAM died at the home of his son, John Davidson Gillham, October 27,1825. William Gillham was the father of John D. and Ezekiel Gillham, and the father-in-law of John G. LOFTON and John McDOW. He and his father, Thomas Gillham, six brothers, and two brothers-in-law, were Revolutionary War soldiers. After the close of the war, in 1812, William and four of his brothers located in Madison County, Illinois, where four of them remained, but William and his family located in Lofton’s Prairie in 1816, and he died at the residence of his son, John D., in 1825. (Some of the Gillhams came to Madison County, before 1812.) His father, Thomas Gillham, came from Ireland and settled in Virginia in 1730, later moving to South Carolina, where he reared his family and he and all the male portion of his family enlisted in behalf of the colonies, and through William and his family, their direct knowledge, experiences and family history may be traced back of the establishment of the government of the United States. Thomas Gillham was married and had one son when he arrived in Augusta County, Virginia, from Ireland. This would have made him quite old for military service at the time of the Revolutionary War, but he undoubtedly did serve in the war. He died in York County, South Carolina, and is buried there. William, John D. and other Gillhams are buried at the East Newbern Cemetery, which is also near Dow, Illinois. The church there is a Methodist Church. The DAR has placed a plaque on the tombstone of William Gillham.
Jonah Scoggins. GRAVE OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER TO BE HONORED
A 30-year dream of Greenfield resident William Scoggins was realized Aug. 18, with the placement of a headstone marking the grave of Revolutionary War soldier Jonah Scoggins at Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Jonah Scoggins was the great-great grandfather of William Scoggins.
Scoggins dream to honor the grave of his ancestor began taking shape three decades ago, and evolved into a promise that during his lifetime he would make sure that Jonah Scoggins received long-overdue recognition as one of the United States first soldiers. However, early efforts to trace the military service of his great-great grandfather soon revealed that many questions would have to be answered before the grave could qualify for a memorial, while records which might provide those answers were scattered and incomplete. Scoggins persevered, conducting his research whenever the duties of raising a family and operating his barber shop in Greenfield permitted. Over the years, he searched through countless records and spent hours interviewing relatives.
The dream of honoring Jonah Scoggins’ grave became part of his children’s stories told at bedtime, and provided a favorite topic of conversation at the barber shop. As the years passed, Bill Scoggins’ son Harold joined him on his many visits to area cemeteries, repairing broken and vandalized tombstones. But when Scoggins retired a few years ago, his dream of a memorial for his Revolutionary War ancestor remained just that a dream.
Meanwhile, Harold Scoggins had grown up and joined the US Army. With his fathers blessing and guidance, he began making phone calls and performing research at Ft. Sill, Okla., where he is stationed as a first sergeant. Finally, their search produced the evidence which was needed. However, tragedy struck the family before the headstone could be delivered. Williams wife of more than 42 years, Nola Mae Scoggins, became ill and died. Bill called and asked his cousin, Carrollton resident Marty Crull, if he could assist with the arrival of the stone and organize a memorial service with the Apple Creek Prairie chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. With Crulls help, the stone marker was placed on Jonah Scoggins’ grave Aug. 18. Members of the local DAR chapter have scheduled a memorial ceremony in September.
“Dreams can and do come true,” said Scoggins. “This county owed a special thanks to men like Jonah Scoggins who so many years ago had a dream as well.” (no source or date)
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