Here is what I gleaned from reading the book "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884" Globe Publishing Co, Chicago, 1884. It is in the genealogy section of the Seattle Public Library. On p 379 In reference to Dr. Peter Green, who seems to have been a very busy and influential guy all over Clay County, "Dr. Peter Green was a physician of more than ordinary ability, and an active, enterprising man, who realized the central location of the place, and probably with a view of having the county seat relocated in the future, he began early to buy up land around the town [Louisville TWP] and promote its interest. He was a native of Kentucky, and lived many years near Salem in Indiana, where he ran a furniture shop, ox mill and distillery, on account of which latter occupation he was expelled from the Methodist Episcopal Church. His fondness for liquor, or at least his persistence in having it around him, caused him much family trouble, and has cast a shadow over the otherwise commendable career of a man who had done much for Louisville, in fact more then any other man. While in Indiana, he also read medicine and practiced it with Dr. Harris for two years before he came ! to Clay County, which was in 1829, locating in Maysville [IL], then the county seat. The Doctor was married twice. His first wife, Mary Britton, who died in Indiana, was the mother of four children, viz. George, Margaret Sullivan, Mary Johnson and Rachel who are all dead [in 1884] but their descendents are yet living in this county and Indiana. His second wife, Ann Jean, was a native of Indiana, bud died in Louisville. She was the mother of five children, viz. Martha (wife of William Stoker, a prominent lawyer in Centralia), Sarah (deceased, former wife of Dr. J. Hallam, of Centralia), Adeline (deceased, former wife of M. Griffin, once a prominent lawyer of Louisville), Helen (wife of Dr. Allen Barnes, now a resident of Bloomington, Illinois), and Thomas (deceased). While Dr. Green lived in Maysville, he followed his profession mainly. In 1838, he bought forty acres of land from Crawford Lewis, on which stood the old Goble Mill, whose one-half interest he sold to Morga! n. On this land, the old town was laid out. Two houses were alre other by George Green for a store, this was the first regular store. In this building was afterward held the first court since the relocation of the county seat." There is some later reference to Mrs. Dr. Green and her daughter Adeline, p 387 being founding members of some Methodist Episcopal church in 1845-obviously, Dr. Green was not welcome. So Dr. Green came with Ann Jean in 1829. On p 429 On the Xenia TWP section, it says that Isaac Elliot came from Washington Co, IN to Clay Co, IN, in 1822, buying Land Section 1, Xenia (He was born in NC 8-Jan-1800, father John Elliot died in NC in 1807, so his mother Susanna Cleaver left for Indiana Territory shortly after her husband's death with kid(s). Isaac married Delilah Walker in Floyd Co, IN in 1824.) It mentions he is a Methodist Episcopal (ME) member. Later on p 464, on Bible Grove TWP "Three families who had been members of the ME church in Washington Co, IN, emigrated to Bible Grove TWP , organized a ME church in 1843: Stephen & Mary Hardin, Abraham & Elizabeth Hardin, and George and Hannah Monical. (by the way, early Clay co settler A. T. Hardin's b 25-Jan-1824 parents were John Hardin and Ellen Colclasure (she b 1748 in Hardin Co, KY). He married Winifred Chenowith (Elias and Elizabeth (McIntosh) Chenowith) It appears some of your ME type folks came early into Clay Co, because it was a major Trail crossing (Vincennes Trail). Indian battles and the Black Hawk Indian war kept the number of settlers down until it was settled c 1832. The influx of people was increased by the construction of the Ohio and Mississippi RR, started in 1852 and the first train in 1855. (they brought in a large number of Irish Catholic workers for this who most seemed to have moved on-but that doesn't impact us.) From what I can tell, Clay City is mostly settled by your ME types. I surmise that their were several ME family "trail" breakers who moved to Clay Co early on, and then promoted it to their fellow church members after the Indian Wars. It does not explain at all why my Catholic Thompson's ended up there! Why did Edward Thompson and his wife Mary Jane Mattingly end up in Clay County? Who did they meet up with? Other things of Interest. A John Speaks shows up 1st time in 1828 on a Grand Jury, Harter TWP (p 325), plus on p 352-3 in reviewing volunteers for the Black Hawk War they list a John Speaker (probably Speak(e)s) as mustered out of Third Regiment of the First Brigade of Illinois Mounted Volunteers, called up 29-May-1832 and mustered out 15-Aug-1832. On p. 431, First death of a child in Xenia is child of John Speaks in Sect 12, child buried in what is now Camp Ground Graveyard. Who is this John Speaks and where did he come from? A John Thompson (p 361) settled in Section 18 of Harter TWP near Flora -Who is this guy and where did he come from? p. 366 James M. Haines was elected Collector in Harter TWP -who is he and where did he come from? James Porter was Constable-who is he and where did he come from? P371 21-APR-1858 The First Presbyterian Church was organized in Xenia with members including J. M. Haines and Belinda Haines-who are they and where did they come from? p. 373 A Dr. John Van Cleve was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Southern IL conference-who is he and where did he come from? p.386 The deed to the ground of the Louisville Baptist Church 25-Mar-1851 by Jeptha & Rebecca Allen, the first Baptist meeting house in this region of the country. P. 427, Oskaloosa TWP Old Baptist Church members include Jeptha Allen and his wife. Jeptha Allen (p 422) settled in Section 5 of Oskaloosa, died leaving no descendents in the TWP-Who are they and where did they come from? P 388 C.H, Porter, Collector of Town of Louisville 1861 A. H. Porter, Assessor 1863 p.427 Harris Gammon, JP year ? His parents and where he came from? William Krutsinger, Supervisor yr? Which William is he? p. 433 Charter members in 1865 of the Xenia Lodge No 485 A.F. & A. M. (what's this?) -first in Oskaloosa then moved to Xenia-William Gammon, Senior Warden, William Krutsinger, Jr. Warden, Silas Gammon, Secty. Members Harris Gammon and A. H. Porter p 434 Org of Christian Church in Xenia in 1884-Asa Porter is Church Clerk in 1884 Xenia Supervisor in 1877 A. H. Porter -which Porter is he? 1883 Clerk G.M. Allen - who is he and where does he come from? p. 465 Christian Church organized in 1875 in Bible Grove TWP, Elder W. H. Krutsinger was first minister. William Clifton came from Orange Co, 1852, p 17 of biographies. Melissa Thompson Alexander www.familytreemaker.com/users/a/l/e/Melissa-T-Alexander/ listowner: CECIL-L@rootsweb.com; KRUTSINGER-L@rootsweb.com Edmonds, WA USA