Thomas Scully was an Irish landowner who came to central Illinois and bought large acreages of raw prairie in northwest Logan County, also near Dwight and east of Springfield, at the time the area was being settled. I believe he may also have had acreage in Kansas. A number of family stories in the 1982 Logan County history recount how the writers' ancestors came to US as laborers to install field tile in Scully lands or to "break" the prairie for farming. A significant number were German background, and the communities of Hartsburg and Emden have large numbers with this background even today. Scully heirs remain owners of the land today, nearly 150 years later, and the land is rented out under a unique form of tenure. Scully leased the land with practically lifetime tenure, so long as the tenant follows certain prescribed farming practices. Tenants may even erect their own buildings on the property. Scully leases also have resale value, I believe. I believe the lease management company is headquartered in Lincoln. The Scully residence I am aware of was northwest of Lincoln about 2-3 miles, and off to the west of Ill.Rte. 121 (now I-155) on the north side of a creek. I believe it was acquired by the Humane Society a couple of decades ago.