I am looking for info on any families, farms and businesses in the area of Illiopolis Township, in eastern Sangamon County, with particular emphasis on time frame from settlement in 1826 up to about 1860. If you have info that goes beyond Powers Early Settlers or the various county histories I am interested in communicating with you. I'm gathering information for a master's thesis. I want to emphasize what it was like to live there in those days, especially for the women and children. The town itself didn't officially come into existance until near the end of this period. Does any one know who the Mrs. Anderson, a widow, was. She is listed as the first settler in the township in 1826. My anscestor, James Hunter didn't arrive until 1828. Other families in the area that are related are Dickerson, Donner, Bridges, Lucas, Hampton, Hall, Mulligan, Wilkerson, Morgan and others. There seems to have been some mobility and intermarriage between Illiopolis, Mechanicsburg, Mt. Auburn, Buffalo Hart and Mt. Pulaski families. At least in the early days I think these were all part of Sangamon county, even tho later Mt. Pulaski ended up in Logan and Mt. Auburn ended up in Christian counties. I'd be particularly interested in any early accounts of day to day life, such as journals, etc. Some of the folks were illiterate, and those who were able to read and write were probably very busy and had little time, but there could be some reminisces out there of old settlers or mothers or grandmothers passing on the family heritage to their children or grandchildren. Thank you, Dave Hunter Nicea@aol.com