I recently examined the BLM Land Patent Records for Illinois and came across some deed entries for a George Cochran, 1818, in Schuyler County. It seems he was given some land parcels for services rendered as a soldier, parhaps in the War of 1812. Now, the truth is I've been looking at any and all George Cochrans (and all of the variant spellings of this name) for some time in the hopes of finding a link to my ancestor Lewis Cochran/Coughran born in 1811 somewhere in Illinois. However, up until now I haven't had any reason to go so far north at this early a date. I thought that there weren't any true counties this far north in 1818. (Perhaps I need a quick education in the history of the formation of Illinois counties.) Can anyone shed any light on this George Cochran? Is he related to the Jackson and Randolph County Cochrans? Does anyone know the names of his children? Thanks, Bob Foster