A BRIEF REGIONAL HISTORY
The History of Greene County relates that at the beginning of the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States, the settlers in the Territory of Illinois were scattered over a wide area. A few improvements had been made along the western border of Wabash River and there were settlements in southern Illinois, “but the Wood River, near Alton, was the northern frontier” (235). After the close of the war in 1815, the first pioneers to leave the Wood River neighborhood halted and built their cabins south of the Macoupin, opposite to Taylor’s Creek These were the families of Daniel Allen and the two Harriford brothers, all from Tennessee (239). The next year the Allens moved six miles west, the Harrifords moved to Missouri, and Thomas Daniels of Georgia arrived (240). These were the earliest settlers of what is now Greene County.
The real tide of immigration did not start until after the treaty of Edwardsville, which was signed July 30, 1818 (240). The purchase of ten million acres of land and the formation of the state of Illinois December 3, 1818, brought a flood of pioneers into the area. They come by way of canals, lakes, and rivers or overland in ox-drawn wagon trains. They found a land that had rich, dark soil a diversity of plant and animal life. It was rugged land, they settled along the creeks where stands of timber were adjacent to the open prairie (239). After the settlement of the Macoupin Creek bottom and the general area of Carrollton and Kane, some pioneers crossed the Macoupin and settled in the Rockbridge area while others pushed north of Apple Creek.
When Greene County was formed in January of 1821, its territory included the present counties of Jersey, Macoupin, Scott, and Morgan (250). Morgan County, which took Scoot with it, was separated from Greene County in 1823. Macoupin separated in 1829 and Jersey in 1829. The 1821 Act that formed Greene also provided for a five man commission to choose the location for the county seat. The men wee Thomas Rattan, John Allen, Thomas Carlin, John Green, and John Huitt, Sr. (249). Since land owned by Thomas Carlin was one of the prime possibilities for a county seat, he supposedly took part in the discussions but not the vote. The four men made their decision while they were standing on the east side of what is now the Carrollton square: “John Allen paced fifty yards to the west, drove a stake, and said, ‘Here let the Court House be built’” (253).
Compiled by Alice Bartelli
What’s in a name?
One of he most trusted generals of Revolutionary Army was Nathaniel Greene, who served his country in man capacities throughout his military career. Born May 27, 1742, Greene, a Quaker, was raised in Rhode Island where he studied many books on military science. At age 28, Greene was elected to the General Assembly of Rhode Island.
Following the battles at Lexington and Concord, Greene was appointed major- general and commanded the 1,600 men protecting Boston from British attacks. Under Washington, Greene fought in many battles in the northern states, thus establishing a close bond between the two commanders.
During winter quarters at Valley Forge, Washington appointed Greene quartermaster-general, giving him the responsibility of securing food and supplies for the entire army. After Benedict Arnold’s betrayal, Greene took command of the army at West Point.
Despite his work in the north, Greene’s most well known accomplishments occurred in the southern theater of war. Fearing that the British would easily conquer the south and strengthen their position for moving north, Washington gave Greene the responsibility of weakening the British army in the southern states.
Having a small, inexperienced army, Greene’s strategy was to keep rivers and streams between his army and the enemy until he could strengthen his forces. Finally in March 1781, Greene’s army battled Cornwallis’ army at the Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina. Due to his losses, Cornwallis was forced to retreat into Virginia. With similar success, Greene defeated the British in South Carolina and inspired the defeat of the British I Georgia.
Once the war ended, Congress officially recognized Greene for his eminent service to the country. Greene decided to retire to some land he was awarded in Georgia. June 19, 1786, just four years after the war, Greene died of illness. It is said that the entire nation mourned his passing for he was a man who served his young nation with honor and courage.
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