Michael Goguen

Jane Webb (of Warren County, Tennessee), (Jane was born July 18, 1786 in Rowan County, North Carolina or Fayette County, Virginia, which is now part of Kentucky 52). She died (March 15 or 18, 1834) in Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois [Petersburg was in Sangamon County prior to 1839]. (Her maiden name was Hillis, confirmed by Verda J. Baird in her book: “Jefferson County, Iowa – 77 Cemeteries – 1839 – Dec. 1990” in which she states that Jane Hillis, wife of William Webb, Sr., was buried in “Minard” County, Illinois in March of 1834. Of four submitted trees for Jane Hillis on familysearch, one stated that Jane was buried in Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois, and her parents were Robert Hillis and Sarah McDowell; however, no sources were provided. No other alternative was provided by these submitted trees.) [Note that the cited publication was published in 1876, 42 years after Jane’s death in Illinois. It is misleading to locate birth locations based upon present-day political jurisdictions. Warren County, Tennessee is certainly not the jurisdiction in which she was born, for neither Warren County nor Tennessee was in existence at the time of her birth. Kentucky is mentioned as a possible birthplace location, but the State of Kentucky did not come into existence until 1792. Rather, she was born either in Rowan County, North Carolina, or Fayette County, Virginia, which became part of Kentucky in 1792. The reasoning for this is that her parents, along with her father’s mother and his brothers and sisters, moved from Rowan County, North Carolina to Fayette County, Virginia about 1786 after her father’s father died and this is apparently the same year as her birth. Her parents eventually moved once again to the vicinity of present day Van Buren County, Tennessee, for that is where she was married – in 1801 or before – and where her father was buried between 1826 and 1828. An obituary of her son, Isaac, indicates that he was born in Warren County, Tennessee, and that the family settled near Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois in 1829 just a few months after Isaac was born. This would explain the vague reference of Jane being “of Warren County, Tennessee”, the county adjacent to Van Buren County. She had a close friendship with her father’s sister, Ann Jean Hillis. Her grave site does not show up in Illinois on findagrave; she may have been buried on private property. Interment does not cover Cass, Morgan or Menard County. She does not appear in the Sangamon County Probate Case Files Index for any date between 1821 and 1906. Menard County does not have probate records prior to 1839 (the date when Menard County was formed).]

William Webb may have been born either about 1773, or on August 11, 1777 in Martinsburg, an independent city enclosed within the county of Berkeley, Virginia (now part of West Virginia) – or, in Martinsville (the county seat of Henry County, Virginia). He married Jane Hillis in Warren County, Tennessee no later than February 1802. They lived there until at least 1829. Their daughters, Melvina, Effie and Polly, all died before 1820. In 1829, just a few months after their youngest child, Isaac, was born, the family then moved to the vicinity of Petersburg in Morgan County, Illinois. Their daughter, Jenny, died in 1833. William’s wife, Jane, died March 15 or 18, 1834 in Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. In 1835, with four of his daughters and wife dead, William moved his family to Spring Creek Township, Pike County, Illinois, eight miles west of Springfield. William then moved with his children to Keokuk County, Iowa. He died on May 25, 1842, in Jefferson County, Iowa in the home of his son, Isaac Webb. William was buried in May 1842 in Blue Point Cemetery, North East Packwood, Blackhawk Township, Jefferson County, Iowa. No tombstone was placed to mark the grave. Jane was born July 18, 1786 in Warren County, Tennessee. They had 14 known children. An unsourced listing suggests that William Webb was born in Martinsville, an independent city surrounded by the County of Henry in the State of Virginia. This city was founded by the American Revolutionary War General, Indian agent and explorer Joseph Martin. Henry County was established in 1777, carved from Pittsylvania County, and was named after revolutionary patriot Patrick Henry, a good friend of Joseph Martin. The land that makes up Henry County today was part of several different counties over the years, including Brunswick, Lunenberg Halifax, Pittsylvania, and Patrick. After Henry County made its final split from Patrick County, Henry County Courthouse was established on June 27, 1791. Later, Henry County Courthouse changed its name to Martinsville. The city’s chief industry for many years was the manufacture of plug chewing tobacco. The area of Henry County became known as the “plug tobacco capital of the world.” The local economy was left reeling after the American Civil War due to the collapse of the plantation economy. Martinsville declared itself an independent city in 1928, while still retaining its status as county seat. There is a William Webb listed in the Illinois State Archives, Illinois Public Domain Land who purchased 40 acres at $1.25 per acre for a total of $50.00. The date of purchase was December 1, 1832. It is stated that the land was located in Menard County while William himself lived in Sangamon County; however, Menard County was not created out of Sangamon County until 1839. Legal description: The Southeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 22, Township 18N, Range 07W Meridian 3, County Menard. Today, this legal description places this land in the northwest part of Sangamon County, just south of the county line with Menard County. This record is located in volume 68 on page 133. This could have been either William Webb, Senior, or William Webb, Junior.

Isaac O. Webb, son of William and Jane Webb, was born July 26, 1829 in (McMinnville,) Warren County, Tennessee. Married (Nancy) Ellen Orsborn (on January 22, 1852) in Jefferson County, Iowa – confirmed on familysearch – parents not mentioned. They had thirteen children and lived on a farm northwest of Packwood in Jefferson County, Iowa since about 1853; they moved into Packwood in 1903. Her mother, a native of Kentucky, lived with them until her death. Isaac’s father also lived with them until he died. Isaac died June 8, 1920 in Iowa at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 12 days. He was buried at Blue Point Cemetery, Richland, Jefferson County, Iowa – confirmed on findagrave – parents not mentioned. Isaac appears in the 1880 US census taken in Polk Township; he was listed as 50 years old and his father was born in Virginia.

John Webb, son of William and Jane Webb, (was born February 28, 1819 in McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee.) Married Susannah (“Susie”) Taylor (on March 28, 1840 in Springfield,) Sangamon County, Illinois. Had six children and lived near Ioka, Keokuk County, Iowa (the town of Ioka no longer exists). John died December 31, 1897 in Cherokee County, Iowa.

Robert Huston Webb, son of William and Jane Webb, was born (November 29, 1804) in (McMinnville, now in Warren County,) Tennessee. Married Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Lofton (or Lawler about 1828 probably in Warren County, Tennessee). Came with his father to Illinois (after having three children in Tennessee). Had eleven children altogether, one of which was named Isaac E. Webb. They lived in Oskaloosa, Iowa. (Occupation: farmer. Died December 15, 1885 in Olivet, Iowa.)