JO DAVIESS COUNTY

I obtained copies of David MATLOCKS (my gg grandfather) land entry files from

the National Archives in January of 2001.  They are filed as document number

29287 under the Dixon, Illinois land office.  David purchased 80 acres in Jo

Daviess County, Illinois for $1.25 per acre under the Preemption Act of 

September 4, 1841.   It appears that David (age 28 years) and his wife Betsey

(age 29 years) and daughter Ella Mary (age 6 years) moved to Jo Daviess County

prior to or around 1847.  He probably moved from Kane County, Illinois (now

 Kendall County) sometime after he and his wife were married in that county in

1839.  David was known as a squatter, as he built a log cabin on this land in

1847.  It is my guess that since he was a Baptist preacher, he may have gone

to the northwest corner of Illinois to preach or search for a church flock..


State of Illinois
County of Jo Daviess

We Agel Avery & Abraham Sauterman & James M. Cavaness of said County do solemnly

swear that we are acquainted with David MATLOCK the applicant for a preemption

to the east half of the southeast quarter of section twenty eight in township

twenty eight north range two east of the fourth principal meridian and know that

he is a citizen of the United States and the head of a family having a wife and

one child and that he resides with his family on the land above described and

that he commenced building a dwelling house on said land on or about the third

day of May AD 1847.  Said house is a hewed log house floored with oak flooring a

good sixteen inch shingle roof with good batten door with good iron fastenings a

window well cased with glazed sash the same being a nine light window the said

house is set in side of hill and foundation dug from said side hill the said

house is ten by fourteen with a porch seven by fourteen feet said house is

painted in and out side with lime morter warmed with a cooking stove.  The said

house cost probably fifty dollars and further the said Matlock has fenced in two

fields and set out a small orchard the said Matlock moved into the house above

described about on ... the first Monday in August AD 1847 and has continued to

live with his family in said house and is still residing in the same and we have

no doubt that he intends the same for a farm for his own use and benefit and

further that there are no known sales.... in mind on said land nor has any part

thereof been laid off into lots for the purpose of a town city or village.

Agel Avery
Abram Sautermann
James M Cavaness

Subscribed and sworn to before me this first day of April AD 1848 in witness where

of I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Probate Court at my office in Galena

this day and date above written.

Charles G. Thomas P.J.P.

Updated May 2008