mill of Ann's Brothers. There he met his future wife Ann Ivison and was married in December of 1828.
             They lived in Philadelphia for one or two years. James went to the "grog shops" too much to suit Ann, so she decided they should move west. They traveled westward through Pennsylvania by stagecoach and then later by flatboat on the Ohio River.
             In 1830, James and Ann Simpson finally settled in St. Clair County, Illinois. Ann Bore five children. The first was a little girl named Christiana, but she died. The second was also a little girl, and also named Christiana, but she died too. The third child was a girl, also named Christiana was born on December 31, 1838. She lived and married Archibald Moore of Cowden, Illinois. James and Ann also had two sons, Spencer and John in the late 1830's or early 1840's
             While living in St. Clair County, Ann heard of cheap land for sale up in Shelby County. The Railroad was being built through this area. The U.S. government had granted the railroad one square mile on each side of the railroad on every other mile. The railroad could then sell the land to raise funds needed by the railroad. The U.S. government held onto the alternate mile.
             So Ann after hearing about the land for sale went by stagecoach alone all of the way back to Philadelphia after her dower money, which she had brought from England. Half was in English gold and half in the bank of England notes. She carried the money in a large pocket sewed onto her petticoat. I have heard that she carried the money in one pocket and a gun in another pocket to protect the money if she was robbed.
             It was along and dangerous trip for a lone women to make in those days. She could not send James, as the money was in her name, and also James might go to the grog shops and spend the money. She left James at home with the children, who were 10-12 years old.
             In 1851, they came to Shelby County and settled on a farm that was...