Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
The Past and Present of Warren County, Illinois
H. F. Kett & Co., Chicago, Ill - 1877

         [p. 167-168]
         
         LITTLE YORK
         
         This vicinity was first settled in 1829, and was among
       the earliest in this county.
         Among those who first came here were: MATTHEW D. RITCHIE,
       OTHO W. CRAIG, WILLIAM McCOY, HUGH MARTIN, SR., and others.
       Much fear and some trouble was experienced from the Indians
       by the early settlers. A roving band of those desperadoes
       were skulking along the timber on Cedar Creek, on the 9th
       day of August, 1832, when five of their number rushed out,
       shot and scalped WILLIAM MARTIN, who was at work alone put-
       ting up hay. A block house had been built as a kind of fort,
       where persons and families resorted in time of supposed
       danger. Several women and children were at the fort at this
       time, and heard the shots, saw MARTIN fall, and the Indians
       run to him, shoot again, and scalp him. The news spread
       rapidly, and caused great alarm among the inhabitants. MARTIN
       had been at the fort but a short time previous, was cautioned
       by the women about working alone, though it was not known that
       any Indians were in the vicinity. He returned to his work
       singing a favorite tune.
         The block house stood a few rods east from where now stands
       the pleasant residence of HUGH MARTIN, brother of WILLIAM, and
       he was killed about eighty miles north. His body was not re-
       covered until the next morning, and when examined, it was
       found that the last shot was made so near as to burn his
       clothing.
         A company of Rangers followed the trail of the Indians as
       far as New Boston, where they were just in time to see them
       in their canoes, nearly across the Mississippi river. They
       fired upon them, but did not avail to stop them.
         An account of the trial of these murderers is given in
       another part of this work.
         The village of Little Rock was laid out in 1835 by WILLIAM
       McCOY and M. D. RITCHIE. JAMES KENDALL opened the first store
       in this vicinity, at the block house in 1833, and after his
       death, in the next year, his widow moved the goods to a
       building on the site of the village, and continued in the
       trade. This she sold to ARTHUR McFARLAND, who soon sold to
       J. F. POLLOCK, and he had a prosperous trade there for many
       years. He was the first P. M. for nearly twenty years. The
       first school was in 1837, taught by PETER TURPENING. At the
       present time there is a good school house and a good bell,
       with pleasant grounds ornamented with trees.
         The principal merchants are Messrs. WALLACE and MORRISON,
       general merchandise. There are two harness shops, three
       blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, and a boot and shoe shop.
         This village is located in a thriving and industrious
       farming community, and is in Sumner Township, twelve miles
       northwest from Monmouth.
         The U. P. Church of Little York was organized April 19th,
       1863, by REV. JOHN SCOTT, D.D., of the Presbytery of Mon-
       mouth. At the formation of this church there were forty-one
       members from the U. P. churches of Cedar Creek and Henderson.
       The first pastor was REV. WM. H. McMILLAN, ordained and in-
       stalled Oct. 4, 1864, who continued his labors for six years.
       The next pastor was REV. W. T. CAMPBELL, ordained and installed
       June 13, 1871, and continued four years. The present pastor
       is REV. DAVID ANDERSON, who began his work here in October,
       1875. This congregation own a pleasant and commodious house
       of worship, which cost $4,000, and a convenient parsonage,
       recently built at a cost of $2,000. The present number of
       members is 130.
       
===========================================================================