The Linn Genealogy

Our own ancestral Linns were a family of Scots-Irish Presbyterians, but there are a number of unrelated families who bear this surname who originated from Britain and Ireland. In Scotland, the Linn or Lynn surname is toponymic, indicating a family that dwelt by a linne (Scots Gaelic) or linn (Old Irish), that is, a pool, pond or small lake. Scottish Linns or Lynns historically were most prevalent in the area of Dalry in Ayrshire, ancient seat of the Linns of that Ilk (also known as the Lynns of Lynn), feudal lairds who probably gave rise to several cadet branches. However, there are also Irish families who bear this surname who have no connection to Scottish Linns -- their surname is a worn-down patronymic, deriving from O'Floinn or Ui Flann, later O'Loinn, O'Lynn, Lynn, and Linn. Irish Linns and Lynns are found throughout Ireland. One of the more notable Irish Linn families were the Ui Flann, lords or chiefs of Ui Tuirtre in Ulster, who traced their lineage back to Fiachadh Tort, son of Colla Uais, a semi-legendary High-King of Ireland in the latter fourth century A.D. Although our own Linns came to America from Ulster, it is extremely unlikely that they had any connection to the Ui Tuirtre. Rather, being Presbyterian Ulster Scots, we ought rather to seek their ancestry among the Lowland Scottish Linn families. It's quite possible that our Linns ultimately derive from a cadet of the Linns of that Ilk. The Lynn/Linn DNA Project has identified a number of related Scottish Linn families, but it does not appear that any representative of our own Linns has yet submitted a y-DNA test of this project.

The family name historically has been spelled both "Linn" and "Lynn," and indeed our own Linns spelled their name alternately with an "i" or a "y." Even my grandfather Sherman Linn Shaw, whose middle name commemorated our Linn ancestors, went back and forth on the spelling of his middle name. For the purposes of consistency, I use the "i" spelling throughout this account of our Linns. As for the genealogy of our Linns, it is known only for four generations, commencing in the first half of the 1700s in Boston, Massachusetts, with a Scots-Irish immigrant named GEORGE LINN who came to New England from Ulster. The chief source for this genealogy is the invaluable book, "The Descendants of George Linn" (1941), by Evangeline Linn Halleck, where my Linn ancestry, as well as my Anderson and Stewart lineage, is found on pages 1-46, 68-75, 99-100, 108, 135, 142-143, and 167. Her account of my line of descent is augmented below with family photos and other documents and details obtained through my own research.

Four Generations of the Linn Family:

1. GEORGE LINN, parentage unknown, born 1731 in Ulster, Ireland, drowned in Boston Harbor 23 Feb. 1759. George Linn was a Scots-Irish immigrant who emigrated with his wife to New England, his daughter Polly being born "on the high seas" aboard ship while en route to America. Little is known of George, but a family tradition related by his great-granddaughter Emily Linn Hallowell (1816-1907) states that he had a brother named JOHN. The name of George's wife is unknown, but Evangeline Linn Halleck mentions a family tradition that after George's death, his widow married a man named GAULT and settled in New Braintree, Worcester County, Massachusetts (which is also where her son John Linn went to be restored to health after the Revolutionary War).

"Lynn, George" appears on a list that is dated at Boston, 7 Dec. 1754, of men belonging to the alarm list of the militia in Ward No. 12, recorded by Ephraim May, Clerk. He held the rank of Private. "George Lynn" also appears on an undated Return of men who were enlisted for his Majesty's service, enlisted by Capt. Joseph Billings on 16 May 1758, age 27, born in Ireland, 11 days service, pay of 7 shillings 4 pence. Although the Return is undated, the receipt on the reverse is dated 23 May 1758. This service was for an intended military expedition against New France (Canada).

The following year, "George Lynn" again appears on a Muster Roll dated at Boston, 28 Feb. 1759, of a company of Foot in his Majesty's service under Capt. Joseph Billings, in Col. Joseph Williams' regiment, raised by the Province of Massachusetts Bay for the conquest of Canada. This roll says George was a resident of Boston, length of service being 6 months 24 days, 22 days of travel, rank of Private, entering the service on 16 May 1758 and serving under 23 Nov. 1758. The roll says George was discharged on 1 Nov., year not given but no doubt 1758, for the discharge was endorsed that year.

"George Lynn" once again is found on a billeting Account sworn 23 March 1759 (dated at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, 9 March 1759), rendered by Henry Baldwin for victualing soldiers returning from the service to their homes in 1758. The account says George served in Capt. Billlings' company, Col. Joseph Williams' regiment, and was charged 6 pence (one meal).

George's death is recorded in a coroner's inquest document dated 23 Feb. 1759 at Boston. The text of the inquisition (Case No. 79595 of Suffolk County Court File No. 476) reads:

"Suffolk

"Inquisition Indented Taken at Boston Within the said Co. of Suffolk, the 23 day of Feb. In the 32 year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the second by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, & Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, &c., Before, Thomas Crofts, Gent. One of the Coroners of Our said Lord the King within the County of Suffolk Aforesaid, upon the view of the body of George Lynn a Stranger then and there being dead, by the Oaths of John Doble-Foreman, John Proctor, Clemons Sumner, Joshua Hemingway, Nickolas Fesenden, Henry Roby, Jonas Webb, Samuel Ballord, Joseph Boardman, John Harris, Samuel Tufts, Samuel Bumel [Biemal?], John Mallady, David Bell, Good and Lawful Men of Boston aforesaid, within the County aforesaid Who being charged and sworn to enquire for Our said Lord the King, When, by what Means, and how the said George Lynn came to his death; Upon their Oaths do say that the said George Lynn fell of (sic) a Wharf at the North end of Boston and was Drowned and so by that Means came to his Death as it appears to us upon the best information we could get.

"In witness whereof as well, I the Coriner aforesaid, as the Jury aforesaid to this Inquisition, have interchangeably put our Hands and Seals the Day and Year abovesaid.

         "Samuel Ballord     John Dobel
          Jos Boardman       John Proctor
          John Harris        Clement Sumner
          Saml Tufts         Joshua Heminway
          Sam Bumell         Nicholas Fesenden
          John Melendy       Henry Raby
          David Bell         Jonas Webber"

A copy of the Suffolk County, Massachusetts, coroner's inquisition or inquest into the death of Pvt. George Linn of the Massachusetts Bay colonial militia, who had fallen off a wharf and drowned in Boston Harbor on 23 Feb. 1759

An account dated at Boston, 23 April 1759, says Thomas Crofts, Coroner, Doctor, received 5 shillings in coroner's fees for this inquest, with 1 pound 15 shillings paid to the jurors, and 4 shillings in constable's fees, "To taking an Inquisition upon the Body of George Lynn who was found drowned at the North End the 23 day of Feb. last . . . . The deceased being a Stranger and leaving no estate. Clerk so ordered, 1 pound 6 shillings."

These documents refer to Pvt. George Linn as a "Stranger" because he was a "foreigner" -- that is, he was Scottish rather than English, and, of more significance to the Suffolk County colonial government, a Presbyterian rather than a Separatist or Puritan Congregationalist, something that mattered to them on account of religious and political animosities dating back to the period of the English Civil War in the 1600s. From 1744 to 1809, the Scottish Presbyterians of Boston had their own church building at the corner of Long Lane and Bury Street, which was known as the "Church of Presbyterian Strangers." The 1750 will of Joseph Linn of Boston mentions the "Presbyterian Meeting House in Long Lane." This congregation had first been established about 1729 by a group of 25 or 30 Scots-Irish Covenanters under the leadership of John Little, who purchased a barn at the corner of Long Lane and Bury Street, to which they added a steeple and a few windows. The Londonderry, New Hampshire, Presbytery assigned as their minister Rev. John Moorehead from the University of Glasgow. In 1744 this congregation built a church on the site of their original structure. In 1786 they gave up the Presbyterian form of governance and switched to Congregationalism.

A drawing of the former "Church of Presbyterian Strangers" that once stood at the corner of Long Lane and Bury Street in Boston. Our ancestor George Linn likely worshipped at this church. Image reproduced from Evangeline Linn Halleck's "Descendants of George Linn" (1941), page 33.

George Linn's place of burial in unknown, but he was very likely buried in whatever cemetery was then in use by the Long Lane Presbyterian community.

The known children of George Linn are:

     -- POLLY LINN, born aboard ship on route to America, married George Russell.
     -- NANCY LINN, married Henry Rogers.
     2. JOHN LINN, born 17 Aug. 1754 in Boston, Massachusetts.

2. JOHN LINN, son of George Linn, born 17 Aug. 1754 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, died 28 April 1834 in Windsor (then called Malta), Kennebec County, Maine, buried in South Windsor Cemetery (Resthaven Cemetery). On 13 May 1779 in Shelburne, Massachusetts, John married REBECCA ANDERSON, born 3 Sept. 1759 in Colrain, Massachusetts, died 20 Dec. 1834 in Windsor, Maine, being buried by her husband in South Windsor Cemetery, a daughter of John and Margaret (Stewart) (Kately) Anderson of Colrain and Shelburne, Massachusetts. John and Rebecca had three daughters and eight sons. Their marriage is found in Shelburne Vital Statistics, and the minister who married them, Rev. Hubbard, also made a record of their marriage -- in the record, Rebecca's name is mentioned under her nickname "Babra."

In Massachusetts Revolutionary War Rolls, John Linn of New Braintree is listed as having served as a Private in Capt. John Granger's company, Col. Ebenezer Learned's regiment of eight months' men, being with the army at the siege of Boston in 1775. Evangeline Linn Halleck gives the following account of his Revolutionary War service, derived from his 1818 pension file, which John signed with his own hand:

"At the beginning of the Revolutionary War he resided at New Braintree, Worcester County, Mass. He enlisted June 1, 1775, at Roxbury, Mass., served at private in Captain John Granger's company, Colonel Ebenezer Learned's Massachusetts regiment until January 1, 1776. He reenlisted immediately in company of Capt. Asa Danforth, regiment of Col. Larned until April, 1776. Assigned under Commodore Benjamin Tupper, Commander of the States' sloop 'Heister,' with a fleet of 60 whale boats and four-row gallies, (sic) and scoured the seacoasts until July or August, 1776. He was then landed and ordered into Artillery service at Fort Washington, but still considered as belonging to Capt. Danforth's co., though under the immediate command of Capt. Parrott. On November 16, 1776, he was taken prisoner with the garrison at Fort Washington; taken to a place called 'New Bridewell' in New York City 'in a cold room without blanket or greatcoat and upon short and miserable allowance.' Discharged Feb. 1, 1777 upon taking oath not to serve against His Majesty until exchanged. Having become lame and unsound he was never exchanged during the War. He reached home in New Braintree in the spring, at which time his health was impaired and he looked like one 'arisen from the dead.'"

Two signatures of John Linn from his 1 April 1818 Revolutionary War pension file.

John Linn's pension file says that John's account of his service and the abuse he suffered in New Bridewell was attested on 1 April 1818 by an affidavit from Thomas McCurdie of Malta, Maine, and also 30 Oct. 1818 by Percival Hall, physician of Boston, who had known John since 1775 when he was a New Braintree residence. Hall said he restored John to health after his return from the British prison. Percivall "Percy" Hall is listed on the rolls of Col. Learned's regiment as Surgeon's Mate.

Also found in his pension file is a schedule of the property of John Linn, aged 66: "One old mare $10.00; 1 yoke of Oxen $30.00, 2 Yearling Heifers $12.00, 10 Sheep $15.00, 2 Swine $6.00, Household stuff $5.00, Farm Utensils $5.00, Owes about $40.00. No debts due him. Income of property not over $15.00 a year. Has been unable to labor for six years past on account of bad rupture. My family residing with me consists of myself, my wife Rebecca, aged 62 years, able to labor very little having always been weakly, and a grandson by the name of Joseph Linn, aged seven years."

John was allowed a pension for one year of actual service as a Private in the Massachusetts troops, being granted an annual allowance of $96.

In a letter written by Emily Linn Hallowell of Thomaston, Maine, dated 5 Feb. 1896, that she wrote to her cousin Rev. Daniel Wentworth Linn, Emily states:

"I was a child when we moved from Windsor, and when we moved back, grandfather was on his dying bed. One thing, I know, he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War -- was taken prisoner -- confined in British Prison and treated very shabbily -- nearly starved. He visited us in Unity. [Maine] While there he was reading the American Biography ad I well remember his reading it and he would close the book and go on and tell what he would have read. Altho I was quite young, I well remember that, and as I then understood, he was witness to the soldiers being so hungry they gnawed old sole leather. And when they were released, they flew to a cask of water, where the officers had washed -- all slimy -- and drank it greedily."

Daniel Wentworth Linn described his grandfather John as "probably about 5 ft. 9 or 10 inches in height and rather stoutly built. Well put up, not at all corpulent and he excelled as a musician." Daniel also provides these recollections and traditions of his grandfather:

"After the war grandfather settled in Colrain, it being a new section with cheaper land. He had a large family but must have accumulated considerable property. Father told me that they took horses with them to Maine and when they landed at Bristol, the horses were dropped into the sea and permitted to swim ashore. I am inclined to imagine that father was mistaken about the horses. He was only three years old at the time and the family, it was said, walked, some of the way at least, from Bristol to Windsor, the older boys taking turns carrying father. It seems hardly probable that horses were the prevailing teams used in Mass. Still he may have been correct. It is evident that some sort of team was taken. My father was named for his uncle George Russell, who married Polly Linn and settled in Bristol. His descendants still live there."

Evangeline Linn Halleck's biography of John Linn includes a list of 10 deeds of sale for land in Franklin County, Massachusetts, dated during years from 1784 to 1803. Following are abstracts of those deeds, which had been obtained by Halleck from the Register of Deeds Office at the Franklin County Courthouse in Greenfield, Massachusetts, with the aid of Mrs. Lucy Cutler Kellogg.

Vol. 15, page 723. John Workman of Colrain sells to Henry Rogers of Colrain, blacksmith, for 5 pounds, five acres in the northeast corner of Lot No. 80, 1st Division of lots in Bernardston Gore. This is 27 rods wide and 29 1/2 rods long. Bounded east on land of ; south and west on land of John Workman; north on land of John Linn. 8 May 1784. John Workman (signed). Witnesses Elisha Pratt and James Stewart. Acknowledged 25 Oct. 1785.

Vol. 20, page 328. John Linn of Colrain sold to George Hawkins of Greenfield for 31 pounds, land in Leyden. Lot No. 54 in 2nd Division of lots in the District of Leyden. 23 acres lying on Green River. 11 Jan. 1785. John Linn and Seal. Witnesses Hugh McClellan and Robert Riddle. Acknowledged 11 Jan. 1785 before Hugh McClellan, Justice of Peace.

Vol. 15, page 724. Henry Rogers of Colrain, Blacksmith, sold to John Linn of Colrain, for 5 pounds, five acres of land in the northeast corner of Lot No. 80, 1st Division of land in Bernardston Gore. This tract is 27 rods wide and 29 1/2 rods long. Bounded East on Lot No. 85; South on the Road; north and west on John Linn's Land. 6 April 1785 and 9th year of the Independence of the United States of America. Henry Rogers and Seal. Witnesses Noah Clark and Joel Rainger. Deed acknowledged 25 Oct. 1785 before Hugh McClellan, J.P.

Vol. 15, page 725. Andrew Henry of Leyden sells to John Linn of Colrain land laid out in Bernardston Gore. Lot No. 81, in 1st Division of said Gore by estimation 52 acres. Further description is to be found in the Book of Plans for said Gore. 29 Nov. 1788. Andrew Henry and Seal. Witnesses John Kately and Mary Kately. Acknowledged 3 May 1802.

Vol. 7, page 660. John Linn of Colrain sells to Matthew Clark of Colrain for 20 pounds, the west end of Lot No. 81, containing nine acres. 8 April 1789. John Linn and Seal. Witnesses William Clark and Timothy Harrington. Deed acknowledged 26 Oct. 1793 before David Smead, J.P.

Vol. 6, page 651. John Linn of Colrain mortgages several parcels of real estate in Colrain to William Grant of Halifax, Vermont, for the sum of 21 pounds and lawful interest on 26 May 1794. The release for the last of these mortgages was dated 9 June 1800.

Vol. 15, pages 627-628. John Linn of Colrain sells to James Anderson of Shelburne and Andrew Henry of Leyden land in the District of Leyden, 23 acres. John Linn and Seal. Witnesses Hugh McClellan and Jane McClellan. Deed acknowledged 21 Aug. 1794.

Vol. 17, pages 599. John Linn of Colrain sells to Charles Handy of Colrain for $800 land in Bernardston Gore, part of Lot No. 80 and 81 excepting nine acres of the east end of said lot that is deed to Capt. Matthew Clark; and also a part of Lot 80, the North east corner which contains 52 acres by estimation. 2 Feb. 1803. John Linn and Seal. Rebeckah Linn her mark. Witnesses John McGee, Thomas Rogers, James Stewart. Acknowledged 2 April 1803 before John Long, J.P.

It should be noted that the Henry Rogers mentioned in some of these deeds was John Linn's brother-in-law, husband of his sister Nancy. As for John and Mary Kately, John was the older half-brother of John Linn's wife Rebecca, and Mary Kately was John Kately's wife. The James Stewart who witnessed two of these deeds was the step-father of John's wife Rebecca, for James Stewart Jr. (a younger scion of the Stewarts of Blackhall, Ardgowan, and Auchingowan in Renfrewshire, Scotland) was the third husband of Margaret (Stewart) (Kately) (Anderson) Stewart of Colrain and Shelburne, Massachusetts, who descended from the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Most of these title deeds are transactions involving the sale of land in Bernardston Gore, a tract of land now within the limits of Colrain, Massachusetts, but which had at first been laid out as a part of the Town of Bernardston (originally known as Falls Fight Township). This "gore" (i.e., a narrow or triangular strip of land) was annexed to Colrain in 1779. In another of the above deeds is a reference to District of Leyden, a tract originally included in the Fall Town (Bernardston) grant that bore the name "District of Leyden" until 1784.

In 1803, John Linn and his family removed from Colrain, Massachusetts, to settle in Kennebec County, Maine, as mentioned in the 1892 Illustrated History of Kennebec County, Maine, page 1174:

"John Lynn was a revolutionary soldier. He settled in 1803 on the farm now owned by Charles Merrill. He was born in Boston in August, 1754, and died April 28, 1834. His wife, Rebecca Anderson, died the same year. They brought eleven children to Windsor."

As a result of his move to Kennebec County, John and many of his family members and friends were soon caught up in a violent episode known as The Malta War (from the original name of Windsor, Maine). This was a conflict between settlers of Kennebec County and a group of land speculators from Boston and New York who had organized themselves as "The Proprietors of the Kennebec Purchase from the late Colony of New Plymouth," who thus were known as the "Proprietors." These speculators' land claims amounted to almost the whole of Maine, and they insisted that settlers could purchase land only from them. The settlers, however, mostly began to move in before the Proprietors had organized -- they usually bought their land directly from Native Americans and local hunters, but in the eyes of the Proprietors the settlers were nothing but squatters. Here is Evangeline Linn Halleck's account of The Malta War:

"The Proprietors sent surveyors to establish lines and boundaries and make maps of their possessions. The hardy pioneer sons did not take kindly to this. Disguised as Indians they attacked the surveyors, drove them from place to place and made it impossible for them to do accurate work. This culminated in the unfortunate event known as the 'Malta War,' an interesting chapter in early Maine history. It was the Proprietors (who were making money from the sake of lands) versus the settlers who had bought the land, cleared it and built homes under the impression they had a right to it. There was trouble over this for many years and it culminated in the shooting of Paul Chadwick, Sept. 8, 1809. He was one of a band which had taken an oath not to assist the Proprietors but whom they found helping to survey the land for sale. He was attacked by a band disguised as Indians and accidentally shot, dying two days later. Jabez Meigs, David Linn, Ansel Meigs, Elijah Barton, Nathaniel Linn, Prince Cain, Jonas Proctor, Joel Webber and Adam Pitts gave themselves up later and were committed to jail. Their friends planned a jail delivery and night after night appeared in the streets disguised as Indians, causing a great deal of excitement. The Militia were called out, cannon placed, fires built and bells rung. This went on until the trial before Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court held at Augusta Nov. 16, 1809. The jury wanted to convict only a portion of the group but the Court ruled 'all or none' so they brought in a verdict of 'disagreement' afterwards changing it to one of 'Not Guilty' for all. The 'History of Kennebec County, Maine' published 1892 states: 'Conciliatory measures which followed arrested an uprising, the extent and importance of which can be but faintly conjectured.'"

Referring to the period of time, Rev. Daniel Wenworth Linn wrote that his "grandfather, John Linn was among the wealthiest of the settlers in that new country [Maine] but an expensive lawsuit growing out of land claims and disputes, caused him to sell his first place and take a smaller one."

Halleck provides a transcript of a quit claim deed, dated 7 Oct. 1807, involving John Linn, his son-in-law Jabez Meigs, and his son David Linn. Presumably it has something to do with the land disputes of The Malta War which later led to Jabez and David to joining the party that killed Paul Chadwick. This is Halleck's transcript of the deed:

"I John Linn of New Waterford in the County of Lincoln, Mass. yoeman, for and in consideration of fifty dollars to me in hand paid by Jabez Meiggs and David Linn of Newwaterford aforesaid --- do hereby --- convey unto the said Jabez Meiggs & David Linn -- one certain tract or parcel of land, being -- in New Waterford aforesaid -- bounded as follows viz.; beginning at a certain red ash tree near the Grover meadow brook, south of my own submitted lot fifty rods, thence running north, north west to Anson Meiggs road, thence west, north west, two Hundred and ten rods to a hemlock tree marked M.L. thence southwest to a beech tree near to Walter Dockindorf's cut down, thence southeast to the first mentioned bounds. To have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises, together with all the appurtenences thereunto belonging, to the said Jabez Meiggs & David Linn --- forever. And I, --- John Linn do forever quit claim all the right & title that I have -- to the --- premises. In witness I --- have hereunto set my hand seal the seventh day of Oct., 1807. Witnesses, James Linn, Nancy Linn. John Linn, signed."

The locale referred to as "New Waterford" was a place in the vicinity of Windsor or Whitefield, Maine, but then a part of Massachusetts. It's exact location is unknown, however.

Two years later, we find John Linn in Malta (Windsor), as shown by the following deed transcribed by Halleck:

"I, John Linn, of Malta in the county of Kennebec & Commonwealth of Mass. yoeman, in consideration of two hundred dollars paid me by Joshua Lord of Gardiner in said county, merchant, --- do hereby --- sell and convey unto --- Joshua Lord --- a certain tract of land lying in said Malta & bounded as follows, --- on the north by Jonathan Jones' lot, on the south by Job Chadwick's lot, on the east & west by nonresident land, it being lot no. 4 in said town & the same lot that my buildings now stand on --- containing about one hundred acres. --- Provided never-the-less that if the said John Linn shall pay to the said Joshua Lord the contents of a certain note of Hand, bearing even date with this, for the sum of seventy-seven dollars & fifteen cents, payable in one year with interest, then this deed to be void, otherwise to remain in full force. October 3, 1809. John Linn (Signed). Witnesses, S. Kingsbury, Charles Sterne."

A final document pertaining to John Linn is a property tax sale: "Tax collector of Gerry, to John Linn, highest bidder, for $4.03, Lot 23, 95 acres in Gerry. Feb. 23, 1822."

John died at the home of his youngest child, George Russell Linn, and his widow Rebecca died at the home of her daughter Sarah Chadwick. Later both George and Sarah and their families left Maine and settled in Lee Center, Illinois, along with their brothers James and David (though David later moved on to Iowa).

The gravestones of John Linn and his wife Rebecca (Anderson) Linn in Resthaven Cemetery (South Windsor Cemetery), Windsor, Maine.

The children of John and Rebecca (Anderson) Linn, who were all born in Colrain, Massachusetts, were:

     -- MARY POLLY LINN, born 7 Oct. 1780, married Nehemiah Ward.
     -- JOHN LINN, born 29 Aug. 1781, married 1st Nancy Hilton, married 2nd Ada Randall.
     -- GEORGE LINN, born 22 May 1783, died 5 Aug. 1785.
     -- JOSEPH LINN, born 25 Nov. 1784, md. 1st Sarah Kennedy, md. 2nd Abigail Chadwick, md. 3rd Esther Fletcher.
     -- DAVID LINN, born 20 Sept. 1786, married 1st Mary Ann Meigs, married 2nd his first cousin Betsey Russell.
     -- NATHANIEL LINN, born 20 Aug. 1788, married Abigail Grover Wight.
     -- JAMES LINN, born 19 Nov. 1790, married Betsey Pierce.
     -- NANCY LINN, born 26 Oct. 1792, married 1st Jabez Meigs, married 2nd Jacob Jewell.
     -- CYRUS LINN, born 25 Oct. 1795, married Susan Smith.
     -- SARAH LINN ("Sally"), born 29 Sept. 1798, married Lot Chadwick.
     3. GEORGE RUSSELL LINN, born 30 Sept. 1800.

3. GEORGE RUSSELL LINN, youngest child of John and Rebecca (Anderson) Linn, born 30 Sept. 1800 in Colrain, Franklin County, Massachusetts, died 3 Novb. 1886 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, buried in Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center, Lee County, Illinois. Later in life he usually went by "Russell Linn," and his neighbors and peers affectionately referred to him as "Uncle Russell." On 23 Dec. 1822 in Readfield, Kennebec County, Maine, he married ABIGAIL STINSON, born 11 Jan. 1799 in Richmond, Sagadahoc County, Maine, died 12 Dec. 1880 in Chicago, Illinois, buried with her husband in Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center, Illinois, daughter of Charles and Lydia (Macomber) Stinson of Richmond, Maine. They were married by their minister, Rev. Daniel Wentworth, after whom they named their second child. Russell and Abigail had seven sons and three daughters, the first eight of their children being born at their home 10 miles from Augusta, Maine, the last two being born just west of Lee Center, Lee County, Illinois.

Three portraits of George Russell Linn (1800-1886). The one on the left is from the Eleanor (Shaw) Baylor family collection. The other two were inherited by the descendants of Eleanor's younger brother Sherman Linn Shaw II.

Two portraits of George Russell Linn's wife Abigail (Stinson) Linn (1799-1880), handed down through the years to the descendants of Eleanor's younger brother Sherman Linn Shaw II.

George Russell Linn and several of his children were very interested in their family history, and it is thanks especially to his sons Daniel Wentworth Linn and Alphonso Clark Linn, and others in their family, that we know as much as we do about their father. George Russell Linn's journal or diary was inherited by the A'Neals family, descendants of his eldest son Albert Brown Linn, and the late Clyde Robert A'Neals (1911-1996), when he had the diary in his possession back in the 1980s, informed me that George Russell Linn had included notes on his Scottish ancestors. In particular, Russell Linn noted in his diary that his mother Rebecca (Anderson) Linn's ancestor ROBERT STEWART, Covenanter (1644-1714), had died in the year of Queen Anne's death.

On the left is Russell and Abigail Linn's second son Rev. Daniel Wentworth Linn (1826-1903) with his wife Henrietta M. "Harriett" (Gardiner) Linn (1827-1918) and their daughter Henrietta Adaline "Etta" (Linn) Jackman. Etta provided great assistance to Evangeline Linn Halleck in gathering Linn family records for Evangeline's Linn Genealogy book. On the right is Russell's and Abigail's seventh son Capt. Alphonso Clark Linn (1836-1864) of the 134th. Illinois Volunteers, Co. F, who died of dysentery during his Civil War service in the Union Army. Significant Linn family records come from the pen of Daniel and his younger brother Alphonso. Both portraits come from the Eleanor (Shaw) Baylor family collection.

In her Linn Genealogy, Evangeline Linn Halleck included abstracts of several Windsor, Maine, land deeds involving George Russell Linn covering the years 1822 to 1826, but noted that there were other transactions during the 1820s involving him that were not copied for her book. The deeds that Halleck included in her book are as follows:

Vol. 56, page 237. "Heirs of Edward Goodwin, late of Charlestown, Mass. theirs by grant of Plymouth Proprietors, 200 acres of land in Windsor, for $220.00 to Nathaniel & George Linn of Windsor." 1 July 1822.

Vol. 54, page 84. George Russell Linn & Nathanial bought 200 acres for $220.00 on 1 July 1822. George bought from John Linn Jr. 50 acres in 1811, bought from David Linn, 2 May 1823, 20 acres for $100.00, bought from James Linn for $100.00, 45 and one third acres. John Jones of Windsor for $175.00 to George Russell Linn of Windsor, undivided one fourth part of 100 acres in Windsor, 18 May 1825.

Vol. 58, page 516. John Jones of Windsor for $100.00 to G. Russell Linn & Casender Jones of Windsor, 100 acres of land in Windsor, 2 Sept. 1825. Cassender Jones for $50.00 fifteen acres of land in Windsor to George R. Linn. (No date copied).

Vol. 56, page 204. John & Cassander Jones of Windsor, to George R. Linn of Windsor, deed to land on west side of western side of Sheepscut River, bounded on the east by main road, south lot no. 3, east southeast to said river, northerly up said branch far enough to contain 37 acres etc. 4 April 1826.

Vol. 60, page 176. "I, George R. Linn, of Windsor, yoeman, for $110,00 to David Linn of Windsor, land in Windsor, the undivided half of lot no. 30, 200 acres. Abigail wife of said Russell Linn in token of her relinquishment of her dower." 21 Oct. 1826. G. R. Linn, signed. Witnesses Robt. J. Williams, John Linn Jr.

Most of the rest of Halleck's account of Russell Linn's life is a lengthy excerpt from an article about him written by his son Rev. Daniel Wentwoth Linn, which here follows:

"My father attended a district school in Windsor and became a tolerably fair scholar in reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. When a young man and single, he spent several years in the lumber region of Maine & New Brunswick. He worked chiefly on the Penobscot River but some time on the St. Johns. He worked considerably at making shingles -- shaving them with a drawing knife. After marrying he also spent several winters in the 'woods'.

"He was married to Abigail Stinson Dec. 23, 1822 by their minister, Rev. Daniel Wentworth, for whom I was named.

"Father was converted at a camp-meeting in Vassalboro, Me. a year or so before he married and never after lost the witness of the Spirit, or the conscious favor of God.

"A few years after getting married, he settled on a new farm in the south part of Windsor. Here he did a great amount of hard work clearing the land of timber and stone. The house he lived in here was built of logs with one large room and two bed-rooms. One bed-room was called the light bed-room, because it had a window in it, the other was called the dark bed-room because it had no window with glass. The house had a large fire-place.

"His neighbors, while living on his first farm were: John Crummett, Jones Mitchell, Cyrus Linn, James Norris, Nat Merrill, James McGuire, Nehemiah Ward, Aaron Foster, Benj. Albee, etc.

"About 1834, he sold this farm to an Irishman by the name of Hickey and bought a better one, a mile or so north, of Lot Chadwick, his brother-in-law. This farm was all 'cleared' except some five acres, perhaps, reserved for firewood. This farm was bordered on one side by a 'branch' of the Sheepscott River, on which was a saw-mill, which he sometimes rented and operated and by this means and by peeling hemlock bark in Togus woods, he supplemented the proceeds of the farm in supporting his family.

"A stream of water, bounded our farm on the east and north-east and about 1835 Jones Pratt built a saw-mill and shingle machine on it near our place. Hemlock boards and plank and birch lumber for bed posts were the chief productions of the saw-mill. In those days, grass was cut with a scythe and wheat and oats with a cycle. The school house where we attended school, while living there, was at the junction of the road we lived on and a north and south road a mile or so west.

"I was quite interested in a recent visit to the National Soldiers Home in Togus Woods. I had reason to remember those woods, as a scene of old time experience, where about 1838 I assisted my father and older brother Albert in peeling hemlock bark and fighting the merciless mosquitoes.

"Our neighbors here were: Joseph Linn (where afterwards Miles Pratt lived), Daniel Frost (where afterwards Thomas Morton lived), Oliver Barker, Shepherd Wedgewood, Joseph Coburn (or Colburn), Robert Thompson, Benjamin Hewett, Rufus Choat, Jones Pratt, Ebenezer Peavy.

"In 1840, this farm was sold and the family, in company with Lot Chadwick and family, moved to Lee county, Ill. The family at this time contained seven boys and one girl.

"The land in Illinois was still in the possession of the Govt. and a 'claim' was bought of Milan Barnes, about two miles west of Lee Center. It had about ten acres 'broke' and a one story house on it, covered with clapboards of oak, split and shaved, the roof covered with oak shingles. The timber on an acre of land in Inlet Grove was bought of Cyreno Sawyer, and timber for rails was cut and hauled for fencing. The 'team' was composed of four steers, taken of Ben. Wasson to use for the keeping. Oak logs were also hauled to Corydon Dewey's sawmill to make boards etc. With this lumber, two bedrooms were built on the west side of the house and also an 'upright' one and a half story. In about 1845, a good barn was built on the north side of the road.

"Nearly all the time he lived on that farm, he was class leader and Steward and Chorister or leader of Singing in the church. The old church being near and the new one in Lee Center.

"The neighbors here were Ransom Barnes, John Gardiner, Lot Chadwick, Daniel Frost, Fowler Penfield, Joseph & Ben Ingham and later, Father Lewis, Miles Lewis, Heil Lewis, and James Linn.

"In the year 1856, the old farm was sold and the family moved into the village of Lee Center, into a house bought of Charles Hitchcock. An 'Academy' was in operation in the village at that time and several students boarded with them. It was while living in that house that most of the children were married. It was while living here also that Alphonso enlisted in the army, was taken sick, died, and brought home for burial.

"In about 1872, he sold that property to J. B. Childs, and bought a smaller one on the north west part of the village.

"While living on this place their golden wedding was celebrated. In the year 1876, this place was sold and father and mother went to Chicago to reside with Harriet (Mrs. Chas. North). Buying a house at 189 Oakley Avenue. While here they belonged to the Western Ave. church and enjoyed the associations very much."

This map is an enlargement of parts of China, Amboy, Bradford, and Lee Center Townships in Lee County, Illinois, from a facsimile of a large 1863 wall map of Lee County that I inherited from my grandmother. Bordering on the west of Bradford and Lee Center Townships are, respectively, China and Amboy Townships. The original farm of George Russell Linn in Section 35 of China Township can be seen toward the left of this image, west of Lee Center.

Three photographs which I took in late March or early April 2009 of the land west of Lee Center that was George Russell Linn's original farmstead in Lee County.

A portrait of George Russell Linn and Abigail (Stinson) Linn and their family, probably taken in the 1870s in Lee Center, from the Eleanor (Shaw) Baylor collection. It is unknown whether this photograph was taken outside the home of Russell and Abigail or rather at the home of one of their children. If it is Russell's and Abigail's home, then it seems most likely that it was the property that they bought from J. B. Childs circa 1872 in the north west area of Lee Center. Russell and Abigail are in the front row, the fourth and fifth from the left. The identities of the other family members in this photo are uncertain, though the man in the back row on the further right, wearing the cap, could be Russell's and Abigail's son Herman Stinson Linn.

On the left is a portrait of Russell's and Abigail's fourth son, Jacob Jewell Linn (1830-1905), who was named after his uncle Jacob Jewell. On the right is probably Herman Stinson Linn (1832-1913), fifth son of Russell and Abigail Linn, who was named after Abigail's brother Herman (or Hermon) Stinson. These portraits are from the Eleanor (Shaw) Baylor family collection.

Supplementing Rev. Daniel Wentworth Linn's account of his father's life, the 1881 History of Lee County, page 582, mentions George Russell Linn in its account of the early history of China Township:

"The town of China was organized under the state law April 2, 1850. It was previously called Fremont. Russel Lynn, an early settler in the south part of the township, whose natives township in Maine was China, urged the adoption of that name . . . . At the first meeting Geo. R. Linn was elected supervisor, receiving thirty votes."

Likewise, Russell Linn is mentioned in Munsell's 1904 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Lee County, pages 678-679, where find the following notice in the account of the early history of Lee Center Township:

"A Methodist Church was organized in 1837, at the residence of Corydon R. Dewey, at Inlet Grove. Their first church building was erected in 1842, in which services were held until 1858, when a larger and more commodious one was built . . . . It appears by a certificate recorded in the Recorder's Office that I. G. Dimick . . . and G. R. Linn were elected Trustees of the 'Methodist Episcopal Church at Inlet', Dec. 12, 1840."

In the 1914 updated History of Lee County, page 387, we find the following reference to Russell Linn's and his wife Abigail's positive contribution to their church community:

"Among the many old Lee Center folks who spread sunshine over the community were Uncle Russel Linn, Uncle Dan Frost with their life companions, Aunt Abbie and Aunt Eulalia, Mrs. Birdsall, her daughter, Mrs. Luke Hitchcock, Mrs. Warnick, Mrs. John H. Gardner and so many quiet, beautiful, heroic women, yet so deferentially unobtrusive that their names with their beautiful lives slipped away so tenderly that time has permitted them to remain undisturbed even by the ruthless historian who grubs and digs into graves and garrets indiscriminately."

The 1914 Lee County history mentions George Russell Linn several other times. For example, on pages 302-303, we read:

"In writing a history of things and conditions around Inlet, one cannot get away from the good works of Ira Brewer and good old Uncle (George) Russel Linn. There never was a crisis these sturdy pioneers feared to meet. Lighter affairs were managed with the same determination to succeed. . . .

"In 1843, when $40 had been raised by Daniel Frost and Russel Linn, with which to hire a teacher, it was tendered to Mr. Brewer for a winter's work and he accepted it. He also taught night school.

"On one occasion when members of the 'Grove Association,' had been called together to settle a claim jumping case, Mr. Brewer responded. The case was over on Temperance hill, where a man deliberately jumped a settler's homestead and when the association decided he must leave 'at once,' he refused.

"Uncle Russel Linn rose and said, 'Gentlemen, we have come here to make homes for ourselves and our families. The Government has held out inducements for us to come, and we have made our homes, and we intend to defend them if we die on the defence. Then, we hope we have boys that will arise and avenge our death.'

"The claim jumper saw Uncle Russel and his seven boys and he declared that if he had to kill Uncle Russel and his seven boys before he could obtain possession of the land he would give it up and he did."

Again, on page 309 of the 1914 Lee County history, we read:

"Harriet M. Helmershausen taught school in Lee Center and boarded at the home of Russel Linn. As a token of respect for the new teacher from Maine, the new baby girl in the Linn home was named 'Harriet.'"

Russell Linn is remembered as a pious and devout Christian whose firm religious principles led him to take a principled and personal stand against the evil institution of the enslavement of African-Americans, and his home west of Lee Center was a station on the Underground Railroad. The 1914 Lee Center history, page 381-382, provides this account of the history of abolitionism in Lee County:

"In Inlet and Lee Center the abolition movement in Lee county had its origin. In the fall of 1846, the first abolition society was formed in the log schoolhouse one mile west of Lee Center. John Cross, a Congregational minister and a man who boasted of keeping an underground station for the assistance of negroes into Canada, issued a call to meet in that schoolhouse for the purpose of forming an abolition society.

"Owen Lovejoy was present and made a rousing speech. A Free Soil club was organized of which Russel Linn was made president. Among the members of the society who were present then were: Martin Wright, Lewis Clapp, Sylvester Frisbee, Ransom Barnes, Joseph Farwell, Bononi Hannon, Daniel Frost, Ira Brewer, Moses Crombie and John Cross."

Now, during those early formative years in Lee County's history, these parts of Illinois were very much a more than half-wild frontier region. The following memories of Lee County pioneer settler Ira Brewer, recorded in Recollections of the Pioneers of Lee County (1893), "Recollections of Bradford," pages 175-176, paint a picture of the state of affairs in Bradford and Lee Center Townships during the 1830s and 1840s:

"We have to remember that the first settlers came here and located on Government lands, and of course all the property that was subject to taxation was what little personal property was owned by the settlers. The laws were inadequate to the circumstances of the people, so that the people had to become a law unto themselves. Hence we see the need of the 'Grove Association,' and the 'Society for the Furtherance of the Cause of Justice,' to see that things were done honestly. I could name many of the stern old pioneers who were instrumental in keeping early settlers and the affairs of our county in good condition. . . . The older settlers had the larger part of the grove. When it was good sleighing there was liable to be some claim jumping by settlers, in the way of hauling timber from other claims. Then it was the duty of the president of the Grove Association to order a meeting, and the clerk to mount a pony and give the settlers notice. But the worst cases were when some persons would jump a home claim."

George Russell Linn was one of those "stern old pioneers" that his friend Ira Brewer had in mind. The 1881 History of Lee County, "Amboy Township," pages 284-296, relates at some length the formation and activities of the Grove Association mentioned by Brewer. The association's constitution is dated at "Inlet, Ogle county, Illinois, July 10, 1837," just a few years before Russell's arrival in what would soon become Lee County. At the 16 March 1839 meeting, the association's boundaries were defined as extending "south half way from this [Inlet] grove to Knox, half way to Dixon, half way to Malugan, half way to Palestine [i.e., Lee Center] and half way to Franklin Grove." Though we cannot be sure, it's very likely that Russell Linn participated in the Grove Association's resolute actions during the spring of 1845 that thwarted a claim-jumping scheme of a settler named Perkins, who had attempted to cheat a poor settler named Anderson out of his land at Perkins' Grove (1881 History of Lee County, pages 295-296, which calls it "one of the most notable exploits under the old regime").

In addition to activities with the Grove Association, Russell Linn had a hand in helping to subdue Lee County to the rule of law. From 1843 to 1850, much of northern Illinois was terrorised by gangs of outlaws known as "the Banditti of the Prairie," who were responsible for numerous thefts, robberies, counterfeiting, threats, extortions, and vicious murders throughout Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri. The Banditti had one of their main hideouts in Inlet Swamp, and several of the early settlers of Inlet were members of the criminal gang, including some of the magistrates. In fact the Banditti may even have subverted all of Lee County's government at the township level. "At one time, every township officer was supposed to have been a member of the banditti; being in the majority they could, of course, elect their own men to office." (1881 History of Lee County, page 416) The troubles at Inlet led to the founding of Lee Center in 1846, as many settlers left Inlet and moved to Palestine Grove so they wouldn't be in so close proximity to the criminals' hideout (cf. the 1914 History of Lee County, page 371). Some of Inlet's settlers were induced through harassment and threats to cooperate with the Banditti. One of the criminals was Charles West, then serving as Inlet's constable. In the fall of 1844, West had robbed a peddler named Miller at Troy Grove, but when some of Miller's stolen goods were found in West's house, he was arrested and turned state's evidence (1881 History of Lee County, page 298).

In response to this serious danger to peace and public order, 72 prominent citizens of Lee County met on 4 Nov. 1844 and formed "An Association for Furthering the Cause of Justice" -- what Ira Brewer recalled as the "Society for the Furtherance of the Cause of Justice." The 1881 History of Lee County, page 300, lists the following officers of the association:

Moses Crombie was elected president, Ira Brewer clerk, and George E. Haskell treasurer. The president appointed the following vigilance committee: Corydon R. Dewey, Sherman Shaw, George R. Linn, C.I. Hitchcock, Sylvanus Peterson, G.A. Ingalls, Harmon Wasson, and John C. Church.

George R. Linn's friend and associate Sherman Shaw later became the father-in-law of Russell's daughter Rebecca. "G.A. Ingalls" above is a misreading of "C.F. Ingalls," that is, Charles F. Ingalls. (This Charles F. Ingalls should not be confused with Charles P. Ingalls, father of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the well-loved Little House on the Prairie books. Charles P. Ingalls arrived in Illinois in 1848, when he was 12 years old, and thus could not be the same as Charles F. Ingalls of Lee County in 1844.) "C.I. Hitchcock" would be Charles I. Hitchcock, a resident of Lee County who was probably related to Rev. Luke Hitchcock. This list should be compared with the one given in the same volume on page 417, in the section entitled "Lee Center Township":

Among the residents of Lee Center township who took an active part in the suppression of this band of outlaws were C.F. Ingalls, Rev. Luke Hitchcock, Dr. Adams, Moses Crombie, Sherman Shaw, Lewis Clapp, Benjamin Whittaker; also a Mr. Starks and sons, whose full names we are unable to ascertain. By their shrewd manipulations and persistent efforts this organization succeeded in either capturing or driving from the country most of the prominent members of the gang, so that after 1845 the citizens of Lee Center, as well as elsewhere, experienced a feeling of security.

An article published in the Dixon Evening Telegraph in 1951 provides a similar list of names: "A group of settlers in Inlet Grove, namely, Sherman Shaw, Charles Ingalls, Rev. Hitchcock, Dr. R.F. Adams, Moses Crombies, Louis Clapp, Benjamin Whittaker, and a Mr. Starks and his sons, resolved to rid Inlet Grove of these 'banditti.' Through their heroic efforts, these men freed Inlet of the banditti." Mr. Starks is most likely the Charles Starks who was one of the prominent members of the Inlet Grove Association, though he might rather be the E.W. Starks or the Samuel S. Starks who a few years later held elected offices in Bradford Township.

Further extensive biographical information on George Russell Linn is found in his lengthy newspaper obituary. In her Linn Genealogy, pages 72-73, Evangeline Linn Halleck included only the parts of the obituary providing information not already covered in Rev. Daniel Wentworth Linn's above article about his father, as follows:

"Like Saul, he was head and sholders (sic) above the people; Like the perfect man of Uz, as well as that of his own father, his family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. His clear views upon public and moral questions, fidelity to convictions and deep piety, rendered him conspicuous. He was active in the organization of the Abolition, Freeson (Free Soil party 1848-1852) and Republican parties. In 1848, he was the only man east of the Rock river, in Lee county, who voted for James G. Birney. In that early day being willing to incur the odium of an abolitionist. His home was the station of the underground railroad where fugitives from slavery, found refuge and assistance . . . His affection for party did not blind him to new issues, and when giving his adhersion (sic) to a new party two years ago, he said publicaly (sic); 'I vote now as I did fourty (sic) years ago, for principle, even tho I vote alone'. He put character above wealth, and when an effort was made to put the rail road thru Lee Center, where he lived and owned property, which he knew would thereby become more valuable, he strongly opposed the same, giving as reasons, that saloons would follow the line of the R.R. and though their farms would become more valuable, their sons would be exposed to greater temptations. It is no wonder that such a father could record in his Journal, the fact that all his children were converted in early life and united with the church of his choice. And again he wrote, 'How blessed I have been in my children, they are so kind to me now'. He taught them that he cared more for character than wealth. Those who have read his long kept Journal can not but be impressed with the fact that Christ was supreme in his thoughts. He was a patron and ardent supporter of Rock River Seminary. His consistent piety and devotion never wavered for sixty-five years. Regularly attended the sanctuary. Sustaining social meetings by his presence. Attending camp-meetings and conferences whenever possible and liberally contributing to all benevolent enterprises. He was a genuine methodist. In old age his heart was young and he frequently attended the young peoples meetings and they manifested their esteem for him by holding a special memorial service in the evening succeeding his funeral. A largely attended funeral at Western Ave. M. E. Church, showed the love and respect, this aged man had called forth during his residence in Chicago. Dr. Luke Hitchcock a friend of fourty-six years, Rev. J. M. Caldwell and Rev. D. H. Burns presided at his funeral. A third funeral service was conducted the next day at Lee Center. He was buried beside his wife. 'His memory and influence are an honor to his church and a priceless heritage to his family'."

Russell's and Abigail's strong Christian faith is reflected in the epitaphs on their grave monument in Woodside Cemetery. Russell's epitaph says, "O, how I wish every body would love the Lord," and Abigail's reads, "Her life so sweetly ceased to be. It lapsed in immortality."

One of Russell Linn's grandchildren also shared this memory:

"My Grandfather, George Russell Linn, was known by the whole village of Lee Center as 'Uncle Russell' and was noted for his aggressive piety, love of good horses and his antipathy to anything of a frivolous nature, in which he classed all games, reading of fiction, dancing etc. He was an ardent abolitionist. The only work of fiction which he ever permitted in his house was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' He condemned horses racing on a tract, because of the gambling certain to be involved, but always kept at least one horse with which he could pass almost any encountered on the road."

The announcement of George Russell Linn's death from the front page of The Dixon Evening Telegraph, 4 Nov. 1886.

After the death of his wife Abigail, Russell Linn spent his final years living in the households of his sons who had settled in Chicago. At the time of his death, he was living in the home of his son Charles Franklin "Frank" Lynn at 189 S. Oakley Ave., Chicago. After his funeral in Chicago, his body was brought back to Lee Center and buried 6 Nov. 1886 in Woodside Cemetery.

Shown topmost is the Linn grave monument that marks the graves of George Russell Linn, Abigail (Stinson) Linn, and their son Capt. Alphonso C. Linn in one of the northern sections of Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center, Illinois. In the second row, shown at left is a close-up of the monument's inscription George Russell Linn, then his wife Abigail, and then their son Alphonso (whose inscription erroneously says Alphonso served in Company "A," a mistake for Company "F"). The first three photographs were taken by me in March 2008. The photo of Alphonso's inscription is from Find-A-Grave. Other members of the Linn family buried in Woodside Cemetery include Alphonso's older brother Charles Franklin Lynn (1827-1897), who served as Lee County Sheriff (he preferred the "Lynn" spelling of the family surname), and Russell Linn's older brother James.

The children of Russel and Abigail (Stinson) Linn were:

     -- ALBERT BROWN LINN, born 10 Jan. 1824, married Julia Etta Starks.
     -- DANIEL WENTWORTH LINN, born 2 Feb. 1826, married Henrietta M. Gardner.
     -- CHARLES FRANKLIN LINN, born 19 Nov. 1827, married Mary Asenath Wright.
     -- JACOB JEWELL LINN, born 27 Jan. (or June) 1830, married Sarah Katherine LaForge.
     -- HERMAN STINSON LINN, born 10 Jan. 1832, married Catherine Emma Stephens.
     -- GEORGE WEBBER LINN, born 27 Feb. 1834, married Lucy J. Carey.
     -- ALPHONSO CLARK LINN, born 4 Sept. 1836, died 10 July 1864, engaged to Jennie Wheeler.
     -- SARAH EMMA LINN, born 17 April 1838, married Arthur Cox McIntire.
     4. MARY REBECCA LINN, born 1 May 1841.
     -- HARRIET PAULINA LINN, born 5 April 1844, married Charles Augustus North.

4. MARY REBECCA LINN, daughter of George Russell and Abigail (Stinson) Linn, born 1 May 1841 near Lee Center, Lee County, Illinois, died 1 Dec. 1917 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, buried in Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center, Illinois. Rebecca, who was named after her paternal grandmother, was born just west of Lee Center (originally called Palestine Grove), where she was raised. It was on 22 Dec. 1863 in Lee Center that she married JAMES MONROE SHAW ("Monroe," "Roe"), born 26 June 1838 near Palestine Grove (Lee Center), Lee County (then Ogle County), Illinois, died at age 38 on 26 Dec. 1876 in Lee Center, Illinois, buried in Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center, Illinois; son of Sherman and Malinda Shaw, friends of Rebecca's parents. Rebecca and Monroe had three sons and two daughters. They married 10 months after his 28 Feb. 1863 discharge from the Union Army due to disability, in which Monroe had served as a Corporal in the 13th Illinois Infantry, Co. A. Monroe had contracted dysentery during the preparation for the assault on Vicksburg.

Mary Rebecca Linn first appears on record in the U.S. Census returns for China Township, Lee County, Illinois, dated 3 Sept. 1850. That census record lists her family near that of "James Lynn" (Mary Rebecca's uncle), and lists them as "Geo R. Lynn," 49, farmer, real estate valued at $1,500, "Abagail Lynn," 51, "Daniel Lynn," 24, teacher, "Charles F. Lynn," 21, farmer, "Jacob Lynn," 20, farmer, "Herman Lynn," 18, farmer, "George R. Lynn Jr.," 16, farmer, "Alphonzo Lynn," 13, "Sarah Lynn," 12, "Mary Lynn," 9, and "Harriet Lynn," 6. In this record, Mary Rebecca's father is shown to be born in Massachusetts, while everyone else in the household except Mary Rebecca and Harriet are shown as born in Maine, while Mary Rebecca and Harriet were born in Illinois.

Ten years later, Mary Rebecca was then enrolled in the U.S. Census returns for Lee Center Township, Lee County, Illinois, dated 17 July 1860. This record lists her family as "George R. Linn, 59, farmer, with real estate valued at $11,000 and personal estate valued at $1,000, "Abigal Linn," 61, "Alphonso C. Linn," 23, "Sarah Linn," 22, "Mary R. Linn," 19, and "Harriet P. Linn," 16.

Some of Rebecca's personal recollections of her life in Lee County can be found in the 1914 updated History of Lee County, Illinois, on page 377. Among her most vivid memories were those of the dreadful tornado that hit Lee County in 1860 (the full account of which tornado is found on pages 377-380 of the 1914 Lee County history). Here is Rebecca's information:

"Mrs. James M. Shaw, daughter of Russel Linn, of Lee Center, gave me the best account of the old days I was able to get in all of my Inlet work. The old red and yellow stage coaches, droning along, appeared to her vision as distinctly as when they used to travel past the home of her father, on the old Chicago road. They were of the old Concord type, rounding up front and rear, and given their easy swinging motion because they rested on leather springs, layered together in fourteen layers.

"Mrs. Shaw went through the fearful tornado or cyclone of 1860. She and Mrs. E. M. Grose, who live in Dixon, and Ira W. Lewis, also of Dixon, all of whom passed through the storm, have given me the information from which I am able to give the first connected story of that devastating storm.

"The storm struck Lee county at about the center of the west line of Harmon township. It passed directly through Harmon and Marion townships, almost in a straight easterly direction, and aside from little destruction of fencing, did nothing destructive in either town. In continued its easterly course into Amboy township, but almost immediately it veered to the northeast and, passing to the north of the city of Amboy, it did the first real damage when it reached the farm of Michael Morse on the northeast quarter of section 9 in Amboy township. Here the buildings were demolished. Mr. Morse was badly hurt and his wife, Trial, and their daughter, Emma, were killed.

"Continuing northeasterly, it reached the farm of Isaac Gage. In passing it shook the Linn house in which Mrs. Shaw was sitting, like a cradle, and the vibrations of that awful evening come back to her in all their awful realism, whenever the day returns to her memory."

Shown here are two old photographs of James Monroe Shaw which had been handed down to his granddaughter Eleanor (Shaw) Baylor and preserved by Eleanor's family. The photograph on the right was the basis for the above-shown engraving of James Monroe Shaw that was inherited by Eleanor's younger brother Sherman Linn Shaw II and is now treasured by his descendants.

Shown above are photographs of the home in Lee Center where James Monroe Shaw and his wife and children lived, probably from 1864 until December 1876. The home was located on Lot 45, People's Addition, at the southwest corner of the intersection of Center Street and Pin Oak Drive, just a block north of the old stone house where James Monroe Shaw's father lived. It was in this house where James' wife Rebecca gave birth to their son Arthur Monroe Shaw. The photograph on the left shows the house prior to a remodelling by its owners, the Footes, during the 1950s or 1960s, and on the right is a photo from the 1960s showing the same home after the remodelling. The house has since been torn down and replaced by a completely different and larger structure.

The 1870 U.S. Census for Lee Center Township, dated 5 Aug. 1870, shows "James Saw" (sic), age 32, with his wife "Mary," age 29, and their children "Sherman," age 5, "Grace," age 2, and "George," age 1. James was then a dry goods merchant in town, and his store clerk, Louis Darzy, age 21, was boarding with them at the time. Aunt Eleanor's mimeographed family history recounts the story of James Monroe and Mary Rebecca's family as follows:

There were five children in this family: Sherman Linn, Grace (Mrs. C.T. Leonard), Emma Adelia, who died when about ten years of age; George Harry Thornton and Arthur Monroe. James Monroe Shaw died Dec. 26, 1876. He had contracted dysentery during the war years, from which he never fully recovered, and had received a medical discharge from service. After his death his widow and her children moved in with Manly Sherman and remained with them until the death of the latter and his wife.

This tintype is very probably an early childhood portrait of Sherman Linn Shaw, eldest child of Monroe and Rebecca. This tintype is provided courtesy of the family of Eleanor (Shaw) Baylor.

Shown above are old photographs and tintypes of the five children of James Monroe Shaw and his wife Mary Rebecca Linn Shaw, provided courtesy the family of their granddaughter Eleanor Baylor. From left to right are: Sherman Linn Shaw (a photograph from his teenage years, showing a strong resemblance to his great-grandson and namesake Jason Sherman Olar), Grace Shaw and her little sister Emma Adelia who died at age 10, and George Harry Thornton Shaw and his brother Arthur Monroe Shaw.

In her unpublished notes on the history of Lee Center, my mother's Aunt Eleanor (Shaw) Baylor says, "Shortly before his death James Monroe deeded the place" -- that is, his home on Lot 45, People's Addition -- "to his father, Manly Sherman Shaw. I have the deed." That sounds as if James knew he did not have long to live and was making arrangements to have his parents take care of his widow and children. On his grave marker in Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center, James Monroe Shaw's age at death is given as 38 years 6 months. He is named as the "son of Sherman & M. D. Shaw," and his epitaph reads, "I know that my Redeemer liveth" (Job 19:25) and "I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54). On the right of the stone, it reads, "Our Father," on the left, "Our Brother," and on the back, "Monroe my husband," followed by a verse that the ensuing years have rendered illegible.

Shown at left are the graves of James M. Shaw's family, located behind his parents' grave in Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center. In the background is the large black monument of John Langdon Shaw and his family. John was a son of John Shaw, older brother of Manly Sherman Shaw. Shown at right is the gravestone of James M. Shaw.

On 4 June 1880, the U.S. Census returns for Lee Center Village show James Monroe Shaw's widow "Rebecca Shaw," age 39, keeping house in a residence apparently adjacent to her father- and mother-in-law. The census shows her with her children "Sherman," age 15, "Grace," age 12, "George," age 9, "Arthur," age 8, and "Emma," age 6, along with Rebecca's cousin "Cora B. Linn," age 24, who was living with them as a house keeper. Cora's father was James Perry Linn (1818-1871), whose father James Lynn (1790-1865) was one of the brothers of Rebecca's father George Russell Linn (1800-1886). Listed on the same census record immediately after Rebecca and her children are "Sherman Shaw," 69, a farmer, and his wife "Malinda D. Shaw," age 63, keeping house. Our family tradition affirms that Rebecca and her children lived with Sherman and Malinda after the death of Rebecca's husband James, but the precise nature of their living arrangements is unclear, as they may have been living in separate houses next door to each other at this time, or the house where they both lived may have been subdivided as apartments.

Having suffered the untimely loss of her husband, not quite seven years later Rebecca and her family again experienced the sorrow of an unwelcome and too early death. As mentioned above, Emma Adelia, youngest child of James Monroe and Mary Rebecca, fell sick and died on 6 Nov. 1883 at home in Lee Center, when she was only 10 years old. She was buried beside her father in Woodside Cemetery. Her gravestone names her as the "daughter of J.M. & R.L. Shaw," and gives her age at death as 10 years, 2 months, 2 days. Her epitaph consists of her own words that she spoke to her loved ones: "I would like to get well, but I know Jesus will do what is best."

The same year that Emma Adelia died, James Monroe's widow Rebecca appears in the 1883 list of "Lee County Pensioners," a roll of Lee County residents who were receiving a military pension. The list shows "Shaw, Mary R., Lee Centre" and says she was receiving a pension of $16 per month (certificate no. 188,875) as the widow of a Civil War soldier.

Three years after Emma Adelia's death, her grandparents Sherman and Malinda took steps to provide for the heirs of their eldest son James Monroe Shaw. In 1886, they deeded Lot 74, People's Addition, located next door to, and to the east of, the old Shaw home that had been built by Garrett La Forge, to their daughter-in-law Rebecca and her children Sherman, Grace, George and Arthur, for $150. This lot had originally been purchased for $150 by Manly Sherman Shaw and his wife Malinda from their son-in-law William S. Frost, and according to the property's abstract the lot at first was the west half of the Old Methodist Meeting House lot.

My grandfather Sherman appears along with his siblings and Shaw cousins in this large group photograph with their grandmother Rebecca taken at the old Shaw place in Lee Center in or around 1915. In the center is Mary Rebecca (Linn) Shaw, about two years before her death. On Mary Rebecca's lap is Phyllis, age 2, daughter of Arthur Monroe Shaw. Standing right in front of Mary Rebecca is my grandfather Sherman, age 3, looking much like my brother Derek did at around that age. Sitting right next to Mary Rebecca is her oldest grandchild, Gertrude, age about 21. The oldest and tallest boy, right behind Mary Rebecca, is Gertrude's younger brother Russell, age about 19 or 20. Aunt Eleanor is the little girl standing right next to Gertrude -- Eleanor would be about 6 years old. Right behind her, and next to Gertrude, is Mary Gwen Shaw, about age 14, daughter of George Harry Thornton Shaw. The dark-haired boy with his hands in his pockets was Mary Gwen's younger brother Clarke Monroe Shaw, age about 12. Standing on the right of the picture are Frank and Helen Leonard, adopted children of Grace Shaw and Charles Taylor Leonard. The remaining children are the three older children of Arthur Monroe Shaw: Frances, age 8, standing between Clarke and Frank; Richard, age 7, seated next to Helen; and Edwina, age 4, standing on the left of the picture.

James Monroe's widow Rebecca continued to live in Lee Center until about 1894, when she moved to Dixon, Illinois, where she lived in an apartment at 272 Highland with her son George. Later she lived for a while with her youngest son Arthur in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as indicated by the 1900 U.S. Census, afterward returning to Lee Center, where she probably lived with one of her children, perhaps her eldest son Sherman. When the end of her life came in 1917, she was living with her daughter Grace in Chicago (having moved in with Grace and her husband Charles T. Leonard by the time of the 1910 U.S. Census).

The gravestones of Emma Adelia Shaw and her mother Mary Rebecca Linn Shaw, Woodside Cemetery, Lee Center, Illinois.

The five children of Mary Rebecca and James Monroe Shaw were:

     5.  SHERMAN LINN SHAW, born 5 Oct. 1864 in Bradford Twp., Lee Co.
     --  GRACE SHAW, born 19 Dec. 1867, died 18 Dec. 1947, md. Charles T. Leonard
     --  GEORGE HARRY THORNTON SHAW, born 15 June 1869 in Lee Center, died 17 April 1934.
     --  COL. ARTHUR MONROE SHAW, born 12 Dec. 1870 in Lee Center, died 2 Aug. 1942.
     --  EMMA ADELIA SHAW, born 4 Sept. 1873 in Lee Center; died 6 Nov. 1883.

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Genealogy Trails -- Lee County, Illinois
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