Individual Details
John Fletcher Kirkpatrick
(8 Sep 1811 - 6 Sep 1882)
John Fletcher Kirkpatrick was born 8 September 1811 in Madison County, Illinois. He came to Belmont Mounds in 1832 to engage in lead mining and along the way he planted a crop of corn. It was the same year as the Black Hawk War and Fletcher Kirkpatrick became involved as a private in Captain James Craig's Company of Illinois Mounted Volunteers under the command of Colonel Henry Dodge. Kirkpatrick's service was from May to September 1832. One muster roll shows that Fletcher Kirkpatrick was in Capt. Gear's Company of Infantry, 27th Regiment, Illinois Militia, but that he was absent without leave and joined Captain James Craig's Company, a detached unit under the command of Henry Dodge, which contained a considerable number of relatives.
His papers describe him as six feet, two inches tall, with blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion. By profession, the papers say, he is engaged in "farming, teaming and mining". The same documents give his birth place as "near Quincy, Bond County, Illinois". This obviously is an error. (The statement was made by his widow in her application for a military pension.)
Immediately following the Black Hawk War, Kirkpatrick returned to an area North of Platteville where he discovered the "Burying Ground Diggings", a lead mine. Fletcher Kirkpatrick died 6 September 1882, intestate, at Platteville, where he lived since 1838. For some eight or ten years he was in the mercantile business at Platteville, after which he engaged in the butchering business*** (see note concerning Thomas Chapman, below). Kirkpatrick served for many years on town and village boards.
He married, first, at Washburn (now Arthur), Wisconsin, Louisa Jane Basye, daughter of Dr. Joseph Jackson and Ann (Watson) Basye. (Joseph Jackson Basye was born 24 September 1799, died 5 January 1877. His wife Anna, was born in South Carolina on 28 December 1799. She died on 17 September 1873.) Louisa Jane (Bayse) Kirkpatrick was born 9 December 1821 in Illinois and died at Cassville, Grant County, Wisconsin, 29 March 1845.
Kirkpatrick married as his second wife, Mary Ellen (or Eleanor) Summers, who was born in Clarke County, Indiana. The wedding was at Platteville, 1 June 1847, presided over by Rev. E. Springer. Mary Ellen was the daughter of Henry and Dorcas Summer. She was born 12 November 1824 and died 24 July 1905.
Fletcher and Louisa had four children, three of which died under the age of 5.
Fletcher and Mary Ellen had six children.
===================
NOTE: Fletcher Kirkpatrick wrote a brief two page "History of the Kirkpatrick's", that was sent to his nephew James, so states his daughter Ella May from whom the paper decends. In most but not all respects it is correct and informative. From time to time we have quoted from this paper of J. F. Kirkpatrick.
===================
"An Old Record"
John Fletcher Kirkpatrick was a great-grandson of James Kirkpatrick, who was the progenitor of this family. His parents emigrated to Madison County, Illinois in 1802, and John was born there in 1811. In 1878 he wrote down his recollections and the family traditions for his children and grand children. The result is this document, "An Old Record." Not all of the account is completely accurate. For instance, James Kirkpatrick had six sons, not seven, and not all of them returned safely from the war (Thomas died while a Prisoner-Of-War), but it appears to be in the main a reasonably accurate, and certainly a colorful account of the early years of a part of the family. it is reprinted here, verbatim, just as it was written by him.
--------------------------------------
My grand-father and his six brothers, who were of Scotch descent, served in the Revolutionary War with Washington and Marion. My grandfather had a furlough to come home to see his family. There was a Tory in the hands of the Whigs by the name of Mayfield, and grandfather bailed him out so that he could go and visit his family also. He, traitor like, informed the Tories about grandfather being at home. They surrounded the house where grandfather lived, he having been home but a few hours and was sitting on grandmother's lap when they came to the door. Just as he reached for his gun a man by the name of Pruitt -- the leader of the Tories -- shot him dead.
Grandfather's six brothers returned safely from the war. Pruitt was put in jail but succeeded in getting out and fled the country. Afterwards some of grandfathers relations hired Mayfield to go as a pilot through a kind of wilderness and that was the last ever seen of him. But everybody seemed to understand what became of him.
Grandfather left 4 sons. My father was the youngest and could just remember the circumstance. My grandmother's maiden name was Gillham; was of Irish descent. She afterwards married a man by the name of Potts*. After he died my father and uncle Frank went back to Georgia after her. And uncle James and family came also at this time back with them to Illinois. We were then living in Bond County, near Greenville, but when we moved to Sangamon County near Springfield she moved with us and lived there until her death.
My mother whose maiden name was Lane, also died here. Father and she were married in Georgia.
Grandfather's six brothers seemed to have wandered all over the United States. Some went to Ohio I know. I must tell you how they came to migrate from Georgia. During the war, some of the Gillham children were stolen by the Indians and carried to Illinois, were rescued by some traders and some of the Gillhams went for them. When they returned a colony of 140 emigrated to that then new country. Uncle Thoms, uncle Frank and family and my father were among them.
Now of the families of the four who came from Georgia, Thomas was the oldest. Wife's name was Polly Lane. Their eldest son was Harrison who died here in 1876, leaving three children, Samuel who then lived in Illinois, Mary, (Mrs.Williams) and Eliza. His other children were all dead. his oldest son Thomas left home twenty-five years ago and went into British America. They never knew what became of him. Their next son was John whose wife's name was Sims, but I do not know anything about their family. Third son was drowned while quite young. Fourth son Joseph married Maria Pratt. Fifth son Richard married Rebecca Lamb and they had one son named Pope C. Sixth son, William, who also married a Pratt, and lived in Iowa some wheres, had a large family. Seventh son, Jesse Walker, do not know whether he married or not. Eighth son, Thomas M., married a New, had a large family and I think lived in Iowa. Ninth son, Rev. Frank, do not know wife's maiden name, had a large family and lived in Iowa. Tenth and eleventh sons were Alfred and Jonathan. Do not know where they are, but believe the latter went to California. The daughters I remember were Sarah, Winnie and Emily, but I know nothing of their families.
The next of the four brothers was Frank who died in Adams Co., Illinois, leaving a large family of girls, but only one son William. Do not know anything about his family. The next brother of the four was Uncle James. He had four sons and three daughters. Frank, who has a large family, William, 'Black' Jim and John J. All lived near here and all have large families. Do not know about the girls. The last of the four brothers was my father, Rev. John. Eldest son Augustine, next James, third Jesse J., fourth Joseph Scott, fifth son Francis Walker, sixth son myself, John Fletcher, eight son William, who died in 1844. My eldest sister Susan married a man by the name of Tucker, and at his death married a man named Baskford, some of their children still living, one a minister. Mary Serena married a German by the name of Swiers. Two daughters are still living. Sarah married a Parkinson. A number of her children still live. Eliza's husband was named Crawford Young. Elizabeth a Barayl. A son and daughter still live.
I had one half sister who married a man by the name of Bay and removed to Oregon. Several of his children are still living. I have a wife and five children, Etta, Mrs. Geo. Brunskill; Emma, Mrs. James Stephens; Anna; Ella; and Clyde. My wife's name as you know was Eleanor N. Summers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
***
HISTORY of GRANT COUNTY WISCONSIN
CHICAGO WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY
MDCCCLXXXI
Page 901
Thomas CHAPMAN
Platteville; Born in Huby, East Ridney, of Yorkshire, England, March 27,
1815; came to America in 1838, reaching Platteville July 25, without a dollar in his pocket. He spent the first winter at mining; then rented a farm for five years; began $500 in debt, and at the end of two years began the butchering business, which he carried on together with his farming
until the expiration of the lease. Mr. Chapman is a veteran butcher of Grant Co., he having followed the business steadily from 1841 to 1874. John Watkinson was his first partner. In 1853, he formed a partnership with J. F. KIRKPATRICK, which partnership he continued up to the retirement of both from business. Mr. Chapman is the owner of several farms---one of 340, and one of 140 acres in Platteville, 80 in Smelser, 160 in La Fayette Co., 160
in Iowa Co., 240 in Kossuth and Wright Counties, Iowa, and a farm of 140 acres, part in Platteville and part in Harrison. He married Sarah Kay, who died leaving four children---Robert, Elizabeth A., Mary J., and Sarah M., the later died in 1880. The second wife, nee Elizabeth Richards, died also, leaving four children---Sarah M., John, William, and Nora. All the children were born in Platteville. The present Mrs. Chapman was Mrs. Fannie S., widow of John Bonson, one of the pioneer settlers of Platteville. Mr. Chapman served one year as Assessor of this town; Treasurer two years, and Supervisor six years. He is a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, and is a Freemason. His home is now outside the city limits of Platteville, where he has 13 acres, in addition to the hundreds mentioned above.
His papers describe him as six feet, two inches tall, with blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion. By profession, the papers say, he is engaged in "farming, teaming and mining". The same documents give his birth place as "near Quincy, Bond County, Illinois". This obviously is an error. (The statement was made by his widow in her application for a military pension.)
Immediately following the Black Hawk War, Kirkpatrick returned to an area North of Platteville where he discovered the "Burying Ground Diggings", a lead mine. Fletcher Kirkpatrick died 6 September 1882, intestate, at Platteville, where he lived since 1838. For some eight or ten years he was in the mercantile business at Platteville, after which he engaged in the butchering business*** (see note concerning Thomas Chapman, below). Kirkpatrick served for many years on town and village boards.
He married, first, at Washburn (now Arthur), Wisconsin, Louisa Jane Basye, daughter of Dr. Joseph Jackson and Ann (Watson) Basye. (Joseph Jackson Basye was born 24 September 1799, died 5 January 1877. His wife Anna, was born in South Carolina on 28 December 1799. She died on 17 September 1873.) Louisa Jane (Bayse) Kirkpatrick was born 9 December 1821 in Illinois and died at Cassville, Grant County, Wisconsin, 29 March 1845.
Kirkpatrick married as his second wife, Mary Ellen (or Eleanor) Summers, who was born in Clarke County, Indiana. The wedding was at Platteville, 1 June 1847, presided over by Rev. E. Springer. Mary Ellen was the daughter of Henry and Dorcas Summer. She was born 12 November 1824 and died 24 July 1905.
Fletcher and Louisa had four children, three of which died under the age of 5.
Fletcher and Mary Ellen had six children.
===================
NOTE: Fletcher Kirkpatrick wrote a brief two page "History of the Kirkpatrick's", that was sent to his nephew James, so states his daughter Ella May from whom the paper decends. In most but not all respects it is correct and informative. From time to time we have quoted from this paper of J. F. Kirkpatrick.
===================
"An Old Record"
John Fletcher Kirkpatrick was a great-grandson of James Kirkpatrick, who was the progenitor of this family. His parents emigrated to Madison County, Illinois in 1802, and John was born there in 1811. In 1878 he wrote down his recollections and the family traditions for his children and grand children. The result is this document, "An Old Record." Not all of the account is completely accurate. For instance, James Kirkpatrick had six sons, not seven, and not all of them returned safely from the war (Thomas died while a Prisoner-Of-War), but it appears to be in the main a reasonably accurate, and certainly a colorful account of the early years of a part of the family. it is reprinted here, verbatim, just as it was written by him.
--------------------------------------
My grand-father and his six brothers, who were of Scotch descent, served in the Revolutionary War with Washington and Marion. My grandfather had a furlough to come home to see his family. There was a Tory in the hands of the Whigs by the name of Mayfield, and grandfather bailed him out so that he could go and visit his family also. He, traitor like, informed the Tories about grandfather being at home. They surrounded the house where grandfather lived, he having been home but a few hours and was sitting on grandmother's lap when they came to the door. Just as he reached for his gun a man by the name of Pruitt -- the leader of the Tories -- shot him dead.
Grandfather's six brothers returned safely from the war. Pruitt was put in jail but succeeded in getting out and fled the country. Afterwards some of grandfathers relations hired Mayfield to go as a pilot through a kind of wilderness and that was the last ever seen of him. But everybody seemed to understand what became of him.
Grandfather left 4 sons. My father was the youngest and could just remember the circumstance. My grandmother's maiden name was Gillham; was of Irish descent. She afterwards married a man by the name of Potts*. After he died my father and uncle Frank went back to Georgia after her. And uncle James and family came also at this time back with them to Illinois. We were then living in Bond County, near Greenville, but when we moved to Sangamon County near Springfield she moved with us and lived there until her death.
My mother whose maiden name was Lane, also died here. Father and she were married in Georgia.
Grandfather's six brothers seemed to have wandered all over the United States. Some went to Ohio I know. I must tell you how they came to migrate from Georgia. During the war, some of the Gillham children were stolen by the Indians and carried to Illinois, were rescued by some traders and some of the Gillhams went for them. When they returned a colony of 140 emigrated to that then new country. Uncle Thoms, uncle Frank and family and my father were among them.
Now of the families of the four who came from Georgia, Thomas was the oldest. Wife's name was Polly Lane. Their eldest son was Harrison who died here in 1876, leaving three children, Samuel who then lived in Illinois, Mary, (Mrs.Williams) and Eliza. His other children were all dead. his oldest son Thomas left home twenty-five years ago and went into British America. They never knew what became of him. Their next son was John whose wife's name was Sims, but I do not know anything about their family. Third son was drowned while quite young. Fourth son Joseph married Maria Pratt. Fifth son Richard married Rebecca Lamb and they had one son named Pope C. Sixth son, William, who also married a Pratt, and lived in Iowa some wheres, had a large family. Seventh son, Jesse Walker, do not know whether he married or not. Eighth son, Thomas M., married a New, had a large family and I think lived in Iowa. Ninth son, Rev. Frank, do not know wife's maiden name, had a large family and lived in Iowa. Tenth and eleventh sons were Alfred and Jonathan. Do not know where they are, but believe the latter went to California. The daughters I remember were Sarah, Winnie and Emily, but I know nothing of their families.
The next of the four brothers was Frank who died in Adams Co., Illinois, leaving a large family of girls, but only one son William. Do not know anything about his family. The next brother of the four was Uncle James. He had four sons and three daughters. Frank, who has a large family, William, 'Black' Jim and John J. All lived near here and all have large families. Do not know about the girls. The last of the four brothers was my father, Rev. John. Eldest son Augustine, next James, third Jesse J., fourth Joseph Scott, fifth son Francis Walker, sixth son myself, John Fletcher, eight son William, who died in 1844. My eldest sister Susan married a man by the name of Tucker, and at his death married a man named Baskford, some of their children still living, one a minister. Mary Serena married a German by the name of Swiers. Two daughters are still living. Sarah married a Parkinson. A number of her children still live. Eliza's husband was named Crawford Young. Elizabeth a Barayl. A son and daughter still live.
I had one half sister who married a man by the name of Bay and removed to Oregon. Several of his children are still living. I have a wife and five children, Etta, Mrs. Geo. Brunskill; Emma, Mrs. James Stephens; Anna; Ella; and Clyde. My wife's name as you know was Eleanor N. Summers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
***
HISTORY of GRANT COUNTY WISCONSIN
CHICAGO WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY
MDCCCLXXXI
Page 901
Thomas CHAPMAN
Platteville; Born in Huby, East Ridney, of Yorkshire, England, March 27,
1815; came to America in 1838, reaching Platteville July 25, without a dollar in his pocket. He spent the first winter at mining; then rented a farm for five years; began $500 in debt, and at the end of two years began the butchering business, which he carried on together with his farming
until the expiration of the lease. Mr. Chapman is a veteran butcher of Grant Co., he having followed the business steadily from 1841 to 1874. John Watkinson was his first partner. In 1853, he formed a partnership with J. F. KIRKPATRICK, which partnership he continued up to the retirement of both from business. Mr. Chapman is the owner of several farms---one of 340, and one of 140 acres in Platteville, 80 in Smelser, 160 in La Fayette Co., 160
in Iowa Co., 240 in Kossuth and Wright Counties, Iowa, and a farm of 140 acres, part in Platteville and part in Harrison. He married Sarah Kay, who died leaving four children---Robert, Elizabeth A., Mary J., and Sarah M., the later died in 1880. The second wife, nee Elizabeth Richards, died also, leaving four children---Sarah M., John, William, and Nora. All the children were born in Platteville. The present Mrs. Chapman was Mrs. Fannie S., widow of John Bonson, one of the pioneer settlers of Platteville. Mr. Chapman served one year as Assessor of this town; Treasurer two years, and Supervisor six years. He is a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, and is a Freemason. His home is now outside the city limits of Platteville, where he has 13 acres, in addition to the hundreds mentioned above.
Events
| Birth | 8 Sep 1811 | Madison Co., Illinois | |||
| Marriage | 24 Aug 1837 | Washburn, Bayfield Co., Wisconsin - Louisa Jane Basye | |||
| Marriage | 1 Jun 1847 | Platteville, Grant Co., Wisconsin - Mary Ellen Summers | |||
| Death | 6 Sep 1882 | Platteville, Grant Co., Wisconsin |  | ||
| Burial | Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster, Grant Co., Wisconsin | |
Families
| Spouse | Louisa Jane Basye (1820 - 1845) |
| Child | Benjamin Franklin Kirkpatrick (1838 - 1844) |
| Child | John Kirkpatrick (1840 - 1845) |
| Child | Julia Amelia Kirkpatrick (1841 - 1866) |
| Child | Jerome Socrates Kirkpatrick (1843 - 1849) |
| Child | Infant Kirkpatrick (1845 - 1845) |
| Spouse | Mary Ellen Summers (1824 - 1905) |
| Child | Mary Jane Kirkpatrick (1848 - 1852) |
| Child | Henrietta Fletcher Kirkpatrick (1850 - 1928) |
| Child | Emma Adella Kirkpatrick (1853 - 1953) |
| Child | Anna M. Kirkpatrick (1855 - 1915) |
| Child | Ella May Kirkpatrick (1856 - 1939) |
| Child | John "Clyde" Kirkpatrick (1859 - 1920) |
| Father | John Kirkpatrick (1776 - 1845) |
| Mother | Sarah Lane (1777 - 1823) |
| Sibling | Augustus Browning Kirkpatrick (1800 - 1879) |
| Sibling | James Lane Kirkpatrick (1802 - 1858) |
| Sibling | Jesse Jackson Kirkpatrick (1804 - 1869) |
| Sibling | Joseph Scott Kirkpatrick (1805 - 1892) |
| Sibling | Susannah Sophronia Kirkpatrick (1807 - 1842) |
| Sibling | Francis Walker Kirkpatrick (1808 - 1863) |
| Sibling | Ameila Winifred Kirkpatrick (1810 - 1864) |
| Sibling | Mary Serina Kirkpatrick (1813 - 1872) |
| Sibling | Thomas Shelby Kirkpatrick (1814 - 1882) |
| Sibling | William McKendree Kirkpatrick (1815 - 1844) |
| Sibling | Sarah Filina Kirkpatrick (1817 - 1880) |
| Sibling | Eliza Carolina Kirkpatrick (1820 - ) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth "Betsy" Lane Kirkpatrick (1822 - 1883) |
Endnotes
1. Grant County Genealogical Society, Platteville, Wisconsin.
2. Grant County Genealogical Society, Platteville, Wisconsin.