James W Allen

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5682649/james-allen : accessed 04 November 2021), memorial page for James Allen (2 Feb 1814–27 Nov 1890), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5682649, citing Saint Francis River Cemetery, Duelm, Benton County, Minnesota, USA ; Maintained by Wendelina (contributor 47649301) .
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Obituary: "Carlinville Democrat", James Allen, 6 Nov 1890, Member Mt. Nebo A.F.&A.M. Lodge;

James Allen, at his residence in this city, Sunday night, the 28th last. In his 76th year of age. He was born near Louisville, KY., April 12, 1813. He removed to this State about 50 years ago and has been a resident of this city for many years. He was twice married. His first wife, Delilah Davis, died in 1864, leaving two sons now surviving. He was married in 1865 to Sarah Keller, who survives him. Mr. Allen united with the M.E. church 53 years ago and lived a consistent christian life, respected by all who knew him. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon. He was a member of Mt. Nebo Lodge, A.F.&A.M., and laid to rest by the brothers of the lodge.

I will now continue the matter a little farther in 1820. I left my own farm and Frederick KELLER (Jacob Kellers brother) and myself rented a large farm on Rock Creek, where we had much work to do to raise a crop. The Methodists and Baptists had lived and got along together well enough and would sometimes preach together and call each other brother etc., though they would not commune together at the sacrament of the supper of the Lord but attend each others meeting and join in worship and some of our people could masticate their doctrine tolerable well. I could not, though I tried thoroughly on account of my wife's people, they were all Methodists. (Jeffries wife was Susan Keller) I could not get along with it and my wife was as far from it, if not more so than I was, yet we would frequently attend their meetings, which was held the largest part of the time at her father's house.

However the two preachers fell out a little, by the way, this was the trouble - the Methodist was a good cabinet maker, and a first rate hand to stock a gun. STUTEVILLE, the Baptist preacher had one to stock there was none like Abram DAVIS (Levina, Cinderella & Delila Davis’ father), in his estimations so he took it to him, they were near neighbors so he went for his gun at the time it was done, and didn't know that there was anything the matter with his Methodist brothers and got his gun, but had not taken pay with him for the gun, intending to hand him the three dollars when he would see him again, but we supposed Abram had got stirred about something, we know not what, so he brought suit for the money. This at once broke off the brotherhood. STUTERVILLE would go no more to Davis' meetings and Davis no more to his meetings and hard feelings became prevalent not only with the two preachers but also somewhat with the members. This was a matter of distress to me, but their doctrine never had been the same, but we thought there were good Christians among them, >>

In August 1823, Thomas BRUSTER and I took another survey of Indiana, we traveled over much of the state and succeeded no better than before, so in August 1829, Samuel KELLER (Jacob Kellers brother) and myself came to Illinois to explore the prairie state and was very well pleased with it, so I sold my farm to Charles WORTHAM, and on the 11th day of June 1830 I started to move to Illinois, and on the 19th day of the same month landed in Coles county, Ill, where we are yet.

Note: Samuel and Jacob Keller migrated to Macoupin Co., ILMacoupin IL Land Records:

KELLER JACOB NWSW 27 10N 09W 3 10/18/1834 MACOUPIN

KELLER SAMUEL E2SW 20 10N 07W 3 10/31/1831 MACOUPIN