Knowing that I wouldn’t be spending time on my computer while enjoying a weekend at the lake with my siblings and their families, I skipped my usual Saturday Night Genealogy Fun post. These weekly prompts are often lighthearted, but this week’s question was more serious—and one I couldn’t ignore.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! theme), is to:
- Identify an ancestor or relative who seems to have disappeared from the records after a certain date.
- Tell us what you know about them—and what you think may have happened.
I don’t just have one ancestor who vanished—I have two, both from the same family line. According to the family Bible, my great-great-grandfather Hiram M. Currey was born in Peoria, Illinois, in 1835. That single detail set me on the hunt to discover who his father might have been.
The 1840 census for Peoria County, Illinois, lists a Hiram Curry, aged 30–39, living with a woman of the same age range, a boy under five, and a girl under five. Working on the assumption that this older Hiram could be my Hiram’s father, I began to research him.
Over time, I’ve pieced together about twenty years’ worth of records for Hiram M. Currey of Peoria—but nothing after 1844. Then he simply disappears. Another researcher suggested that Hiram “went to the gold fields,” noting that a party of Peorians did head to California during the 1849 Gold Rush. However, despite searching newspapers, diaries, and local accounts, I have yet to find a single mention of a Hiram Currey of Peoria among those who went west in search of gold.
ABC Biography: Hiram M. Currey (ca. 1787 – after 1844)
Early Life
Hiram M. Currey was born about 1787, though his exact birthplace is unknown. The first known record of him appears in Franklin County, Ohio, where he witnessed a mortgage deed on 23 May 1817. At that time, he was already using the professional title of “Esquire,” suggesting he had studied law or was involved in legal work.
Early Legal Career in Indiana
By 1822, Hiram had moved west into the newly organized state of Indiana. On 4 April 1822, he was admitted to practice law in Rush County and was immediately appointed as that county’s first prosecuting attorney. Later that same year, he gained admission to the bar at Indianapolis and became the first prosecuting attorney in Shelby County on 10 October 1822.
Although his legal career in Indiana advanced quickly, it was short-lived. He resigned from his prosecuting post in Rush County in April 1823. His name still appears in several early Indiana legal and county histories as one of the pioneer attorneys who helped establish the region’s court systems.
Move to Illinois
Hiram next appears in Peoria County, Illinois, where his name is found on the 1825 tax list, showing he was living in the Ten Mile Creek area and later in Medina Township. That same year, he was appointed a constable in Peoria.
In 1826, during the first public sale of Peoria lands, Hiram purchased lot 9 in Block 2 for $51. He soon became active in local affairs, running for county commissioner and later being nominated—and confirmed—as justice of the peace. His commission as justice was dated 5 January 1827, making him one of Peoria’s early civil officers.
Public Service and Civic Life
Throughout the late 1820s, Hiram remained a visible figure in Peoria’s civic and political life. He ran for local offices several times, including county commissioner and justice of the peace in 1828, and won election as justice in 1829.
Records show that he also performed marriage ceremonies and was active as a lawyer. Around 1829, he was recognized as an early settler of Spring Bay Township in nearby Tazewell County.
Military and Frontier Service
Hiram’s sense of civic duty extended to military service. He was commissioned major of the Peoria Battalion on 4 March 1830 and later served as a private and second sergeant in the Black Hawk War of 1831–1832. His company, under Captains Pike and Eads, took part in the early engagements near the Rock River and Stillman’s Run.
In correspondence preserved in military archives, Hiram signed himself as “Major Peoria Add. Batt’n, Illinois Militia”, writing to General Henry Atkinson in November 1832 regarding the burning of land and bridges by Native Americans near Peoria. Later that year, he was appointed a commissioner to investigate the conduct of the Pottawatomi.
Land Ownership and Community Work
Hiram actively purchased and sold land in Peoria County throughout the 1830s, filing several preemption claims and land entries. His holdings included portions of Sections 5 and 30 in Townships 10 and 11 North, Range 9 East, of the Fourth Principal Meridian.
He also served his community in other ways. In 1836, he taught school in a small cabin near the home of Moses Neal—a reminder that frontier professionals often wore many hats. By 1844, Hiram was recorded as a school trustee in Woodford County, Illinois.
Family Life
Hiram M. Currey married Rachel Harris on 28 September 1824 in Edgar County, Illinois. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John W. McReynolds, a Methodist Episcopal minister. Rachel was the daughter of Peter Harris and Rachel Simonse Van Arsdale.
Rachel likely died before March 1842, since she was not named when Hiram sold land that year. The couple had at least five children:
- Max Currey, birth date unknown.
- Julia E. Currey, born about 1832 in Illinois; married James E. Smith on 19 October 1853 in Peoria.
- Mary Ellen Currey, born about 1833; married Jeremiah B. Kellogg on 3 February 1853 in Tazewell County; died after 1860.
- Hiram M. Currey Jr., born 13 August 1835 in Peoria; married Angelina Jane Burke on 3 August 1856 in Weston, Missouri; died 2 March 1901 in Lansing, Kansas.
- Caroline Currey, born 9 March 1836; married William Kelso on 9 August 1854 in Peoria; died 18 December 1880 in Arcola, Illinois.
Later Years and Disappearance
Hiram’s last known appearance in Illinois records was as a school trustee in 1844. Family stories and later research suggest he may have joined the migration to California’s gold fields around 1849, though no definitive proof has surfaced in letters or newspaper accounts. After that time, he disappears from available records.
Legacy
Hiram M. Currey’s life illustrates the mobility and versatility of early 19th-century pioneers. He served as lawyer, public official, soldier, teacher, and landholder during the formative years of Illinois and Indiana statehood. Though his ultimate fate remains uncertain, the public records he left behind paint a vivid picture of a man who played a significant role in shaping the early civic institutions of the Midwest.
The above ABC Biography was created by ChatGPT from a RootsMagic narrative report for Hiram M. Currey shown below.
Hiram M. Currey was born about 1787.
He was witness on a mortgage deed between Hiram M. Currey and Gustavus Swan on 23 May 1817 in Franklin County, Ohio. [1]
On 4 Apr 1822 he was admitted into the practice of law, the 1st attorney of Rush County and was at once made prosecutor in Rush, Indiana, United States. [2–3] The organization of the Rush Circuit Court, took place on April 4, 1822, at the house of Stephen Sims, just south of the City of Rushville. Court met at the appointed time, and Hiram M. Curry was admitted to the Bar, and sworn in as Prosecuting Attorney.
Hiram was admitted to practice law on 26 Sep 1822 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States. [4–5]
On 10 Oct 1822 he was appointed the first prosecuting attorney in Shelby County, Indiana. [6–10]
He resigned as prosecuting attorney in Apr 1823 in Rush, Indiana, United States. [2]
The April Term, 1823, met on the 24th of that month, at Robert
Thompson’s house in Rushville, only the Associate Judges being present. … Hiram M. Curry resigned as Prosecuting Attorney and Charles H. Test was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Hiram was assessed $225 in 1825 in Ten Mile Creek, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [11–13]
He lived in Medina Township, Peoria County, Illinois about 1825. [14]
He was appointed Constable about Jul 1825 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [15–17]
Hiram purchased lot 9 in Block No. 2 at $51.00 during the first public sale of lands on 10 Jul 1826 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [18]
He ran for county commissioner in Aug 1826 in Peoria, Illinois, United States. [19]
His nomination for justice of peace for Peoria County was approved by Illinois House of Representatives on 26 Dec 1826. [20–22]
Hiram’s confirmation by the Senate for his nomination by the Illinois House of Representatives for justice of peace representing Peoria County was announced on 27 Dec 1826. [23]
He was commissioned justice of peace on 5 Jan 1827 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [24–25]
He was a lawyer in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [26]
Hiram was a candidate for county commissioner on 14 Aug 1828 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [27]
He was a candidate for justice of peace on 18 Oct 1828 in La Salle District, Peoria County, Illinois. [28]
He was an early settler in in Spring Bay Township, Tazewell County, Illinois in 1829. [29–30]
Hiram received 28 votes for justice of the peace and was elected to the office on 29 Aug 1829 in LaSalle Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois. [31–34]
On 9 Nov 1829 he was a Justice of Peace in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. [35]
In 1830, he was to have performed a marriage ceremony in the home of John Hammett but did not arrive until late in Mossville, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [36]
Hiram was listed with 1 male age 10-15, 2 males age 30-40, 1 female under 5, 1 female age 20-30 on the 1830 census in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States [37]
He was commissioned major of Peoria battalion on 4 Mar 1830 in Illinois, United States. [38–39]
On 15 Jul 1830 he was a justice of the peace in Peoria County, Illinois. [40]
Between 16 Jun 1831 and 26 Jun 1831, Hiram served in Capt. Pike’s Company of the Rock River Rangers as a private in the IL Volunteer Militia in the Sac & Fox War. Hiram M. Currey enrolled at Fort Armstrong. [41–42]
He performed the first marriage solemnized between white people in this region between Harris W. Miner and Miss Nancy Gross about 1832 in Stark, Stark, Illinois, United States. [43–44]
He was appointed along with Charles Ballance as commissioners to a road towards Knoxville that passes on north line of in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States in 1832. [45]
Hiram served in the military as 2 Sergeant in Capt. Eads’ Company of Mounted Rangers in Stillman’s Battalion, Illinois Mounted Volunteers on 23 Apr 1832 in Illinois. [46–48]
He was listed on the muster roll of Captain Abner Eads Company of Mounted Ranging Volunteers enrolled on an Order from Commander in Chief of the Militia of the State of Illinois to Brigadier General Isaiah Stillman for the service of the United States and served as Orderly Sergt. from May 17th to the 21st of May 1832 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [47,49–50]
He ended military service on 28 Jun 1832 in Illinois, United States having served as 2 Sergeant in Captain Ead’s Company Mounted Rangers in Stillman’s Battalion, Illinois Mounted Volunteers. [46,48]
On 6 Nov 1832 from Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States, Hiram sent a letter and petition to General Atkinson regarding burning of land and bridge by Winnebago Indians. The letter is signed Hiram M. Curry, major Peoria Add Battn of Ill Militia. [51]
He was identified at the bottom of a letter from Henry Atkinson, Jefferson Barracks dated 16 Nov 1832 while residing in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. [52–54]
He held the office of Commissioner on the conduct of the Pottawatomi in Dec 1832 in Illinois, United States. [53,55–56]
Hiram applied to enter land (SW 1/4 S5 T10N R9E of 4th Principle Meridian) by preemption agreeably to Act of Congress of 19 June 1834 in 1834 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [45]
He purchased the SW1/4 Section 9 Township 9N Range 8E of the 4th Principal Meridian from Lewis Hallock and Sophia his wife of Peoria Co., IL on 17 Oct 1834 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. [57–58]
He sold the SW1/4 Section 9 Township 9N Range 8E in the Military Bounty Tract of Illinois to Blewford Stringer for $200.00 on 18 Oct 1834. [59–60]
Hiram was mentioned in tax list in 1835 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [61]
He was involved in a land dispute with Isaac Underhill regarding whether Hiram M. Curry was actually residing on the land he had claimed by preemption being the SW fractional quarter Section 5 Township 10 North Range 9 East of the 4th principal meridian between 1836 and 1840 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [62]
He taught school in a cabin near where the residence of Moses Neal now stands in 1836 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [31,63]
Hiram filed land entry papers on 19 Mar 1836 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States claiming he occupied and raised a crop on the SW fraction quarter of Section 5 Township 19 N Range 9 East of 4th principal Meridian in year 1833. [45]
He filed land entry papers paying $44.20 for the SW fractional quarter of Section 5 Township 10 N Range 9 E of the 4th principal meridian containing 35 acres on 30 May 1836 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. [45,64]
He sold 78 and 99/100 acres in the E 1/2 NW 1/4 S30T11NR9E of 4th principal meridian for $800.00 to Thomas M. Currey on 9 Jul 1836 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [65–66]
Hiram purchased the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 Section 30 Township 11N Range 9E of the 4th Principal Meridian being 78 and 99/100 acres for $150 from Linus Scoville and his wife Elizabeth Scoville on 9 Jul 1836 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. [67–68]
His certificate #8250 for SW1/4 S5T10NR9E was cancelled on 3 Oct 1838 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [45]
He was listed on the 1840 census with 1 male under 5, 1 male 30-40, 1 female under 5, 1 female 30-40 at La Salle Precinct in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [69]
He was a candidate for representative in 1840 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [70]
Hiram purchased land being the E1/2 of the NW1/4 Section 30 Township 11N Range 9E of 4th principle meridian on 23 Nov 1840 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [71–72]
He sold land by quit claim to Isaac Underhill the S 1/2 of Section 5 Township 10N Range 9E of 4th principal meridian acquired by virtue of preemption for the sum of $150.00 on 28 Mar 1842 in Illinois, United States. [73–74]
He was commissioned lieutenant colonel of 1st regiment on 31 Dec 1842 in Illinois, United States. [75]
Hiram was member of school trustees on 27 Nov 1844 in Woodford, Woodford, Illinois, United States. [76]
He went to the gold fields about 1849 . [77–78] to the gold fields
Hiram M. Currey married Rachel Harris on 28 Sep 1824 in Edgar, Edgar, Illinois, United States. The couple was married by John W. McReynolds, a licensed minister of the gospel of the Methodist Episcopal Church. [79–84]
Rachel Harris, daughter of Peter Harris and Rachel Simonse VanArsdale, likely died before 28 March 1842 when a deed for sale of land by Hiram M. Curry does not mention a wife.. [73]Hiram M. Currey and Rachel Harris had the following children:
2 i Max Currey [85] was born (date unknown).
+3 ii Julia E. Currey, born abt 1832, Illinois, United States; married James E. Smith, 19 Oct 1853, Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.
+4 iii Mary Ellen Currey, born abt 1833; married Jeremiah B. Kellogg, 3 Feb 1853, Tazewell, Tazewell, Illinois, United States; died aft 1860.
+5 iv Hiram M. Currey, born 13 Aug 1835, Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States; married Angelina Jane Burke, 3 Aug 1856, Weston, Platte, Missouri, United States; died 2 Mar 1901, Lansing, Leavenworth, Kansas, United States.
+6 v Caroline Currey, born 9 Mar 1836; married William Kelso, 9 Aug 1854, Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States; died 18 Dec 1880, Arcola, Douglas, Illinois, United States.
ENDNOTES
1. Ohio, Franklin County. Deed records, 1804-1877. Film #285068 DGS 7894604. Hiram M Currey, 23 May 1817; Vol. 1: page 66-67; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.com : viewed online 6 September 2023.
2. Rush County Indiana: From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the northwest, the Indiana Territory and the State of Indiana (Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1888), pages 397-399, 408; digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/historyofrushcou00chic viewed online 27 December 2020.
3. Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana (Chicago: Baskin, Forster & Co., 1929), page 296; digital image, Indiana Memory, https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/HistAtlas/id/3798 viewed online 4 July 2021.
4. Laura Fletcher Hidges, Early Indianapolis (Indianapolis: C. E. Pauley & Company, 1919), p. 19; digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/earlyindianapoli75hodg/page/n5/mode/2up viewed online 5 July 2021.
5. Jacob Piatt Dunn, Greater Indianapolis: The history, the industries, the institutions and the people of a city of homes, volume 1 (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1910), p. 588; digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/greaterindianapo01dunn viewed online 5 July 2021.
6. Edward H. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana (Indianapolis, Indiana: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1909), p. 197; digital image, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com viewed online 5 July 2021.
7. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 198.
8. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 181.
9. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 58.
10. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby County Indiana, p. 190.
11. David McCulloch, Editor, Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, volume ii (Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company Publishers, 1902), p. 55 (image 54 of 843); digital image, Archive.org, https://archive.org/ viewed online 5 July 2021.
12. James M. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois: A Record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement: Volume 1, illustrated (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912), page 133 (image 184 of 628); digital images, Archive.org, https://archive.org viewed online 5 July 2021.
13. Northern Illinois 1825 Tax List, Hiram Curry, 1825; transcription, Genealogy Trails (http://genealogytrails.com : viewed online 5 July 2021). Original Source: Originally published in an Illinois State Genealogical Society publication from Chicago Historical Society’s manuscript collection.
14. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 281 (image 280 of 465).
15. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, p. 132.
16. McCulloch, Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, p. 144.
17. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 327 (image 326 of 465).
19. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 97.
20. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Senate Journal 1827-27; House Journal 1826-27.
21. Journal of House of Representatives of the State of Illinois 1826 (Vandalia, IL: )
24. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Executive Record 1818-1832 Vol. 1, page 149.
25. Illinois Executive Record 1818-1832, volume 1 (Springfield, Illinois: n.p., n.d.), page 149; Microfilmed, Illinois State Archives, photocopy obtained 1999.
26. Andreas A. T., Atlas Map of Peoria County, Illinois: Compiled Drawn & Published from Personal Examinations and Surveys (Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1873), page 22; FamilySearch, http://www.familysearch.org viewed online 22 September 2022.
27. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Election returns vol. 8, p. 18.
28. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Election Returens Vol. 11 page 452.
29. The Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois (Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr. & Co, 1878), p. 224-225. Digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 12 September 2022.
30. The Woodford County History (Bloomington, Illinois: Woodford County Board of Supervisors, 1968), page 169. digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 12 September 2022.
31. The History of Peoria County, Illinois (Chicago: Johnson & Company, 1880), page 608; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 20 September 2022.
32. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Election Returns 1828-29 vol. 12, page 78.
33. NA, “Election,” Prairie Roots (Vol. 11 Number 2), page 41.
34. The History of Peoria County, Illinois (Chicago: Johnson & Company, 1880), page 606; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 12 September 2022.
35. Bond for appeal, Dixon vs Ridgeway filed Nov 30, 1829 contained in John Dixon papers, Illinois State Historical Library, , (Curry.IL.057). Hereinafter cited as Dixon vs Ridgeway.
36. NA, “Chillicothe cont.,” Prairie Roots (Peoria County Genealogical Society) (Vol. 11 #4), page 25.
37. 1830 U.S. Census, Peoria, Putnam Counties, Illinois, population schedule, Peoria, Putnam Counties, Illinois, page 592 (299), Image 1 of 10, Hiram M Currey; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017)
38. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Executive Record 1818-1832 Vol. 1, page 229.
39. Illinois Executive Record 1818-1832, volume 1 (Springfield, Illinois: n.p., n.d.), page 229; Microfilmed, Illinois State Archives, photocopy received from IL Archives September 2022.
40. Illinois, Peoria. Land Records. Hiram Currey, 15 July 1830; Book D: page 1; Digitized images, Land Records, County Clerk, Peoria County Illinois https://www.peoriacounty.gov/221/Land-Records : viewed online 16 September 2023.
41. White, Virgil, Index to Volunteer Soldiers in Indian Wars and Disturbances 1815-1858 (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1994), p. 334 (Curry.IL.024).
42. Army Indian Campaign Service Records Index, 1815-1858, Hiram M. Currey, database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestroy.com : viewed online 14 September 2022).
43. , “”, Prairie Roots : Spring 1976 Vol. III, No. 3 (Curry.IL.099).
44. E. H. Shallenberger, Stark County and Its Pioneers (Cambridge, Illinois: B. W. Seaton, Prairie Chief Office, Book and Job Printer, 1876), page 33; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 18 September 2022.
45. Hiram M. Curry (Peoria County) Preemption, certificate no. #8250, Quincy, Illinois , Land Office; Land Entry Papers 1800-1908; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
46. Hiram M. Curry, Military Record of Hiram M. Curry for service in the Black Hawk War (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government), company muster-out roll Hiram M. Curry. Hereinafter cited as Military Record.
47. Ellen M. Whitney, Compiler, The Black Hawk War 1831-1832, volume 1 (Springfield, IL: Illinois State Historical Library, 1970), page 197; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 18 September 2022.
48. Isaac H. Elliott, Adjutant-General of the State of Illinois, Record of the Services of Illinois Soldiers in the Black Hawk War, 1831-1832, and in the Mexican War, 1846-8 (Springfield, Illinois: H. W. Rokker, State Printer and Binder, 1882), page 151; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 18 September 2022.
49. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, p. 259 (image 258 of 465).
50. The History of Peoria County, Illinois (Chicago: Johnson & Company, 1880), page 352; digital image, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 16 September 2022.
51. Letter from Gen Atkinson to Adjutant General attaching Curry letter and Peoria memorial; Letters 1832 A (NARA microfilm publications Microcopy No. 567, roll 66); Register of letters received, 1812-1889; Letters received by the Office of the Adjutant General, main series, 1805-1821, 1822-1860, 1861-1870, 1870-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1182066 DGS 8921496; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 777-781.
52. Whitney, Ellen M., compiler, The Black Hawk War 1831-1832 (Springfield, IL: Illinois State Historical Library, 1970), p. 1229 – John Dixon Letter / footnotes.
53. Dec 1832 Letter from Gen. Atkinson to Maj Hiram Curry; Chicago Agency, 1824-1847 Chicago Agency 1824-1834 (NARA microfilm publications M234, roll 132); Letters received, 1824-1881; registers of letters received, 1824-1880; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. consulted as FHL microfilm 1660862 DGS 8275279; available on FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org, images 243-245.
54. Jane Douma Pearson NARA volunteer, (Herndon, VA) to Marcia Philbrick, letter, 16 February 1995; Crawford Family Papers, privately held by . , Seneca, Kansas, 2022. includes images from NARA microfilm.
55. Index to Early Illinois Records (: Illinois State Historical Society, ), Senate Journal p. 92.
56. Journal of the Senate of the Eighth General Assembly of the State of Illinois: at their first session, begun and held in the town of Vandalia December 3, 1832 (Vandalia, Illinois: Greiner & Sherman, 1833), p. 89-92; digital image, Google Books, google.com/books viewed online 13 September 2022.
57. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F page 135 (Curry.IL.031), .
58. Illinois, Peoria. Land Records. Hiram Currey, 17 Oct 1834; Book F: page 135; Digitized images, Land Records, County Clerk, Peoria County Illinois https://www.peoriacounty.gov/221/Land-Records : viewed online 17 September 2023.
59. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F, page 136 (Curry.IL.032) .
60. Illinois, Peoria. Land Records. Hiram Curry, 18 Oct 1834; Book F: page 136; Digitized images, Land Records, County Clerk, Peoria County Illinois https://www.peoriacounty.gov/221/Land-Records : viewed online 17 September 2023.
61. Letter from Peoria Public Library (Peoria, IL) to Marcia Philbrick, 8 Feb1983; (), Illinois Champion and Peoria Republican Dec. 16, 1835 p. 3c-2 DTV.
62. Hiram M. Curry, Land Dispute, Court Records, No. 8250 (CURRY.IL.092).
63. Rice, Peoria City and County Illinois, page 281 (image 280 of 465).
64. “Illinois, Public Land Purchase Records, 1813-1909,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Illinois, volume 697; page 130 viewed online (20 September 2022), Hiram M Curry.
65. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F, page 506 (Curry.IL.029) .
66. Illinois, Peoria. Land Records. Hiram Currey, 9 Jul 1836; Book F: page 506; Digitized images, Land Records, County Clerk, Peoria County Illinois https://www.peoriacounty.gov/221/Land-Records : viewed online 17 September 2023.
67. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book F, page 505 (Curry.IL.084) .
68. Illinois, Peoria. Land Records. Hiram Currey, 9 Jul 1836; Book F: page 505; Digitized images, Land Records, County Clerk, Peoria County Illinois https://www.peoriacounty.gov/221/Land-Records : viewed online 17 September 2023.
69. 1840 U.S. Census, Peoria County, Illinois, population schedule, LaSalle Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois, Image 5 of 8, Hiram Currey; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication M704
70. Letter, Peoria Public Library to Marcia Philbrick, 8 Feb1983, (PR &NWG April 17, 1840 p.3 c. 1).
71. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book O, page 249 (Curry.IL.034) .
72. Illinois, Peoria. Land Records. Hiram Currey, 23 Nov 1840; Book O: page 249; Digitized images, Land Records, County Clerk, Peoria County Illinois https://www.peoriacounty.gov/221/Land-Records : viewed online 17 September 2023.
73. Deed of Sale, Peoria County, IL: Book M, page 444 (Curry.IL.030) .
74. Illinois, Peoria. Land Records. Hiram Currey, 29 March 1842; Book M: page 444-445; Digitized images, Land Records, County Clerk, Peoria County Illinois https://www.peoriacounty.gov/221/Land-Records : viewed online 17 September 2023.
75. Records of the Illinois Territory Executive Register: October 19, 1837 through January 1843, microfilmed (Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Archives, n.d.), volume 3 page 393 – Hiram Curry.
76. The Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois containing A history of the County — its Cities, towns, &c.,; a Directory of the Tax-Payers; War Record of its Volunteers in the Late Rebellion; Portraits of Early settlers of Prominent Men; General and Local Statistics; Map of Woodford County; History of Illinois, Illustrated; History of the Northwest, Illustrated; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, Illustrated (Chicago: Wm. Le Baron & Co., 1878), p. 398 Schools – Partridge Twp. (Curry.IL.040).
77. Entry, Curry Family Research, , letter from Ethel Tomlinson, daughter of Elizabeth Currey, granddaughter of Providence Currey(Curry.OR.156); , . Hereinafter cited as Curry Family Research.
78. “Nellie Rose Jones,” undated; letter, Colver Family Papers; Collection No. AX 126; University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon; photocopy obtained from Steven Shook. contains typewritten notes from other letters.
79. “Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online March 2019), H. M. Curry.
80. Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940. Film #114661387. Hir M Curry and Rachel Whitaker, 28 Sep 1824; page 2; database with images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online March 2019.
81. Edgar County Illinois, marriage no. Book, LA page 2 (28 September 1824), Hiram M. Curry and Rachel Whitaker; Clerck of the Commissioner’s Court, Paris, Illinois.
82. Edgar County Illinois, index to marriages no. Book, SA page 2, (28 September 1824), Hiram M. Curry and Rachel Whitaker.
83. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com). : viewed online 25 September 2022.
84. “Illinois, Marriage Index, 1860-1920,” Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), Hiram M Curry – Rachel Whitaker.