Person:Simeon Wilmot (1)

Simeon was born as a slave in Kentucky and was most likely owned by the Matson family of Bourbon County. His father is yet unknown. Around 1845, Robert Matson brought Sim, his sister, Jane Bryant, and her children to northern Coles County, Illinois about 1845. They worked his farm named, Black Grove, about a mile east of today's Newman, Illinois in Douglas County. According to Ficklin, in the summer of 1847, Sim heard Matson's housekeeper and future wife threaten to have Jane's children sent south. The slaves decided to seek shelter in the area believing they were free because of residing in Illinois, a free state. In reality, Sim decided to seek his freedom in April 1846, believing that living in a free state for three years meant that he was free.

Sim, about age 30, decided to "go to Charleston, the county seat, in search of a friend to give him aid and comfort. Meeting with Dr. Byrd Monroe, after reaching Charleston, at that time a merchant and one of the most wealthy citizen of Charleston, Sim found in him a friend, who went on his bond under the provisions of the black laws, provided shelter, and furnished him work and cared for and stood by him in his struggle with 'Massa Bob.'"

"Sim Wilmot has ever since lived near Camargo, in Douglas county, within a few miles of the old plantation "of Massa Bob" at the Black Grove. Sim has led an orderly, quiet and industrious life, and has the sympathy, respect and confidence of the community in which he resides. Sim is at home on his little farm secured by honest industry and patient toil with a heart overflowing with gratitude and love for each friend who gave him "aid and comfort, in the day and hour of his sore tribulation." A meeting with Sim is to the writer a source of profound pleasure and delight, and the pleasure is greatly enhanced by the manifestation of joy on the part of friend Sim."

Sim lived for a a decade in the Brushy Fork community of free African-Americans north of Oakland, Illinois. He lived with the Edward Minnis family in 1850, but by 1855 he had married Harriet Polk (sometimes referred to as Redden) and included her and her four children in his household. He moved his household a few miles to the northwest to just outside the Camargo community around late 1866. He carefully acquired about 20 acres over the next twelve years in small parcels, receiving and paying off a couple of mortgages. He lived just south of U. S. Route 36 due south of Camargo. Harriet's and his grown children lived near them in a small enclave of African Americans. They had a child, Alice, born in 1857 who may have died by 1880 as there is no record of her in the census or marriage records.

Sim worked as a farm hand and day laborer until he bought his land and considered himself a farmer.

His wife, Harriet, died between 1881 and 1886. He sold his land off after her death and lived briefly in Mattoon and then moving to Okaw Township in Moultrie County to apparently live with his daughter Jennie and her husband, David Manual. We don't know when or where Sim died though a contemporary said he had passed on by 1896. As of 1887, Sim was sick enough that his daughter, Jennie, was acting as his agent.

1. ↑ Niles, Henry C. History of Douglas County, Illinois: compiled by order of the Board of Supervisors for the centennial anniversary of American independence, July 4, 1876. (Illinois: Douglas County Genealogical Society of Illinois, 1981)
   306, 1884.

   “The result of the controversy was that a few of the men stuck to their owner, but many of them, by one means or another, were left behind and scattered; some finally went to Liberia. One of them, at least, Simeon Wilmot, remained in the county and is still a citizen.”

2.   Greeson, Mary Todd. U.S. federal census, 1850, Coles County, Illinois. (Charleston, Illinois: Coles County, Illinois Genealogical Society, 1976)
   1850.

   Sammson Welmot, M B KY, age 34; in Edward Minnis household #122 in New Albany Precinct

3.   Coles, Illinois, United States. 1855 Illinois Census, Coles county
   p. 66, 1855.

   Sim Willmot no whites, negroes and mulattos - 2 males, 4 Females 6 Total, $25 Value of Livestock. This includes his wife, Harriet Redden, three children (one boy and two girls) by her earlier "marriage" and one girl by Sim.

4.   Douglas, Illinois, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   1860.

   in T15 N R 14 E Post Office: Oakland;
   Family 666 House 662 (all considered black; first four cannot read or write)
   Sim Wilmott, age 42, b. in Ky; farmhand; personal property valued $100.
   Harriet age 50 b. KY washerwoman
   Mary age 21 b. IL washerwoman
   Nancy age 16 b. IL washerwoman
   Jane age 14 b. IL
   Alice 3 b. IL (probably the only child who is born to Sim & Harriet)

5.   Douglas, Illinois, United States. 1865 Illnois state census, Douglas County
   1865.

   Sargeant Township. Simion Wilmot, no whites, 4 Free males, 6 free colored females; Total 10 colored; $119 Value of Livestock; $40 Value of grain products.

6. ↑ Ficklin, Orlando B. Gen. Usher F. Linder: Incidents Of His Life And Character
   15 Jan 1885.

   Typed Transcription, Tarbell-Lincoln Collection, Pelletier Library, Allegheny College. Tarbell wrote: "Copied from "The Courier" Jan 15, 1885. See C. F Lee (in file)" in the top left-hand corner of the typed transcript. This may be a reference to Charles L. Lee, who purchased an interest in the Charleston Weekly Courier in 1893 and subsequently became the sole proprietor of the newspaper. Charles E. Wilson, History of Coles County, Illinois (n. p., 1905; reprint, Salem, MA: Higginson Book, 1997), 823-24. Found in The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and Cases, 4 vols. (University of Virginia Press, 2008) The first chapter, "In re Bryant et al," in Volume 2 by Christopher Schnell.
   
   "In the summer of 1847, while Matson was absent in Kentucky, Mary Corbin, while in a controversy with Sim Wilmot,[95] one of the Matson negroes, tauntingly told him that when the General came back from Kentucky, he intended to take the negroes south and sell them into slavery. This may or may not have been true, but the effect was all the same whether true or false. Sim, then about 30 years of age, realized the danger of the situation. His sister Jane had four children parti-colored, one had reddish hair and blue eyes, and Jane and her children had recently been placed on the farm at black grove...A fund was raised to send Anthony Bryant and his family to Liberia and Sim Wilmot has ever since lived near Camargo, in Douglas county, within a few miles of the old plantation "of Massa Bob" at the black grove. Sim has led an orderly, quiet and industrious life, and has the sympathy, respect and confidence of the community in which he resides. Sim is at home on his little farm secured by honest industry and patient toil with a heart overflowing with gratitude and love for each friend who gave him "aid and comfort, in the day and hour of his sore tribulation." A meeting with Sim is to the writer a source of profound pleasure and delight, and the pleasure is greatly enhanced by the manifestation of joy on the part of friend Sim."

7. ↑ Stowell, Daniel W. Editor, and Christopher A. Assistant Editor Schnell. The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and Cases. (University of Virginia Press, 2008)
   Vol 2, 2008.

   Written by Jesse Weik, folder "1890-92," box 1, Jesse Weik Collection, IHi. In margin: "Sim Wilmoth died about year ago--was in Charleston at trial but not a party to it."

8. ↑ Illinois State Historical Society (Springfield, Illinois). Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. (Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Historical Society)
   Vol. 11; p. 177-179, 1918.

   "Slavery In Douglas County, Illinois" By James L. Reat. http://books.google.com/books?id=rQI8AAAAIAAJ&lpg=PA178&ots=sI5yHyZpKh&dq=%22Simeon%20Wilmot%22&pg=PA177#v=onepage&q=%22Simeon%20Wilmot%22&f=false

9. ↑ Henry, Renee. Story of the Matson-Bryant Slave Trial. (Oakland, Coles, Illinois, United States: Trial & Tribulations Committee)
   2009.

   http://www.matsontrial1847.org/story

10. ↑ Stowell, Daniel W. Editor, and Christopher A. Assistant Editor Schnell. The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and Cases. (University of Virginia Press, 2008)
    Vol 2, 2008.

    Sim revealed to his sister Jane and her husband, Anthony, the startling story of Mary Corbin their quondam mistress. Of course it frightened them, and it was concluded after consultation that Sim should go to Charleston, the county seat, in search of a friend to give him aid and comfort. Meeting with Dr. Byrd Monroe, after reaching Charleston, at that time a merchant and one of the most wealthy citizen of Charleston, Sim found in him a friend, who went on his bond under the provisions of the black laws, provided shelter, and furnished him work and cared for and stood by him in his struggle with "Massa Bob." from GEN. USHER F. LINDER. INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE AND CHARACTER. By HON. O. B. FICKLIN.

11.   Douglas, Illinois, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule
    p. 277, 1870.

    House 204 Family 204 Camargo Twp., Camargo P. O. Taken 12 Aug 1870
    Wilmot, Simon age 53, Black Day Laborer Real Estate $300 Personal Prop. $200 b. KY cannot read and write (there is a B in the column to identify deaf and dumb, blind, Insane, or idiotic.) Daughter Alice seems to be living with her sister Nancy Kirby.
    Harriet age 60 Black Keeping House b. KY cannot read and write (there is a B in the column to identify deaf and dumb, blind, Insane, or idiotic.)
    Jane age 23 Black b. IL
    Sop, J. H. age 14 Mulatto Day Laborer b. S. C.
    They are near their daughter Mary Ann who married James Stewart (who are listed as white); daughter Nancy who married William Kirby. They are in a small enclave of Blacks and Mulattos, in fact they are the only ones in the township.

12.   Douglas, Illinois, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule
    84, 19 Jun 1880.

    House 229 Family 240 Camargo Twp.,
    Simeon Wilmot Black, age 64, Farmer, cannot read & write, b. KY, parents b. KY
    Harriet black, age 67, wife,keeping house, all b. MD
    Kirby, Walter black, age 19, no relation in Jane?, farm laborer, b. IL, F. b. TN, M. b. IL
    Sarah Stewart mulatto, age 8, granddaughter, at home, b. IL, F b. IN, M b. IL

13. ↑ Wilmot Family Notes by Buchanan, Melinda
    2007.

    1857, September 24th. Simeon Wilmot brings a suit against William Harrison for assault and battery. Harrison assaulted Wilmot with a brick bat. Charles Sargeant and Andrew Gwinn are bound to the county for $100 for Harrison.

14. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 13, p. 138, 26 Oct 1867.

    Jonas & Rachel Stockdale sold to Simeon Wilmot for $85: Lot 4 East end of Lot 4 of the NW 1/4 Section 2 Township 15N Range 9E - a reference to the record plat of said land will more fully show (see record No. 6 page 413) containing 8 86/100 acres more or less. [Bk. 6, p. 412 - Rowan Henderson platted 10 lots on Dec. 5, 1864 including 107.38 acres] This land is about a mile due south of Camargo, today it would be just south of U. S. Route 36. Filed on 21 Oct 1868

15. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 13, p. 140, 29 Jul 1867.

    Francis M. & Sarah Friend or Frind sold to Simeon Wilmot for $20: One acre of the south end of: beginning NW corner of Lot 4 NW 1/4 Section 2, Township 15N Range 9E then south 00 degrees 20' east 16.20 chains then south 89.55 east 6.17 chains then north 00 degrees 20' west 16.20 chains then north 89.55 west 6.17 chains to the beginning being one acre of the south end of a certain tract containing 10 acres deeded by Hiram & Harriet Rutherford to Francis M. Friend recorded in Bk. 6, p. 295-296. Filed 21 Oct 1868

16. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 13, p. 141, 27 Nov 1866.

    Elbert J. Rader of Douglas County sold to Simeon Wilmot of same place for $25: beginning NW corner of Lot 4 NW 1/4 Section 2 Township 15N Range 9E then east 20' south 16.20 chains then south 44.77 1/2 east 6.14 chains then west 20' north 16.20 chains then north 44.77 1/2 west 6.17 chains to the beginning containing five acres in the lot and section named, being north 1/2 of 10 acres deeded to Francis M. Friend by H. Rutherford & wife as recorded in Bk. 6, p. 295-296. Filed 21 Oct 1868

17. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 24, p. 524, 29 Nov 1879.

    Alexander & Ruth Bragg of Camargo in Douglas County sold to Simeon Wilmot of Camargo County of Douglas County for $110: 10 acres off of the south end of Lot #1 in the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 34 Township 16N Range 9E, the taxes for the year 1879 to be paid by said Wilmot. 29th Nov 1879 in presence of D. A. Ward, Justice of Peace. filed 2 Dec 1879

18. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 23, p. 314, 9 May 1881.

    Simeon & Harriet Wilmot of Douglas County to Angeline Trillenger & Conby Trillenger of same for $85; beginning point 24 1/2 rods west of the south corner of the SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 34 Township 16N Range 9E then north 57 1/3 rods, then west 5 1/2 rods, then south 57 1/3 rods then east 5 1/2 rods to beginning containing 2 3/4 acres more or less. Also 4 acres off east side of the 10 acres off the south end of Lot 1 in the SW 1/4 SW 1/4 Section 34 Township 16N Range 9E. signed George C. Gill, Notary Public. Wilmots signed with Xs. Filed 21 Jan 1882

19. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 34, p. 388, 9 May 1881.

    Simeon & Harriet Wilmot of Douglas County sold to David Manuel of same for $60; in Camargo Township 6 acres off the west end of 10 acres off of the south end of Lot 1 in the SW 1/4 SW 1/4 of Section 34 Township 16N Range 9E. George C. Gill, Notary Wilmots signed with X. Filed 25 Apr 1882

20. ↑ ^20.0 20.1 Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 41, p. 129, 15 Oct 1886.

    Simeon Wilmot, single man of Mattoon in Coles County sold to John Baxter of Murdock, County of Douglas for $159: 7 acres off N side of 10 acres deeded by H. Rutherford to F. M. Friend: beginning NW corner Lot 4 of NW 1/4 Section 2 Township 15N Range 9E then south 00 degrees 20' east 16.20 chains then south 89.55 east 6.17 chains then north 00 degrees 20' west 16.20 chains then north 89.55 west 6.17 chains to the beginning containing 10 acres which said 7 acres is located in the NW corner of Lot No. 4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 2 Township 15N Range 9E George P. Ramsey, Notary Filed 18 Oct 1886

21. ↑ ^21.0 21.1 Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 41, p. 515, 12 Sep 1887.

    Simeon Wilmot of Okaw in Coles County sold to David Ballard of Camargo, Douglas County for $22.50: One acre off south end of: beginning NW corner Lot 4 NW 1/4 Section 2, Township 15N Range 9E then south 00 degrees 20' east 16.20 chains then south 89.55 east 6.17 chains then north 00 degrees 20' west 16.20 chains then north 89.55 west 6.17 chains to the beginning being one acre of the south end of a certain tract containing 10 acres deeded by Hiram & Harriet Rutherford to Francis M. Friend recorded in Bk. 6, p. 295-296. Township of Camargo, Douglas County 12th Sep 1887 Filed 11 Oct 1887 Signed by J. B. Cooper, a notary public in Moultrie County, certifying that Jennie Manual, the authorized agent of her father Simeon Wilmot came before him to file this.

22. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 13, p. 271, 1 Apr 1876.

    Simeon & Harriet Wilmot of Douglas County grantor to Joseph L. Connolly of same, Township Camargo Lot 4 being a part of east end of Lot 4 NW 1/4 Section 2 Township 15N Range 9E a reference to recorded plat of said land, will more fully show (Bk. 6, p. 413) containing 8 16/100 acres. Indebted by promissory note payable to William C. Cole for $60 due 25 Dec. 1876 with 10% interest after maturity. 1 April 1876 George C. Gill, notary Filed 7 Apr 1876 Mortgage paid in full 6 Mar 1877 noted in margin.

23. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 20, p. 397, 17 Apr 1882.

    Simeon Wilmot & David Manuel of Douglas County grant to Board of Trustees Township 15 Range 9 for use of inhabitants of said township: beginning NW corner of Lot 4 NW 1/4 Section 2 Township 15N Range 9E then east 20' south 16.20 chains then south 44.77 1/2 east 6.14 chains then west 20' north 16.20 chains then north 44.77 1/2 west 6.17 chains to the beginning containing five acres in the lot and section named, being north 1/2 of 10 acres deeded to Francis M. Friend by H. Rutherford & wife as recorded in Bk. 6, p. 295-296. Also 6 acres off west end of 10 acres off south end Lot 1 in the SW 1/4 SW 1/4 Section 34 Township 16 Range 9 which is mortgage for payment of $50 loaned to us and for payment of all interest compounded at 8% per annum; pay in 3 years from this date and pay interest 1/2 yearly in advance. Harriet releases her title and David & Jennie Manuel release their interest. Filed 25 Apr 1882 Note later entered "Paid and released 25 Feb 1884 Treasurer of Township 15 Range 9"

24. ↑ Douglas, Illinois, United States. Deed Records
    Bk. 25, p. 39, 25 Jan 1877.

    Simeon & Harriet of Camargo Township for $125 convey quit claim to Ambrose Martin of Camargo Township for NW 1/4 of East 1/2 of Lot 3 in NW 1/4 Section 2 Township 15N Range 9E George Galloway witness Filed 25 Jan 1877

25. ↑ ^25.0 25.1 Commissioner's Court Record, in Coles, Illinois, United States. Commissioner's Court Records
    Untitled Vol 4/p. 172-73, 04 Apr 1846.

    This day came Simeon Wilmot a black man who wishes to settle in and become a citizen of this County, and presented the following evidence of his freedom to wit.
    
    State of Illinois Coles County
    Hiram Hildreth being duly sworn upon his oath says that he is acquainted with Simeon Wilmot a man of Colour, that he has known him three years last winter, that he understood and believes that was brought to this State by Robert Matson, and that he has not been out of the State since to his knowledge. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th day of April 1846 Thos Jeffries, JPCL signed by Hiram Hildreth
    
    The said Simeon Wilmot also filed the following bond to wit
    Know all men by these presents that we Simeon Wilmot and Byrd Monroe are held and firmly bound unto the people of the State of Illinois, for the use of Coles County Illinois, in the penal sum of one Thousand Dollars. Current money of the United States the payment of which will and truly to be made we?(illegible) ourselves our heirs executors and administrators, ? severally and firmly by these presents witness our hands and seals this 7th day of April 1846. The condition of the above ? whereas the above named Simeon Wilmot is a free person of Color, and is desireous of settlement in said County, now, if the said Simeon Wilmot shall not at any time become a charge to said countyh or any other county in this State asa a poor person and if he shall at all times demean himself in strict, conformity to the laws of this State, that now are or hereafter may be enacted then this obligation is to be void; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Taken and entered into before me this 7th day of Aapril 1846 Al. Ellington Clk Simeon Wilmot made his mark and Byrd Monroe signed.
    The said Simeon Wilmot is of the following Description to wit about thirty years old five feet and three inches high Very Black, heavy made thick lips and has a large scar on the right side of his face extending from the ear in a direction to his mouth.

26. ↑ Federal Census, in United States. Bureau of the Census. 10th census, 1880. Illinois, 1880 federal census : soundex and population schedules. (Washington, District of Columbia: The National Archives, 19--?)
    1880.

    Camargo Township, Douglas County, Illinois District 85 near Prosser's so possibly near Hugo.
    Simeon Wilmot, 64, farmer, b. KY and both parents b.KY
    Harriet, 69, b. MD and both parents b. MD
    Curby (Kirby), Walter, 19, grandson, b. IL Father b. TN, Mother b. IL
    Steward, Sarah, 8, granddaughter, b. IL Father b. TN, Mother b. IL
    (Walter is son of William Kirby, b. TN and Nancy Wilmot b. IL. Sarah Stewart is daughter of James and Mary Stewart?