The Raid on Sturdivant's fort

The Raid on Sturdivant's Fort — Notes

Also spelled on documents as Sturdevant, Sturdevan, Studevant, Sturdavan, Sturdivan, Sturdivent, Sturdyvin, Sturtevant and probably other ways.

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NOTE 2

    Laws of the Illinois Territory, Fourth Session, 1815-1816, Kaskaskia
    An Act to suppress the counterfeiting of bank notes.
    Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Illinois Territory, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that if any person within this territory shall falsely make, alter, forge or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, altered, forged or counterfeited any bill or note for the payment of money which shall on the face thereof purport to be the note of any bank within any one of the United States, or any one of their territories, whether such bank be or be not in existence at the time that such note shall be so falsely made, altered, forged or counterfeited, every such person, whether he shall pass or attempt to pass such false altered, forged or counterfeit note, so purporting as aforesaid or not, shall be deemed and adjudged guilty of felony; and being thereof convicted according to the due course of law, shall suffer death by hanging, without benefit of clergy.

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NOTE 3

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois represented in the general assembly, That if person within this state, shall falsely make, alter, forge, or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, altered, forged or counterfeited any bill or note, for the payment of money, which shall on the face thereof purport to be the note of any bank within any one of the United States, or any one of their territories, whether such bank be or be not in existence at the time such note be so falsely made, altered, forged or counterfeited, every s uch person, whether he shall pass or attempt to pass such false, altered, forged, or counterfeit note, so purporting as aforesaid or not, shall be deemed and adjudged guilty of felony, and being thereof convicted according to the due course of law, shall be fined five hundred dollars, and receive seventy-five lashes on his bare back; and shall moreover, be deemed infamous, and be held incapable of holding any office, or giving testimony in any case whatever.

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NOTE 4

"John McLean was, undoubtedly, the ablest and most influential man in Illinois at the time of his death. He was elected United States senator in 1825, to succeed Ninian Edwards, who had resigned to accept the position of minister to Mexico. Having served out the term of Gov. Edwards, of only a few months, Elias Kent Kane was elected his successor for the long term. In 1829, Mr. McLean was elected for six years, to succeed Jesse B. Thomas. He died however, shortly after the commencement of his term of service, in 1830. Had he lived, he would have left an indelible impression upon the history of the State.
"Mr. McLean was a member of the House of Representatives from Gallatin County in 1820 to 1822, and of which he was made speaker. He was also a member from 1826 to 1828, and from 1828 to 1830. He was speaker of the House both sessions, and elected senator while holding the office in 1829." Chicago Historical Society's Collection — Vol. I, History of the English Settlement in Edwards County, Illinois, Founded in 1817 and 1818, by Morris Birbeck and George Flower, With Preface and Footnotes by E.B. Washburn, Chicago: Fergus Printing Co. 1882.

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NOTE 5

ILLINOIS TERRITORY Sct.
The United States to the Sheriff or any constable of said county Greeting————

POPE COUNTY
    Whereas James Leach, Ebenezer Hays, Merick Sturdivant, and Sirus Halberts are of suspicious character and suspected to be guilty of circulating and passing spurious and counterfeit money—
    You are therefore hereby commanded in the name of the United States to take into custody the aforesaid James Leach, Ebenezer Hays, Merick Sturdivant and Sirus Halberts and forthwith convey them before us James E. Willis, John Roberts and Francis Moore justices of the peace in and for said county at the house of Caleb E. Irvin at 12 A.M. Oclock on the 6th day of January, 1819 to answer to the above charges and make return of this precept agreeably to law — Given under our hands and seals this 6th day of January, 1819.
        James E. Willis, JP (seal)
        John Roberts JP (seal)
        Francis Moore JP (seal)
[James E. Willis was ordered to be paid $6.75 "as Justice in prosecution of Sturdivant" Pope County Court Book A, Dec. 3, 1823.]

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NOTE 6

This refers to Potts' Inn, 10 miles north of Cave-in-Rock, at the foot of Potts' Hill, in Hardin County, the home of Isaiah and Mary Potts. This is also the legendary home of infamous "Billy Potts."

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NOTE 7

STATE OF ILLINOIS                Sct. Pope County Circuit
POPE COUNTY                               September term 1823

    William Rondeau, plaintiff, complains of Roswell S. Sturdevant, Azar Sturdivant, & William Caldwell defendants, being in custody & of a plea of trespass for this that they the said defendants heretofore to wit on the __ day [This attack was begun on May 6th, the day Mr. Small was killed, and continued on the 7th or 8th day of May, 1823. Rondeau was shot on either the 7th or 8th of May, during the second attack.] of May in the year 1823 with force and arms to wit with swords, staves, guns & pistols upon him the said plaintiff an assault did make and then & there with a musket charged with gun powder and leaden bullets at and against him the said plaintiff did discharge and shoot by means whereof he the said plaintiff was grievously wounded in his right shoulder and in various other parts and places in and upon the body of him, the said plaintiff was then & there greatly hurt, bruised and wounded and became and was sick, sore, lame and disordered and so remain ed and continued for a long space of time to wit for the space of three months time next following during all which time he the said plaintiff thereby suffered and underwent great pain & was hindered and prevented from performing and transacting his necessary affairs and business by him during that time to be performed and transacted and also thereby he the said plaintiff was forced and obliged to and did necessarily pay lay out and expend a large sum of money, to wit the sum of three hundred dollars of lawful money of this State for the attendance of sergeons, physicians and medicines in and about endeavouring to be cured of the wounds, sickness and disorder aforesaid accertained as aforesaid to wit at the circuit aforesaid and other wrong to the said plaintiff then and their did against the peace and dignity of the people of the State of Illinois and to the great damage of the said plaintiff.
    [The second charge was essentially the same as the first.]
    3rd count, and also for this, that afterwards to wit on the __ day of ___ in the year 1823, they the said defendants with force & arms to wit with swords, staves, pistols & guns upon him the said plaintiff an assault did make and him the said plaintiff then & there beat bruised and evil intention so that his life was thereby greatly dispaired of and other wrongs to the said plaintiff then & there did against the peace and dignity of the people of the state of Illinois and to the anger of the said plaintiff of 10,000 dollars & thereof he brings suit &c.
Hardin & Smith

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    For more on the Sturdivants in Southern Illinois' history check out Judge James Hall's account of Sturdivant the Counterfeitor published in 1835 and Ron Nelson's story To Find a Fort.
    Springhouse Magazine originally published all three articles in their April 1998 issue and are reprinted with permission. For back issues of Springhouse, contact publisher Gary DeNeal.
    Author Ron Nelson can also be reached via the web.