| |
|
|
| 1769 |
Born on July 8, in the Colony of Pennsylvania. |
| 1788 |
Emigrated to Virginia in his nineteenth year. |
| 1809 |
Second Sheriff of Randolph County, Illinois Territory. |
| 1812-1814 |
Colonel in military service in two campaigns of the War of 1812. |
| 1813-1816 |
Representative in the United States Congress from the Illinois Territory. He was a Democrat and a protégé of Ninian Edwards, governor of Illinois Territory. |
| 1816 |
Opened the second store in Edwardsville. Appointed "Receiver of Public Moneys" when the land office was established in Edwardsville. |
| 1818 |
Organizer of the first bank in Edwardsville. |
| 1818 |
Madison County Representative to the Constitutional Convention which convened in Kaskaskia, capitol of Illinois Territory, to frame the first Illinois government. Nominated for the rank of Major General of the Illinois Territorial Militia. The appointment was never confirmed because the territory became a state. |
| 1819, February 23 |
Edwardsville received its charter. It became the fourth town in Illinois to be chartered. Benjamin Stephenson was appointed, with six other men, as the Board of Trustees. Among the first ordinances approved for the town was an ordinance annexing the Robinson Farms area. Other ordinances established fines for racing horses in town and a fine for inciting a riot. An early ordinance also established a fine for anyone leaving a dead and putrid animal on their lot. |
| 1819, August 6 |
He was appointed Sub-Agent for Indian Affairs. He assisted Auguste Chouteau in negotiating a treaty for the United States to purchase 14 million acres from the Kickapoo Indians, a part of central Illinois. |
| 1819 |
With Ninian Edwards and others petitioned the Board of Trustees that a tract of land adjoining the town should be annexed and made a part of Edwardsville. This tract of land which they owned was the "southeast end of town and was laid out in blocks and streets...designed to supersede the old town." |
| 1820 |
Began construction of his new home in upper Edwardsville. |
| 1822 |
Died October 10, in his home. Was buried in Lusk Memorial Cemetery, Edwardsville, Illinois. |
| |
|
|
